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About this c.1942 Gibson A-50

Gibson’s wartime A-50 mandolin sported a full-instrument sunburst finish, carved and bound spruce and maple top and back, pearl Gibson logo and diamond headstock ornament, bound rosewood fretboard, adjustable bridge, and a clamshell tailpiece. It was a dressy mid-line instrument in its day and remains one of the better values among vintage mandolins.

This example remains in great shape but is missing its pickguard and original tuning machines. It is otherwise original – including finish – and is crack free. Excellent setup and great neck angle, no top sinkage, and only light wear on its original frets. There is a minor impact wound on the bass edge of the top near the widest section of the body that has been repaired, and areas of worn finish on the back of the neck.

A sweetly voiced F-hole A style mandolin with tonebar bracing, this Gibson A-50 is at home in a jam session, or played solo. It has enough cut for bluegrass when you need it.

10” wide body, 13-7/8” scale, 1-7/32” nut width. Soft V carved mahogany neck with flat fretboard and vintage-size fretwire.

With hardshell case

1942 Gibson A-50 vintage A-style mandolin

About Folkway Music

Folkway Music is a different kind of guitar store. Owing largely to the fact that its owner, Mark Stutman, has a relentless obsession for quality in every aspect of the store.  Consequently, Folkway Music is wholeheartedly committed to offering our clients the absolute best. Our instrument quality and genuine care for our customer’s experience are unrivalled.  Have a look at our client testimonials, they say it better than we can, without a doubt!

Still not quite ready to add this item to your cart? No problem. We believe that you should know exactly what the instrument you are interested in is all about… subsequently that involves conversation. We provide hands-on descriptions and demonstrations of our instruments over the phone. Additionally, if you find that you’d like to hear an audio sample or see detailed photos over and above what we display on our site, we’ll be happy to make it happen for you. We take care through the entire process to ensure that you will be satisfied when you receive your purchase.  Learn More

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1990 Gilchrist F5

Steve Gilchrist’s mandolins are hand carved instruments that speak with a voice that balances warmth, clarity, and responsiveness. Built in Australia since the mid 1970s, these mandolins reflect Gilchrist’s deep understanding of form and function, drawing on the heritage of Gibson’s Loar-period F-style instruments, while maintaining a character all their own. Each example shows careful attention to wood selection, graduation, and setup, resulting in an instrument that is as enjoyable to play as it is to admire. While seldom encountered on the used and vintage market, Gilchrist’s work stands out in any collection for its individuality and musical presence, qualities that resonate with players who seek instruments with both pedigree and personality.

This 1990 Gilchrist F5 features a rare one-piece European spruce top with X bracing and flamed red maple back and sides, and is finished in a Cremona Brown Sunburst varnish. Traditional Loar-inspired styling includes a scrolled headstock with flowerpot inlay, nickel-plated prewar-style hardware, dot fretboard inlays, and three-ply bindings. According to available build records, it is the last instrument of a batch from 1990 that is labeled “F-5,” marking it as a notable example of Gilchrist’s early work. The fingerboard and pickguard have been replaced (it is unknown if the work was done by Gilchrist, himself, or elsewhere) and the finish has been carefully removed from the neck for a faster feel. The balance of the instrument remains original. Flat fretboard, 1-1/8″ nut.

The mandolin delivers a clear, balanced, and richly responsive voice across the register, with excellent projection and note separation. 35 years of careful playing has enhanced its tonal character, giving it a mature, resonant voice.

This instrument exemplifies Stephen Gilchrist’s meticulous craftsmanship and prewar-inspired approach, combining tonal depth, clarity, and musical nuance. Ready to play and perfectly set-up, it offers one of the finest modern interpretations of the classic F-5 style, and will be deeply appreciated by players seeking both beauty and the ultimate playing experience.

With Hoffee carbon case.

1990 Gilchrist F5 sunburst flowerpot mandolin

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The Eastman MD305 A-style mandolin features carved top and back of spruce and maple, radiused ebony fingerboard, and a satin finish.

