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Thread: Ratliff R-5 vs Northfield Big Mon..Opinions Please

  1. #1

    Default Ratliff R-5 vs Northfield Big Mon..Opinions Please

    I'm narrowing down my search for a good mandolin that I'd want to hold on to and not go through MAS...Like I did with GAS(Ha...sad,but true)....Seems these are similarly priced models and I know one is a very highly thought of Pac Rim mfgr vs the home grown small luthier that is the Ratliff....Definitely would appreciate "any" thoughts/opinions...Much thanks folks.

  2. #2
    Registered User Willem's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ratliff R-5 vs Northfield Big Mon..Opinions Please

    If sound, build quality, and price are comparable I personally would opt for the small shop luthier. If they are similarly priced but the NF blows the Ratliff away; well thats another story. The couple NFs' I played at Wintergrass were nice...
    Last edited by Willem; May-24-2018 at 11:46pm. Reason: Typo

  3. #3
    Mandolin user MontanaMatt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Ratliff R-5 vs Northfield Big Mon..Opinions Please

    My Ratliff is awesome. I hope you find one of his that rocks, mine has put mas in deep remission.
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  4. #4

    Default Re: Ratliff R-5 vs Northfield Big Mon..Opinions Please

    Quote Originally Posted by magictwanger View Post
    I know one is a very highly thought of Pac Rim mfgr vs the home grown small luthier that is the Ratliff...
    I think you have answered your own question. If sound alone is the question, then country of origin shouldn't matter. The fact that you mention it tells me the home grown small luthier holds some appeal to you.

    I'm sure they are both great mandolins, FWIW.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Ratliff R-5 vs Northfield Big Mon..Opinions Please

    Audrey Ratliff has built some where in the neighborhood of 1150 mandolins to date. You don’t see a lot of used ones come up for sale compared to the number built. People buy em and keep em. His fit and finish is excellent, on par with anything out there.
    Happy hunting.

    Adam

  6. #6

    Default Re: Ratliff R-5 vs Northfield Big Mon..Opinions Please

    I’ve owned a Ratliff, it was a great mandolin, tone, chop, build, finish. I always prefer small shop builders.
    " Practice every time you get a chance." - Bill Monroe

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Ratliff R-5 vs Northfield Big Mon..Opinions Please

    I own a killer Ratliff, both are good mandolins and have a different sound, not better, just different, so try them both and the one that has the sound/tone that you like best then go for that one....Some folks do speculate that certain mandolins will increase if value as time passes and I don`t foresee any Pac Rim mandolin doing that...Some N.F`s are not 100% Asian though....

    Willie

  8. #8

    Default Re: Ratliff R-5 vs Northfield Big Mon..Opinions Please

    When it comes to resale, being in the mainstream is an advantage. I've played on a few Big Mons, liked them, and would be more likely to buy one sight unseen than a Ratliff, which I have not had the pleasure to play. The unknown is scary for most folks.

    I think Northfield has reached a point where they are now evaluated on their own considerable merits. Unless you live by Elderly, in Austin, or Nashville, it's just hard to get educated.

    I love Ratliff's videos with his mandolin cartoon character . Wish I could play a Ratliff sometime. Heck, I'd love to get my hands on one of the better Kentuckys. I'm pretty fortunate to have some good retailers where I live, but they sure don't have the variety pass through like the bigger shops in Nashville.
    Silverangel A
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  9. #9

    Default Re: Ratliff R-5 vs Northfield Big Mon..Opinions Please

    Quote Originally Posted by magictwanger View Post
    I'm narrowing down my search for a good mandolin that I'd want to hold on to and not go through MAS...Like I did with GAS(Ha...sad,but true)....Seems these are similarly priced models and I know one is a very highly thought of Pac Rim mfgr vs the home grown small luthier that is the Ratliff....Definitely would appreciate "any" thoughts/opinions...Much thanks folks.
    Just buy the Big Mon, there’s one in the classifieds right now for $4,000 - probably be gone by the time I finish this post.
    Northfield F5M #268, AT02 #7

  10. #10

    Default Re: Ratliff R-5 vs Northfield Big Mon..Opinions Please

    Pretty big difference in tone. Few mandos sound quite like the big mon. I'd +1 big mon, but i am a fan of the model.

  11. #11
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    Default Re: Ratliff R-5 vs Northfield Big Mon..Opinions Please


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