Collings MF or MF5

[Rick Schmidlin]

I am interested in buying a Collings Mandolin. I play a Roy Noble cedar/braz concert accoustic guitar with #near perfect tone . I would like to buy a good sounding and well made mandolin to start. What is the differance in tone and voice between these two models?

Thank You,
Tone Monster

[grsnovi]

I have never played an MF-5 but I own an MF

My guess is that you would hear minimal (if any) consistent tonal difference between a dozen MF's and a dozen MF-5's

It is almost certain that you would be able to find an outstanding version of either and paired against a klunker of either and hear a difference but Collings seems to have the process down to a point where they are VERY consistent.

It is my personal view that the MF-5 is simply more ornate: gloss finish and more binding/inlay.

I don't believe they are grading the wooden components into two quality piles: one for the MF and on for the MF-5 for example.

[Jim Roberts]

The MF5's I have played at Mass Street Music have been considerably better in tone and volume over the MF's. #Not trying to belittle the MF's as they are alot of mandolin for the price, I just think the MF5's are a big jump up for the buck. #If you don't have scroll envy, I'd compare the Collings MT2 A style against the MF F style. #You might just walk away with one of their MT2's instead of an MF!

No matter which way you decide to go, play as many Collings as you can before you purchase one because every once in a while you'll find one that blows the others out of the water. #Collings is a great company and great builder. #My 13 year old nephew has already stated he wants one of their guitars as a high school graduation present five years down the road!

Cheers.

[Patrick Gunning]

Speaking as someone who just got a Collings D1A dreadnought for a graduation present, I'd say that he's made a good decision. Also considering a collings mandolin, but my wallet hasn't been taking kindly to the abuse of MAS.

[peterbc]

About a month or two ago I played three of their mandolins side by side, the fancy A, the fancy F, and the less fancy F. The less fancy F was odd, it looked like a Gibson F-9 with the brown finish. I played the A first and was surprised how nice it was for a new axe. I don't know if they had let the strings get beaten in to where I like them or what... Then I played the fancy F and was even better, though if it was worth the exta 4k or whatver the difference was, I'm not sure... The less fancy F was the worst of the bunch (still good, but the A was noticably better and cheaper). I'd second the vote to try some of the A's too, since they are a lot cheaper and are still really nice instruments.

Just a note I listed a Collings F-5 mint for $5650 on the cafe if anybody is interested. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Don Christy]

I toured the Collings factory down in Austin yesterday. Talked a while with the guy that tests (plays) the mandos. He said that the MF and the MF-5 really are the same as far as sound. He also thought that the mandos with the "plainer" backs typically sounded better than the mandos with highly flamed back wood. Definitely didn't seem to be grading the wood for one versus the other. I really think it's only finish and binding.
Don

[Rick Schmidlin]

This is what I have been told and I plan to get a MF, thanks for the coments.

Rick

[hotpick]

I own a Collings MF and an MF5. In my opinion the only difference is looks. The MF5 is glossy, has ivoroid binding on the headstock, front and back and has gold hardware. The MF is satin finished and has tortise binding on top only and has nickle hardware. I love them both and can never imagine parting with them. My MF has a one piece back. In the middle it looks like quitled maple extending out to flame maple at the sides. I think it has even more volume then my beautiful MF5 which will blow most banjos away.