View Full Version : Collings mt versus mt2 - differences?
scgc.om
Apr-16-2008, 6:08pm
This is entirely a curiosity question - definitely NOT trying to offend anyone!
Knowing how happy I am with my MT and reading how MANY are also "members of the MT Fan Club", I'm wondering about the differences between the MT and the MT2.
Given that the MT2 costs about 50% more than an MT, there's gotta be a BIG difference . . . or am I wrong?
I haven't ever played an MT2, so I need to be "schooled".
How would you compare the MT and the MT2? Sure, I can see there are costly cosmetic additions to the MT2 . . . but what I really want to know is about TONE and VOLUME.
How would you compare the Non-Cosmetic (i.e. Sonic) differences between the 2 models?
With so many VERY happy MT owners, why would anyone pay 1/2 again as much for an MT2??
lespaul_79
Apr-16-2008, 6:17pm
Dont know much about the MT2, but so happy with my MT... Amazed with the tone and volume.
Looking forward to seeing other's responses.
JEStanek
Apr-16-2008, 7:09pm
According to the Collings website (http://www.collingsguitars.com/mandolins-MT2.htm) the differences are
MT has an Engleman top
MT2 has an aged Red Spruce top and premo maple for the back and, the MT has a satin finish vs the MT2 high gloss. Same construction in both according to what is said about the MT.
I played an MT once and it was a fine mandolin. A good looking blonde one too. Folks are spot on with the compliments on Collings fit and finish.
I wonder if there is any other difference between the models than woods and finish shine? I've not played an MT2 but would imagine being satisfied with an MT.
Jamie
MT_player
Apr-16-2008, 7:39pm
I tried the MT and MT2 when I was shopping around. #I couldn't hear enough difference to justify the extra dough. #I sure love my MT!
steve V. johnson
Apr-16-2008, 7:43pm
Every once in a while I've seen a used MT2 for under $2600, which caught my attention because of the proximity to the $2100-and-up price ranges of new MTs with various appointment upgrades.
I have the hots for an MT, and , sadly, I have to just save patiently for it, and so I feel compelled to check the ads and various
dealers regularly. Alright... -more- than regularly. And while doing that I have seen a couple of nicely priced MT2s. So there are great value deals out there and an MT2 at a nearly MT price is a goodn, it would seem.
But even so, I'm so very superficial that I will hold out for the MT because I like the plainer, simpler look with the dark binding.
stv
look.
I played an mt and an MT side by side one time. I think it was in November. The Mt-2 did seem brighter and more agressive to me, but I don't do not know the age of the strings on each were or how much either had been played. I have also not owned either so I do'nt have a true picture of either.I have also been trying to decide between a new Mt or a used Mt-2. I am also very interested to here from people who have owned both or owned one and played the other a fair amount.
Sorry, I meant I played an MT and an MT-2 side by side.
Rick Schmidlin
Apr-16-2008, 9:13pm
They both sound greateand #the MT-2 will sound sweeter and more complex in "tone" in time, not better then the MT. You really have to A/B two that are a few years old personal I like the MT better. And I love my MF5 and would not trade it for a MF5 V. Also my MF has a more complex sound then a MF5 and for my ears worth the differance.
lespaul_79
Apr-16-2008, 10:09pm
Also my MF has a more complex sound then a MF and for my ears worth the differance.
Rick, please explain.... por favor.
Rick Schmidlin
Apr-16-2008, 11:20pm
Also my MF has a more complex sound then a MF and for my ears worth the differance.
Rick, please explain.... por favor.
I ment to say MF5 vrs MF. The MF is woody and sound great the MF5 that I own is more complex with richer deeper tones. More piano and bell like vers the MF more Woody.Yes the MF5 is alos woody but offers more to the talbe. As for your MT is as in all Collings a great sounding mandolin. All Collings are fantastic in the tone department. I hope someday to own a new Collings A Varnish when they come out. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
bradeinhorn
Apr-16-2008, 11:36pm
I hope someday to own a new Collings A Varnish when they come out. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
isn't there already an mt-2v?
Perhaps he means the oval hole I have been hearing rumblings of?
lespaul_79
Apr-17-2008, 7:40am
I still have some scroll envy... So if I was going to spend that much on an MT2, I'd probably be checking out some F's. HOWEVER... I have played 4 F's (in the $2500-3000 range) since I got my MT and done the "A/B" test. I found my MT to be superior in many ways tone and volume wise. (Perhaps their strings were dead... who knows?)
