Collings A vs Oval -- The Sequel [Archive]

Sellwood86

Feb-02-2010, 6:37pm

Really enjoyed the first thread and I, personally, have an A Collings with F holes which I really like. I love, though, that breathy quality of a Gibson teens oval. I really want something newer with the oval vibe but am thinking the oval Collings would be a compromise. Any ideas about an oval A that would be good for Latin, Irish etc.? I'm a guitar player first and really like the almost vocal quality of the oval as opposed to the more strident sound coming out of the F hole models.~o)~o)~o)

Would appreciate any help you can offer.

Thanks,

Scott

Eric F.

Feb-02-2010, 6:53pm

I don't know what your budget is, but an Old Wave or Pomeroy would fit the bill.

Gary Alter

Feb-02-2010, 7:32pm

There's a Pomeroy oval in in the classified now. Again depending on your budget there's the Weber Vintage oval, Cotten's has a Kimble A-O that should be very fine and of course the photos of the new Ellis oval A are looking very nice as well. http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58744&highlight=ellis+oval

JEStanek

Feb-02-2010, 8:02pm

For Latin, like Brazilian Choro, or Irish Traditional Music you could get a flat top or a bandolim. If you want an archtop and like that Gibson look but from a recent build you've got many options, espescially if you're willing to spend Collings money. I've played and really enjoyed a Bill Busman Old Wave A-oval mandolin before. I think Gail Hester makes some of the finest looking Gibson style oval hole mandolins too. You could even get her to pop a virzi in there...

Jamie

Eddie Sheehy

Feb-02-2010, 9:43pm

Brian Dean oval holes are very nice.

Patrick Gunning

Feb-02-2010, 10:05pm

Speaking of Collings Oval-hole mandos, there is right now an exceptional example (the best sounding of the 4 or so Collings ovals I've played) at Westwood Music (http://www.westwoodmusic.com/) in Los Angeles. I think it's an MT gloss top, but might be an MT-2, I wasn't looking too hard at the back. It's not listed on their website for some reason, but I know it's still there.

If I were in the market for an oval hole right now, I'd nab it.

If I wanted a sweet custom built oval hole for a couple grand, I'd nab an Old Wave. Bill has a real handle on that sound and vibe. If I wanted something built more true to the old Gibsons but with modern playability and appointments, I'd talk to Gail Hester. If I wanted the best Oval A on the planet, I'd track down a Gilchrist model 1. Those things just put everybody else's (including most old Gibbys) to shame, full oval richness and sustain but with projection for miles.

Capt. E

Feb-03-2010, 2:28pm

I just today compared three Collings ovals for sale at Fiddlers Green here in Austin. A Honey Amber MTO (satin finish), a Sunburst MTO sunburst (satin finish), and an MT2O (gloss finish). The best of the three was the first, the Honey Amber MTO. I also liked the fretboard better on that one (the strings are spaced a touch closer). If I was looking for an A oval I would consider it seriously.

Sellwood86

Feb-03-2010, 9:13pm

Thanks Capt. -- if I go the Collings route, that would seem to be my best choice.~o)

Rob Gerety

Feb-05-2010, 5:31am

There is a signifcant difference between long neck and short neck (Gibson) oval holes. So if you are looking for the old Gibson sound you may be disappointed with many of the ovals listed here - including the Collings. I know I was. The long necks generally sound quite a bit different than the Gibsons - not bad mind you, but different.

LaVonne

Feb-05-2010, 10:13am

I have a 2002 Collings MT2, a 2004 FM and I recently got a new Collings MT-Oval. The Collings MT-Oval is a fabulous mandolin. The MT series has an Englemann top that IMHO gives is a really breezy / airy very open sound but it's also got some serious volume and sustain. The price range for the MT Oval is in the low two thousands depending on features. Mine is honey amber with a gloss tip and ebony tuners. It's a great oval for the money especially if you don't care about the bling on the MT2 series.

sgarrity

Feb-05-2010, 10:38am

I got to play an MT-O recently and have to admit that I was not at all impressed. I'm usually a huge Collings fan but that mandolin just left me flat. It was very quiet and kind of dull. I'll play a few more before I form my opinion of their ovals though. The same store had a OM1 guitar that I'm still dreaming about!

As for ovals, I have to agree with the suggestions already presented. The Kimble at Cotten's is a great mandolin, Old Waves are great and have their own vibe, vintage Gibsons can be good when you find the right one, maybe a Weber Vintage oval??? I haven't played on of those yet. Good luck on your hunt!

Rob Gerety

Feb-06-2010, 11:47am

I agree on the Collings MT-O. I had the same reaction. I have to say again though, the OP suggested that the sound he is looking for is the old vintage teens oval sound. Neither the Collings nor the Weber vintage oval have that same sound. I loved the Weber, but is isn't the same thing as a teens oval.

If you like the teens oval sound my suggestion is to buy one. They are plentiful, built like tanks, not terribly expensive and they hold their value - or even appreciate. If not a teen Gibson - try to find a short neck oval build - Old Wave will do that - maybe others?

