I purchased a new Northfield F5S and should arrive this week. I had a chance to hear it on a video clip. I’m hoping it will be the Mandolin that I keep. I purchased the Northfield from Banjo Ben Clark and feel good buying from him.
It was somewhat difficult to make a decision because of the price point .
Given the cost of buying new , the price starts getting close to Gibson and Weber in the used market. In the past I have owned several used Gibson’s and Weber’s and for one reason or another never really seemed to be completely satisfied. I know finding the right Mandolin is a process but it sure does get frustrating and expensive. I’m always looking for a deal or a value when it comes to buying used from Reverb and Ebay. Maybe thats my down fall. Perhaps a deal is to good to be true and perhaps the reason they were for sale is they really weren’t the greatest instruments to begin with. Everybody makes a few that are not stellar instrument. Don’t get me wrong they weren’t terrible just not in my opinion worth the deal cost as they were just okay, nothing that would knock your socks off.
I know a factor is me and my limited playing ability, however after 20 years of on and off again playing I know what I like both sound and play.
Over the years I have spent a lot of money on set ups, tail pieces and work on fingerboard buying used. I know buying any instrument without playing is risky business but I am really limited to mandolin access in my area. When buying used it’s always nice to go through a dealer or seller you know or trust. Hopefully buying a new Northfield I will be satisfied but only time will tell.
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