Varnished mandolins from Collings

**troika** · Feb-04-2005, 2:39am

I know only a few have been made. Would anyone have pictures or comments about the playability and tone?

**onlyagibsonisgoodenuff** · Feb-04-2005, 7:58am

I think there are only two out there. One that sold through Cotten Music and one available at Bishop's Violin Shop in Asheville, NC (do a search of the classifieds for Collings). As to their playability and tone, I'm sure there are a few members here who have played them at the NAMM show.

I understand that Collings is going to offer a MF5 Deluxe AND a MF5 regular model in varnish.

I'm told that the one I have on order is still in the drying room in Austin, but when I do finally get it, watch the board for my review.

**grsnovi** · Feb-04-2005, 11:15am

I'm going to guess (based on the gorgeous inlay) that the above picture would be of the "Deluxe"? I really liked the simple inly on the MF5 and I also like the look of the above (since it is abalone, assymetrical as well as engraved).

**onlyagibsonisgoodenuff** · Feb-04-2005, 6:04pm

Yep, that's the "Deluxe".

**Cactus Jack** · Feb-06-2005, 12:26pm

Talk to Steve at Acoustic Music Works (acousticmusicworks.com). He has 3 or 4 on order, and has some pics of the Deluxe. I'm almost sure he has played both the varnished and regular Collings MF5s, and he is knowledgeable about the differences, woods, upgrades, etc..

**futrconslr** · Feb-06-2005, 8:14pm

I played one as SPBGMA this past weekend. #Sounds really good. #Just what you would expect a collings to sound like just #varnishey. #lol

**goose 2** · Feb-06-2005, 10:07pm

Man, I really like that inlay!!! What is diferent about the deluxe and what is the going rate for one?

**troika** · Feb-07-2005, 12:23am

Extra purfling mitered with perfection, beautiful fern inlay on peghead, special engraved tailpiece, hand-applied oil varnish, ebony pick guard, select red maple and red spruce. Bill makes them. Unbelievable tone? 12900!

**grsnovi** · Feb-07-2005, 11:45am

I thought the "plain" MF5 V was 12 something (list) while the "Deluxe" was 14 something (list).

**eightstrings** · Feb-07-2005, 3:04pm

By the way, Bishop's Violins is in Asheville, not Nashville.

Brett

**onlyagibsonisgoodenuff** · Feb-07-2005, 6:40pm

Originally Posted by (troika @ Feb. 07 2005, 01:23)

Extra purfling mitered with perfection, beautiful fern inlay on peghead, special engraved tailpiece, hand-applied oil varnish, ebony pick guard, select red maple and red spruce. #Bill makes them. #Unbelievable tone? #12900!

I wasn't aware that a pickguard was included since I've not seen one with a pickguard. In fact, now that I think about it, I've never seen a Collings mandolin come stock with a pickguard. Wonder if it does?

**Scotti Adams** · Feb-07-2005, 8:21pm

There is one for sale here in the classifieds..ad #229..maybe sold..I dont know...

**daveb** · Feb-07-2005, 8:42pm

I played one a few months ago at Collings. The most comfortable neck I have ever played. The fit and finish was perfect. Great tone as well. Is it worth 12900

?
I tried to get them to sell me a neck straight from the carving machine but they wouldn't.

Dave

**troika** · Feb-09-2005, 12:59am

Yes...debuting pickguard, so I'm told. Must be that soft varnish finish.

**ashemando** · Feb-09-2005, 3:55pm

Own the lacquer MF5 from Bishop and I have played the varnish a bit. Both great-but not 6000 difference in my opinion.

**danmills** · Feb-11-2005, 12:02am

Here's a shot of a varnish Collings from Gryphon's site:

**troika** · Feb-16-2005, 8:10pm

Oh boy. Check it out.My Webpage

**troika** · Feb-16-2005, 8:11pm

Woops. It's not MY web page, but you get the idea.

**timothy.c.hicks** · Feb-17-2005, 10:18pm

Here are some pics of an MF5V from buffalo bros.

http://www.buffalobrosguitars.com/images1....ex.html

**Links** · Feb-18-2005, 6:02pm

Man, those Collings are handsome!

However, for the life of me I cannot understand why varnish model should cost 5k-6k more than the lacquer ones. Certainly there is a lot more labor and time involvde, but you can buy a great mandolin from a well established maker for the cost difference.

I could see 1k-2k, but really! Why (or does it) should the fact that it may sound better affect the coat that much.

Just wondering!

**timothy.c.hicks** · Feb-18-2005, 6:10pm

You can add a varnish finish to the MT-2 or the MF-5 for 2k as is the case with the one at buffalo bros. The MF-5 Deluxe V has all the bells and whistles - double bound top, back, sides, pickguard and peghead as well as the super fancy inlay, best mando wood collings has to offer, engraved tailpiece and of course the varnish finish.

**Links** · Feb-18-2005, 11:13pm

Lord:

I gotcha! But even with all of that, I can't see the premium. As I said earlier, it can't be more trouble and expense for the upgrade to the deluxe model than building a nre mandoilin from scratch (which you could do with the difference in price).

Bottom line is I guess they can charge what the market will bear!

**Rick Schmidlin** · Feb-19-2005, 1:14am

We will have wait and see how the varnish compares to the MF 5. A varnish model goes for $9,000.00 and that's a lot cheaper then the MM. Wintergrass should reveal all.

Rick

**timothy.c.hicks** · Feb-19-2005, 9:09am

In 1997 you could buy a gil model 5 for under 7K and I thought that was expensive. #As you said it's all market driven. #The good news is that over the long term they will all go up in value. #My feeling is that the significant jump in mando prices over the past few years means that price will not go up for a long time though - maybe ten years or more. #New mando prices now seem to be in line with new violin prices, more or less, however, I worry that the number of serious players is not sufficient to support the new mando market over the long term. #I hope not b/c all of this fuss over mandos has led to a significant increase in the quality of mandos being manufactured and more builders means more competition which means better and better mandos. #The deal with the MF5 deluxe V is that you pay a premium for the best. #Sure you could have an MF that would sound great... or you could get an MF5 deluxe V that sounds and looks better than any other collings mando model - #IMHO as good or better than any other mando being made today...

# #

check this interview out: #http://www.collingsforum.com/interview/billc.htm - Bill Collings talks about prices and quality of their guitars...