Gibson F9 vs Collings MF - 2017 edition

[NJmando]

I am going for a wide nut mandolin and I am definitely getting a Gibson F9, a used Gibson F5G wide nut (2016) or a Collings MF. All 3 are available at the mandolin store right now with the 1 3/16th nut width. All are highly regarded. The F9 and MF are new, the F5G is one year used (makes me suspicious). All 3 are going to end up costing around $4k.

That being said, which do you prefer and why? The MF(gt) and F5G have a gloss top, the F9 is satin. Still, people keep saying how amazing the Harvey Gibsons are. Is that true? If so, I feel that getting the Gibson would not only get me the great gibson tone I love, but also plenty of value in the future should I want/need to sell it. I'm also surprised that someone would ditch a 2016 Harvey Gibson...but there it is, for sale at the mandolin store.

Is there anyone out there who prefers Collings mandolins over a Harvey Gibson? Any opinions (other than you trying to convince me to get an A or a model other than the three I listed) are greatly appreciated!

[dhergert]

You gotta play them. All of them. Then buy the one that calls most clearly to you.

From a future value standpoint, all three of these instruments are USA built and quality mandolins, but I wouldn't bank on anything for the future in that price range. Just get the one that sounds and plays the best for you.

If they all call to you the same, I dunno... Buy them all? :mandosmiley:

[ccravens]

I don't think the OP has the option of playing them, thus his question.

Have you spoken to the guys and the Mandolin Store over the phone? They would surely give you some insight as to the differences in tone between the 3 instruments. Because there are differences. First you must know what you prefer in the way of tone.

If you have to buy without trying, I would say that I'm impressed with Colling's consistency; Gibsons, IMO, are pretty (fairly) consistent but not as much as Collings.

[PJ Doland]

Where do you live? If you're in NJ (which I'm guessing from your handle) than the smart play is probably a $250 flight to Nashville and playing the 80+ mandolins in your price range at Gruhn and Carter.

[NJmando]

I don't think the OP has the option of playing them, thus his question..

Yes...thank you....if I could play them, I wouldn't be on here asking you people! lol.

I have heard quite a bit about Collings consistency. The thing is that literally everyone says that about the newer Harvey Gibsons. I am not a tone-specific person, from what I hear I truly like Gibsons and Collings, and I don't mind that they're a little different. I have been comparing my F9 to a weber yellowstone and I have to say that i MUUUUUUUCH prefer the Gibson tone to any Weber I've played. So there's that.

[pheffernan]

I feel that getting the Gibson would not only get me the great gibson tone I love, but also plenty of value in the future should I want/need to sell it.

I think that you answer your own question with this statement. If you love the great Gibson tone, then eliminate the Collings. If value in the future is important to you, then eliminate the new F9 which will depreciate. It sounds to me like you want the F5G but are wondering why it has come on the market so quickly and if that is a sign of inferior quality. I'd suggest that you call Dennis at The Mandolin Store to discuss your concerns. It is very possible that the previous owner traded up to a higher end option. We mandolin players tend to be a fickle lot and let a lot of quality instruments pass through our hands.

[Austin Bob]

I agree that you should call the Mandolin Store and ask for their opinion. I've bought from them and found them to be extremely helpful.

Most folks agree that the Harvey signed Gibsons some of the best they've ever produced, I have the F5G wide nut and it's a very good bang for the buck. But the Collings are also well regarded, and the one they have could possibly have something special in it.

If you don't have the option of flying there, the other thing you might do is see if they could ship their top 2 picks to you, then A B compare them in your own home. Of course you'd probably have to put both temporarily on your credit card, and pay shipping both ways for the one you returned, but it might work. It wouldn't be cheap, but neither is flying there and getting a hotel and a rental car.

Worst case scenario is you pick one and send it back paying the freight. It's not the end of the world, especially for a lifetime purchase.

