Eastman MD915-BD Blonde

An Eastman Mandolin Designed for Projection and Acoustic Play

The MD915-BD Blonde follows the tradition of carved top and back instruments: lutherie focused on performance, using traditional materials and a "Vintage Gloss" finish that highlights the flames of the maple. Its F-Style body and F-holes prioritize power, definition, and presence, while maintaining a high-end aesthetic (binding, inlays, abalone logo).

For Which Musicians and Styles?

This MD915-BD is aimed at intermediate to expert musicians seeking an expressive, precise acoustic mandolin capable of standing out in a band. It excels in bluegrass, folk, americana, and percussive rhythmic accompaniment, while remaining very comfortable for fast melodic lines thanks to its clear attack and note-to-note clarity.

Sound Characteristics

The solid Adirondack spruce top delivers a bright attack, wide dynamic range, and excellent sustain when played hard with a pick. The highly flamed solid maple back and sides enhance clarity, projection, and note separation, with a clean low-midrange and bright treble. The F-Style body with F-holes promotes a direct and focused sound, ideal for "cutting through" the acoustic mix. The adjustable compensated ebony bridge allows fine-tuning of action and intonation to suit your attack, string gauge, and playing comfort.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

To stay as close as possible to the original setup, a D'Addario J74 string set is a safe and perfectly matched choice for this model (factory-installed reference). The included hard case is recommended for daily transport and protection.

Technical specifications

Body style	F-Style with F-Holes	Scale length	13 7/8" / 352.4 mm
Top	solid Adirondack spruce	Nut	bone, 2.54 cm / 1.00" (25.4 mm)
Back and sides	highly flamed solid maple	Nut height	0.018" / 0.46 mm
Body dimensions	4.3 cm / 1.69" x 10 cm / 3.94" x 1 7/8 cm / 0.74"	Neck/headstock finish	Vintage Gloss
Rosette	none	Inlays	abalone dots
Pickguard	none	Logo	abalone flowerpot on the headstock
Side color	black	Hardware color	nickel
Body finish	Vintage Gloss	Tailpiece	Eastman cast aluminum tailpiece
Binding	top, back, fingerboard, and headstock	Bridge	adjustable compensated ebony
Binding material	tortoise	Tuners	Gotoh MF40R-MP-NI
Neck material	maple	Strap buttons	ebony
Fingerboard	ebony	String spacing	2.8 cm / 1.10" (28 mm)
Fingerboard radius	12" / 304.8 mm	Action height	0.060" / 1.52 mm and 0.050" / 1.27 mm
Truss rod	single-action	Strings	D'Addario J74
Frets	23 Jescar FW37053	Case	Hardshell Case