Collings MF Neck Joint

[Frank Russell]

Hey guys, sorry for starting a re-hash, I know we've seen this discussion before, but I couldn't find it with a Cafe search. I just plunked down one of my favorite mandos toward a great MF that I have been stalking at Buffalo Bros. in Carlsbad. This is definitely the most expensive transaction for me so far, but I couldn't get the dammned thing out of my head for the last month or so. Had to do it. I couldn't remember whether the neck join on these is a dovetail, or a Weber-style bolt assembly. Doesn't make any difference on my decision, as I've had Flatirons and Webers with bolts that were incredible instruments. Just being nosy. By the way, the one I picked has the most flame and even figure in the spruce I've ever seen, and it sounds like a monster. Frank

[pickinNgrinnin]

Frank- you've been a restless one for sure. Obviously a bad case of M.A.S. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

I remember the thread too but I can't recall the take on the neck joint. BTW, I played a satin MT-2 awhile back and it was incredible.

[sgarrity]

Was it the satin MT-2 at Mass Street? That is one heck of an A-style mandolin. Thank goodness Im on a one mandolin per month budget. LOL http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Jack Roberts]

frussel, I played that MF at Buffalo brothers a little while back, and it is, without a doubt, one of the best sounding mandolins I have ever played. I don't know how the neck is made, but the guys at Collings are great and will answer your question if you call them.

I have no financial interest in Buffalo Brothers or Collings, but my son is the original Buffalo Brothers fan (they are very good about letting young beginning guitarists play their top end guitars) and I love my Collings MF.

Jack

[jcs271]

The necks are dovetailed! Sometimes someone here goes to the Collings website and says there is a neck joint pic that shows a bolt. Yes there is but it is a GUITAR neck. There are NO BOLTS in the Mandolin necks.

[jcs271]

Oh yea, by the way. I bought mine at Buffalo Brothers also. GREAT STORE!

[Frank Russell]

Hey pickinNgrinnin - restless does not describe it. It's a sickness. And I am naively hoping this will cure it. The A-style I got from Bill Bussmann recently is definitely helping, but now I need an F that I like as much. Thanks for all the info, guys. I knew I would receive the answers I needed here. By the way, as of a few weeks ago, Buffalo Bros. had a super cool blackface MT there that was just incredible, looks and sound. No financial interest here, just always had good luck with the staff there. Thanks for your comments, Jack, I really liked the sound of that MF, even more so than the upper level model MF5. Frank

[pickinNgrinnin]

[QUOTE]Was it the satin MT-2 at Mass Street?

Indeed http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Frank Russell]

Thanks for the input boys. Yep, Brian from Collings quickly returned my email and confirmed that there are no bolts, just a dovetail joint in their mandolins. I'm sure trying to be patient until I can make that final payment. Frank.

[Jack Roberts]

I borrowed the money from my wife...

Jack

[Frank Russell]

Jack, I wish I had that option. We have a don't ask, don't tell policy here. If she only sees two or three cases, I get a pass. If I start letting her into my twisted little obsessive world of mando collecting, my future payments will go to alimony. I can't upset the fragile ecosystem that we live in by mentioning finances and mandolins in the same sentence. Frank

[mandomick]

[QUOTE= ]Was it the satin MT-2 at Mass Street?

Indeed #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
That particular satin MT2 now resides with me and I'm really wondering why I've been paying for scrolls. It's my 1st A style and I love it. Gotta thank Jim Roberts and folks at Mass St. for steering me toward it.

BTW, I'm also wondering if all the builders and retailers realize the amount of business they're getting due to this web site?

[sgarrity]

You got one heckuva mandolin. That was a close second behind the Davis F5 I bought from them. And after playing that one, a Collings is the next mando on my list to buy. Aren't the guys at Mass Street great? No financial interest, blah, blah, blah. But buying from them was a very enjoyable experience. And I wouldn't have known about them if it wasn't for this site. Enjoy your new mando and happy pickin'!
Shaun

[pickinNgrinnin]

Yea, Jim B. ought to put me on the Mass Street Payroll #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Thanks for buying that satin MT2 as it has been way too tempting. Among the best sounding/playing in the impressive inventory of Mandos. The satin finish gives your MT2 an "old time" look. #This particular A could go with most F's out there. Nice pick up!

[pickinNgrinnin]

Hey Shaun- How about some pics of your Davis F5? Are you making it to Winfield?

Yep, your Davis was my favorite in the shop!

[sgarrity]

Im going to Winfield on Friday just for the day. Been meaning to see if Bill Davis is going to be there. I'll hopefully have some pics of it later this week. My digital camera quit working, so I have to use a friends. I've been playing so much my fingers hurt.

[Jim Roberts]

The satin Collings MT2 A that Mandomick bought from Mass Street is one of the finest mandolins they've had pass through their store in quite some time. #Congratulations Mick and I hope it brings you years of pleasure and smiles!

[Jim Roberts]

Shaun: #Bill Davis is there every year and if you find Carp Camp there'll be some folks in that vicinity who should be able to lead you to where Bill camps. #It's kind of on the far west north west side of the festival site. #That Davis of yours rocks and the fit and finish is flawless!

Hope to see you at Winfield.

[Frank Russell]

Finally paid the sucker off and took it home yesterday. It's worth the wait. Now I just gotta find out which strings I like best on it. Any suggestions? Thanks, Frank

[MikeB]

Frank, I've tried TI (starks, I think), GHS Silk & Bronze, and now J74s. I'm going back to GHS S&Bs, just to make sure I like them as well as the J74s. I think the S&Bs last longer and feel a little nicer on the fingers.

Oh, btw, NONE have sounded bad. I love my MF, #245, http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[MandoCowboy]

On both of my Collings MF5 and MT2 I run D'Addarion Flat Tops. I use String Life coating to keep corrosion from fingers down and reduce the string friction under playing. This combination works very well for the sound I like and the playability.

[Frank Russell]

I tried the flatttops on two other mandolins, and loved the sound, but like other cafe members reported, they seemed to go flat too quickly. Frank

[MandoCowboy]

Hey Frank,

The String Life helps. I can get 30 day outta mine easily and I play/practise alot (min 1-2 hrs perday).

[Frank Russell]

Can't help but post an update. I'm nearly as excited about this MF as gdaeboy1 was about his Brunkalla. Well, close anyway. This thing just gets better and better every day. An interesting side note: maybe it's the radiused fretboard, but the beginnings of arthritis or tendonitis I was feeling the last three months is nearly non-existent since I've been playing this Collings. It may only be psychological, but I've been playing longer and harder, with no ill effects. The neck on these things is the most comfortable I've had in my hands, but I know that's a "to each his own" type of thing. Frank

[Jack Roberts]

FJ, you got a nice instrument for sure. I've played that very MF and you did all right for yourself.

[pickinNgrinnin]

Hey Frank-

Relax, No one can top gdaeboy1's excitement with his Brunk http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Sounds like you found a good one. M.A.S. in remission??

[Frank Russell]

pickinNgrinnin - What in the h### is remission? Is that when you start looking for an octave mandolin? If so, I'm in it. You've followed my addiction, so you know better than to ask that. Let's just say that I'm on about step 11 with this Collings, and my excellent Old Wave A. They are keepers. Thanks, Frank