Northfield NF-F5S Model Carved Top Mandolin (2014), made in China, serial # S140182, shaded sunburst finish, flame maple back and sides, spruce top; laminated maple neck with ebony fingerboard, original 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. This NF-F5S is a lovely example, a traditional styled F-5 with plainer trim than the venerable classic but the same design and construction. It handles and plays beautifully with a much nicer finish than most in its price class and a full-bodied sound, with a wider tonal range than many modern F-style instruments in its price class.
Overall length is 27 1/2 in. (69.8 cm.), 10 in. (25.4 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/16 in. (3 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 modern F-5 style mandolin is very clean overall showing some minor play wear, mostly small dinks on the headstock and a few on the top below the bridge. It has been upgraded with a Gilchrist-licensed Northfield branded tailpiece (which has its own serial number, 200013); the original tailpiece is included. This is a fine playing and sounding instrument, a professional grade Bluegrass (and beyond) mandolin at a moderate price. It lives in a deluxe molded fiberglass travel case with a fabric cover. Overall Excellent Condition.
