Washburn M118SW F-Style Mandolin  

I like the "Washburn" name too because "Eastman" sounds like "Eastman Kodak".

It's a really nice looking Mandolin and it comes with a distressed case with a green felt lining that is very nice too. I don't care for Sunburst finish so this is a really nice alternative. I don't know if it is easy to play or not because I have no criteria on which to judge. I've never played one before. But mandolin stores like to call this one "cheap" so it might be that it has a hard action. I am considering having an expert look at it to maybe improve the height and playability some. I tried adjusting the bridge myself and it was as low as possible out of the box. It stays in tune all the way up the neck and that is good and it is crisp and has a good volume output.

Again,I'll give it a high rating because I've never seen a top model. The music store locally doesn't carry anything past the price point of the Washburn and the ones they have, with typical Sunburst finish, look cheap. Quality appears pretty good except the glue joints from the neck to the body are very sloppy. They may have been trying for that "distressed" look again but it concerns me. I expect clean joints. Same with the inlay. The inlay is uneven in spots around the neck joints and there is glue overspray. I suppose for the price that is to be expected although this price or so is very costly to me.

I think for this price, any Chinese made mandolin will be about the same in value. Many say the Eastman is a better instrument but there were none available at this price. I was able to afford the Washburn in this awful economy and it is fun to play.

I like the mandolin a lot despite the flaws. I very much wish that American manufacturers could compete in price but that isn't going to happen. It stays in tune and the machine heads are tight and work well so far and it has a completely adjustable bridge. I'm going to try the alternate stringing method with octave strings for the G and D and see how that works to improve playability.

Tone and volume is great.  Set up out of the box was okay.  I was pleasently supprised by the sound.  Nice case.  would recommend mandovoodoo to maximize the sound and set up.  Great instrument for the money.  Would also consider the Richie Owens model for about the same price.