Collings MF -MF5

[Reg]

Hello to all. Not having much time to post latetly. I work for Ontario Hydro here in Canada and we are installing digital teleprotection since that last major blackout we had so that it doesn't happen again. Just wandering how all the Colling mando owner are doing with there new MF and MF5 mando. So far are you still happy with them??? how do you find the tone now that mando has some played time?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif. Still patiently wating for mine from Greg's Boyd fine house of musical instruments. I orderd an MF, my ears need to be pleased more then my eye's so I sure hope the tone will be there. What was the deciding factor for all of you that went the Colling's route rather than any other???. Sure seems to be a lot of good mando's built these day's. Heard a lot of good things about Colling mando's and sometimes some say they are harsh sounding. What's your take on that comment. Thanks to all of you that have time to reply .

The earlier ones were a little harsh but the newer ones from probably about 65 and up are really some Killer sounding mandos!

[grsnovi]

Hi Reg,

I purchased MF # 208 the week prior to Wintergrass, so its been living with me for a little more than three months I guess. I picked it up locally. I don't play bluegrass so I won't attempt to tell you how it sounds relative to some famous b/g picker's tone.

I think you'll be pleased.

In the time since, I also picked up a 1920 Gibson Mandola and another electric guitar, so although I have been distracted, the Collings usually gets played every evening.

[MEP]

I don't think that you will be disappointed in your wait for a Collings. I bought #77 from Maverick and it isn't harsh at all and just seems to be getting better sounding all the time. Much, much nicer than my Flatiron Festival F. Great dynamic range and punch.

When I first got mine the action was a real low and the chop wasn't what it should have been. The chop really came out by just raising the bridge. And the action is still fast and easy.

[troika]

Yeah, All those subtle nuances like deep chop, focused yet airy "woof" in the bass, and ringing but not brassy trebles come out in Collings mando's after they're strung up and played for a while. Here's the thing about collings instruments in general; they're perfect! The plates are carved perfectly, the geometry is perfect, perfect nut height, bridge matches top perfectly. Beautifully radiused fingerboard. Pop off the endpin and you can see the inside; perfect bracing, not a spot of glue anywhere. Oh yeah and did I mention the finish is perfect? Their guitars are the same. By far the best mass-produced instruments on the market. All this perfection adds up to an unbelievably consistent instrument. Of course they all vary somewhat, but I've not played a bad one yet. In fact "troika" refers to my trio of Collings instruments; 1992 braz. d-2h, 1995 17" archtop, & 2003 blonde MF-5. They're all incredible.
Cheers,
ray

[Windflite]

Ditto on the Collings accolades. #I have owned MF5 #104 for approx 9 months and my brother has owned his MF5 (#34 I think) for a little over a year. # Mine is consistently #played at least 3-4 times a week whereas his is played only once every couple of weeks (if that). #The tonal differences between the two mandolins when mine was new#was, to say the least, 'subtle'. # Today, however, it is dramatic. #Although both sounded great 'out of the box' the change that has resulted simply from playing the thing is absolutely amazing. #Needless to say, I was impressed enough with the mandolin that I bought a Collings Winfield (Mahogany) guitar hoping for the same results. # I have even give serious thought to letting go of the mando I keep hidden away at work and replacing it with one of the new MF's just to have the same 'feel'! (The Collings mando neck shape is a very pronounced 'V' and took me a little getting used to.) #Call a doctor quick...I think I've got MAS! # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

If anybody wants one.. Shameless self promotion here http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif #but I have a mint #149 F for sale on the cafe for $5700 or $6000 with Calton Case. I don't think you will find one any cheaper anywhere else

[gibby24]

I bought #128 MF5, its a dandy. I trusted the Collings name. It sounds different than my Gibson but thats OK and they all seem to have a big sound. I think you bought a fine instrument.

[MandoCowboy]

I found that I need to keep the action at the 12th fret at least 4/64 - 5/64" for the volume and tone to really come out. The tops on these things like to be driven and low low action will suck the tone and volume right out of them. I'll check mine once a week or so using a drill bit of the above gap size as a gauge. My MF5 gets played every day of the week, and it's about 9 mos old now and it keeps getting better and better the more it's played. This past weekend I played a 2 year old Collings MF5 with a ton of play on it and it was marvelous. It's hard to imagine all this from a production line mandolin.

[jiffyfeet]

I had a chance to play an MF last night for 30 minutes or so. Honestly I didn't like it any better than my Breedlove. I mean, the looks of it are great, and it's incredibly well made, I just didn't think it sounded any better.

It did sound great, though.

[250sc]

I've had my MT for about 3 months now and have loved it from the beginning. Great craftsmanship, pleasing tone, loud enough that I have to be carefull about drowning out other instruments. My only complaint is that it doesn't smell like sawdust anymore but I'll get over that.