Northfield vs. Gibson F5G

[timsound]

Has anyone made this comparison yet? I'm wondering about getting an Englemann Northfield, maybe to replace the F5G. Would any of you consider this? Love bluegrass, but play a lot of Americana and even some rock oriented stuff.

[Ivyguitar]

Hi Tim,
Played both. I much preferred the Northfield. They are boutique quality instruments.

[Bernie Daniel]

Has anyone made this comparison yet? I'm wondering about getting an Englemann Northfield, maybe to replace the F5G. Would any of you consider this? Love bluegrass, but play a lot of Americana and even some rock oriented stuff.

There was a thread, including a audio comparison on that exact topic last week. I did not add up the responses --and they varied -- but I think most favored the Gibson for it more full and complex tone and better projection.

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

There was a thread, including a audio comparison on that exact topic last week. I did not add up the responses --and they varied -- but I think most favored the Gibson for it more full and complex tone and better projection.

The audio comparison is actually between a Kentucky KM1000 and a Gibson F5 Fern. Nonetheless, there's a lot of good information on that regarding Northfield. Of course, read through the main Northfield thread if you haven't already.

[Tim W]

In short, I've never played a Gibson "G" that I liked and I've never played a Northfield that I didn't like.

[almeriastrings]

Well... a Northfield 'Big Mon' with all the premium goodies should be here in a week or so. I'll report my impressions and record a couple of tracks once it has settled in.

[shortymack]

Well... a Northfield 'Big Mon' with all the premium goodies should be here in a week or so. I'll report my impressions and record a couple of tracks once it has settled in.

Niiiiiice!

[dcoventry]

Why would you get an Engelmann anything if Red Spruce was an option you could afford? This is truly my honest opinion if all things are equal. An RS top with a good maple back is a great combo in general.

And now, let the bombs rip folks!

[OldSausage]

Well... a Northfield 'Big Mon' with all the premium goodies should be here in a week or so. I'll report my impressions and record a couple of tracks once it has settled in.

I'm very much looking forward to your review, that will be a nice Christmas present.

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

Why would you get an Engelmann anything if Red Spruce was an option you could afford? This is truly my honest opinion if all things are equal. An RS top with a good maple back is a great combo in general.

But I'm not sure all things are always being equal, especially when it comes to people's taste and what they hear in their instruments. For a more 'modern' sounding instrument, Engelmann may be a better choice over RS. And doesn't Englemann have a more 'played-in' open sound out of the gate compare to RS?

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

Well... a Northfield 'Big Mon' with all the premium goodies should be here in a week or so. I'll report my impressions and record a couple of tracks once it has settled in.

Congrats, and very much looking forward to your usual thorough and detailed review.

[almeriastrings]

The one arriving is in fact 20-year cut Red Spruce.

However... Englemann is a very, very nice wood. Quite a lot of 'pop' but with creamy undertones (I'm beginning to sound like a cookery recipe here). Very fine mandolins can be made from Red Spruce, Englemann, Sitka... cedar... you name it. They all have their individual properties and I don't believe there is a universal 'best'. I have an pretty rare D-28 from the 50's which I am pretty certain has an Englemann top (they did use some in that period, but it was not documented as no-one considered it important at the time). It is one of the best D-28's I've ever played, and I include a fair number of 'bones in that. I think it works beautifully on mandolins, too.

[dcoventry]

Folks, OF COURSE construction and understanding of the wood available is paramount.

In my considered and LIMITED opinionated view, I have been drawn towards RS and maple. As odd and NOT classically BG as my tastes run, whew, I like the headroom of RS and the sweetness of say...big leaf maple or even hard maple depending on the tone desired from the back plate addition. BUT, the top plate generally comes back to RS in mando AND guitar.

My generalizations come with a grain of high end sea salt so big the price will kill you before the high blood pressure.......like the RS topped Gibsons........haahahahahahahahahahah.

[Mike Bunting]

Folks, OF COURSE construction and understanding of the wood available is paramount.

In my considered and LIMITED opinionated view, I have been drawn towards RS and maple. As odd and NOT classically BG as my tastes run, whew, I like the headroom of RS and the sweetness of say...big leaf maple or even hard maple depending on the tone desired from the back plate addition. BUT, the top plate generally comes back to RS in mando AND guitar.

My generalizations come with a grain of high end sea salt so big the price will kill you before the high blood pressure.......like the RS topped Gibsons........haahahahahahahahahahah.

You don't make any sense at all.

[f5loar]

If they are the same price i would go for the Gibson everytime. The "G"s I've played tend to much lighter in weight then the regular F5/Fern which many times will translate to better sounding. The guy with Ronnie Reno's band has a "G" with killer tone and sound. I see lots of pros out there with the "G's" not so many with a Northfield.

[almeriastrings]

Part of that, I'm sure, is that there are a lot of F-5G's out there. They've now been around a while. There's still, I think, only a couple of hundred Northfields out there, world-wide, in total, and they have only been around for two years. So by that measure alone, you are not going to encounter many. I certainly agree that some F-5 G's sound great. I've played a couple of real nice ones. Only ever played one Northfield to date, but under less than ideal conditions, and not for long enough to form any real conclusion - though initial impression was very positive. We'll see.

[Bradley]

I am of the other mindset with Gibson. I just picked up a new F5G about a month ago and the work that Gibson is sending out now is in my opinion the best I have seen from Gibson in the last 20 years. Buy Hey, I hope that this new Northfield is a monster and blows your socks off !!! Happy picking.

[almeriastrings]

I totally agree about Gibson's current work. My Dave Harvey, post flood, F-5 Fern is an absolutely incredible mandolin. I have played (original) Loars I liked less. I chose it after playing it side by side with an older DMM. I preferred the Fern. It's that good. The Northfield is coming a) To satisfy my curiosity and b) Because I know someone who has already told me they'll have it if I decide to pass it on.... so can't lose, really.

[dcoventry]

You don't make any sense at all.

I get that a lot.

But if read sloooowly, it makes a easy sense. Really.

[Bernie Daniel]

If they are the same price i would go for the Gibson everytime. The "G"s I've played tend to much lighter in weight then the regular F5/Fern which many times will translate to better sounding. The guy with Ronnie Reno's band has a "G" with killer tone and sound. I see lots of pros out there with the "G's" not so many with a Northfield.

Yeah you mean that young fella with the black hair? He is a heck of a picker and seems to be able to do just about anything he wants to -- I need to find out his name one of these days. How come Ronnie never plays his Loar anymore on the show -- I wonder?

[northfolk]

I've played and owned both; I had Northfield #73 and I currently own a Gibson F5G. They are both fine mandolins, but the Gibson wins "hands down" in the sound department, in my opinion?

[Frank Farley]

I'll take one of each please.I'm dreaming now,but it sure would be nice to own both.

[almeriastrings]

I've played and owned both; I had Northfield #73 and I currently own a Gibson F5G. They are both fine mandolins, but the Gibson wins "hands down" in the sound department, in my opinion?

Interesting. How would you describe the differences?

[lflngpicker]

I like the traditional 1-1/16” nut, V shaped neck and RS top. I have many mandolins that I have owned to compare with, and I consider it the mandolin for me. It is high quality and signed by David Harvey. I like the videos I have seen of the Northfield. Their sound is a bit more modern and it is a beautiful tone. I just happen to like the Gibson specs, really low action (no buzzing) and great playability!

[Dan in NH]

One of the reason looking hard at an Eastman 815/v is the Adirondack spruce top.