Eastman ER-M-GB with custom Lollar pickup and Hardcase

The Eastman ER-M-GB El Rey Mandolin in Goldburst finish, equipped with a custom Lollar Mandolin Humbucker pickup and a hardshell case, is a truly distinctive and high-quality electric mandolin. Eastman is known for its handcrafted instruments that blend traditional build methods with modern playability and tone, and the El Rey mandolin is a prime example of their innovative approach.

Here's a breakdown of its features:

Eastman ER-M-GB El Rey Mandolin (General Features):

• Body Style: This is not a traditional F-style or A-style acoustic mandolin. It's an "ER Mandolin Style," inspired by Eastman's "El Rey" archtop electric guitars. It features a unique single-cutaway, chambered body design.

• Construction:

  • Body Top: Solid Maple

  • Body Back/Sides: Solid One-Piece Mahogany (chambered for lighter weight and resonance)

  • This combination of solid maple and mahogany contributes to a rich, warm, and resonant tone, even before amplification.

• Neck: Maple

• Fingerboard: Ebony, a dark, dense wood known for its smooth feel and clear tone.

• Inlays: Pearl El Rey Thumbnails on the fingerboard, adding a touch of elegance.

• Scale Length: Approximately 13 7/8 inches (standard mandolin scale).

• Nut: Bone, providing excellent string vibration transfer.

• Bridge: Adjustable Compensated Ebony Bridge, allowing for precise intonation adjustments.

• Tailpiece: Cast Aluminum, a sturdy and well-regarded tailpiece for mandolins.

• Tuners: Quality geared tuners (often Pingwell RM-1583N-26A), ensuring stable tuning.

• Finish: Truetone Gloss finish in Goldburst. Eastman's Truetone finish is a thin, resonant lacquer that allows the wood to breathe and vibrate naturally. The Goldburst color adds a visually striking aesthetic.

• Hardware Color: Nickel.

• Truss Rod: Single Acting, for neck relief adjustments.

• Binding: Top binding (often Ivoroid) for a clean aesthetic.

• Strings: Typically comes strung with D'Addario Nickel Bronze mandolin strings (e.g., #NBM1140).

• Dimensions: Approximately 26 11/16" x 10" x 1 5/8" (body dimensions).

The "Custom Lollar Mandolin Humbucker Pickup":

This is a significant feature that sets the ER-M-GB apart and greatly influences its amplified sound.

• Lollar Pickups: Lollar is a highly respected boutique pickup manufacturer known for their hand-wound pickups that are praised for their clarity, dynamic response, and vintage-inspired tones.

• Mandolin Humbucker: This specific pickup is custom-designed by Lollar for mandolins, meaning it's voiced to capture the unique sonic characteristics of the instrument. Being a humbucker, it's designed to be hum-canceling, reducing unwanted noise and interference, which is crucial for amplified performance.

• Ebony Mount: The pickup is often held in place by a handmade ebony mount, showcasing attention to detail and a high-quality aesthetic.

• Sonic Impact: The Lollar humbucker is known to deliver a powerful, rich, and full-bodied electric tone with incredible definition and warmth. It captures every nuance of your playing and offers smooth, dynamic response with minimal feedback, making it ideal for both live performances and studio recordings. This allows the mandolin to cut through a mix in a band setting and provides a versatile sound palette suitable for genres from jazz and blues to rock and folk, where traditional acoustic mandolin pickups might struggle with feedback or lack punch.

Hardshell Case:

• The inclusion of a hardshell case (as indicated by "Hardcase" in your query) is standard for this model and is essential for protecting the instrument during transport and storage. It provides significantly more protection than a gig bag.

Overall Impression:

The Eastman ER-M-GB with the custom Lollar pickup and hardshell case is a premium electric mandolin for players seeking a unique blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern amplified performance. Its semi-hollow body construction, solid tonewoods, and the high-quality Lollar humbucker make it a versatile instrument capable of delivering powerful and articulate tones in any amplified setting. It's often praised for its playability and the ability to "cut through" a mix effectively.