Sponsored By
 

Flynn Cohen’s Mandolin Setup

 

Peghead Nation instructor demonstrates the Northfield F5S and other gear that he uses on tour.

 
February 23, 2023
 
 

Flynn Cohen is a New England-based multi-instrumentalist who teaches Peghead Nation’s Irish Backup Guitar course. While his Martin 00-18V typically takes center stage when he’s performing, Flynn also plays a lot of mandolin, including a 1921 Gibson A-1 that he likes for Irish music. When playing live, his mandolin of choice is a Northfield F5S, which is on a long-term loan from Boston-area musician Howie Tarnower. Flynn was recently in the Peghead Nation studio shooting lessons for a new Irish Flatpicking Guitar course (which will be available later this spring), so we took the opportunity to have him do a video demo of his Northfield F5S, and to discuss the L.R. Baggs pickup, Bluechip picks, and Elixir strings that he uses.

Northfield’s S series, which includes an oval soundhole mandolin (F2S) as well as the f-hole F5S, offers slightly simplified versions of the company’s acclaimed Master model instruments. Built with Adirondack or Engelmann spruce tops and figured maple backs and sides, the S series conforms to Northfield’s high standards of materials and craftsmanship. The maple on Flynn’s mandolin’s back is beautifully figured, and the nitrocellulose sunburst finish gives it a classic vintage appearance. As an instrument that has seen years of constant gigging, it has a few scratches and signs of wear, and its ivoroid binding has aged to a lovely beige color.

“I have relatively high action; it’s sort of a bluegrass setup,” Flynn says. As an Elixir endorser, he’s been using their medium-gauge strings on the instrument, which he’s had refretted with golden Evo fret wire. “They’re almost as hard as stainless steel; they don’t wear out, but I prefer the tone over stainless steel frets,” he says. 

The mandolin is outfitted with an L.R. Baggs Radius pickup mounted behind the treble side of the bridge, and Flynn runs it through an L.R. Baggs Venue DI preamp when amplification is needed. 

In this video, Flynn starts out by playing John McGann’s “Shetland Jumper,” then discusses the instrument and its setup. 

To study with Flynn, enroll in his Irish Backup Guitar course now!

northfieldinstruments.com

Related Instrument Demos Posts

Brazilian Choro mandolin instructor, Ian Coury, explains the history of the ten string mandolin, known as the bandolim  

Pedro Santos Ten-String Bandolim

Peghead Nation’s Brazilian Choro Mandolin instructor Ian Coury demonstrates his main instrument and talks about the history of the mandolin in Brazilian music.

Read More

 

Collings MT2 Quilted Maple Mandolin

A great A-style mandolin built with premium woods.

Read More

 

Pava A5 Pro Mandolin

A-Style mandolin built in Austin, Texas.

Read More

Northfield Flat Top Octave Mandolin demonstration  

Northfield Flat Top Octave

Peghead Nation co-founder Dan Gabel and instructor Joe K. Walsh demonstrate Northfield’s popular octave mandolin.

Read More

 

Artist Series “4th Generation” F5 | Northfield Mandolins

Dan Bui demonstrates a Lloyd Loar-style F5 from Northfield Mandolins at the Music Emporium.

Read More

 

Mike’s Banjo Mute

Evie Ladin demonstrates a great tool for quiet banjo practice.

Read More

 

Will Seeders 11-inch Dobson Banjo

Evie Ladin demonstrates one of her own go-to banjos.

Read More

Shubb C7 and C8 partial capos for alternate tunings  

Shubb C7 and C8 Partial Capos

Two great capos for simulating alternate tunings.

Read More

 

50th Anniversary Model M | Froggy Bottom

Guitarist Carl Miner demonstrates one of Froggy Bottom's special 50th anniversary models at The North American Guitar.

Read More

 

Wes Corbett’s Performance Gear

Peghead Nation banjo instructor Wes Corbett discusses the pickup, amp, and pedals he uses when playing onstage with the Sam Bush Band.

Read More

 
Sponsored By
 
 
 

Peghead Partners

 
Peghead Partners feature image
EleOcto with Kym Warner | Northfield Mandolins
The Greencards' Kym Warner demonstrates Northfield's electric octave mandolin.
 
subscribe sample lessons
 
 
 
 
  Follow Us: facebook icon instagram icon twitter icon youtube icon newsletter icon  
 
spotify icon facebook icon instagram icon twitter icon youtube icon newsletter icon
  About Us       Shop         Support         Contact Us         Email Sign up         Advertise         Sitemap         FAQ         Privacy         Terms         Subscribe   Sign In  
 
    ● Courses
    ● Live Workshops
    ● Instructors
    ● Sample Lessons
    ● Notation Guide
    ● For Beginners
 
    ● Workshops
    ● Advice
    ● Repertoire
 
    ● Vintage Vault
    ● New Gear
    ● Fine Lutherie
 
    ● Recordings
    ● Events
    ● Breaking News
 
    ● In The Studio
    ● Live Onstage
    ● Backroom
 
    ● New Products
    ● Inside Look
    ● Performances
    ● Partner Pages
 
Peghead Nation logo
 
© Copyright 2024 PegheadNation.com
 
 
spotify icon facebook icon instagram icon twitter icon youtube icon newsletter icon
    ● Courses
    ● Live Workshops
    ● Instructors
    ● Sample Lessons
    ● Notation Guide
    ● For Beginners
 
 
    ● Vintage Vault
    ● New Gear
    ● Fine Lutherie
 
 
    ● Workshops
    ● Advice
    ● Repertoire
 
 
    ● Recordings
    ● Events
    ● Breaking News
 
 
    ● In The Studio
    ● Live Onstage
    ● Backroom
 
 
    ● New Products
    ● Inside Look
    ● Performances
    ● Partner Pages
 
Peghead Nation logo
 
© Copyright 2024 PegheadNation.com