Northfield NFB-5FE Big Mon Carved Top Mandolin (2022)
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Item # 12174
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Northfield NFB-5FE Big Mon Model Carved Top Mandolin (2022), made in China, serial # B220474, black top, sunburst back and sides finish, flame maple back and sides, spruce top; laminated maple neck with ebony fingerboard, black Airloom hard shell case.
Northfield Mandolins are really fine modern mid-line instruments featuring excellent materials with very high build quality and a close attention to detail. Northfield was founded by a team of experienced luthiers in Michigan and China with the goal of producing the highest quality instruments they can, and have proved very successful.
The unique Northfield "Big Mon" F style mandolin was introduced in 2009 and has been growing in popularity among professionals and mandolin enthusiasts since. This model was created in Northfield's shop as a slightly enlarged variant of the standard F5 pattern, specially tuned to offer a little more midrange and bass response with a nice airy sound. Compared to the traditional F-5 the Big Mon has the body width slightly increased with the depth of the sides adjusted in a few places. This is fairly subtle aesthetically, as everything is adjusted in proportion creating a slightly larger body overall. The top re-curve is slightly extended and the top edges thinned a bit. These subtle changes help the mandolin create a very throaty and growly midrange compared to most F-5 style instruments. The Big Mon also produces considerable volume without too much effort, and lately has been featured by premier players for both recording and touring.
This Big Mon was built very recently in 2022. It features a highly figured maple back, sides and neck with a spruce top and ebony fingerboard. The most striking feature is the black top over a Cremona sunburst back and sides, an unusual combination. Northfield mandolins are a collaborative effort, built with materials from North America and the EU, seasoned and matched in their Marshall, MI shop. The instruments are assembled and varnished in Qingdao, China then sent back to the US for set up and final inspection back Michigan. This bi-continental approach has enabled Northfield to create high quality instruments without the price tag of similar instruments hand assembled in the US. The Big Mon may be their best offering so far, a truly unique and delightful variation on the classic F-5 theme. It handles and plays beautifully with a much nicer finish than most in its price class and a full-bodied sound, with a deeper broader tonal range than most modern F-style instruments in its price class.
Overall length is 27 1/2 in. (69.8 cm.), 10 1/4 in. (26 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 14 in. (356 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/16 in. (27 mm.).
This mandolin appears little played since new with only some light scuffs and handling marks, with a few tiny scratches and dings on the sides. It plays extremely well and sounds excellent already, really waiting for some serious play time to allow the sound to mature. It is ready to go in a high quality Airloom touring case. Excellent + Condition.
Northfield Mandolins are really fine modern mid-line instruments featuring excellent materials with very high build quality and a close attention to detail. Northfield was founded by a team of experienced luthiers in Michigan and China with the goal of producing the highest quality instruments they can, and have proved very successful.
The unique Northfield "Big Mon" F style mandolin was introduced in 2009 and has been growing in popularity among professionals and mandolin enthusiasts since. This model was created in Northfield's shop as a slightly enlarged variant of the standard F5 pattern, specially tuned to offer a little more midrange and bass response with a nice airy sound. Compared to the traditional F-5 the Big Mon has the body width slightly increased with the depth of the sides adjusted in a few places. This is fairly subtle aesthetically, as everything is adjusted in proportion creating a slightly larger body overall. The top re-curve is slightly extended and the top edges thinned a bit. These subtle changes help the mandolin create a very throaty and growly midrange compared to most F-5 style instruments. The Big Mon also produces considerable volume without too much effort, and lately has been featured by premier players for both recording and touring.
This Big Mon was built very recently in 2022. It features a highly figured maple back, sides and neck with a spruce top and ebony fingerboard. The most striking feature is the black top over a Cremona sunburst back and sides, an unusual combination. Northfield mandolins are a collaborative effort, built with materials from North America and the EU, seasoned and matched in their Marshall, MI shop. The instruments are assembled and varnished in Qingdao, China then sent back to the US for set up and final inspection back Michigan. This bi-continental approach has enabled Northfield to create high quality instruments without the price tag of similar instruments hand assembled in the US. The Big Mon may be their best offering so far, a truly unique and delightful variation on the classic F-5 theme. It handles and plays beautifully with a much nicer finish than most in its price class and a full-bodied sound, with a deeper broader tonal range than most modern F-style instruments in its price class.
Overall length is 27 1/2 in. (69.8 cm.), 10 1/4 in. (26 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 14 in. (356 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/16 in. (27 mm.).
This mandolin appears little played since new with only some light scuffs and handling marks, with a few tiny scratches and dings on the sides. It plays extremely well and sounds excellent already, really waiting for some serious play time to allow the sound to mature. It is ready to go in a high quality Airloom touring case. Excellent + Condition.