Eastman PCH A Style Mandolin w/ Softcase

Okay, let's clarify the Eastman PCH A-Style Mandolin with Softcase.

The Eastman PCH Series (Pacific Coast Highway Series) of mandolins is Eastman's entry-to-intermediate level offering, designed to deliver the company's renowned quality and craftsmanship at a more accessible price point. The "A-Style" refers to its classic teardrop body shape. The "Softcase" indicates it comes with a padded gig bag, which is typical for this series, prioritizing portability over the rigid protection of a hardshell case.

General Characteristics of Eastman PCH A-Style Mandolins:

Eastman offers various A-style mandolins within the PCH series, which can differ slightly in features, particularly the soundhole type (oval or f-hole) and back material (laminated mahogany or laminated maple). Without a specific model number (like PCH-M104 or PCH-M105), here's what you can generally expect:

• Body Style: A-Style (teardrop shape).

• Soundhole: You'll typically find either:

  • Oval Soundhole: (e.g., PCH-M104) Known for a warmer, more open, and resonant tone, often preferred for folk, Celtic, and classical styles.

  • F-Holes: (e.g., PCH-M105) Tends to have a brighter, punchier, and more focused tone, commonly associated with bluegrass and country.

• Construction:

  • Solid Spruce Top: This is a crucial feature across the PCH mandolins. A solid wood top is vital for good acoustic resonance and tone projection, and it will improve in sound as it ages ("opens up" with playing).

  • Laminated Back & Sides: To keep the price accessible, the back and sides are typically made from laminated (layered) wood. This provides durability and stability. The specific wood can be:

    • Laminated Mahogany: (Common on the PCH-M104) Contributes to a warmer, richer tonal foundation.

    • Laminated Maple: (Common on the PCH-M105) Can offer a slightly brighter and more articulate tone, complementing the f-hole design.

• Neck Material: Maple.

• Fingerboard: Rosewood, a durable and commonly used wood for fingerboards, offering a smooth playing surface.

• Nut: Bone, a traditional and high-quality material for nuts, contributing to good sustain and tone.

• Bridge: Adjustable Compensated Ebony Bridge, allowing for precise intonation adjustments to ensure the mandolin plays in tune across the fretboard.

• Tailpiece: Eastman Cast Aluminum Tailpiece, a sturdy and reliable component for string anchoring.

• Tuners: Quality Geared Tuners, ensuring stable and smooth tuning.

• Finish: Eastman's Truetone Satin finish. This is a thin, open-pore satin lacquer designed to be very resonant, allowing the wood to vibrate freely for better tone compared to thick, glossy finishes.

• Inlays: Simple yet elegant Pearl Dot inlays on the fingerboard.

• Hardware Color: Nickel.

• Strings: Typically comes strung with D'Addario Phosphor Bronze mandolin strings (e.g., XT Phosphor Bronze 1140).

• Scale Length: Standard mandolin scale (approximately 13 7/8 inches).

Included Softcase (Gig Bag):

• This mandolin comes with a padded gig bag. While not as protective as a hardshell case, it's lightweight, easy to carry, and offers sufficient protection for light travel, storage, and transporting the instrument to lessons or casual jams. It usually has backpack straps and an accessory pocket.

Overall Impression:

The Eastman PCH A-Style Mandolin is widely regarded as one of the best value mandolins available. By featuring a solid spruce top combined with quality components and Eastman's careful craftsmanship (even with laminated back/sides), they produce instruments that sound significantly better than many competitors in their price range. They offer excellent playability, good tone, and reliable performance, making them a fantastic choice for:

• Beginners: A solid instrument to learn on that won't hold them back.

• Intermediate Players: A reliable and inspiring step up from entry-level laminated instruments.

• Travel/Beater Mandolin: For experienced players who want a good-sounding mandolin for less demanding situations.

If you are considering a PCH A-style, try to determine if it has an oval or f-hole, as that will be the biggest determinant of its acoustic tonal character.