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Thread: comparison: Ellis A5, Northfield F5 Artist VIE, Collings MF5

  1. #1
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    Default comparison: Ellis A5, Northfield F5 Artist VIE, Collings MF5

    Hi fellows,

    for the first time in my life I had the chance to try out an Ellis mandolin: A 5 special deluxe. Love it ! So sweet and detailed! Here is what it sounds compared to my in-house mandolins.
    What do you think ?

    Ellis F5 Special Deluxe custom
    Anton Krutz F5
    Lawrence Smart H 5 Mandola
    Gibson K 2 Mandocello
    Northfield mahogany arch top Octave Mandolin

    guitars, banjo, dobro, weissenborn, pedal steel, fretless bass, upright bass

  2. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to mando-bob For This Useful Post:


  3. #2
    Registered User Lucas's Avatar
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    Default Re: comparison: Ellis A5, Northfield F5 Artist VIE, Collings MF5

    I thought the Northfield sounded the brightest, but I agree that the Ellis has a nice sweet sound.

  4. #3
    Pataphysician Joe Bartl's Avatar
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    Default Re: comparison: Ellis A5, Northfield F5 Artist VIE, Collings MF5

    Thanks for this. Each of the instruments sounded better than the others in particular pieces. Comparisons like this are invaluable to someone like me who does not live in an area affording the opportunity to play with these instruments in a store.

    Joe

  5. #4
    Registered User CWRoyds's Avatar
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    Default Re: comparison: Ellis A5, Northfield F5 Artist VIE, Collings MF5

    For tone on these three instruments:
    1) Ellis
    2) Northfield
    3) Collings

    An Ellis A5 is my attainable dream mandolin, and I think an A5 is in my future.
    Not sure if I will ever spring for an Ellis F5, but that is my true dream mando.

    Love Northfields and own an Artist 5Bar, and I have played a slew of NFs and Big Mons.
    Killer instruments.

    Never much cared for the Collings I have played.
    There is just something about the tone that doesn't grab me.
    I think they are voiced for a silky zing that doesn't appeal to me.
    Last edited by CWRoyds; May-26-2020 at 3:15pm.
    Mandolins: Northfield 5-Bar Artist Model "Old Dog", J Bovier F5 Special, Gibson A-00 (1940)
    Fiddles: 1920s Strad copy, 1930s Strad copy, Liu Xi T20, Liu Xi T19+ Dark.
    Guitars: Taylor 514c (1995), Gibson Southern Jumbo (1940s), Gibson L-48 (1940s), Les Paul Custom (1978), Fender Strat (Black/RWFB) (1984), Fender Strat (Candy Apple Red/MFB) (1985).
    Sitars: Hiren Roy KP (1980s), Naskar (1970s), Naskar (1960s).
    Misc: 8 Course Lute (L.K.Brown)

  6. #5
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    Default Re: comparison: Ellis A5, Northfield F5 Artist VIE, Collings MF5

    Hands down Ellis !

  7. #6
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    Default Re: comparison: Ellis A5, Northfield F5 Artist VIE, Collings MF5

    Hey,
    thank you all for your fine contributions - really great !
    I just decided to order an Ellis F5 Special Engelman top / tortoise binding - my dream mandolin. Played my Collings MF5 for 17 years exclusively, spent some months with the Northfield F5 Artist 5bar - great mandolin ! To collect some money I have to sell both.

  8. #7
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    Default Re: comparison: Ellis A5, Northfield F5 Artist VIE, Collings MF5

    Great decision !! You won't regret an Ellis

  9. #8
    Registered User Nick Gellie's Avatar
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    Default Re: comparison: Ellis A5, Northfield F5 Artist VIE, Collings MF5

    Well I had an Ellis A-5. It was a beautiful mandolin inany respects. However it would not cut in a jam. Collings MTs or MT2s have that sonic ability to do that.

    I finally a bought a Collings MT2 last year. It took 41/2 months to get here. It was well worth the wait. By far the best mandolin. I have ever owned.

    Good luck with your Ellis F5 though. Ultimately it is your choice.
    Nic Gellie

  10. #9
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    Default Re: comparison: Ellis A5, Northfield F5 Artist VIE, Collings MF5

    I doubt it was the the Ellis, probably your playing !

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