Ivoroid top bindings, chrome plated vintage style tailpiece, adjustable ebony bridge, bone nut, and vintage style chrome-plated tuning machines finish of the instrument. Nut width of 1-1/8″, comfortable U-profile neck.

Thorough in-shop set up is the Folkway advantage when shopping for an Eastman mandolin. We take the time to carefully hand-fit each bridge, adjust the nut slots and set-up, and ensure the finish is buffed just right.

With Eastman case.

Individual instruments may vary in appearance.

Eastman MD305 A-style mandolin

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The Eastman MD305 Lefty A-style mandolin features carved top and back of spruce and maple, radiused ebony fingerboard, and a satin finish.

Ivoroid top bindings, chrome plated vintage style tailpiece, adjustable ebony bridge, bone nut, and vintage style chrome-plated tuning machines finish of the instrument. Nut width of 1-1/8″, comfortable U-profile neck.

Thorough in-shop set up is the Folkway advantage when shopping for an Eastman mandolin. We take the time to carefully hand-fit each bridge, adjust the nut slots and set-up, and ensure the finish is buffed just right.

With Eastman case.

Individual instruments may vary in appearance.

Eastman MD305 lefty A-style mandolin

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The Eastman MD315 F style mandolin features carved top and back of spruce and maple, radiused ebony fingerboard, and a satin finish.

Ivoroid top bindings, chrome plated vintage style tailpiece, adjustable ebony bridge, bone nut, and vintage style chrome-plated tuning machines finish of the instrument. Nut width of 1-3/32, comfortable U-profile neck.

Thorough in-shop set up is the Folkway advantage when shopping for an Eastman mandolin. We take the time to carefully hand-fit each bridge, adjust the nut slots and set-up, and ensure the finish is buffed just right.

With Eastman case.

Individual instruments may vary in appearance.
Eastman MD315 F-style mandolin
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The Eastman MD504 is a vintage inspired oval-hole A style mandolin with solid, carved tonewoods, ebony fittings, and gloss finish. The body, fretboard, and soundhole are bound in ivoroid, and the soundhole rosette is ivoroid and ebony. Cast aluminum tailpiece, nickel-plated vintage style tuners, bone nut, and adjustable bridge. 12” fretboard radius, 1-3/32” nut width, 13-7/8” scale. <br/><br/>

With fitted case.

Eastman MD504 Oval Hole Mandolin

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The Eastman MD505 A style mandolin features fully hand-carved top and back of premium spruce and figured maple, bound and radiused ebony fingerboard, and a high-gloss, vintage-styled, Nitrocellulose lacquer finish.

Ivoroid top and fingerboard bindings, chrome-plated cast tailpiece, adjustable ebony bridge, bone nut. Vintage style chrome-plated tuning machines finish of the instrument. Slightly wider nut width of 1-1/8″, comfortable U-profile neck.

Thorough in-shop set up is the Folkway advantage when shopping for an Eastman mandolin. We take the time to carefully hand-fit each bridge, adjust the nut slots and set-up, and ensure the finish is buffed just right.

With hardshell case

Individual instruments may vary in appearance.

Eastman MD505 A-style mandolin

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The Eastman MD505-CS punches high above its class in the arena of tone. It’s an exceptional sounding A-style mandolin with long neck geometry, F-holes, and a great looking vintage sunburst finish, that plays comfortably thanks to excellent fretwork on a radiused fingerboard, and our in-shop setup work. But it’s in the tone department that this instrument really shines.

Built with a carved spruce top and carved maple back and sides, ebony fingerboard and bridge, and tonebar bracing, the MD505 has a bold and sweet voice, with thick and meaty treble response, a strong and throaty midrange and articulate low end. It’s a versatile instrument, with enough cut and chop for ensemble bluegrass, and enough sweetness and warmth for solo playing.

13-7/8” scale, 1-3/32 bone nut, 12” fingerboard radius. Ivoroid bindings, gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish, and pearl dot inlays.

With hardshell case.

Eastman MD505-CS Sunburst A-style mandolin

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