Model NF-F5 Master Model

 

Our Master Model is the pride and joy of Northfield Instruments. Created out of the best in materials and crafted under the most careful conditions, each instrument is indeed a work of sonic and aesthetic beauty. As players, we know the difference between a real instrument and one that’s trying to look like one. All the specifications have been reviewed, tested and approved by professional luthiers the world over. Our aim with this model is to bring you the best possible mandolin we can, for any style of playing. No gimmicks, no fakeouts, no rebates or fancy marketing campaigns----just the real thing.

 

Specifications
All Mandolins feature All SOLID Hand carved quarter-sawn premium lumber.

Premium Grade Adirondack Red Spruce Top logged, cut and air-dried for seasoning in the Eastern USA along the Appalachian Mountains. Premium woods are provided by a trusted and sustainable source. Varieties range from extremely stiff and dense tight grain pieces to lighter wider grain pieces. All pieces are carved and graduated to the optimum measurements for the individual piece of material we are using: giving each mandolin it’s own character.

Premium Grade Curly/Flamed Red Maple Neck-Back and Sides This is dense, beautiful tone wood perfect for carving. Figure ranges from piece to piece. Each block is checked for tonal and aesthetic qualities and matched with the appropriate back and soundboard. Our neck shape is based on the traditional 1920’s instruments with a very soft “V” against the palm of your hand and comfortable C-shaped shoulders for easy playing without fatigue.

Hand-Rubbed Spirit Varnish Finish Finish colors are done in a traditional style shaded-sunburst. The finish is translucent up to the edge and applied very delicately to embellish the figure of the wood beneath and still maintain the thinnest finish possible.

Radiused Ebony Fingerboard with genuine Mother of Pearl dot position markers. Dots are staggered in size (from larger to smaller towards the tailpiece) Fingerboard is a traditional shape but features a scalloped extension over the body. Silver wire inlaid within the extension provides accurate position markers for the higher frets and maintains the traditional look.

Traditional 1920's-style Ebony Bridge Meticulously hand-shaped and radiused to match the fingerboard. Each bridge is set-up specifically for each mandolin and fit to the top by hand every time for optimal performance in tone and volume.

Traditional Grained Ivoroid Binding on the body, fingerboard and peg-head.

High quality Silver-plated Brass Cast Tailpiece for extra sustain without the annoying ringing or rattling.

Ebony End-pin

Premium German-made Schaller reverse-style Tuners. Nickel-plated with pearloid oval buttons.

Hand-Varnished Flamed Maple or Ebony Pickguard.

Hand-inlaid genuine mother of pearl peg-head inlay design.

Shipped with a hardshell case.

 

5-Year Warranty

 

Designed in the USA. Conceived in a Northern Field. Built from Premium American Maple and Red Spruce seasoned, dried and carved under carefully controlled building conditions . Responsibly hand-crafted in China, under the guidance of players and luthiers from several countries, by a small 3 person team in a workshop owned and operated by these artisan craftsman. Finished mandolins are meticulously inspected and set-up by master luthiers in the USA.
Available for purchase exclusively through our friends at Elderly Instruments.