Collings Vs. Weber

**LVH** · Dec-24-2008, 1:37pm

I have had people on both sides of this.....
What do you guys prefer?

**chasray** · Dec-24-2008, 1:52pm

Most here would like to have one each for Christmas. Both high quality. Too many variables to compare one Weber with one Collings. Find one that feels good to you and sounds good to you and you got a keeper. Either way, don't fear.

**pager** · Dec-24-2008, 1:57pm

I does not matter what we think. Play the brand that makes you happy.

**LVH** · Dec-24-2008, 2:01pm

Oh no I was just wondering what everyone thought.... Thought about a weber but Nah. I'm not planning to get either

**allenhopkins** · Dec-24-2008, 2:04pm

Originally Posted by chasray

Too many variables to compare one Weber with one Collings. Find one that feels good to you and sounds good to you...

GREAT POST! IMHO, there's such a significant variance among individual instruments, that these recurrent threads of "what's better, X or Y?" are only marginally useful.

If you took two Collingses or two Webers, identical models, consecutive serial numbers, and played them back-to-back, you'd probably find distinct differences between them in terms of sound, "feel," etc. -- even subtle differences in appearance. Wood, thankfully, is infinitely variable; no two pairs of hands work identically; instruments develop individual personalities almost from "birth."

If you're talking about Weber vs. Rover, or Collings vs. Morgan Monroe, well, then there are easily identifiable differences in materials, construction, fit and finish -- overall quality. But Collings vs. Weber? Two great companies that turn out quality products. Do you like chocolate or strawberry, Sinatra or Bono, the Rockies or the Alps? It's taste, and what appeals to you as an individual musician.

**raulb** · Dec-24-2008, 5:29pm

Originally Posted by allenhopkins

GREAT POST! IMHO, there's such a significant variance among individual . . .

If you took two . . .

Do you like chocolate or strawberry, Sinatra or Bono, the Rockies or the Alps? It's taste, and what appeals to you as an individual . . . .

Chocolate, Sonny Bono, and the Sierra-Nevadas any day!

Mandos? Don't know either Collings or Weber well enough except that I can't afford them, so I guess I choose my Ibanez.

**Eddie Sheehy** · Dec-24-2008, 5:46pm

Chocolate-covered Alps and a Sinatra-on-a-stick please......

**pager** · Dec-24-2008, 7:23pm

Chocolate Alps and Sinatra on a stick. My kind a guy. Especially Sinatra during the Capital period. It does not get any better than that. I actually think listening to him helps my mandolin playing. If you can phrase like Sinatra, you have the world by the tail.
Jilly

**John Flynn** · Dec-24-2008, 9:14pm

I don't own either brand and have no plans to. I have played a couple of Webers I liked and several I was not impressed with. However, I have been impressed with every Collings I've played and I've played examples of their whole line-up except for the varnish models and the new oval, although I hear they are good also. So Collings wins in my book. However, I think there are solo, custom-build luthiers out there who do a better job for the money than either brand. What a great buyers' market this is, where you can get a superior custom-build for less money than a production model!

**Kip Welty** · Dec-24-2008, 9:46pm

Collins

**man dough nollij** · Dec-24-2008, 9:58pm

I'm more of a Weber fan than a Collings fan, but it's not for the reasons you might think. I have a very distict tone that I like, and the Collings usually are right in there. The fit and finish are as close to perfect as I've seen on anything.

Webers are extremely well-made, too, but they don't have that "machinelike" quantity that the Collings do. There is something just so perfect about them that it renders them a little bit soul-less to me. Hinders the mojo.

I'm open minded, though. I may come around to be a rabid Collings convert. It IS all about the sound and the music, after all, eh?

**Ivan Kelsall** · Dec-24-2008, 11:16pm

I have 2 Webers that i love to bits. I've only played one Collings Mandolin,an MT belonging to another Cafe member, & i became instantly covetous of that Mandolin.If that's the least expensive Mandolin in the Collings line & it sounded & played like it did,i'd love to play a few others - i have to say i'm a fan (as far as my experience goes),
Saska

**bassthumper** · Dec-25-2008, 3:10am

collings or weber....you mean i must choose....WHY? there's one of each resting nicely next to me with...two basses.....did i miss something? i thought MAS was the glue that held this wonderful group together...actually the above poster was correct...try out as many as possible and choose the one that speaks to you....each mandolin seems to have a personality all it's own...enjoy the journey...when you find that instrument that fits you...you will know...i look forward to reading your posts when you discover it....and as it opens up and becomes your own.

**Ken_P** · Dec-25-2008, 11:07am

Personally, I've yet to play a Weber that really sang to me. All nice instruments, but nothing that demanded I take it home with me that minute. On the other hand, I've never played a Collings I didn't love. I'm sure there are people who have it the other way. I just think it's great that there are enough wonderful instruments that everybody can pick the right one for them.

**Rick Schmidlin** · Dec-25-2008, 11:59am

I own have owned a MF5 for over three years and sold a Weber to but it. This is because theCollings spoke to me in the terms I wanted and it is a keeper. I now lust for a Weber Oval Old Wood A it speaks to me more then the new Collings Oval's or the MT's. They are both great builders and it is not a choice of builder Collings or Weber, but mandolin.

