Collings MT vs. MF (or A vs. F for that matter)

**jose250** · Mar-08-2006, 9:29pm

Hey, all. Long time, no post. I've been playing as much as I possibly can to get out of this beginner's mode. Doesn't mean I can play much, but I can see quite a difference. Anyhoo, back to the question.

I've currently got a Collings MT and I love it. It's a fantastic instrument and is getting better by the day. But MAS has definitely got me twitching and I started thinking about an F (never played one before). And if you can believe this, my wife actually gave me the go-ahead to upgrade if I really wanted to!!!!!

So, I was thinking about the MF or something in that category. I know that you get a lot more bang for your buck with the A style, and if all the F turns out to be is an aesthetic enhancement, then I'll stay where I am, but if not, do you guys have any thoughts? Is a $3500 F really going to be an upgrade from my MT or should I just stay where I'm at?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not unhappy at all with what I have, but it doesn't mean I wouldn't like to try something new, ya know??

Any info would be cool to hear on this.

Hope everyone's enjoying picking as much as I have been.

Kelly

**Jack Roberts** · Mar-08-2006, 10:04pm

The Collings MT is a fine instrument, and you will have to look hard to find an upgrade from the MT to something with a scroll sonically. I think the next step up would be someting like a Gibson Sam Bush, but that is more money than you mention. You could go with an MF, but you would have two Collings then, which is in no way a bad thing. I wouldn't sell the MT to buy something else, because after a time the MT will have played in and it probably sounds pretty good by now. If you bought a new F-style instrument, you might be discouraged by the sound until it opens up. (When I bought my F-style mandolin, I drove the sellers nuts by making the ship me instruments just to ship them back...)

I should add, I own a Collings MF, I love it, and I would never sell it. But I have also played MTs quite a bit.

Having said that, I played a very nice used Flatiron F for sale the other day that is in your price range and sounded spectacular. Signed by Bruce Weber. You might check the classifieds for something like that.

At the risk of making trouble, it is hard to imagine a new $3500 F style mandolin sounding as good as a played in MT, but $3500 will buy a killer A syle oval. You already have a great bluegrass instrument in the MT, and you might want to consider an oval holed instrument as a step up instrument. Whatever you do, don't take any advice from me or anyone else other than this: play it before you buy it. Take your time. I have been planning my next acquisition for over a year now, and the longer I take, the more fun I have.

When I was trying to move out of the beginner zone (waidaminnut..I still am trying to move out of the beginner zone!) my wife sprang for some lessons. If you aren't taking lessons, the amount of money you would have spent on the upgrade but spent on lessons will make that MT sound mighty nice...assuming lessons work better for you than they did for me. Lessons won't do anything for MAS, though.

**acumando** · Mar-08-2006, 10:31pm

Not long ago i played a Collings MF that was TO DIE FOR. #I A/B'd it with several other mandolins, including an MT2, and the difference (at least from the player's perspective) was remarkable. The MF i played was way open, vibrant, responsive, i couldn't put it down but my checkbook wouldn't handle a $3870 hemorrhage so i had to force myself.

A few weeks later i played a Collings MF a friend had gotten used from a very well-known dealer, who'd told my friend what a fantastic mandolin it was. #I thought it was good, but had nothing like the mojo of the MF i'd played before. #I was surprised, really, because i'd heard the Collings are so consistent. #

A lot of people here will tell you try before you buy, and after that particular experience i would concur.

**Frank Russell** · Mar-09-2006, 11:35am

Having owned both an MT and MF and foolishly trading them off, I have nothing but appreciation for your dilemna. I loved my MF, and it was one of the best I've ever played. I got a foolish notion that I wanted something with a more "traditional" look, with binding, something more "Gibson-like." Boy, I miss that MF. If you can, get a used one and save yourself a bit of cash. I've seen one here recently for 3200 and change, that was a great deal. The 38-3900 price tag is the MF's only setback. If you can find one, go for it. Frank

**sgarrity** · Mar-09-2006, 12:06pm

No doubt that the Collings MT is one of the best values on the mandolin market today. #Most of them that I have played have been very nice instruments. #The MF is also a great mandolin. #The have Red Spruce tops and are essentially MF5 models that just have less binding and a satin finish.

With that said, for $3500 there are quite a few independent builders that will build you a very nice F5. #A cedar topped Weber Yellowstone would also fit the bill. Say what you want about Weber, but their cedar topped F5's are simply amazing! I too was skeptical until I got one in my hot little hands.

And if you watch the classifieds, you can get some great deals on premium A models. #There was a Kimble A5 for sale not too long ago for what you want to spend. #Since you already have one good Collings, I'd try for something different.

Shaun,
Whose advice is worth exactly what you had to pay to get it! #

**Daniel Nestlerode** · Mar-09-2006, 4:07pm

IMO Collings is making instruments of such consistent quality and sound that you should definitely let only your ears decide which model you want to take home, unless scrolls and bindings are important to you. I've played several and my impression is that the quality between each instrument in the Collings line is equal. The finishes and appointments change but the sound and great construction are there regardless.

I have a friend who owns both a Gilchrist Model 5 and a new (jan.) Colings MT2-Varnish. Right now he's so enchanted with the MT2-V that he's playing it pretty much exclusively. [Yes I tried to get him to sell me the Gil, and failed

]

Daniel

**Nolan** · Mar-09-2006, 4:30pm

Call up Collings and ask them what they find in the differences between the models and how they sound. #
Another thing that you may want to know is that the MT has an Engleman spruce top, going to the red spruce (MF) will probably change the tone.

**Wando** · Mar-10-2006, 5:15am

I A/B'ed two MTs and an MF (no extra points for a scroll). #For me, the MF had it all over the MTs. #I think it's really a matter of personal taste in the way a mando sounds. #To me, the MF had a lot more low end thump without losing the ring on the high notes. #I bought the MF, and I am absolutely in love with it. #A possible analogy might be Les Paul vs. Stratocaster -- both great; both different (apologies to the anti-electric folks).

**midmando** · Mar-10-2006, 8:45am

I've got an MT and don't ever intend to get rid of it. But the day I bought it I also played an MF that I thought was better yet. Unfortunately, the budget didn't allow it:p. I'm completely happy with the MT and it suits my needs just fine, but I do think the MF, at least between those two particular instruments, sounded a little better.

**Rick Schmidlin** · Mar-10-2006, 9:33am

I have a MF5 and I think it is worth the wait to keep the MT until you get MF. But if you play a MF5 you will drool even more.:p

**Jack Roberts** · Mar-10-2006, 9:42am

Hey tone monster! We need to get together again so I can play your MF5!

Jack

**jose250** · Mar-12-2006, 8:43pm

Good points all. I really would like to look outside of just Colling (independent builder would be fantastic), but I hadn't seen much in the F models that were available in that price range. Or is there??? Any ideas.

Good conversation folks, thanks.

**Rich Evans** · Mar-16-2006, 1:55pm

Take a look at Ron Cole's mandolins. He makes very nice mandolins in your price range. I am sure there are other custom builders to be found in the $3500 range. Ron has a website that is worth looking at.

Rich Evans

**Lee** · Mar-16-2006, 6:10pm

Jose250, I've upgraded my mando's over many years, always opting for the better tone/$ ratio of the A's. I finally bought an excellent small-builder F model. It's wonderful as can be. But, I find all the points and swirls very distracting. And it's balanced very differently than what I've gotten used to. Could I get used to all the embellishments going on? Sure, but why?
I'll be sticking with 2-points and A's from here on in. It'll hit the classifieds shortly, unless someone asks me first.