$3000 limit Weber, Collings, Pava or?

[pops1]

Nice, good choice. My mom's name is Iris, my friends used to call her 'flower'.

[Jim Garber]

My Flatty arrived and she was exactly as described. I polished her, changed the strings to new J74's and took a photo or two. I named it "Iris" an alliteration with "Iron". Thanks again for all the help in selecting.

Congratulations to you, lflngpicker. Personally I cringe at "Flatty" as well as "Gibby" but it is nice that you named it. Enjoy!!

BTW I am an original owner of a 1983 Flatiron A5-2 from the early days when they were not yet making f-styles. It is a wonderful mandolin as I am sure yours is, as well.

[lflngpicker]

Hey Pops and Jim! Thank you for your posts. I'll stick with Iris, then, and try not use the term "Flatty" so much...

[Bill Kammerzell]

Any of them would suit me. Likely go for the Collings simply because I never owned one.

[lflngpicker]

Any of them would suit me. Likely go for the Collings simply because I never owned one.

Will, You can't go wrong with a Collings F5, it seems. I would welcome one into my home, as well!

[Br1ck]

Have you guys ever seen a Collings F5 for sale at $3000?

[Bill Kammerzell]

Have you guys ever seen a Collings F5 for sale at $3000?

These two are close. Both MF styles. Neither is a fully appointed MF5 but then again, my F5G isn't fully appointed. $3300.00 and $3400.00 and they are taking offers. One of the vendors, Mass Street Music advertises here at the Café, also.


https://reverb.com/item/11263440-col...p_fD_BwE&pla=1

https://reverb.com/item/10676020-200...J1vD_BwE&pla=1

[LastMohican]

As it relates to this specific topic, I just voted with my checkbook: I've got an amber Northfield F5S, that I bought at the Mando Store, inbound. It arrives tomorrow. I've not so much as picked a single note on a Northfield but I spent a TON of time evaluating my options, and this is the ax I landed on. I had a Breedlove American F that was an exceptional mandolin (sold it a couple of years back) and I'm anxious to see how the new Northfield stacks up. Trust me, I get that there's a huge body of opinion that would have gone another direction. I'll give you cats an honest opinion after I've played the new mando. I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas morning. It's really hot here in Louisville so I get the unmitigated joy, after it arrives, of not breaking it out for a few hours until the case and room temperature even out. Yippeee!

[Br1ck]

I've played four or five of those F5s mandolins and all of them were very nice. They have managed to add class to the mandolins in a very tastefull way, especially the pin line around the headstock.

[Mark Wilson]

As it relates to this specific topic, I just voted with my checkbook: I've got an amber Northfield F5S, that I bought at the Mando Store, inbound. It arrives tomorrow. I've not so much as picked a single note on a Northfield but I spent a TON of time evaluating my options, and this is the ax I landed on. I had a Breedlove American F that was an exceptional mandolin (sold it a couple of years back) and I'm anxious to see how the new Northfield stacks up. Trust me, I get that there's a huge body of opinion that would have gone another direction. I'll give you cats an honest opinion after I've played the new mando. I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas morning. It's really hot here in Louisville so I get the unmitigated joy, after it arrives, of not breaking it out for a few hours until the case and room temperature even out. Yippeee!

Does TMS have a trial period?

[LastMohican]

I've played four or five of those F5s mandolins and all of them were very nice. They have managed to add class to the mandolins in a very tastefull way, especially the pin line around the headstock.

I've never been a big inlay guy. I like the "F-9" level of window dressing. And I get that the amber finish aint everybody's cup of tea but I like it. The breedlove I had was a "natural" finish with black top binding and I always love the way it looked. I also spent the extra money and got a single-piece back. Thanks for the additional endorsement. I'm glad you've liked the ones you've played.

[LastMohican]

Does TMS have a trial period?

7-days. 15% restocking fee. Needless to say, I have HIGH confidence that I'll be happy. I'd hate to fork over the $427.50 for nothing!

