Northfield S Series NFS-F5WN Wide Nut Amber Matte Mandolin – New

Northfield’s S Series of mandolins are an excellent choice for the player looking for the best tone with a little less bling. The NFS-F5 offers the same quality woodworking as their more expensive instruments but by binding only the edge of the Adirondack spruce top and leaving the back unbound, the number of hours in each instrument is significantly reduced. Another cost saving measure is using a satin finish, which is easier to apply than a gloss finish.

Happily, Northfield’s builders didn’t skimp on the important stuff like tone and playability. The NFS-F5 has a two-bar bracing system like the classic Lloyd Loar mandolins and it has a clear, focused tone with a strong bark that can be heard over the loudest banjo picker. It also has a radiused fretboard, making it a breeze to play.

The “WN” at the end of the model code stands for “Wide Neck,” so if you find your fingers a bit cramped on a typical 1 1/8″ mandolin neck this Northfield may win over your left hand very quickly. The surprising thing is that for most of us these WN Northfield necks don’t feel wide at all when you’re playing, you just have a bit more room and fewer muffed notes. If you’re more into sound and playability, and less concerned about binding and inlay, it’s a wise choice. Includes a hardshell case.