View Full Version : Collings MF5 Varnish
Cactus Jack
Mar-23-2005, 9:41am
Has anyone played the Collings MF5 Varnish (not deluxe) at Elderly or Buffalo Brothers? If so, what are your impressions/opinions?
Cactus Jack
Apr-04-2005, 4:43pm
Anyone yet? There must be someone out there! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
TeleMark
Apr-04-2005, 10:54pm
I saw it on the wall today, but didn't play it. I'll pick it up next Monday, if you like.
Cactus Jack
Apr-05-2005, 7:32pm
Great! It's a 500 mile trip for me (Sonoma,CA), or I'd go myself. It would be good to hear the comparison to the Colings MF5 Nitro finish, which I think Buffalo Bros. also have. Thanks.
Flatpick
Apr-06-2005, 6:46pm
Looking to head up to Elderly's this weekend. I want to play this Collings Varnish and whatever else that's hanging on the wall. Hope it all works out. Anyone else going there Saturday?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
Flatpick
Jim Roberts
Apr-07-2005, 7:25am
Nope, we'll all be at Mandofest in Lawrence, Kansas!
Flatpick
Apr-07-2005, 9:50am
Well enjoy yourselves cause I sure will... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Cactus Jack
Apr-08-2005, 9:24pm
Hey, anybody who is/was at Mandofest, and made it to Mass Street Music, how about a report on the four (4) Collings varnished models; 2 Deluxe, 2 MF5-V standard. Inquiring ears want to know! Thanks.
jasona
Apr-09-2005, 12:13am
Anybody who can't make it to Mandofest want to meet on Sunday at Buff Bros?
Cactus Jack
Apr-11-2005, 3:40pm
Ah, come on, SOMEBODY must have played one at Elderly, Buffalo Bros., or Mass Street Music by now? Mandofest folks may not have recovered yet....
TeleMark
Apr-11-2005, 4:25pm
Ah, come on, SOMEBODY must have played one at Elderly, Buffalo Bros., or Mass Street Music by now? Mandofest folks may not have recovered yet....
Played it for about 15 minutes today. Mind you, I'm an intermediate player at best, but it was quite nice. I don't know if it's $9k nice... FWIW, they have a used MF-5 on the wall that sounded AMAZING. Really loud, even tone. They said that the MF-5 sounds like the varnish will in 5-10 years.
As with all Collings, fit and finish are outstanding. The sound was great, but I thought that the used MF-5 projected better and had a more bell-like tone. Both have a great woody chop.
Again, just my $0.02, so invest your MAS fund wisely.
Cactus Jack
Apr-11-2005, 9:06pm
"They said that the MF-5 sounds like the varnish will in 5-10 years."
So why spend more money and wait for the varnished-one to get there? Thanks for the information TeleMark, you may be an intermediate player but I don't think you have to be an advanced/expert player to be able to tell the difference. Now some folks may just plain prefer the sound of the varnish, but that's what keeps us all trying out different mandos until that special one "speaks to YOU!"
TeleMark
Apr-12-2005, 10:43am
BTW, the used MF-5 looked VERY clean. I didn't notice any scrapes/dings anywhere. I think it was marked at $5,700.