I took the plunge--over my head!

[Jack Roberts]

Well, I finally did it. I ordered up a new Collings MF. A vastly better mandolin than I am a player (but that ain't hard...) but I thought it was time. I wanted enough sound to be heard over the banjo and the two guitars (one twelve string) in my band.

Somebody tell me I did the right thing, because this represents all the money in the world. The seller threw in a set of Thomastik-Infeld Starks.

[Jim M.]

Congratulations! You did the right thing. Collings makes great mandos. Don't worry, you'll grow into the instrument. I'm not a big fan of the T-I strings though, I'd stick with J74's or something similar.

[Jack Roberts]

Jim, I play the TI's on my '58 A-5, but I play the Mittels, and I play mostly classical. I'm buying the MF for playing bluegrass.

[mandoJeremy]

If you are going to be playing bluegrass I definitely wouldn't use the TI's. They are just a little too mellow. Go with the J74's or J75's.

[duuuude]

streborkcaj, you did the right thing! I took a similar plunge a few weeks ago and have been smilin' ever since, yer gonna love the great new sound. And another vote for J-74s if'n yer gonna be playin' bluegrass.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[Jack Roberts]

I just spoke to Alex over at Collings, and he said he hasn't tried the TIs on the MT yet, but he would order some up and give it a try. He stated that there is no technical reason why he would recommend against the TIs, so I'll give it a try.

Thanks for the feedback. If it arrives in time for my gig this weekend, I'll try to post a picture.

[Flatpick]

Congrats on the Collings. That's one heck of a Mandolin. Enjoy....hope it arrives in time for the weekend.
Flatpick

[Kirk Albrecht]

I just got a new Collings MT - much more mandolin than I am worthy of also. But it sounds so good - I can't wait until it begins to really open up.


Hope you enjoy the MF. I'm sure it will be wonderful.

[brewmaster]

74's are the way to go. I've had my MF for about 2 months now and I promise you, you will play better and feel better with this thing. Believe it or not, it gets louder in the first few weeks.

[Jack Roberts]

Hey brewmaster. #You should know that you were one of the reasons why I went with the MF. #I figure, how wrong could you be.

I'll stay with the 74s. #They are cheaper than the TIs anyway. #BTW, I'm moving my daughter up to Berkeley next week. #Where do I go to tryout one of your beers?


Jack

[Jim M.]

Mmmm, mandolins and beer in the Bay Area? Yeah, fess up, which brewery or brewpub are you with? Do you have any jams or concerts?

[jcs271]

Welcome to the club,,,you will love it!

J-74's are the way to go.
P.S. thats what they come with from the factory

[Jack Roberts]

74's are the way to go. I've had my MF for about 2 months now and I promise you, you will play better and feel better with this thing. Believe it or not, it gets louder in the first few weeks.
John:

Besides volume, how is the sound quality after time? #I almost got a resonator mandolin for volume, just to get even with the 12 string guitar, but I am more interested in a pleasing tone. #The MF seemed to have the tone and volume as well. I played 3 different MFs and they all sounded great. #One sounded better than three other instruments averaging twice the price in the same display case.


HOLD IT! IS THAT THE FEDEX TRUCK OUTSIDE? IT IS! GOTTA GO....

[Jack Roberts]

It's here. #Yeah, like I'm going to wait 24 hours...

[Jack Roberts]

O.K. I opened the box. Nice mandolin. A lot of sound. After an hour of playing I pulled of the strings and put on the TIs. They are better for my transition because they have more sustain on the G string. Still as loud as with the other strings. I'm going to log out and play the rest of the day...

[Lee]

Hmpf, ran off without even posting a photo http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[Joe Singleton]

Here's #301. Not great pic, but you get the idea!

[Joe Singleton]

#301, the back.

[Mark53]

What timing on this thread. I am considering buying an MF. I have been playing guitar for 25 years but only know three chords on the mandolin.
I know the MF is well beyond my ability as a player but my experience with guitars has conditioned my tastes to prefer better instruments( this MF has ivorid binding-beautiful).
It would take a lot to get it, like trading my Martin OM-18GE, Fender relic Nocaster and Deluxe Reverb reissue amp, plus some cash.
My feeling is that I only need one guitar (my Gibson 1928 Nick lucas Special), and the mandolin would be something new and different.
Wish I knew what to do. Opinions?

[mandopete]

Now is that an MF or an MT? I'm a little confused. I'm also surprised by all of the recomendations for the J-74 strings, I was under the impression that J-75 was more of the "standard" when it comes to bluegrass. I switched back to J-75 several months ago and I find that they seem to stay in tune a little better.

Back to original though - did you buy the mandolin sight unseen? I bought an MF-5 about a year ago and I was a bit surprised by the pronounced V-shape to the nexk, YMMV.

