Northfield NFB-F5E Big Mon Carved Top Mandolin (2025)
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Northfield NFB-F5E Big Mon Model Carved Top Mandolin (2025), made in Quingdao, China, serial # B240713, sunburst finish, figured maple back and sides, Engelmann spruce top; laminated figured maple neck with ebony fingerboard., molded 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 is new stock, just completed in April 2025. It features highly figured maple for the back, sides and neck with a special Engelmann spruce top and ebony fingerboard. The included warranty card notes "Special Engelmann Spruce" in the materials section. The top is a brighter Cremona sunburst than some with a classic look.
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 in Michigan. This bi-continental approach has so far enabled Northfield to create high quality instruments without the price tag of similar instruments fully 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 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 14 in. (356 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/8 in. (29 mm.).
This instrument is new stock, unplayed and already sounds lovely. It is complete in the Airloom Recurve molded hardshell case. Near Mint 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 is new stock, just completed in April 2025. It features highly figured maple for the back, sides and neck with a special Engelmann spruce top and ebony fingerboard. The included warranty card notes "Special Engelmann Spruce" in the materials section. The top is a brighter Cremona sunburst than some with a classic look.
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 in Michigan. This bi-continental approach has so far enabled Northfield to create high quality instruments without the price tag of similar instruments fully 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 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 14 in. (356 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/8 in. (29 mm.).
This instrument is new stock, unplayed and already sounds lovely. It is complete in the Airloom Recurve molded hardshell case. Near Mint Condition.