Collings MF5V Deluxe [Archive] - Mandolin Cafe Forum

onlyagibsonisgoodenuff

Mar-05-2005, 3:59pm

Thought I'd try to post some good photos of my new Collings. I had posted some taken with a flash earlier, but they turned out too red. These are pretty close to the right color, but the depth is impossible to capture.

onlyagibsonisgoodenuff

Mar-05-2005, 4:02pm

the back:

onlyagibsonisgoodenuff

Mar-05-2005, 4:04pm

the neck . . .

onlyagibsonisgoodenuff

Mar-05-2005, 4:06pm

my personal favorite:

onlyagibsonisgoodenuff

Mar-05-2005, 4:08pm

the surface of this is really very shiny (see first picture)

onlyagibsonisgoodenuff

Mar-05-2005, 4:09pm

Does it sound as good as it looks? Yup!

Spruce

Mar-05-2005, 5:11pm

In my best Dylan impersonation:

"The times they are a-changin'"...

Chris Baird

Mar-05-2005, 5:19pm

Whoa, that is amazing. Everytime I look at a collings I desperately search for a flaw to point out. Foiled again!

sgarrity

Mar-05-2005, 5:32pm

Now that is one fine lookin' mandolin. It has a much more vintage look to it than most of their F5's. And isn't the Deluxe around the $11-12K mark? I can't believe Im saying it, but I think they're a steal at that price.

Shaun

addcourt

Mar-05-2005, 6:01pm

Beautiful mandolin for sure; but what kind of camera are you using--GREAT photos.

BlueMt.

Mar-05-2005, 6:10pm

Beautiful photographs of a beautiful mandolin. Congratulations!

Scotti Adams

Mar-05-2005, 6:12pm

quite sexy..

onlyagibsonisgoodenuff

Mar-05-2005, 6:26pm

Beautiful mandolin for sure; but what kind of camera are you using--GREAT photos.
Strangely enough, this is a Kodak Easy Share digital camera. A 4.0 mega pixel with a 10X zoom. I didn't use the zoom on these shots, though. It's basically a snapshot camera. Best I've ever used.

Thanks, everyone.

mandopete

Mar-05-2005, 7:05pm

Fred,

This one is just drop-dead gorgeous! I know it sounds as good as it looks, maybe even better. I'm curious about the wait time, how long did it take to get this mandolin? (I assume it was a custom order).

onlyagibsonisgoodenuff

Mar-05-2005, 7:17pm

Mandopete, I called Greg Boyd right after someone on the Cafe message board told us about the new Collings model. I believe that was July or August '04. At that time they had only built one. We figured maybe 3 or four months, but it was more like 6 months. The only custom thing about this one is that I wanted gold hardware instead of silver.

That's not the longest I've waited for a mandolin, but it seems like the older I get, the shorter my patience becomes for this kind of thing. I'm also on a 3- year list for a Hilburn. Arghhh!

Scotti Adams

Mar-05-2005, 7:18pm

...never mind the mando(just kiddin) I need one of those cameras.. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

onlyagibsonisgoodenuff

Mar-05-2005, 7:22pm

...never mind the mando(just kiddin) # I need one of those cameras.. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Scotti, whenI went into Cicuit City, I told the sales guy I wanted the simplest camera I could get, since I'm old and stupid. This is the one one he recommended. It still took some foolin' with to get it right, but it really is pretty simple. About 400 bucks with a memory chip and a dock for connecting to my 'puter

Scotti Adams

Mar-05-2005, 7:25pm

..thanks Fred...'preciate the info....

timothy.c.hicks

Mar-05-2005, 7:39pm

That is one of the most beautiful mandolins I've ever seen. You could put that next to anything out there and it would hold its own.

Chris Burt

Mar-06-2005, 12:11am

The tailpiece is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen--genious.

Fred G

Mar-06-2005, 12:16am

That is beautiful, congrats. I like the tailpiece too.

Rick Schmidlin

Mar-06-2005, 1:53am

Fred you are one lucky mando player, enjoy.

Best,

Rick

Play like this http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

onlyagibsonisgoodenuff

Mar-06-2005, 7:26am

I'm headed south in a few minutes for a golf trip. I wonder if I should put this thing in the car? Oh, why not, it won't take up much room. =^)

See y'all next week some time!

timothy.c.hicks

Mar-06-2005, 7:58am

Fred:

the first pic of your mando is now on my refrigerator :-)

Bradley

Mar-06-2005, 8:28am

With pictures like that is it any wander why we all suffer from the dreaded disease "MAS"

They gave that a vintage look which is really cool

Happy Pickin !!

