Airline Mandola

^# 34

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$599.00 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (1)

1 wishlisted

2 saved

Page last updated Apr 16, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated April 16, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (4)

$599.00 1 available New

$449.00 1 available Used

View Deal

Average Price: $524

High-end/Boutique

$100

$501+

Price Tier

In the Mandolins category, Airline Mandola is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Features & Specs Body: Solid Alder Colours: Seafoam Green, Black Pickups: Single Humbucker Switching: None Controls: Volume, Tone Bridge: Fully adjustable Tele-Style bridge Neck: Maple, Bolt-on Finger Board: Rosewood, Dot Markers Scale Length: 18" Width at the Nut: 1 3/16" Hardware: Mini Schaller Nickel/Chrome Strings: Both C- .0 36 / G- .026 / D- .016 / A- .010

Product specs

Brand	Airline
Model	Airline Mandola
Finish	Black, Seafoam Green
Year	2010s
Categories	Mandolins

FAQs

What tuning is used for the Airline Mandola?: The Airline Mandola is typically tuned to CGDA, which is a fifth lower than a standard mandolin, similar to the tuning of a viola.
What is the scale length of the Airline Mandola?: The Airline Mandola features a scale length of approximately 17 inches, which contributes to its distinct tonal characteristics compared to a standard mandolin.
Is the Airline Mandola suitable for beginners?: The Airline Mandola can be suitable for beginners who are familiar with stringed instruments, as it offers a unique sound and requires understanding of its specific tuning and playing technique.
What body finishes are available for the Airline Mandola?: The Airline Mandola is available in Black and Seafoam Green finishes, offering aesthetic options to suit different player preferences.
How does the Airline Mandola differ from a standard mandolin?: The Airline Mandola is larger than a standard mandolin and is tuned a fifth lower, providing a deeper, richer sound that is similar to a viola.

Videos

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Eastwood Guitars

AIRLINE Mandola from EASTWOOD Guitars

Eastwood Guitars

Eastwood Airline Mandola: An Electric Instrument From A Different Era (Video)

gearwire

AIRLINE mandola from Eastwood

benearte

Eastwood Airline Mandola

rpashoukos

Eastwood Guitars: Airline Mandola

Tristan Scroggins

Eastwood Airline Mandola Demo "Sylvia" by Focus

Jack Mazzenga

Demo: Airline Mandola demo video by Tristan Scroggins

Eastwood Guitars

Showcase: Airline Mandola

Eastwood Guitars

Reviews

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PROS

18-inch scale allows easy chord reach past the twelfth fret
Exceptional sustain with a guitar-like sound
Comfortable neck taper and fretboard radius for smooth playability
Solid build quality with a striking appearance
Ideal for players transitioning from guitar to mandola
Unique tone that garners compliments and attention
Factory setup ensures it's ready to play out of the box
Comes with a surprisingly nice gig bag
Potential collector's item due to its distinctiveness

CONS

Tuning machines are positioned too close together
Glossy black finish shows fingerprints easily
Heavier than preferred for some players
Will never replicate a banjo's sound
No coil tap feature to switch to single coil

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Airline Mandola.

Use cases and applications

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Left-handed players find the Airline Mandola facilitates a more natural picking technique, enhancing the transition from right-handed guitar playing.
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Some users experiment with octave-apart tuning, akin to a 12-string guitar, though traditional unison tuning is more stable.
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Electric mandolins, like the Eastman Airline, adapt well to non-traditional roles, such as mimicking keyboard parts or playing tight funk rhythms.
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Features and functionality

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The C-G-D-A tuning offers versatility, allowing for both jazz and rock styles, and sounds great with distortion, delay, and reverb effects.
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The Soul Food overdrive pedal complements the mandola's upper-mid character, though some prefer the Way Huge Swollen Pickle for a thicker tone.
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User experience

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Owners enjoy exploring melodies like "Star Spangled Banner" on the mandola, indicating suitability for both beginners and experienced musicians switching instruments.
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Owners enjoy using shimmer and chorus effects on electric mandolins for diverse tonal exploration beyond traditional bluegrass and country.
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Setup and maintenance

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Mandola strings can be sourced from Eastwood directly, ensuring compatibility and ease of replacement.
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E5 tuning on an 18" scale may cause string snapping; tuning to GDAE an octave down is recommended for stability.
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If strings snap in the middle, it may not be due to hardware defects; consider other tuning approaches to reduce tension.
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Comparisons

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The instrument is compared favorably to the Gold Tone electric mandocello, with the latter noted for its longer scale but often out of stock for left-handed players.
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Mods and upgrades

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Consider using custom strings from Octave4Plus for higher tuning stability on modified mandolas.
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Converting the Eastman Airline Mandola from an 8-string to a 5-string "baritone mandolin" tuning (GDAEB) is a popular modification.
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