The WF-5 is the top tier instrument in the Wilson Mandolins line. For approximately 34 years Craig Wilson owned and performed with a 1924 Gibson F-5 (#75310) dated and signed by Lloyd Loar and he endeavors to build instruments of that style and in the spirit of those vintage Gibson instruments.
The WF-5 is constructed primarily using curly or birdseye maple back, sides and neck, from Red or Sugar maple, with Big Leaf maple and other tone woods (such as quarter sawn white oak and walnut) being used occasionally. Most backs are book matched although one piece backs are used when available. Top wood is primarily Red (Adirondack), Englemann or Sitka spruce with Carpathian spruce having been used successfully.
Instruments are bound in either laminated ivoroid or faux tortoise and peghead inlay options include modified flower pot, fleur de lis, torch and fern designs. Instruments are usually finished in oil varnish with a hand applied and rubbed Truoil overfinish. Lacquer finishes are occasionally used. Basic hardware, in either nickel silver or gold, includes Gotoh tuners retrofitted with period correct screws, Cumberland Acoustics bridges and Bill James tailpieces. Pick guards (finger rests) are shop constructed in “Loar era” dimensions of tortoise color celluloid as well as abbreviated guards in ebony or sunburst curly maple when requested. Ebony truss rod covers are also shop made and standard on each instrument.
Suggested retail price $5,800 payable by cash, check or PayPal. Contact us for special cash pricing and artist discounts as well as event discounts and discounts on demo models. California residents will need to pay 8.25% sales tax. We will deal with that issue separately. Contact us.
$5,800 via PayPalFor commission builds a $500 non-refundable deposit is required (amount applied to total purchase price upon completion)
$500 deposit via PayPal