Glassweb

Mar-06-2005, 3:40pm

Sorry to put a damper on everyone's parade, but I think both the headstock inlay as well as the tailpiece trim are kind of soul-less and distracting. They give this mandolin a more "manufactured" look than I prefer for a top - end, supposedly hand worked instrument. Simplicity is usually best... so let the beautiful wood do the walking and the mandolins' tonal qualities do the talking. Ultimately it's the sound and playability of these things that make the difference. While "mando porn" seems to be the rage on the Cafe, let's not forgot that these are instruments used to create great music and express our deepest feelings. I think Collings mandolins are superb mandolins at any price (I've owned 3 or 4 of them) and I hold them in the highest regard. I just think they've gotten a bit carried away on this one.

mandopete

Mar-06-2005, 4:17pm

Kill Joy!

I think the "appointments" on this mandolin are just the icing on a very tastefully created cake. I have played this mando and it sounds every bit as good as it looks,

mandopete

Mar-06-2005, 4:21pm

I'm also on a 3-year list for a Hilburn. Arghhh!
Fred - you're killing me!

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

addcourt

Mar-06-2005, 5:04pm

I,m with mandopete...attention to detail and creative beauty in this instrument has me thinking about a Collings for the first time. I think if I have just one more mando, I'll be cured. Yea...that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Scotti Adams

Mar-06-2005, 6:18pm

...well Mike you must be thinking about something...seeing how the Brock is on the market... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Crowder

Mar-06-2005, 9:40pm

Glassweb

Mar-06-2005, 10:33pm

I don't know about shotguns, but I certainly agree with Crowder's comments regarding design. I guess it all comes down to a matter of taste. To each their own. Some like gold plated hardware, some like silver. Some Gibson owners like the Fern inlay, others prefer the Flowerpot. What's really exciting and important is that for the first time in the mandolin's history we are seeing more good choices than ever for those musicians who want to play a quality instrument at an affordable, non-Loar price.

onlyagibsonisgoodenuff

Mar-09-2005, 9:11am

I know some people who ask whether the extra appointments are worth the additional cost, and upon reflection I'd have to say that there is a certain intangible value in the sum of the parts. That feeling you get when you open the case, as you gently pick it up from the Calton case and smack the peghead scroll on the latch of the lid! Actually, that hasn't happened with this one yet.

Mandopete; as to being on Hilburn's list, have you ever seen a used one for sale? Me either. Must be something to that.

David M.

Mar-09-2005, 9:44am

Sorry to put a damper on everyone's parade, but I think both the headstock inlay as well as the tailpiece trim are kind of soul-less and distracting.

Just jealous? #(I know I am #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif # )

As an industrial designer who normally likes simple, contemporary lines, I think the detail is soulful as can be. #It's not overdone by any means, in my book. #The tailpiece engraving is very nicely done and the balance and proportions was thought out. #Plain-Jane just doesn't, and shouldn't, apply in this case.

That mandolin is so pretty it hurts.

mandopete

Mar-09-2005, 10:47am

...as to being on Hilburn's list, have you ever seen a used one for sale? Me either. Must be something to that.
Hey Fred,

Well if you ever get tired of either the Collings varnished MF-5 or the Hillburn (when you get it), let me know, okay?

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Spruce

Mar-09-2005, 12:01pm

"That mandolin is so pretty it hurts. "

Encountering it it person was downright scary...
And yes, it has a tone to match the visuals...

And have we mentioned the woods?
That is a perfectly milled Red Spruce top, and a stunning slab-cut maple back...
The neck even rocks...
Probably Old Standard across the board...

If Bill can consistantly put out mandolins of this quality at that price-point in any sort of quanity, the select few mandos hovering at the 23-25K price-point could be in danger of re-living their 'teens again...

David M.

Mar-09-2005, 12:05pm

What is the price of these models in the photos?

Darryl Wolfe

Mar-09-2005, 12:18pm

That's the nicest looking one I have seen...congrats..I'd be proud to own that

dw

Spruce

Mar-09-2005, 12:27pm

"What is the price of these models in the photos? "

12.9K was a list price I heard bandied about, but I wouldn't quote me on that....

onlyagibsonisgoodenuff

Mar-09-2005, 3:02pm

12.9K was a list price I heard bandied about, but I wouldn't quote me on that....[/quote]

That's correct. Most dealers are allowed a 10% discount.