[Lane Pryce]

No doubt you’ll like it. Did you see the the F5s in the classifieds for $1800.00? Was the best price I’d seen on a used one. Lp

[LastMohican]

No doubt you’ll like it. Did you see the the F5s in the classifieds for $1800.00? Was the best price I’d seen on a used one. Lp

I did not see the F5S you're referring to. I really wanted to buy new this time and I really wanted the amber finish. Also, I'm very happy with the deal I got. I paid a slightly discounted price compared to the other new prices I've seen and the mandolin I bought has a one piece back which I'm really happy about.

[Br1ck]

I'm a fan of amber finish. TMS is a great place to visit too. Little unassuming store crammed with tasty merchandise. This is where I found out I'd pay a grand for that little something extra over the master series Kentuckys. Pretty much the education I expected.

[LastMohican]

I'm a fan of amber finish. TMS is a great place to visit too. Little unassuming store crammed with tasty merchandise. This is where I found out I'd pay a grand for that little something extra over the master series Kentuckys. Pretty much the education I expected.

Yeah, I would love to visit the shop! I can spend an entire afternoon in a place like that just trying all the different mandolins. I was in Fiddler's Green in Austin a few years back and got to play a Gilchrist. I'm only two hours away from Nashville. I wonder if Carter Vintage Guitars would let me play one of the Loars knowing that I'm not anywhere close to being a buyer? Oddly enough, I just can't spend $150K on a mandolin.

[colorado_al]

No doubt you’ll like it. Did you see the the F5s in the classifieds for $1800.00? Was the best price I’d seen on a used one. Lp

Best price I'd seen on a Northfield too. That's why I bought it. Should be here next week!

[LastMohican]

The new F5S has arrived! I had it shipped to my office. All I've done is check it for damage. It's in perfect shape and it's beautiful. The one endorsement I can already make...the case is spectacular! I'm going to sit down and play some over my lunch hour.

[Mark Wilson]

Picture or it never happened

[LastMohican]

Picture or it never happened

I'll post some pics once I get home this evening.

First impressions:

- The finish is quite a bit darker than I expected. I was fooled by the Mando Shop pictures that use some very bright lights to bring out the flame and grain. As to color, think more of a "butterscotch".
- It rings (reminds of a great guitar), sustains and projects like no mandolin I've ever owned so, this equates to a big upgrade. It's loud and the bottom is big so...touchdown!
-The setup is truly excellent.
-As indicated, the case is freaking serious!

More to follow after I spend more time with it.

[LastMohican]

Picture or it never happened

[Lane Pryce]

Al you stole that F5! Mohican is it a keeper? It’s a beautiful mandolin. Enjoy it!! Lp

[LastMohican]

Al you stole that F5! Mohican is it a keeper? It’s a beautiful mandolin. Enjoy it!! Lp

Oh, yeah. I logged some serious time with it last night. Two quotes from Adam Steffey's review of the F5S ring true: "That's a real Banjo Buster." and "That's all the ax anybody would ever need."

Now...if I could just play better!

[LastMohican]

I went to a jam tonight and Dave Howard (another Owensboro boy!), whom many of you on here are familiar with, played my new Northfield. Dave is the mandolin player for both the 23 String Band and another band, Relic, here in Louisville. He is an excellent musician.

He had heard a lot of good things about Northfields but had not played one. Bottom line: he really liked it. He chracterized it as "lively". He used it to play a couple of songs with the group and took a couple of breaks on it. It'll be a long time before it will sound that good again!!

When he handed it back, he said, "You won't need another upgrade."

I know it's just one man's opinion, but I was really pleased with his evaluation.

Oh...and the bonus...while he was playing my Northfield, I was able to play his Altman. Holy cow, that is a serious mandolin!

[pheffernan]

When he handed it back, he said, "You won't need another upgrade."

Oh...and the bonus...while he was playing my Northfield, I was able to play his Altman. Holy cow, that is a serious mandolin!

Something about the juxtaposition of these two statements captures the essence of MAS.