Eastman Guitars has partnered with acclaimed American mandolinist Eva Trout to create the Lady Moon Signature Octave Mandolin, a thoughtfully designed instrument that balances vintage aesthetic and tone with modern accessibility.
Most players are familiar with the dilemma: vintage instruments sound incredible, but finding one in good condition often means either getting lucky or emptying your bank account. To tackle this, Eastman Guitars and acclaimed mandolinist Eva Trout have created the Lady Moon Signature Octave Mandolin, an instrument designed to deliver well-worn warmth without decades of playing.
Catch up on all the latest news here.
The collaboration centres on Trout’s century-old “old lady” mandolin—an instrument whose character has defined her sound for years. Rather than simply copying the aesthetic, Eastman focused on recreating the what really matters to players—the tone. At the heart of this approach is a Thermo-Cured solid Sitka spruce top. This torrefaction process artificially ages the wood, coaxing out the earthy warmth and responsiveness you’d normally only find in instruments that have been played for generations. Paired with laminated mahogany back and sides, the construction delivers focused projection and balanced resonance across the frequency range. The flat-top design produces a softer attack with rich overtones, making it particularly effective for melodic playing styles. This is the kind of tonal characteristic that suits players looking for nuance and expression rather than volume and brightness.
Visually, the Lady Moon Signature Octave is striking. AA custom pinlaid luna moth adorns the pickguard, while pearl crescent-ring inlays mark the rosewood fingerboard—both elements nodding to Trout’s stage name and the natural imagery woven throughout her music. Eastman’s Truetone Satin finish provides a smooth, elegant surface that feels as good under your hands as it looks.
Hardware keeps things practical with quality geared tuners, an Eastman cast aluminium tailpiece, and an adjustable compensated rosewood bridge. The mandolin ships strung with D’Addario EJ80s and includes a padded Eastman gig bag for transport.
“When you pick up an instrument, you should enjoy the sound so much you don’t want to put it down,” Trout explains. “I wanted to create something that would help others fall in love with playing, the way I did.”
The Lady Moon Signature Octave Mandolin is now available through Eastman dealers worldwide. Head here to learn more.