[brewmaster]

streborkcaj are you there? Hey guy's he's disappeared? #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

To answer the question about tone over time. I have noticed a clear difference in the treble (higher notes on E & A). That 'chimey' bell like sound has really come out in the last month. It seemed less apparent after I first got it.

I work at Gordon Biersch San Francisco below the bay bridge.
I will give free beer to anyone bringing their mandolin and.....yes I did use the words free, beer, and mandolin in one sentence. I challenge anyone to top that.

Unfortunately there are no jams here but I am open to it and if anyone is willing to organize it I can definately make it happen. Did I mention the free beer for any mando toting beer drinkin' fool?

Ask for John Tucci the brewmaster M-F days until 5 or so.
call if you want a tour 415-243-8548 brewery direct

[Lee]

BlueGT; that tortoise binding really sets off the natural burst finish on that mando.
The V-neck seems to be the Collings standard way of doing things. Mine feels weird but not uncomfortable.

[Joe Singleton]

I find the neck very comfortable and the radiused board is quite easy on the fingers. Mine has the widest red spruce grain top I have ever seen. I love it.

[jcs271]

Quote-
"Now is that an MF or an MT? I'm a little confused." (mandopete)

MF is the satin finish F style
MT is the satin finish A style

Hope that helps!

[troika]

You know what I love about Collings instruments in general? They are so well thought out and perfectly executed. The geometry and specs built to extremely close tolerances combined with a keen understanding of acoustic engineering and a thorough knowledge of wood, make for a combination that represents the pinnacle of modern instrument-making on a large scale. They are almost too perfect until they get properly "distressed", then they become loved-ones.

[250sc]

If your experience with your new Collings is simular to mine (MT-A) you will find that you can play more complex lines a lot better on your new mando. Maybe it's the radioused finger board or maybe it's just that the tone is so niece (and loud when needed).

I did find that J-75s gave me a warmer, more woody tone than the 74s but it took a couple of weeks for the instrument to open up again with the extra tention.

Enjoy you now ax. I love the wood on the back.

[Jack Roberts]

Hey, guys.

I played the MF for a day, but due to a minor problem, I sent it back to the seller for correction. I'll keep you posted. (buying by mail order does have this drawback.)

But let me say this, not only is the MF capable of all the volume I could ever need, it is a beautifully made instrument as well. It is a joy to look at and if feels very good in my hands.

Jack

[Walter]

What was the minor problem?

[Jack Roberts]

I'm the "minor" problem. I shouldn't have implied that there was a problem with the mandolin, and I apologize for my incorrect wording. #I want to do a "playoff" to compare #more than one. #He only had one in stock, so I'm waiting for the next one (which is due any day), and then I'll decide which one to keep. I just spoke to the seller, and it seems that Collings is not able to keep up with the orders on these! Still, I want to try one more, to be sure.#

Hey, I know I'm a pain, but it is about all the money in the world for me right now. #Still I am working with one of the best mandolin sellers out there, and they know how to take care of their customers. #I'm out the cost of shipping, but if I drove half a day to the nearest shop that carries these, I could only play one (or none), and I'd be out the cost of driving, so I thought this was the way to go. #Also, I don't think music stores are good places to try out instruments, unless you can find a room with no other stringed instruments in the room.

I played the MF at my weekly jam, but didn't play it in a gig because the gig was cancelled (the banjo player's wife is sick), so I'm using the time to try another MF. #As I said, it did very well in with the banjo and 12-string guitar. #I didn't know I could get so much volume out of a new mandolin. My current mandolin is a 1958 A-5, which is superb as a solo instrument, but doesn't fit into ensemble playing well because it is too quiet. #To keep up with the other guys in the group I have to play very hard, and I really would rather not, because it is set up now for playing classical music.#

Jack

[Lee]

Thanks for clearing that up for us Streorkcaj. Very understandable and wise. It's tough to compare objectively without them both being available at the same time; espcecially same brand, same model, comparisons.

[250sc]

A couple of weeks ago I ran into another picker with an MT-A like mine and we switched instruments for a couple of songs to compare the difference.

His was a little warmer sounding than mine but the volume was about the same.

[Walter]

Jack,

Have you considered, or played an "A" style Collings MT? It's alot less money, and it might get you the qualities your looking for in volume and tone.

[Jack Roberts]

Hey, Walter:

I know what you are saying, but this is just another one of those things.

250SC: #My experience is that the earlier serial numbers from Collings have a lot of volume and a "dry-woody" or "percussive" sound, very much like the Gibson Fs. #The later serial numbers have more "warmth" as compared to "dryness". #How did the serial numbers of your two MTs compare?

I thought this might have been my imagination or an artifact of my audition conditions. #I have played only in musics shops where resonances from other instruments interfere with good hearing, and each audition has been separated by weeks. #My memory and impressions can be faulty.

