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Frequently Asked Questions
Beginner's Guide Here
What trial period does Gianna Violins allow?
We allow 2 weeks from the time we ship the instrument to when we are notified of intent to return it. There are other
details. See our return policy and read our purchase agreement. If you mark up the mandolin or otherwise make it
unsalable as new, it is yours. Please be careful.
What kind of setup does Gianna Violins do on mandolins and guitars?
See our basic setup description. We check the finish, truss rod adjustment, frets, fit of the bridge to the top, tightness of
the tailpiece screws, tightness of the end pin, lubricate the tuners, check and adjust the action at nut and bridge. The
mandolins are fitted out with appropriate strings and set with approximately 0.049" clearance under the E strings and
0.062" clearance under the G strings, measured at the 12th fret. We have no problem changing our basic setup on
request. For an illustrated look at our setup see our setup page. We can also perform the mandovoodoo(tm) process
to open up the sound, jump start break in, turbocharge response, and add great clarity and sweetness on request for a
modest additional charge.
Can these instruments really be shipped safely?
We pack instruments either in their original thick shipping box from Eastman or our own custom-made double-walled
cardboard boxes. We've shipped instruments all over the world generally without trouble. We use FedEx ground in the
continental US.
Who makes Eastman mandolins and guitars?
In 1992, Qian Ni, who had come to the United States from China to study music, founded Eastman Strings. In the
beginning, he and his two musician colleagues bought instruments from Western-trained violin makers from their home
town in China, but before long, they saw that a different approach was needed. Mr. Ni hired a group of established
master violinmakers, and with their help, he established a large master violin workshop devoted to the handcrafting of
instruments—one of the first the world had known since the first half of the 20th century. In the short time since this
workshop was founded, the reputation of Eastman Strings’ instruments for tonal quality, craftsmanship and excellence
has become a worldwide standard. After establishing the instrument making workshop, Qian Ni went on to found a bow
making workshop based on the same principals. In both workshops, master makers train and oversee talented
woodworkers to create some of the world’s finest student, step-up, and professional instruments and bows. In recent
years, Eastman’s fine craftsmen have successfully taken up the challenges presented by archtop guitars, archback
guitars, and mandolins.
Do Eastman guitars and mandolins follow standard dimensions and designs?
Eastman hand carved instruments were developed from patterns, plans, drawings, and physical examples of the fine
arched top and back mandolins developed in the 1920s. Unlike many modern replicas, Eastman products use hand cut
dovetail neck mounting, traditional flat fingerboards, and precisely set narrow frets. A few innovations help today’s
players. Each mandolin contains an adjustable truss rod, uses an adjustable ebony bridge, relies on a cast polished
tailpiece rather than a stamped metal shell, and may have the extra frets on the fingerboard extension removed and the
extension relieved, or may use a modern terminated fretboard. Fingerboards are usually slightly radiused. Basic
construction features are as they always have been. Eastman doesn’t bolt on the necks or use non-traditional
dimensions.
How are Eastman mandolins and guitars made?
With the exception of a few bulk woodworking tools (table saw, bandsaw, and drill press), Eastman guitars and
mandolins are made completely by hand. No CNC or duplicating equipment is used. Take a workshop tour.
Is the wood properly aged in Eastman instruments?
Eastman is very conscious of the importance of tonewood and proper aging. Unlike Europe and the US, China has no
incentive to speed drying using expensive energy. Eastman ages wood the traditional way, with natural air circulation
for many years.
What kind of finish does Eastman use?
Eastman hand brushes fine traditional spirit varnish on all their mandolins and archtop guitars, rather than spraying on
hard nitrocellulose or plastic finish. Eastman craftsmen have many years of experience with this traditional finish – a
finish that doesn’t damp vibration and sound. After spirit varnishing, some Eastman archtop instruments are very lightly
coated with lacquer then buffed out to provide a slightly more durable uppermost surface and the shine mandolin
players have grown accustomed to. Some are left with the varnish surface. Thin varnish isn’t bombproof like thickly
coated instruments, but lets the instrument breathe and vibrate. This varnish will wear and will not tolerate abuse – just
like the varnish on the originals from the 1920s and 1930s. Gentle cleaning with microfiber cloth slightly dampened
should keep the finish working well for decades. Should it wear through, it can be retouched with standard violin spirit
varnish by a trained professional.
What kind of guarantee & warranty does Eastman offer?
See Eastman Strings for the latest warranty terms. Terms as of 2/05 reprinted in part below:
“Eastman Strings warrants its instruments . . . to be free of defect in material and construction for the lifetime of the
product. Cases are warranted to be free of defect in materials and workmanship for one year from the date of purchase.
