Okay, forgive the lengthy post, but I felt compelled to write something and sure do hope that all you friends will understand that I'm only doing this because I'm so amazed at the effect receiving my new Northfield has had on me.
Very briefly, been a Collings MT/MT2 fan for 20 years. Only able to own one instrument at a time, I've tried plenty of other similar level A style mandos over the years - but always returned to the MT2 and MT2-V or the way the fit my hands, my playing style, my ears, and lastly my aesthetics. IMHO, the late Bill Collings designed simply a stunning and uniquely beautiful A mandolin in the MT that I still find as beautiful as the time I received my very first new mandolin - a 2005 blonde MT (from the good folks at TME where I also just purchased the Northfield last week).
I'd never held a Northfield or heard one live - but have been might curious for the last several years and hoping they'd come out with a model that might challenge everything I loved most about my many MT2s. So I bought the A5 Special fully blind.
I will never, ever say a bad word about Collings mandolins. "Full stop," as they say! But that "effect" I mentioned of the Northfield? I've never been more excited to pick up a mandolin and just be amazed at the sound and rich tonal palates coming out of this featherweight instrument. While I always felt there was no better neck shape for my hand than the Collings pronounced v-shape, I've found it. Ditto the bell like clarity of single notes. And its evenness up and down the fretboard.
Not a pick guard fan, I removed it and love the way the 18th century style f-holes look so right with the Nugget tailpiece. Fit and finish is equal to any MT2 I've ever owned - and the spirit varnish is perfect.
If you want to hear the reason I chose this mandolin, it was because I play similar music to this wonderful gentleman and heard the difference in tones between his MT2 and his A5 Special - and the sweetness of the Northfield spoke to me.
MT2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN42JegZ3Ns
Northfield: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSGE...G61-AY&index=6
So, that's it. I'm not a poster, but to play this new mandolin has taken me by surprise. Well done, Northfield. And Collings? You'll always have a special place in my heart for inspiring me to practice and play in my ongoing efforts to become a better mandolin player.
I hope this read was worth the time. I'm just so blown away at the moment, I had to pay my respects.
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