Took a huge leap and upgraded to a Northfield A5 Special
I'm hoping that the advice - set your price limit and buy what you can afford - is good.
I'm a newbie and decided to upgrade from my Troublesome Creek HoneyBee to the Northfield A5 Special. I took a leap of faith from the retailer (over the phone discussion) but since he was 1300 mi away, I couldn't play it.
Well, my new Mandolin came today, ice cold from shipping and is gently warming up in its case. (I confess, I did take it out for about 5 min to strum it.). Hopefully I'll get to play it later tonight or early tomorrow morning. The suspense is killing me.
I pray that I made a good choice (any feedback is definitely welcome) and will "grow into the instrument."
Wish me luck :grin:
PS: Now to learn how to play :mandosmiley:
Re: Took a huge leap and upgraded to a Northfield A5 Special
I have said this before in the forum. A few years back I visited Elderly Instruments while traveling through Michigan. I played every mandolin hanging on the walls including several Northfields and many much higher $ mandos. All the Northfields sounded very good. One F style Northfield, to my ear, stood out above every mandolin in the store. Had it not been an F style it would have been going home with me. Even over the next few days I kept contemplating whether or not I could live with an F style and whether or not to call Elderly to buy it.
I'm reasonably certain you will enjoy your new mandolin. Happy Picking!
Re: Took a huge leap and upgraded to a Northfield A5 Special
I got an entry level The Loar LM-110 during the Covid lockdowns and it’s gotten me started, but I’m also eyeing the A-5 Special now. Let me know what you think of it once it warms up!
Re: Took a huge leap and upgraded to a Northfield A5 Special
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jmackbnd
I got an entry level The Loar LM-110 during the Covid lockdowns and it’s gotten me started, but I’m also eyeing the A-5 Special now. Let me know what you think of it once it warms up!
I'm probably the last person to make a critical judgement, but here goes...
My A5-S rings and has a great sound to my ear. Fuller and rounder tone. It's extremely playable, though remember as a beginner, I still get quite a few thunks and dull notes. I definitely love the slightly wider neck. Definitely cannot complain about the fit and finish. It's gorgeous. I will admit it did push my budget, but as I said...I'm hoping to grow with and into this mandolin.
Re: Took a huge leap and upgraded to a Northfield A5 Special
I think you made a great choice. While I moved on from my Northfield, I could have easily kept it as my main instrument. It's not that anything I have is "better". Instead they are just "different."
Congrats on getting that one.
Re: Took a huge leap and upgraded to a Northfield A5 Special
Those A5 Specials are beautiful mandolins!
Congratulations and enjoy!
Re: Took a huge leap and upgraded to a Northfield A5 Special
Good choice. You can probably accomplish anything you need to on that mandolin!
Re: Took a huge leap and upgraded to a Northfield A5 Special
I think you did the right thing - play the best mandolin you can afford. I don't think this mandolin will ever hold you back - enjoy, and play it in good health!
Re: Took a huge leap and upgraded to a Northfield A5 Special
Just did a string change to Ernie Ball Earthwood Mediums -- 20/80's. My mandolin was originally strung with the D'Addario 074's. My Mandolin was a demo and I'm not sure that it was setup before shipping. The strings, as expected were a bit smudgy. So I thought, I wipe my mandolin down with a good cleaner, change the strings and oil the ebony fret board. The fret board really needed the oiling. It soaked up the oil like crazy. (Yes, I wiped it down very well.) Now to let my baby to settle in overnight.
Re: Took a huge leap and upgraded to a Northfield A5 Special
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Twistofer56
Just did a string change to Ernie Ball Earthwood Mediums -- 20/80's. My mandolin was originally strung with the D'Addario 074's. My Mandolin was a demo and I'm not sure that it was setup before shipping. The strings, as expected were a bit smudgy. So I thought, I wipe my mandolin down with a good cleaner, change the strings and oil the ebony fret board. The fret board really needed the oiling. It soaked up the oil like crazy. (Yes, I wiped it down very well.) Now to let my baby to settle in overnight.
How’d the string change and oiling affect things? What did you use to oil it?
Re: Took a huge leap and upgraded to a Northfield A5 Special
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jmackbnd
How’d the string change and oiling affect things? What did you use to oil it?
I really like the EB Earthwood mediums. They are very responsive and sensitive with a great woody, meaty sound. By sensitive, I can really alter the tone from brassy & tinny to very mellow & warm depending on the type of pick I use. D'Addario strings were a bit more piercing and probably better with groups. I was able to cut through my teacher's guitar when he accompanied me at my last lesson. (but then, who knows, he's the teacher and knows the tricks ;) ;) to encourage his students). My main goal right now is Medieval, Renaissance and Early Appalachian music, maybe seasoned with some Irish/Scottish Ballads.
I used Jim Dunlop products...their 65 Lemon Oil on the fret board.
Re: Took a huge leap and upgraded to a Northfield A5 Special
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Twistofer56
I used Jim Dunlop products...their 65 Lemon Oil on the fret board.
Don't oil the fret board often, not more than once a year and with very little oil.
Re: Took a huge leap and upgraded to a Northfield A5 Special
Quote:
Originally Posted by
pops1
Don't oil the fret board often, not more than once a year and with very little oil.
Agreed...I put the Oil on the cloth and rubbed the fret board. Once the board stopped absorbing oil, I took a clean dry cloth and wiped the fret board down.
Re: Took a huge leap and upgraded to a Northfield A5 Special
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Twistofer56
I'm a newbie and decided to upgrade from my Troublesome Creek HoneyBee to the Northfield A5 Special. I took a leap of faith from the retailer (over the phone discussion) but since he was 1300 mi away, I couldn't play it.
I pray that I made a good choice
About 3 yrs ago, I bought an NF A5 Special. It was so good to my ears, that since then when I saw an MC ad for a used one at 2500, I couldn't resist, so I had 2, then later on, I saw another one on MC for 2500, so for the last long while, I have had 3, and I guess that makes me a hoarder, but I think of it, as a science experiment, because I've enjoyed getting to know the nuances between these particular 3, and I can deploy them far and wide.
At one point, I did post one on MC for sale, but no takers, and I'm glad because now I regard that one, as the best one. I'll still probably scale back to just 2, but why make haste, when they are all so appealing?
So, I think you made an excellent decision, Twistofer56! You'll be fine with just the one I expect.... :)