**red7flag** · Dec-29-2008, 9:16pm

I have both a Weber Vintage A and Collings MF5. Both great instruments by great two great builders. I have had two Webers a mahogany Bitterroot and the Vintage A. Neither are strong bluegrass instruments. That is not to make a blanket statement about Webers. All you have to do is listen to Rhonda Vincent or Daily and Vincent to hear Webers shine in bluegrass. That being said I would rather play my Weber in duets, Celtic music or other music genres. I have had both a Collings MF and MF5. Both are great sounding bluegrass instruments, but adept at other genres also. My one generality would be that the Collings that I have played have a harder edge and and the Webers tend to sing. I would give minor playability edge to Collings. Fit and finish is a very slight edge to Collings, but Weber has really stepped up in this regard. The sound of the recently made old wood Webers is outstanding. You really cannot lose with either maker. Most Collings have a similarity of sound. But the Webers have a wide variety of sound, depending on the model and and woods used.

**Ivan Kelsall** · Dec-30-2008, 12:09am

It's really is down to personal preference again. I've read that Mike Compton doesn't set much store by Lloyd Loar Mandolins,much prefering his Gilchrist. Other people are blown away just be being in the same room as a Loar.It's whatever floats your boat. I have my Fern set up with a slightly higher
action than most folk have their Mandolins. It gives me the tones & clarity that i like & it's VERY LOUD !!!. I like it that way,other people might want a more 'subtle' tone & less volume. Regardless of maker,if you like the Mandolin that you have,then that's all that's needed - just enjoy it,
Saska

**Bill Van Liere** · Dec-30-2008, 8:34am

I'll take a blonde Collings with strawberry in the Rockies and a little Sinatra please.

**Steve Ostrander** · Dec-30-2008, 9:10am

Both great builders. Haven't played that many Webers. I 've never played a bad Collings.

**GRW3** · Dec-30-2008, 10:05am

Clearly, there is a difference in tone between companies. Like there is a 'Martin sound' and a 'Taylor sound' there is a 'Collings sound' and a 'Weber sound'. It's the luthiers perogative and you really should experience their product to understand which comports best to your taste.

I had a chance to play several of each at Fiddler's Green, in Austin, a couple of weeks ago. The Collings Fs were very sound consistent and so were the Weber Fs. There was less divergence to the sound moving to 'A's and ovals in Collings than in Weber. (The Weber differences being consistent with my experience at the local Weber dealer, Guitar Tex.) Both clearly met my criteria for a new mando in the future - Sound better new than my played in Eastman.

As much as my native Texan pride would like me to prefer the Collings, I prefered the Weber. The differences are subtle. For one I sensed the same tightness in the Collings that is commonly associated with their guitars. The given understanding, supported by a lot of collective experience, is that can be played out so it's more an observation than an issue. Besides that I found the Collings to be a little more trebly than I like.

The Webers seemed more open and better balanced. The Weber also fell to my hand better than the Collings. All this, of course, is very personal and very subtle. For instance, I've worked hard to protect my hearing over the years and I have very good range for somebody my age. If you've lost some high range you might find the the Collings much better and the Weber dull.

I thought both were well finished but as someone else noted there is a machinelike quality to the Collings compared to the more individual Weber. Since most will only own one at a time, why would it matter?

**lovethemf5s** · Dec-30-2008, 3:08pm

The Collings fit and finish is rather perfect when they leave the factory but play them hard for a few years and they cease to be machinelike and become very individual.

**Mike Bunting** · Dec-30-2008, 3:22pm

The Collings fit and finish is rather perfect when they leave the factory but play them hard for a few years and they cease to be machinelike and become very individual.
__________________
'03 Collings MF5

i have basically that same Collings and have to agree. Mine seems to close down a little on the few times I haven't played it daily, I can hear it open up when I warm it up again though. I was quite surprised when I noticed this, never having heard it on a mandlin before. It is a different mando than it was when I got it.

**Kevin Briggs** · Jan-13-2009, 9:09pm

These are some great observations. There are definite differences between Collings and Weber mandolins. Both are great, and people can be happy with either, depending on their taste.

I think any new mandolin will be relatively tight, if not very tight, and will change a lot over time. Webers have a reputation for being tight but opening up huge when they do. Collings have a reputation for sounding a bit more responsive right away, and steadily improving over time. I think also that you get a bit more of the artisan feel with a Weber, and a more controlled consistency and even predictability with the Collings. It's almost as if Webers are designed for individuality, and Collings are designed for uniform perfection. There's nothing wrong with either approach. I'm sure we all know people who match those characteristics.

**Bernie Daniel** · Jan-13-2009, 10:21pm

GRW3: Clearly, there is a difference in tone between companies. Like there is a 'Martin sound' and a 'Taylor sound' there is a 'Collings sound' and a 'Weber sound'. It's the luthiers perogative and you really should experience their product to understand which comports best to your taste.

I agree. To my ear the Collings sound is slanted toward brightness and the trebly side -- almost the opposite of the woody bassey dominated sound of the Gibson -- and I would argue that the Weber is in the middle with better overall coverage of the entire range than the other two.

One day this thought occurred to me: in general the best two courses on a Collings are the A & E; on the Weber the A & D; the Gibson the D & G -- still think that sometimes but since I have had the thought it probably biases my feelings about the sound of the three makes.

Still I generally perfer Gibson. But it is a treat to pick up a Weber or a Collings and pick away on it for a great change of pace.

One of each is the only way to go -- then you can pick the mandolin the fits your mood for the day.