I have a 1916 one and it sounds almost exactly like the one Ben is playing. I thought I'd been lucky and got the best one they ever made but Ben's 'does it again'. Absolutely the best for me and I've had hundreds of mandolins and several top end ones but the BigMon just oozes tone and volume not to mention the classy look. Mike Vanden did a 5% bigger one but don't know why other builders have not done the same. I reckon you just get more bass and mid range and for me there's always enough treble in virtually any mandolin and you can change pick to suit. I use Wegen 2.00m. I also like the neck. I use covered 2nd for even more warm tone.
Ben that Big Mon is the pick of the litter, even over the Gibson. Love the Northfields, and iffen I had the $ it would be the one with the Engelmann Spruce top.
Hi Ben. Thanks for this. It made me buy a BM from the net, from a renowned shop in Brighton, without trying. I have no regeret it, and you Got a Gold memoer.
I love to hear these comparisons. For my ears, I’m happy to know that anything for than the Eastman would be excessive,… like better to get an MD815 and MD814 for the price of the Northfield. As usual, it’s a YMMV issue. Thanks very much for this comparison!
Qingdao is in China. The Northfield mandolins are made in China. If Northfield mandolins were made in the USA it would say so and you would not have to ask.
it has a lot of tone & vol. But I'm happy with my 915 Eastman that and I'm no where good enough to justify $4000 for a mandolin but it is nice for sure
This is super late, but from my experience, the Northfield has more of a modern "Collings" like tone, little more bite, a little more shouty, but still phenomenal for cutting through a mix. Great overtones. Gibsons have more of a throaty feel to them, at least new factory Gibsons. Still have that F5 chime, just sound a little older and mid rangey.
Guitarists often come down with get G.A.S.. And violinists get V.A.S. . But I thought mandolinists were immune to such afflictions. Has the virus mutated? Is there now an M.A.S. ?
From their site: All materials from North America, seasoned and matched in our Marshall, MI shop. Assembled and varnished in our Qingdao shop. Set up and final inspected in our Marshall, MI shop.
Banjo Ben Clark I know that throws most people off but when I was buying my Eastman 514 (great instrument btw) I was stuck between this and the Northfield f2s which was far superior to my mandolin and many other American made more expensive ones. Shame I didn't have the extra 2k$ to spare haha
Northfields has a team in China, but many of the woods and setup are done in Michigan. Buy one!!! I have #188, an early Big Mon, and they are without a doubt, the finest sounding mandolins you will ever find, bar none, they stand up the best of the best, AND, with the modern setup Northfields offers, they play like butter. Since mine, they have collaborated with Mike Marshall to create their "master" models, which are a further step on the road to mandolin utopia, just amazing instruments, built by really fine people.
@@joeylazio5989 Man, I have a red spruce headed to me this week that we can make a good video of and send it to you. Give us a call down at the store: 833-226-5623
Came for the mini concert Ben! Really great and honest review.
I have a 1916 one and it sounds almost exactly like the one Ben is playing. I thought I'd been lucky and got the best one they ever made but Ben's 'does it again'.
Absolutely the best for me and I've had hundreds of mandolins and several top end ones but the BigMon just oozes tone and volume not to mention the classy look.
Mike Vanden did a 5% bigger one but don't know why other builders have not done the same. I reckon you just get more bass and mid range and for me there's always enough treble in virtually any mandolin and you can change pick to suit. I use Wegen 2.00m.
I also like the neck. I use covered 2nd for even more warm tone.
Is yours the Engleman or Adironack top
Ben that Big Mon is the pick of the litter, even over the Gibson. Love the Northfields, and iffen I had the $ it would be the one with the Engelmann Spruce top.
Hi Ben. Thanks for this. It made me buy a BM from the net, from a renowned shop in Brighton, without trying. I have no regeret it, and you Got a Gold memoer.
Sweet! No, you will not regret it!
I love to hear these comparisons. For my ears, I’m happy to know that anything for than the Eastman would be excessive,… like better to get an MD815 and MD814 for the price of the Northfield. As usual, it’s a YMMV issue. Thanks very much for this comparison!
Hey Ben that's a great mandolin and ur a great teacher.
Jut saw that the tune is an original from Ben called "The Hot Bar Breakdown"... very nice.
She sounds like liquid butter. Wow!! 😮😮
that eastman sounded like it has more open dynamics
You and Zachary Have sold me. I'll take 1.
You will not go wrong, brother.
like the mandolin , sounds great -- love the version of Whiskey Before Breakfast !!!!
What tune does Ben start out playing? That is a great tune!
Qingdao is in China. The Northfield mandolins are made in China. If Northfield mandolins were made in the USA it would say so and you would not have to ask.
it has a lot of tone & vol. But I'm happy with my 915 Eastman that and I'm no where good enough to justify $4000 for a mandolin
but it is nice for sure
Hey the Gibson mandolin is killer that rattlesnake that thing got it 👍
I’m ready to upgrade, and I’ve always wanted a Gibson F-5, but after hearing the Big Mon, I’m torn. What say you, Banjo Ben?
This is super late, but from my experience, the Northfield has more of a modern "Collings" like tone, little more bite, a little more shouty, but still phenomenal for cutting through a mix. Great overtones. Gibsons have more of a throaty feel to them, at least new factory Gibsons. Still have that F5 chime, just sound a little older and mid rangey.
Awesome. What pick do you primarily use?
Sounds a lot like my mandola. I actually liked the others better. Lol
Guitarists often come down with get G.A.S.. And violinists get V.A.S. . But I thought mandolinists were immune to such afflictions. Has the virus mutated? Is there now an M.A.S. ?
Nice!
What tune is that? Sounds lovely. Love that Mandolin.
The first one is an original called "The Hot Bar Breakdown" and the second is "Whiskey Before Breakfast."
Sweet 👍
What u do with the Parsons. ?
Are these produced in the US or China ?
From their site:
All materials from North America, seasoned and matched in our Marshall, MI shop. Assembled and varnished in our Qingdao shop. Set up and final inspected in our Marshall, MI shop.
Banjo Ben Clark I know that throws most people off but when I was buying my Eastman 514 (great instrument btw) I was stuck between this and the Northfield f2s which was far superior to my mandolin and many other American made more expensive ones. Shame I didn't have the extra 2k$ to spare haha
Northfields has a team in China, but many of the woods and setup are done in Michigan. Buy one!!! I have #188, an early Big Mon, and they are without a doubt, the finest sounding mandolins you will ever find, bar none, they stand up the best of the best, AND, with the modern setup Northfields offers, they play like butter. Since mine, they have collaborated with Mike Marshall to create their "master" models, which are a further step on the road to mandolin utopia, just amazing instruments, built by really fine people.
Banjo Ben Clark Why not just say the mandolins are made in China? Qingdao is in China.
The big mon mandolin with a one piece back would cost 15k if assembled in the US!
👏 👏 Joga muito..
What’s the tune at 0:09? It’s so beautiful!
It's an original tune called the "Hot Bar Breakdown"...I need to teach it one day.
Banjo Ben Clark I was amazed and you really need to! Haha!
@@BanjoBen Please do!
Is that a red spruce or Engelmann top??
Honestly, I don't remember though I think it's the Engelmann.
Banjo Ben Clark awesome thanks man! Debating on the red spruce or Engelmann.
@@joeylazio5989 Man, I have a red spruce headed to me this week that we can make a good video of and send it to you. Give us a call down at the store: 833-226-5623
Which top is on that Big Mon?
This one has the high grade Engelmann spruce top, thanks!
This is an advertisement, not a "review." But in this case the instrument does sound great.