Northfield NFA-5VIE Artist Model 5 bar

[Jim Garber]

I never heard of a 5-bar mandolin. Is this something that Northfield developed or have other luthiers built mandolins using this type of bracing?

Northfield Artist Series page (http://www.northfieldinstruments.com/mandolins/artist-series)

151424

I saw the one currently in the classifieds at The Music Emporium and listened to both Mike Marshall and Matt Witler playing it. I love the tone I am hearing from these two excellent players. BTW that chord melody version of Flatbush Waltz MM plays is absolutely gorgeous (around 2:05).

151423


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbXw8oxKjWg


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIc40i3c_no

[pops1]

Great sound, looks like the one Mike is playing has a string tree above the wound strings. Wonder why.

[Don Grieser]

Probably to dampen string ring between the nut and tuners. I stuff a piece of leather under the strings on the tuner side of the nut to get rid of that.

That one at ME sounds broken in already. Wonder how it will develop.

[pops1]

Probably to dampen string ring between the nut and tuners. I stuff a piece of leather under the strings on the tuner side of the nut to get rid of that.

That one at ME sounds broken in already. Wonder how it will develop.

I would understand a piece of leather under the strings, this is something with a screw that the strings go under like the string tree on an electric guitar.

[mcgroup53]

A string tree increases the downforce of the strings, resulting in a louder, brighter tone. They have them on Strats and Teles for that reason. But it would also reduce unwanted harmonics and random string buzzing, too

[Nevin]

A string tree increases the downforce of the strings, resulting in a louder, brighter tone. They have them on Strats and Teles for that reason. But it would also reduce unwanted harmonics and random string buzzing, too

They are on Strats and Teles because without them there isn't enough downward angle to seat the strings in the nut. It may contribute to the tone but the one piece, six on a side tuner neck design require it for function.

[tburcham]

I was fortunate to play both 5-Bar and 2-bar Artist models at the 2015 Swannanoa Gathering. The 5-bar Engelman top was easily my favorite of the group of prototypes I played.