[NJmando]

I think that you answer your own question with this statement. If you love the great Gibson tone, then eliminate the Collings. If value in the future is important to you, then eliminate the new F9 which will depreciate. It sounds to me like you want the F5G but are wondering why it has come on the market so quickly and if that is a sign of inferior quality. .

Have you considered a career in psychology? I think you're right...

I'll give them a buzz and get some comparison on the F9 and the F5G. Thank you!

[Upis Land]

My vote is for the Gibson F5G.

I wouldn't be afraid of going gently used in this case. The mandolin store will certainly make sure it's set up properly. People trade in, up and down all the time. People can be fickle, or just take time figuring out what they like. If you doubt this, do a search for a thread called "The search continues part 2"

I find Collings a bit bright for my taste. (In general, that is, I haven't played the specific instrument in question). But that might be the very thing that makes it better to someone else's taste.

Any time someone says "xxxxx mandolin just blows away everything else in the place", it just means they are hearing or feeling some difference that might turn another player off. Same may apply when someone says "yyyyy mandolin did not impress me." But you know you like the Gibson tone from your own experience, so there's that.

In the end, if you can't play them first, you will probably love whichever of those three you get, and never look back. Unless of course the grass is greener...

Is my advice worth the price you paid for it? Probably not, but someone will surely chime in with different advice.

[NJmando]

So is 4k a reasonable price for a 2015 F5G used in "excellent" condition? I am asking him to bring it down a few hundred...they seem to sell for low to mid 3k mark.

[meado]

I recently bought a year old Gibson F5 Custom that was one of the Mandolin Store's special models and had your same concern. Of course this is only a singular case, but I am extremely pleased with it...as is my mandolin teacher...who has commented on it's qualities many times. And...I traded in a recent F9 on it to fund the purchase. It was a great mando (both Harvey's by the way), but I didn't like the satin finish and decided to trade up.

Good luck in your search!

[BrianWilliam]

My ears much preferred the Harvey F5G to the handful of collings mt variants I've played.

But I vote for flying to Nashville :)

[Upis Land]

So is 4k a reasonable price for a 2015 F5G used in "excellent" condition? I am asking him to bring it down a few hundred...they seem to sell for low to mid 3k mark.

I would expect to pay a little more from a store with set up than a private party sale. Less risk for you, more service. Your comparisons were against 2 other new instruments. If you are patient, frugal, and willing to accept more risk, worn frets, and other interesting surprises then by all means you can get an F5G for 3K, and for your budget of 4K there are many interesting options in the used market.

But that wasn't your original question....

[BrianWilliam]

Not to mention the wide nuts seem to go for more

[NJmando]

Not to mention the wide nuts seem to go for more

Yeah I've noticed that. It's a bummer really, I see them becoming the standard in the coming years. We've already moved to 1 1/8th on most brands other than gibson. Still, its no extra work on the builders part. I don't think I should have to pay a premium just because my hands are big! lol

[Br1ck]

When I visited TMS, no other mandolin sounded like a Gibson other than another Gibson. Certainly not a Collings. Now I think they are overpriced, but the marketplace disagrees with me. Just like wanting a scroll, if a Gibson is what you crave, nothing else is going to do it for you.

The F 9 I played was a great sounding mandolin.

[almeriastrings]

You can't really infer anything from someone buying one minute and trading the next. Just see some of the threads in this place :)

I had personal experience of that a few years ago. A guy custom ordered a gorgeous, hi-spec 42-series CF Martin 12 fretter... waited 12 months for delivery... then sold it 3 weeks later! It was stunning... fantastic.. he had just "lost interest". Happens all the time.

[dhergert]

The reason I emphasized trying them in person is that since you've asked the question specifically about these exact three mandolins, if you get one without trying the others too you're going to always wonder if you made the right choice. The only way you can answer that is to try them together in person.

Calling TMS is a great idea though... Maybe they can produce some same-situ recordings of all three so you can compare them.

Good luck with this! :mandosmiley:

[pheffernan]

So is 4k a reasonable price for a 2015 F5G used in "excellent" condition? I am asking him to bring it down a few hundred...they seem to sell for low to mid 3k mark.