Please see below for limitations and restrictions to this warranty. Eastman Strings will, at its option, repair or replace any
item found to have been defective in materials or manufacture under the terms stated here. Eastman Strings shall be
the sole arbiter of eligibility for warranty repair or replacement. Eastman Strings' liability is limited to repair or
replacement of defective items.
To be eligible for warranty coverage, the original purchaser of the item must present the defective item, together with
the original receipt of purchase, to the dealer from which it was purchased. The dealer will then make all necessary
arrangements with Eastman Strings for repair or replacement of the defective item.
Eastman Strings reserves the right to make changes to this warranty. The policies in place at the time of purchase will
be honored.
Restrictions:
Instruments: Limited lifetime warranty applies only to original purchaser of instrument. Warranty does not cover
strings. Warranty on pegs, chinrests endpins and tailpieces is expressly limited to one year. Bridges are covered by
warranty for a period of three months. Damage caused by neglect or misuse of instrument is not covered. Please note
that exposure to excessive heat, cold, dryness, or moisture is considered neglect. Warranty is void if any repair or
attempt to repair instrument by customer or by an unauthorized repair person has been made. Instrument adjustment is
not covered by this warranty. Normal wear caused by normal use of items is not covered by this warranty. Please note
that openings in an instrument’s seams are common. Because of the nature of wood and its reactions to seasonal
changes, Eastman Strings instruments have been made using traditional hide glue to ensure that seasonal swelling or
shrinking of the wood will not result in cracks to the wood, but rather in simple-to-repair seam openings. The Eastman
Strings warranty does not cover seam openings. To avoid seam openings or cracks caused by extreme or sudden
changes in temperature or humidity, please protect your instrument by maintaining humidity levels between 40% and
70%, and do not expose your instrument to temperatures above or below those generally found comfortable by people
(roughly 55-90 degrees Fahrenheit).
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cases: Warranty applies only to original purchaser of case. Damage caused by either normal wear, or by misuse or
neglect is not covered. Eastman Strings’ warranty responsibilities and liabilities are limited to repair or replacement of
defective cases for one year from the date of purchase. Damage to instruments, bows, or other personal property being
stored or transported in Eastman Strings cases is not covered by this or any other Eastman Strings warranty.”
I've read all the material on the site and am still not sure what instrument to
purchase - how can I make an appropriate choice?
Please give Steve Perry a call at 866 884 6546 toll free. He’ll figure out about what level of instrument will be
appropriate and play through a number to help you select. He’ll also determine what kind of setup is most likely to be
beneficial.
Do you sell used instruments? What do you do with your traded-in Gianna,
Eastman, and other instruments?
We get a certain number of trade ins back. We discount these as appropriate to the condition. They are normally a very
good deal because they are quite stable and well broken in. We also sometimes have demo instruments.
Do you accept trade ins?
We accept trade ins. In line with industry standards, we generally offer 60% of street value except on instruments we've
sold here.. We determine street value by a quick search of online venues, including eBay, a consideration of demand,
and an evaluation of condition. You'll generally do better selling things yourself. We have to absorb the cost of
cleaning and restoring the item, putting on new strings, storing it, marketing it, and handle the associated overhead
expenses. We can't generally allow more for a trade in than we could get the same item for new. And we generally
won't allow more than 50% of the new list price under any circumstances.
I didn't bother reading your policies or understanding reasonable commercial
business practices and now I want you to do something we didn't agree on;
why won't you?
We have policies agreed to by everyone involved with Gianna Violins. A single individual doesn't have unlimited
authority to waive the terms and conditions set up by our legal advisors and agreed to all of us. By using this site,
you've agreed to these terms and policies. They are fair, reasonable, and in line with general business practices.
Relying on the terms posted keeps us from getting into disputes because people know what they're getting into. But we
can't make you read the policies and terms you're agreeing to when you order.
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Gianna Violins Maker and seller violin, viola, fiddle, violin case, violin bow, accessories, support, appraisal, restoration, Eastman
mandolins & guitars.
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Entire contents Copyright © 2005 Gianna Violins
Gianna Violins™ is a protected trademark used by Gianna Violins in interstate commerce. Publisher does not accept liability for incorrect
spelling, printing errors (including prices), incorrect manufacturer's specifications or changes, or grammatical inaccuracies in any product
or technical information on Gianna Violins’ website, in email communications from Gianna Violins, or in telephone communications.
Prices and specifications subject to change without notice.
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