Collings mt over time

**FrDNicholas** · Nov-07-2007, 8:42pm

I am considering getting a Collings MT and was wondering what folks experience has been with them over time. If you have had yours for a number of years, how did it hold up? How did the sound open up over time? They seem so well made, but I haven't had any direct experience with them,so I'm checking with you folks. Thanks.

**homeslice** · Nov-07-2007, 9:07pm

I own one that was made in August of 05'. I would say the tone has a more mature nature from the brand new one I recently played (which also sounded great). Its a little looser and has a woodier tone as far as I can tell. This is a pretty subtle differance Im talking about though. If I didnt play this mandolin every day, Im not sure I could tell them apart. As far as holding up....it does.

FYI...I think it sounds GREAT with the Sam Bush strings on it.

**adgefan** · Nov-08-2007, 3:31am

I've owned mine for a couple of years. Not sure how old it is as I bought it used, but I'd guess something like 5 years old.

It has definitely opened up. The treble strings were tight when I first got it, but they ring out much better now. The bass growls when I need it to. I've been to camps where I'm the only one playing an A-style and the chop is just as good, if not better, than the Fs. Of course, all these things could simply be due to me improving as a player.

Only problem with it is that I've played it so hard the frets now need sorting out. But that's a sign of a mandolin that's hard to put down, right?

**Douglas McMullin** · Nov-08-2007, 5:41am

I have only had mine for a couple of years, but so far so great. It keeps getting better.

**lefty mandoman** · Nov-08-2007, 6:35am

I have a Collings MT that i bought new a year and a half ago, and a MT2 that i bought used last spring. IMHO they are some of the finest built mandolins and a great value! There are subtle differences between the two.... but they both have good volume and are built very well.... i love them both! And like any good quality instrument..... they just keep getting better with age.

Good luck in your journey!

**FrDNicholas** · Nov-08-2007, 8:11am

For how long has Collings been making mandolins? I believe they began making guitars? Does anyone have whatever would be considered an "old" Collings mandolin?

**midmando** · Nov-08-2007, 8:24am

Collings started making mandolins in 1999. #My MT is about a little more than a year old - I think it's improving, but then I'm very happy with it as it is and have been since the day I got it. The development of its sound could well be me getting used to the instrument and finding out what it likes. #Like everyone else has said, I have a hard time putting it down.

**Roger Renfro** · Nov-08-2007, 8:37am

Originally Posted by (homeslice @ Nov. 07 2007, 21:07)

FYI...I think it sounds GREAT with the Sam Bush strings on it.

My MT is from Feb., '06. # It sounded great new & just keeps getting better & better, #IMNHO, Collings has, by far, the best bang for the buck in todays mandolin market.

I'm a Me, Too with the Gibson Sam Bush strings. #They sound great on my MT.

**floyd26** · Nov-08-2007, 8:57am

my mt is about two years old, and just sounds amazing. It was pretty tight at first but it opened up well. I would highly recommend one, I think mine sounds better than many mandolins above it's price.

**mand0l1n** · Nov-08-2007, 9:40am

I dont have an MT, but I have the MF5 non-varnish #3. #So it has had some aging and lots of playing and it is litterally one of the most responsive and loudest instruments I have ever played. #The finish is pretty thin as well. #You can actually feel the grain on the back of the instrument. #I also use the the Sam Bush strings. #The Sam Bush strings definatley are the strings that sound the best to me on this instrument. #Other strings I played, to my ears, took some of the responsiveness and volume away. #And those strings also gave it a little more of an older more mature sound. #At first the Bush strings are a little flimsy, but once they settle the instrument literally has a "WOOF" to it. #I sometimes play in an outfit where the acoustic guitar is plugged in and the bass is plugged in as well. #I use a mic on this instrument only and literally have to step back about a foot on the chop with the Bush Strings. #I have tried it with the DAddario strings and there was a noticeble difference in projection. #I am not an acoustic engineer, but I definately noticed a difference. #I think with time these instruments will definatley mature and get louder. #I doubt very seriously that this instrument sounded this good when it was new. #I dont know that for sure because I was not the first owner, but I know it was played quite a bit before I owned it and certainly when I acquired it. #I have played some MT's that were fairly new and were unbelievably good. #So I cant imagine what time and playing has done to some of these instruments. #The MT's that I played did not have the Bush strings on them either. I would love to own an MT, but dont have the funds right now.

**Rick Smith** · Nov-08-2007, 9:51am

You can't go wrong with any Collings product FrDNicholas. They are as consistently great as any manufacturer could possibly hope for. Happy pickin'.

**sonnyjammer** · Nov-23-2007, 3:16pm

I have #387, bought new a few years ago after a visit to the factory. I have played next to my Friend's Gil, and his Gibson MM (One of the early ones) and he and I agree the sound of the Collings MT seems as sweet and loud as either of his two high dollar axes. He may just be sayin so to be nice, but I sure can't hear 23,000 dollars difference. I think mine has an airy woody sound, with trebles that really ring up and down the fretboard. Just my somewhat biased opinion.

**homeslice** · Nov-23-2007, 7:26pm

Originally Posted by (sonnyjammer @ Nov. 23 2007, 16:16)

I have #387, bought new a few years ago after a visit to the factory. I have played next to my Friend's Gil, and his Gibson MM (One of the early ones) and he and I agree the sound of the Collings MT seems as sweet and loud as either of his two high dollar axes. He may just be sayin so to be nice, but I sure can't hear 23,000 dollars difference. I think mine has an airy woody sound, with trebles that really ring up and down the fretboard. Just my somewhat biased opinion. #

I've had the same encounter with a Gibby MM and while I did like the tone, I felt my little MT hung right there with it in almost every sense. There was certainly no question that both instruments were putting out killer tone.

**Barry Platnick** · Nov-25-2007, 7:53pm

I've had mine a week, its used.
My neck hurts, my fingers sting and my wife makes me hang out in the basement...but it sounds great to me.
My biggest problem is that I have to go to work tomorrow and can't play it there (much)
Barry

**bradeinhorn** · Nov-25-2007, 8:01pm

barry-i thought you were going to work on your posture......dont go getting some tendonitis on us....

**Rick Schmidlin** · Nov-25-2007, 8:20pm

My MF5 is two and a half years old . It has really opened up,so I now hear a whole new mandolin that was bettter then day 1.

**pager** · Nov-26-2007, 10:10pm

Collings are superb mandolins in my opinion. #I don't think you can go wrong with a Collings. #I love mine. #I have only had mine for about 3 months. #I sold my San Juan for the Collings. #It has already opened up very well. #It will make your face hurt, since you walk around like this #

#all the time ...

**Zed** · Dec-02-2007, 4:02pm

I bought mine new in Jun of 05 and it sounds better all the time. It's gotten played a lot and been banged around at many a festival and show and it's solid. I still love to hear its tone every single time i play it. I never did like the tone of the Bush strings... just sounded flat and dead to me. I'm using GHS Silk & Bronze now and really love the tone they produce. Easier on the fingers, too, than the D'Addario J75s i used for a long time.