Ordering my first mandolin this weekend.

**blindrobert** · Feb-24-2012, 6:07pm

Well - having acquired all the banjos and guitars a possible without my wife writing me off as completely nuts, I have decided to move on to the mandolin.

I've been torturing myself all week about which to get - and I think it will be either a Collings MF or MF-O. I think I have listened to every youtube and music store mp3/video that exists and I'm convinced that I want whichever one I last listened to.

The solution will be to order one from a shop that's big enough to have both and which has a liberal return/exchange policy - McCabe's is looking good in that respect. (I don't have a local shop to go try these out personally).

Arggh. Choosing isn't easy - and the fact that I know myself well enough to know that whichever I buy, I will end up buying the other at some point doesn't make it any easier.

Oh - and hi, my name is Roberto

**Ed Goist** · Feb-24-2012, 7:26pm

Welcome Roberto!
Those are two awesome choices, you should end-up with a killer mandolin either way!
Be sure to keep us posted.

**fatt-dad** · Feb-24-2012, 9:02pm

I think if I could only have one mandolin I'd want one with f-holes. My second mandolin would have an oval hole.

Have fun with this problem!

f-d

**blindrobert** · Feb-25-2012, 6:58am

Originally Posted by fatt-dad

I think if I could only have one mandolin I'd want one with f-holes. My second mandolin would have an oval hole.

Have fun with this problem!

f-d

I think that's the direction I'm heading - and it seems like good advice, thank you.

**CES** · Feb-25-2012, 8:16am

Agree with FD's advice...get the MF now, the MF-O later! There are also a ton of cool options in oval hole mandos now, ranging from old Gibsons to newer makers like Bussman and Newell, to "budget" models like Eastman's 504 and flattops (love my Flatiron 1N)...so, if you've just gotta have the oval hole sound, there are some less expensive ways to go about it, perhaps prolonging marital bliss a bit longer?

**blindrobert** · Feb-27-2012, 2:19pm

Okay - so I just ordered it...and surprise! It's a Gibson, a new "exclusive model" with a wide nut, ordered from Dennis at the Mandolin Store. I don't have a good, high-end local music store, so local purchase wasn't an option. Thanks to everyone here who posted good advice and good references for this shop. I have to say I was really impressed with how patient and polite the gentleman I spoke with on the phone was.

The other factor in this decision was how happy I have been with the Gibson guitars I have purchased recently - they've turned something around at Gibson. Not to take anything away from Collings - I'm lucky enough to own two of their guitars and I love em'.

**fatt-dad** · Feb-27-2012, 4:41pm

This is an exciting purchase for sure! Hopefully after you've had it awhile, you recall this forum and post a few photos along with your in-hand description. It'll be fun for you to learn mandolin, I'm sure of that!

f-d

**Adam Sweet** · Feb-27-2012, 7:54pm

I really liked the Loars I've seen so far, highly playable

**George R. Lane** · Feb-27-2012, 8:02pm

Originally Posted by blindrobert

Okay - so I just ordered it...and surprise! It's a Gibson, a new "exclusive model" with a wide nut, ordered from Dennis at the Mandolin Store. I don't have a good, high-end local music store, so local purchase wasn't an option. Thanks to everyone here who posted good advice and good references for this shop. I have to say I was really impressed with how patient and polite the gentleman I spoke with on the phone was.

The other factor in this decision was how happy I have been with the Gibson guitars I have purchased recently - they've turned something around at Gibson. Not to take anything away from Collings - I'm lucky enough to own two of their guitars and I love em'.

Congratulations.
Dennis is spoken of highly here on the Cafe. Enjoy your new mando and be sure to post a few photos . Sound clips?

**blindrobert** · Feb-28-2012, 10:17am

Originally Posted by George R. Lane

Congratulations.
Dennis is spoken of highly here on the Cafe. Enjoy your new mando and be sure to post a few photos . Sound clips?

Photos for sure - sound clips might take me a few weeks to learn to play a llittle something in a way that's not completely painful for you (and me) to listen to. But I will get there.

**blindrobert** · Mar-01-2012, 4:13pm

Hmm. Well, I'm disappointed to report that I wasn't in love with the Gibson and sent it back. Another plug for Dennis at The Mandolin Store who took the bad news like a gentleman and no hassle at all on my decision.

I'm looking seriously at a Collings F and a Passernig...maybe it's crazy to start out on such a nice instrument, but I know myself - I like nice instruments.

**blindrobert** · Mar-27-2012, 6:01am

this is a long overdue followup. I have settled on a mandolin - well, actually, I somehow ended up with three! Part of my recent activity has been aimed at reducing either the size, weight, or number of instruments I own in preparation for a cross-country move. Through the use of a little cash and trading a few amps and guitars I am now the proud owner of two Collings mandolins (one F5 and one MT2 oval hole) and a lovely little Elkhorn blackface A-style. It's really interesting how different the three voices are!

I realize that these are all way above my skill level, but I couldn't be happier and I'm having a blast playing them. I realize how lucky I am to be in a position to enjoy luxuries like these. (And they are all lighter and smaller than the guitars and amps they were swapped for!)

I've had wonderful interactions with folks at a few music shops. Mandomutt, The Mandolin Shop, The Music Emporium, and Artisan have all been great to deal with.

**Ed Goist** · Mar-27-2012, 8:19am

Congratulations on those three wonderful new additions!
Enjoy and play on!

**JeffD** · Mar-27-2012, 8:28am

You have three great mandolins. Really nice. Problem is, now you have no excuse. You have to play.

**blindrobert** · Mar-27-2012, 9:30am

yeah, no excuse for sure - when people hear dissonant strummings coming from my general direction, they will conclude quickly that it's the musician and not the instrument at fault.

**P.D. Kirby** · Mar-27-2012, 10:16am

The upside is even a lesser skilled player will sound better on a higher end instrument and since you have experience with other stringed fretted instruments it shouldn't take you long to get some sweet sounds out of any of the three.