mandovoodoo

[cutter]

Hi all
I've been playing mandolin a little over a year now and am thinking upgrading to an Eastman (not sure what model yet). I've been toying with the thought of having the "mandovoodoo" performed at time of purchase. Anybody have any insight on this? Good, Bad, recommended, not recommended, etc....? I have played one Eastman that had this performed at a jam. Man was it loud with lots of bark & bite, very impressive (to me). I wish I could of heard a "before/after" though.

Your opinions appreciated

[Fred]

I know guys over on the mandolin cafe who swear by it, but I've never had it done. Let me know what you find out.

[cutter]

Will do Fred. If & when I pull the trigger and if I decide on the "manovoodoo" I'll probably have it done at time of purchase. Once I receive the instrument and if I decide I don't like the instrument and send it back I think they refund all but 50$ because of the mandovoodo. That being said I won't have a chance for before/after comparison. Sure wish there was an Eastman dealer around here. I much rather like to sit and get intimate with an instrument before any money changes hands.

BTW, my current mando is a Rover RM-75 by Saga. Pretty nice for about 5 bills. It's got bark and good playability. When I upgrade I'll definitely hang on to that Rover. It's taken a lot of compliments at the jams.

[Dub Martin]

Hi, Cutter,

I've seen and played mandolins that have come back from Steve Perry (Mandovoodoo) and they definitely sounded better. How much better depends on what you started with. One example I played both before and after was a Lebeda F-5 that sounded great before it went to Steve.

I play an Eastman 815 model and mine is going to Steve one day, maybe this year. I've had mine and played it for over two years and it's coming into it's natural voice; a very nice voice I might add. I think it's better to break an instrument in first before taking it to Steve and I think Steve might agree. I also think I'll drive down to Steve's place (12 hrs one way for me) with my mandolin because Steve will see and hear how I play it, tweak it, hand it back and listen, tweak it some more, etc. I think that process has the potential for the best results.

As for Eastman mandolins, if you're wanting an F-5 model, I'd go with the 815. The 915s are definitely fancier but I'm not sure they'll sound or play that much better. The 615s are nice but clearly not on the same level as the 815s. The difference is more than cosmetic and worth the price. Of course they make many other models besides the F-5s.

There are two upgrades you'll want for a new 815: a James Mandolin Tailpiece and a King Brown armrest. I pass on the Tone Guard that many people like and just hold the mandolin out away from my body. But be aware that damping the back of the mandolin with your body pretty much negates any advantage from Mandovoodoo.

I work in a shop that is an Eastman dealer so I see a lot of Eastman mandolins, guitars and violins.

Good luck.

[cutter]

Hi Dub
Thanks for the great insight. The thought of playing one awhile and allowing it to naturally open up first hadn't occurred to me. Yea, been looking the 815's over pretty hard via internet. I certainly don't need to spend the money on extra "bells & whistles" that don't affect tone and playability and I do like the F5's. For the (very short) time being my finances are a bit limited but I'm saving. May even make the treck down to meet Steve when I'm ready to buy. My Rover is still a better instrument than I am a player of it so needless to say it is sufficing right now. Hmmm, wonder what a little madovoodo would do to it.

Thanks again for the insight

[cutter]

Well, I went ahead and pulled the trigger on a new Eastman 515 Saturday. Was playing thru all the new mandos at our local "Appalachian Bluegrass Shop" and just fell in love with this one. This is actually the second upgrade I've done (3 mandos) since I married onto mandolin playing about a year and a half ago. I still like my RM-75 for what it is and it has been opening up quite well in the last 14 months. The Eastman plays slightly faster and sounds about 20% better right now. I'll let it open up and then think about the mandovoodo down the road. If my playing skills continue to progress at the rate they have been I'll be ready to look into the "big" investment in a few years. BTW this Eastman 515 sounded better than alot of the higher end names I was trying. I thought it was just my (kinda dismal) discerning ear but my partners were in agreement. It's a whole lot better mandolin than I am a player (at least for now ).

[ScottB]

Congrats on new mando day! When are we gonna jam and start breaking that baby in? (I may have a new baby in the family soon. I haven't decided on the name, but I'm kinda partial to Martin or Gibson. ;^)

[cutter]

Thanks Scotty
We'll get together real soon. I've been asked to play a gig with the "Barnstormers" so I've been working on my lead breaks and back up vocals down the flyshop lately. Just an outdoor party at beginning of October but a gig non the less. I'm torn between Gibson & Martin guitars right now. You know I've always been real partial to a D-28 but am really liking the sound of a J-45 (rosewood). Wish I could afford one each right now . Come on out and check out the new mando (bring along yer dreadnaught ).

See Ya

[Dub Martin]

Cutter, congratulations on the new Eastman. I know you're going to like it a lot, especially when it starts opening up.

[cutter]

Thanks Dub Martin
Not quite the 815 but I'm calling it a good middle of the road mandolin that's more than adequate for my present skill level & budget. I'll let you know how it fares as it opens up.

[Dub Martin]

Has anyone submitted their mandolin to Steve Perry's Mandovoodoo Optimization process since we started this thread?

I'll be in the Friendsville, TN (Knoxville) area on July 12 and, if Steve has time, could stop by for some Voodoo.

[cutter]

I have not yet had this performed on any of mine but still hearing good things about it. Wonder what it would do for my Rover, I really love that mandolin. Hey Dub Martin, If you meet up with Steve would you mind asking if he's ever done any Rover rm-75's? I'd love to know how much some voodoo would improve tone & volume on it.

Good Luck