But this is why I am conducting my own auditions here in my office, and at a jam. #In order to do this right, I think an understanding mail order firm is the way to go. #I wanted two at a time, but that isn't possible, so I'm waiting for the second. #When it is all done, I'll report my findings, but I fully expect to own an MF within a week or so. #

Jack

[Lee]

Streborkcaj; can't you find a credit card company (or two) who'll open a new account so you can order both mando's at once? You know you'll be returning one within three days or so, it's not like you gotta actually pay for both. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[Jack Roberts]

Lee957: That's another idea. I don't have a problem with the credit card, my problem was finding one shop with more than one MF. I guess I could have tried multiple sellers, but I also sell stuff for a living, and I never like it when somebody tries something out from me, then buys from someone else. The guys I'm working with are willing to let me order their mandolin, supply the strings at no charge so I can try two different types of strings, change the action, then let me send it back for another, all for a very good price, so they've earned a lot of loyalty.

[Lee]

Wow, you're a discriminating buyer (I don't blame you) and the store is a gem! I'll be curious how similar they are. Keep track of the serial numbers and give us a full report.

[brewmaster]

Sounds like the way to go Jack.

You'll be very happy you took your time.

[Jack Roberts]

By the way, I'm working with Mike Bucayu at FQMS. He is working hard for me.

[Jack Roberts]

Mike just called me with news that the mandolin is ready to ship. He did think that the later serial number had a darker tone, but still had volume. I'll let you know when I get it tomorrow or Thursday.

If I may plug FQMS, I am very pleased with the patience and effort they have put into this order: allowing me to try more than one, allowing me to change strings at their expense, and still being very nice to work with. And Collings has been good to talk to on the phone as well.

So I'll report back when I get the second instrument here.

Jack

[Jack Roberts]

Picture!

The sound is great. This is s/n 320. #The last one I tried was in the 200s. #

Both sound great, but I think I'm going to keep this one. #It has a darker sound that I like. #

I'll take it to the jam tonight.

[Jack Roberts]

View of the back.

[250sc]

streborkcaj,

You asked about the serial numbers of the two mandos I compared but sorry I didn't look at them.

I see you got your mando and I know you'll love it. Wait till you play it next to instruments that cost 4 times as much but don't have as good sound or volume. You'll be real happy about your selection.

[Jack Roberts]

Played it in a jam last night. I have decided to keep this one. The other one, S/N in the 200s, has volume, but lacks something, that for the want of a better term, I will call "throat". This one, S/N 320, although it doesn't have the sweetness and clear tones of my A-5 (Jethro), has both volume and "deep throat" which made quite a difference in the bluegrass jam. We only had a banjo and a guitar, so I wasn't competing with a bass, fiddle, dobro, and 12 string last night (sometimes there is even a second banjo), but the volume and cut was there.

The dynamic range was there as well: I could play soft or loud over a great range. Both the MF's I played had great dynamic range, which allows me options in playing.

This one came out of the box with GHS strings on it (I called Collings to confirm: they are getting to know me pretty well now...) so I swapped them for J74s. I am not used to such heavy strings, and I have a hard time getting clean hammer-ons and pull-offs. I may go back to my TIs for now and work my way up to heavier strings as my pinky and ring finger develop more strength.

In summary, I am extremely satisfied with this mandolin, with the support I got from First Quality and from Collings. They really let me run an evaluation the way I wanted to: they timed shipments of instruments to arrive before a jam so I could try them out in a real enviroment rather than in a music shop, they allowed me to change strings to suit my preferences (First Quality even provided the strings) and Collings and First Quality worked together to be sure I was happy, always with no pressure to keep the instrument if I wasn't 100% sure. In the end, I paid a little more for all the fedex shipping, but on an investment of this size it is cheap insurance to be sure I got what I wanted.

Happy picking, and thank you all for your encouragement while I went through this prodess!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif

[Adare_Steve]

The seller threw in a set of Thomastik-Infeld Starks.
Excuse my ignorance. But, what is that?

Steve

[Jack Roberts]

Those are the heavy Thomastik-Infeld strings. #Some people love them, but others say the J74s are the best strings for this mando. Collings recommends the J74s or the equivalent GHS strings, but they think the TI Starks might be a good choice, too. #I use TI's medium strings on my other mandolin exclusively, but I play mostly classical music on it.

[Jack Roberts]

This Mandolin really makes a difference. I've played in two jams and one gig since I got it. Last night the fiddle player, who is a young man who has won several local competitions for fiddling, came over and sat next to me so we could play hornpipes and jigs together. We had a great time, and with a full jam (6 and 12 string guitar, bass, fiddle, banjo, and little old me, I could be heard. All commented on the great sound of the mandolin.

Since I got it, I have lowered the action and changed to medium weight strings. I don't need the volume, since I have plenty already, but I like the improved playability and speed I get. The volume is there when I need it.

Thanks to all for your encouragement.