ISO workhorse mandolin for upcoming gigs

[rwallenda]

I am looking for a solid (emphasis on solid) workhorse of a mandolin to be played a lot for an upcoming year of gigs. I currently play on an '05 David Harvey built Gibson F5 Fern, and I love it. I'm not looking to sell this one, but I am looking to purchase a less expensive mandolin that is comparable in tone and playability. I will be in the market in the coming months, so I'm just putting feelers out for any advice on makes that would be in the $2,000-$3,500 range. Right now my eyes are drawn towards Northfield mandolins, but I'm not opposed to smaller manufacturers. Any input would be awesome! Thanks for your time!

[dwc]

I just bought a Northfield F5 "Big Mon" for gigging and jams. I have been playing bluegrass seriously for about 3 years. In that time I have gigged with a Kentucky KM 1500, a Gibson F5G varnished, an Ellis A5 and now The Northfield.

These are my thoughts after owning the Northfield for a week, including one jam and two band practices, as well as 2-3 hours a day of solo practice.

1) The fit and finish was a little bit rougher than expected. There was a little rough patch under the fingerboard, and the inside of the scroll was slightly rough. Just sort of matte and "unfinished". Other than that, no issues. The binding is well done, the scroll has a pleasing flow, the inlay is tasteful and without flaws in the application. The "hybrid varnish" finish is thin and evenly applied. The finish is as good as my Ellis and far surpasses the others I listed.

2) Sound. I bought the mandolin new. It is dated 5/4/2017 and had not been played in. The e' strings were anemic and the chop was more woof than bark or crack. Now, having played it about 20 hours over the last week, the e' string volume has increased dramatically. In fact, the thing I like most about it is the balance across the strings and up and down the fretboard. I play up the neck a lot and the Northfield does that extremely well. The chop is still not perfect, but gets better every day. I know all of this is true because I record and play back my practices. I hear the difference in recordings, day to day.

Bottom line is that the Northfield "Big Mon" is a great mandolin, not "A great mandolin, for the price." I recommend them highly, unless you are really put off by very minor fit/finish issues.

[Ivan Kelsall]

From the OP - "....a less expensive mandolin that is comparable in tone and playability.". We're all looking for one of those !.

Seriously - i doubt if you'll find an 'exact match' in tone to your Gibson F5 '"Fern" for $3,500,but from what i've read on here,the Northfield 'Big Mon' would be a good sounding mandolin anyway. Several top players use them regularly & one ocassionally pops up in the Classified ads. at a 'used' price of course,
Ivan

[colorado_al]

I played a Northfield Big Mon and a Northfield F5S back to back a few days ago at Dusty Strings in Seattle. I actually prefer the sound of the F5S. Not as fancy, but it had a fuller sound.

[Dave Hanson]

rwallenda, you sound like a professional musician, [ a year of gigs coming up ] why don't you just go to several dealers and try out all the mandolins until you find one you like ?

Dave H

[Charles E.]

Last year at the IBMA in Raleigh, I played a number of Northfields at their booth. By far the best sounding ones (to my ear) were the five tone bar models they developed with input from Mike Marshall.

Also there is this Summit mandolin in the classifieds......

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/112654#112654

That is a fantastic deal on an American-small shop made instrument. NFI

[Charles E.]

If you would consider an A-style mandolin, this Girouard in the classifieds is ready to gig......

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/112595#112595 NFI

I own a Girouard and can attest to their solid build quality and great sound and play ability. Also Max and Lauri Girouard are two if the nicest people I have ever dealt with.

[rwallenda]

DWC: Im not 'turned off' by minor issues with finishes. It's honestly all about tone, except for the fact that I am partial to F-styles after owning an MD805 Eastman (A style) for a few years now. Im actually looking to sell that one to help off set the expense of a new instrument. I may end up in Michigan come September for a wedding, and my plan is to stop in at the Northfield shop and spend a few days playing on what they have in stock. I like the idea of buying new, especially if its a Northfield. Thanks for the input regarding their craftsmanship! Id love to hear what yours sounds like if its at all possible?

Dave Hanson: That's in the plan as well! I will be returning to Nashville after my contract here in Charlotte is up in September. That's how I found my Gibson. I just shopped around at Gruhn's and Carter Vintage, and luckily found one that I couldn't leave town without! haha. Im quite partial towards the idea of owning a Norhtfield at the moment, but I'm trying to see if their are other options that will suit the job, and more importantly, suit me!

[rwallenda]

I love this website!

[Mandobart]

How will you be amplifying the sound - mic or SBT? If using a piezo transducer as you know the sound will depend more on your signal chain than the acoustic tone of your mando. Some folks prefer something a little more "dead" acoustically to reduce feedback potential.

Two US builders of great sounding, highly playable mandolins are Sonny Morris and Tom Jessen (NFI). Very undervalued IMHO. You can get a great sounding F from either one at the bottom end of your budget. I've played several instruments from each builder and the playability and tone are equal or better than the Webers, Collings and Northfields I've played.

[colorado_al]

I'd go for this Summit 100 for $1600
⁣⁣https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/112654#112654

[Charles E.]

Al, I posted a link to that in #6. That is an incredible deal. Paul Schnieder used to work for Gibson building mandolins and the Summits I have played have the voice. If the OP is looking for a workhorse that sounds as good as his Fern at a third the cost, this would be it.

[Pup]

Plus one for that Summit. I considered a few Northfields a while back and wound up getting Lafferty F5 with a varnish finish. Super happy with it. Similar rough "character" as the northfield but feels slightly more solid. Check them out if there are any left. Not sure what their status is at this point.

[CES]

I'll throw Silverangel into the mix as well. F styles can be found within your budget with reasonable frequency in the classifieds...

[JeffD]

I currently play on an '05 David Harvey built Gibson F5 Fern... I am looking to purchase a less expensive mandolin that is comparable in tone and playability.

What can I get that is as good as this but much less expensive?

[colorado_al]

Here you go:
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/112730#112730
2001 Gibson F5G Master Model $3,295.00

[Charles E.]

Baby's got back!

[colorado_al]

Baby's got back!

Sure does! I'd snatch that one up quick. I don't think it's going to be for sale long

[colorado_al]

Here's another (the 2001 above sold already):
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/112781#112781
2002 Gibson F5G $2800

[Charles E.]

If the OP is looking for a Northfield Big Mon, there is this blond beauty at Mandomutt..........

http://www.mandomutt.com/products-pa...nf-f5m-big-mon

I bought my Girouard from Kevin, he is a very nice guy to deal with.

[colorado_al]

If the OP is looking for a Northfield Big Mon, there is this blond beauty at Mandomutt..........

http://www.mandomutt.com/products-pa...nf-f5m-big-mon

I bought my Girouard from Kevin, he is a very nice guy to deal with.

That's a beauty! And K&K pickup already installed. $3500

[ccravens]

That's a beauty! And K&K pickup already installed. $3500

Price reduction.

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/112993#112993

[Br1ck]

Oh my, that is an attractive price.

[dwc]

If the OP is looking for a Northfield Big Mon, there is this blond beauty at Mandomutt..........

http://www.mandomutt.com/products-pa...nf-f5m-big-mon

I bought my Girouard from Kevin, he is a very nice guy to deal with.

Probably a fantastic mandolin. But your experience does not mirror my own with regard to the seller. That is all I will say.