Sorry, Spruce it would appear that I quoted you after being told not to.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

kudzugypsy

Mar-09-2005, 6:21pm

yeah, i'm one of those folks who (use to) think all this collings wrap is just too good to be true...but that is one fine mandolin!!!! and i have still yet to hear any negative response to these either. there are SO many good mandolins out there...why cant they be like any other instrument and stay in the $3k range so we can have one of each! MAS has to be the worst - pocketbook wise.

neal

Mar-09-2005, 6:34pm

The tailpiece is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen--genious.
This is the truth! That is one gorgeous mandolin.

mandopete

Mar-09-2005, 7:21pm

Seems like Mr. Glassweb was alone in his opinion.

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

onlyagibsonisgoodenuff

Mar-09-2005, 7:42pm

I certainly respect Glassweb's opinion inasmuch as I've seen some musical instruments that I thought were a bit over the top. Some of the most gaudy were Gibson banjos, and a certain white mandolin Butch Baldassari had. I guess some people have a lower threshold for decoration than others. I can't really debate taste.

I suppose it's a good thing I bought this mandolin and not Glassweb.

Thank you to everyone who commented, including Glassweb.

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

Glassweb

Mar-09-2005, 9:41pm

Well, I'd like to thank "Only a Gibson is Good Enough" for respecting my opinion... thank god! What can I say... I'm a vintage Gibson guy! However, like I said in my first posting, I think Collings is making the best "marketplace" mandolin out there and is head and shoulders above the rest of the pack - except perhaps the new Gibson Master Models (haven't played any of them in quite awhile). Of course Gil, Dude, Mont, Nugg etc... are in whole other grouping. I've gone back and looked at the images of the Collings mandolin and I've come to like it better. Of course, seeing it in person and actually hearing and playing it would really be the way to assess its' qualities. If you're ever back here in NYC with your mandolin please contact me at glassweb@seanet.com and come on over! Many nice mandos here to see and play too.

ShaneJ

Mar-10-2005, 12:18am

That's the nicest looking tailpiece I think I've seen. A fine shotgun is what it reminds me of as well. Actual engraving, not just stamping, casting, or little scratching of the surface. VERY nice....congrats!

mandoJeremy

Mar-10-2005, 12:26am

I agree with you Shane, that tailpiece just totally kicks my butt! I love the shading in it.

Glassweb

Mar-10-2005, 1:52am

Actually, I'd be very surprised to find out that this isn't a cast tailpiece. It sure looks cast to me. Anyone from Collings care to fill us in on how the tailpiece and headstock inlay are actually done?

timothy.c.hicks

Mar-10-2005, 8:53am

If you look at the inlay on every deluxe the scrimshaw is unique(ly beautiful) - each mando has its own variation#- I imagine that this is done by hand - the tailpiece is machined out of stock at the factory - not cast - I'm fairly certain. #Go to the collings forum website and look at the collings factory tours - there are pics of raw stock tailpieces - or maybe its the tour on frets.com. #In genereral these mandolins are made similarly to any other high end mando. #People seem to think Bill has a magic conveyor belt where wood and metal go in one end and out comes a perfectly beautiful mandolin. #This is not the case - there is a very high level of quality control - from the man himself. #

Spruce you forgot to mention waverly tuners http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Bob DeVellis

Mar-10-2005, 9:23am

Although I couldn't bring myself to spend that kind of money on a mandolin, I have to say that that's as gorgeous a mandolin as I've ever seen. I love my "plain Jane" (hardly) MF5. But I have to say, this one completely overshadows it in appearance. Let's face it, the whole Florentine style is a bit over the top, with its scroll and points and asymmetry. But to my eye, this is as fine an execution of that basic design as I can recall seeing.

onlyagibsonisgoodenuff

Mar-10-2005, 7:45pm

Although I couldn't bring myself to spend that kind of money on a mandolin, I have to say that that's as gorgeous a mandolin as I've ever seen. #I love my "plain Jane" (hardly) MF5. #But I have to say, this one completely overshadows it in appearance. #Let's face it, the whole Florentine style is a bit over the top, with its scroll and points and asymmetry. #But to my eye, this is as fine an execution of that basic design as I can recall seeing.
I have to agree with you, Bobd, the MF5 is in it's own way, quite possibly the best mandolin in it's price range. I think had I not been smitten by pictures of the V-Deluxe peghead inlay, I'd have been just as happy to keep my MF5, lacquer, and all.

Jeffrey Lewis

Mar-13-2005, 9:25pm

Can I have It? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

onlyagibsonisgoodenuff

Mar-13-2005, 10:24pm

Can I have It? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Already sold the MF5, mandoboy8. In fact, it was gone months ago. If I'd known the Deluxe was going to take as long as it did, I might have held onto the MF5 a bit longer.