Details
This is a very slightly used example of our favorite octave mandolin model. If you look really carefully under very bright light, you might be able to find a few light signs of it being handled, but remember that Northfield's shellac finish is more delicate than lacquer, so even brand new ones hanging in our showroom often aren't as perfect-looking, when you look really closely, as, say, a new Collings.
These models look a lot like a small Martin archtop guitar from the 1930s in that they combine a typical flattop guitar's flat back with the fully carved spruce top of an archtop guitar. (OK, the back is slightly arched by the braces, just as on flattop guitars) This guitar-like design sits comfortably in your lap without the neck-heavy imbalance that plagues most mandolin-shaped octave mandos. The 22 inch scale also makes this an easier transition to mandolin tuning for guitar players (but an octave lower of course).
It has a wonderful gutsy tone, and for any mandolin ensemble a welcome balance to those piercing trebles. And on top of everything else, it's beautifully made with a high level of "fit and finish", including a lovely sunburst. This example has a carved, Italian spruce top and figured maple back and sides. Includes a hardshell case, but thankfully Northfield's "Airloom" hardshell case if fairly lightweight so carrying this octave mando is far easier than a typical guitar.
Specs
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Back sides
Maple
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Binding
Grained Ivoroid
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Bracing
Tone Bars
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Bridge
Ebony
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Fingerboard
Ebony
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Finish
Shellac
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Make
Northfield Mandolins
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Neck material
Mahogany
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Nut width
1.4"
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Scale length
22"
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Top material
Italian Red Spruce
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Total frets
19
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Year
2022
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Case bag color
Gray
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Case type
Airloom Octave
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Serial number
AT220244
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SKU
NORNFOAT2-AT220244
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UPC
111094