View Full Version : Collings Vs Ellis F models
red7flag
Oct-11-2008, 5:26am
Due to the low market I did not sell my Collings MF5 (not V). During the last week I have been doing some ABing. When playing melody they are remarkably similar. The Collings being a bit more bell like and Ellis being more buttery. Both are very similar in being extremely easy to play. Both are just great to noodle on. The big difference comes in the chop, where the Ellis is superier. The Collings chop just does not grab me the way the Ellis or a Gibson would. I am in no way saying bad, but just not that very satisfying "thunk". The Collings is a great instrument for melody and just cries out to be heard. I guess you can tell that the Ellis came out in front, but the Collings came much closer than I thought it would. Playing melody pretty much a tie. Both great instruments. I found myself glad for the moment that the Collings did not sell.
Rick Schmidlin
Oct-11-2008, 12:02pm
I play mostly old time and international leads and the Collings suites me perfectly.
As for a chop, if only I could afford a Gibson MM.
I think if you change the strings on the Collings you will get a better 'chop'. Have you tried that? What strings are on these mandolins?
lovethemf5s
Oct-11-2008, 5:27pm
I don't know what's going on with your MF5 but mine has a pretty respectable chop. Is yours fairly recent? With the adi top it took quite a while for mine to come around but when it did, umm, umm. It appears that you have at least 4 mandolins and a mandola. Sometimes when you give all of your attention to just one mandolin it can reward you.
red7flag
Oct-12-2008, 12:09pm
Doug: All mandolins use D'addario J74. The strings on the Collings are relatively new.
lovethemf5s: MF5 does have a "pretty respectable chop." I am sorry if I implied other wise. Just was not as good as the Ellis.
Chris Biorkman
Oct-12-2008, 12:21pm
I've had both, just like Tony. I sold the MF-5 to get the Ellis. I would say that the Collings sounded great, but was a little less warm than the Ellis. I would have to agree with Tony that the Ellis' chop is a little more thunky. I loved the Collings, but it was just a completely different animal than the Ellis. It was much brighter sounding to me. Both are fantastic mandolins, although I have a slight preference for the Ellis. It's prettier too. ;)
red7flag
Oct-12-2008, 1:33pm
Chris said it much the way I intended, but better.
lovethemf5s
Oct-12-2008, 6:27pm
I get it. The OP wasn't asking a question but making a statement.