John Flynn

Feb-06-2010, 12:30pm

If you like the teens oval sound my suggestion is to buy one. They are plentiful, built like tanks, not terribly expensive and they hold their value - or even appreciate. If not a teen Gibson - try to find a short neck oval build - Old Wave will do that - maybe others?
While the old Gibbies are plentiful, I have not found them all that consistent. Some sound great, others don't. Some also lack the volume of good new instruments. I think more than with a new build, you have to play before you buy. Also, I have not found them to be "built like tanks." Many of the ones I've encountered have cracks and or sinking tops and even some of the "good" ones are the devil to keep in tune.

I'll second the Old Wave suggestion. They are a great combination of tone, volume, reliability and price.

Rob Gerety

Feb-06-2010, 12:52pm

I'll defer to John.

But, my Gibson oval is fantastic in my judgment and I played about 15 while I was looking and 10 were terrific. I agree, you need to play it before you buy it. I have not played anything modern that would satisfy my taste for these old Gibsons. For some reason they flip my switch like no other. Oh, and mine stays in tune just fine after a complete cleaning down to the screws. Great tuners actually. Very stable mandolin. Nothing has moved in almost 100 years.

BBarton

Feb-09-2010, 7:28pm

I have a short-neck, Gibson type A oval built by Peter Sawchyn in Canada. Basically a teens Gibson clone (same body dimensions, bracing, etc.) -- and it is sweet! Sounds much like my old Gib. I agree with Rob & John - the old ones are not very consistent and there a lot of mediocre ones for every good one.

John Rosett

Feb-16-2010, 2:26pm

Randy Smith

Feb-16-2010, 6:00pm

I just played an MTO for the first time, and I really liked it. It has a shorter neck than an MT, but not as short as an old Gibson. I liked it a lot more than the Old Wave that I owned briefly last year.
The Collings doesn't sound exactly like a vintage Gibson oval hole, but I thought that it had a wonderful voice of it's own.

I've played several oval hole Collings now and found they have an interesting sound that I haven't heard from other mandolins. Since I like the old Gibson oval sound, I haven't wanted a Collings, but I can understand why they're popular. And they're very well made. If a person likes the Collings non-Gibson sound, buying an oval hole Collings would be a great way to get a very fine mandolin.

acousticphd

Feb-17-2010, 10:10am

I own two teens Gibson A-ovals. I have a lot less hands-on experience with Gibsons than a lot of folks, maybe briefly handled several dozen. Except for those instruments that have had some renovation to give them 2nd life (eg, planing and refretting of the fingerboard), I personally think their main potential drawback is not poor sound, but poor playability. Also personally, I think they are often overpriced. A lot depends on budget, and new vs. used. In my mind, an old Gibson oval in sound structural shape, plus a few hundred $$ for some major setup, would be a good bet. Of the other mandolins mentioned, I can give another thumbs up for the Old Wave.

red7flag

Feb-17-2010, 1:58pm

By far the best sounding Collings oval I played was the MF5O that Collings had on display at SPBGMA in Nashville. It had a soft beautiful sound that really grabbed me. I must admit that I am not a big fan of Collings oval sound until I played this one. It was the best sounding oval at SPBGMA to me by far. Just a lovely instrument. As a matter of fact, I think that was the best mandolin I played at SPBGMA and that covers a lot of great sounding mandolins.

Capt. E

Feb-17-2010, 2:54pm

How about waiting and snatching up one of Tom Ellis's new oval A's? He's got two in production, one being finished right now. Probably sell for $4800 ?? Beyond your budget? Probably beyond mine, though sooooo tempting.

Mike Bunting

Feb-17-2010, 5:04pm

red7flag

Feb-17-2010, 7:02pm

Mike, Guilty as charged. I am looking at what to sell. Don't want to sell any.

Rob Gerety

Feb-21-2010, 10:10am

I agree with Rob & John - the old ones are not very consistent and there a lot of mediocre ones for every good one.

Actually I did not mean to say quite that. My limited experience is that with a good set up and any necessary repair work the big majority of the teens and 20s Gibson ovals are fantastic sounding solid playing mandolins. Assuming you like the tone - which I definitely do. But there are some that are not great - that is true. And you do want to be sure the neck joint and the top are solid - in other words, you want to get one in real good shape. Having said that, one of the best players I heard had a big honking repaired crack in the top so I would not necessarily nix one just because of a crack.

Personally I prefer the tone of a old Gibson A over the tone of the Collings and Weber ovals. But I totally recognize that it is a personal taste thing and many people do not like the tone of a good Gibson oval all that much.

Geiss

Nov-09-2010, 7:16am

I had Tucker Barrett remove the neck finish and scoop the end of the fretboard recently on MT-O, satin burst.
Truss was also addressed I believe. I have probably forever made this mandolin mine, but that's OK because it does everything I ask of her. As good as it was from the store (Maple Leaf Music), it's now even better. I agree that it doesn't have the same low end growl as the nice Gibby's but I'll take that for the excellent playability up and down the neck, and lovely tone one an pull from her.
True, may not appreciate like a Gibson but candidly that's probably the last thing on my mind because it brings me joy and rewards from dedicated playing. Oh, I also had the neck profile shaved just a tad........seemed a bit hefty.
David