The MT just seems so fresh, crisp, and alive. The others seemed flat and didnt have the punch. And every couple of days, I find another note that has these "belltones". Love that...
Looking forward to some jams and festivals this summer to compare more and see what my future F will be.
I was saying the MT was a stepping stone to an F in a couple of years. I'll keep ya'll informed. Right now I think the MT feels great and I really want to see how other mandos compare. Right now, the MT wins.
Going back to the original subject, I'm just not sure about the benefits of the MT2. Perhaps between the price and the A style, it's now what I'd look for. The MT is more than fine for me.
(BTW, in a month or 2 I'll chill out about my MT. Still buzzing about it......:p #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif)
lespaul_79
Apr-17-2008, 7:41am
My new toy....
Andrew DeMarco
Apr-17-2008, 7:41am
I love my MT. I didn't have a chance to play an MT-2 but I did play multiple MT's and like some others found them very consistent in feel, tone, and volume.
A Collings oval-hole -- That would be really bad for my bank account.
May we speculate for a moment? Would an MT (or any other Collings) with an oval hole be less expensive than a regular MT?
I play my MT with a friend who owns a MT and MT2 and really prefer when he uses the MT2 when we play together because it sounds different than my MT. When he plays his MT we both have vertually the same sound. The MT2 is a bit brighter and cuts through the mix better. (On the other hand, I wouldn't get rid of my MT for the MT2. The tones are different but both good.)
lespaul_79
Apr-17-2008, 7:44am
One more...
Rick Schmidlin
Apr-17-2008, 9:55am
Perhaps he means the oval hole I have been hearing rumblings of?
Yep http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Rick Schmidlin
Apr-17-2008, 9:59am
I still have some scroll envy... So if I was going to spend that much on an MT2, I'd probably be checking out some F's. HOWEVER... I have played 4 F's (in the $2500-3000 range) since I got my MT and done the "A/B" test. I found my MT to be superior in many ways tone and volume wise. (Perhaps their strings were dead... who knows?)
The MT just seems so fresh, crisp, and alive. The others seemed flat and didnt have the punch. And every couple of days, I find another note that has these "belltones". Love that...
Looking forward to some jams and festivals this summer to compare more and see what my future F will be.
I was saying the MT was a stepping stone to an F in a couple of years. I'll keep ya'll informed. Right now I think the MT feels great and I really want to see how other mandos compare. Right now, the MT wins.
Going back to the original subject, I'm just not sure about the benefits of the MT2. Perhaps between the price and the A style, it's now what I'd look for. The MT is more than fine for me.
(BTW, in a month or 2 I'll chill out about my MT. Still buzzing about it......:p #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif)
I would say hold on to you MT forever and someday get a F that you like. Why? Because you would regret selling you MT and if you get a F it better be a keeper. Because MAS could develope and you could start up gradeing again. Then you will like I, will regret selling your MT. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
surfandstrum
Apr-17-2008, 10:23am
Rumor has it the oval hole should be out this year sometime...granted this is a big rumor even from the guys at Collings...
MandoCowboy
Apr-18-2008, 1:00pm
MT good, MT2 even better.
red7flag
Apr-18-2008, 2:31pm
The red spruce top vs engelman spruce top tends to show up more once opened up. #I played a bunch of A models at the Collings stand at IBMA. #There was a MT2V that was just plain awesome. #I was not in the market for an A, but I kept finding myself brought back. #The next day I came and it was gone and I am not surprised. #What a wonderful instrument that was. #While the MTs were very good, that MT2V was a different class. #I would not say that would be case with all MT2s vs MTs, but is sure was in that case. #I have had an MF and currently have an MF5. #I would agree with the woody vs complex sound discription. #The MF5 is getting more woody sounding as it opens up, the MF was there from the get go.
Tony
surfandstrum
Apr-26-2008, 12:16pm
I've had the MT2 and really liked it...My friend loaned me his MT and I fell in love with it...Like Red7flag stated, the MT2 took some time to break in but the MT was great from the start and got better because I played the heck out of it...I also think I leaned more towards the warmth of the englemann top too...Thus, if I was to get another one, I'd go for the MT over the MT2 and save for an adi-topped F...IMHO