Gibson A-50 Mandolin 1946 with Original Case

No sales tax for customers outside California.

This 1946 Gibson A-50 mandolin is a beautiful post-war example of Gibson craftsmanship, featuring a carved spruce top, maple back and sides, and the classic teardrop A-style body.

Finished in a warm sunburst with a bound top and rosewood fingerboard, it delivers the woody, articulate tone that made Gibson mandolins a staple in bluegrass, folk, country, and early jazz. The original case is included, adding value for both collectors and players seeking authenticity.

The instrument shows little wear and vibrant, original finish.  It remains structurally sound, crack and repair free with a comfortable neck, responsive action, and excellent projection.

Take a look at the maple back - it is stunning!  The original pickguard disintegrated, which is common.  The mounting hardware and the remnants of the pickguard are included.  The pickguard was thankfully removed before it caused issues with the finish on the mandolin.

Its tone is balanced and clear, with strong midrange presence and the dry chop players love for rhythm work. Original hardware, tuners, and finish make this a desirable piece for collectors of vintage mandolins.

The A-50 was one of Gibson’s most popular mandolins from the 1930s through the 1950s. While not as ornate as the F-style models, it was favored by working musicians for its reliability and tone. Players like Bill Monroe began on A-style Gibsons before popularizing the F-5. Post-war A-50s like this 1946 example are prized for their carved tops and seasoned tonewoods.

At Mahar’s Vintage Guitars, every vintage instrument is inspected, professionally set up, and photographed in detail. We buy, sell, and accept trades on vintage instruments. Explore our Gibson Guitars Collection, Vintage Ukuleles / Mandolins / Banjos, or visit our Sell or Trade Your Gear page.

Actual excerpts from reviews of the Gibson A-50 Mandolin:

“Warm, woody tone only a vintage Gibson can deliver.” – Mandolin Café
“Perfect for bluegrass rhythm and melodic leads.” – Acoustic Guitar Forum
“The A-50s are sleeper mandolins—great value for real vintage tone.” – The Gear Page
“Plays beautifully after a good setup—sweet midrange and projection.” – Reddit r/mandolin
“Post-war Gibsons like this have incredible craftsmanship.” – Vintage Instrument Forum

• Color: Sunburst
• Weight: 2lbs 3.5oz
• Top: Spruce
• Body: Maple
• Neck: Mahogany
• Fretboard: Brazilian Rosewood
• Inlays: Mother of Pearl Dot
• Frets: Original
• Fret Count: 20
• Nut Material: Bone, original
• Nut Width: 1-3/16"
• Scale: 14.5"
• Overall Length: 25-3/4"
• Body Length: 13-1/2"
• Body Width: 10"
• Body Depth @ Edge: 2"
• Action 1st String @ 12th Fret: 2/32"
• Action 6th String @ 12th Fret: 3/32"
• String Gauge: Mando Lite
• Hardware: Original
• Tuners: Original
• Pickguard: Original included
• Case: Original

Shipping policy:

There are multiple shipping cost options for purchases made on our site.  Select Ground, 3 Day, 2 Day, or Next Day Air Saver.  For Reverb purchases, there is one cost option for these Eastern states and shipment will be made by UPS three-day-air.  Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions.  If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com.  Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.