A new F5G runs $5800, and I'd imagine a wide nut to be a ~$300 upgrade. I generally think of 70% replacement value as standard mandolin depreciation, so anything under $4270 seems reasonable to me.

[BrianWilliam]

Math! Woooo :)

[CES]

Trading your F9? If not, then go Collings. Different voices for different moods and different songs!

But, yeah, call Dennis. He just walked me through a new mandocello purchase. He did up-sell me little, but was totally forthcoming, and it was totally worth it. Love the instrument I got, and appreciate his advice! The Cello fits my needs and is much nicer than my initial plan...

[NJmando]

Trading your F9? If not, then go Collings. Different voices for different moods and different songs!


I will be selling my F9 once I get a new instrument. Can't afford to keep both. My F9 is almost perfect, if such a thing exists, its a shame the neck and my hand don't play nice. I look forward to sticking with Gibson.

[NJmando]

Most folks agree that the Harvey signed Gibsons some of the best they've ever produced, I have the F5G wide nut and it's a very good bang for the buck.

Did you switch from a smaller nut width? How is the neck compared to say loar spec in feel etc?

[jim simpson]

I have owned a Gibson A9 and an F5G. I really liked the F5G for the time that I owned it. These days I find that I prefer the radius fingerboard to a flat one. I currently own a Colling MF5 and an MF. Feel is important to me. You may need to compare flat to radius to see which you prefer.

[BrianWilliam]

Hey, look!

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/116021#116021

[roberto]

the sound of my 2012 F5-G beats easily my 2014 MT.

[NJmando]

Hey, look!

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/116021#116021

Ugh...block inlays....hate em....so close!

[addamr]

I will be selling my F9 once I get a new instrument. Can't afford to keep both. My F9 is almost perfect, if such a thing exists, its a shame the neck and my hand don't play nice. I look forward to sticking with Gibson.

Dennis at the Mandolin store worked a trade with me on a mandolin I recently purchased from them. It was a very simple process. We talked about the mandolin I wanted, I sent him a link to the craigslist add I had for the mandolin I had for sale. He checked out the pictures and made an offer I was happy with. He also told me the best way pack it and ship it to him. After buying a box and the shipping and insurance cost, I came out where I was hoping to be on a local sale. It was a very pleasant deal. I shipped mine, he shipped his and reimbursed my credit card the trade-in difference once mine arrived. I traded an 06 F9 for 17 Gibson MS custom that I am enjoying very much.

[drbluegrass]

FWIW, I played several mandolins. Collings, Daley, Weber, Elk Horn, Northfield, and Gibson. I was planning on getting a high end Collings. After playing them all I chose a Harvey F5G and I love it. I don't think it's any "better" than a Collings or the others. My ears just liked the tonal balance better. All the mandolins I played sounded wonderful. But I just liked the tone of the F5G a little better. My 2 cents.

[Loubrava]

After playing a F9 I made a feeble attempt to get that Gibson sound for under 2.5k a wise (guy) man told me "if you want that Gibson sound go buy a Gibson" made sense to me. Someday I will own a new F9 !

[NJmando]

After playing a F9 I made a feeble attempt to get that Gibson sound for under 2.5k a wise (guy) man told me "if you want that Gibson sound go buy a Gibson" made sense to me. Someday I will own a new F9 !

You should buy MY F9!

[NJmando]

Ok so I ordered the F5G...they called me today and said it is mint. I don't think I could beat a mint, 2015, Harvey signed honeyburst F5G for 4k. I will report back when I get it...maybe start a new thread. Thank you all for your help!

[cayuga red]

Ok so I ordered the F5G...they called me today and said it is mint. I don't think I could beat a mint, 2015, Harvey signed honeyburst F5G for 4k. I will report back when I get it...maybe start a new thread. Thank you all for your help!

You've chosen wisely.

[drbluegrass]

What cuyuga red said. I'll tell you a little secret if you promise not to tell anyone. Promise? OK. I traded a Red Diamond (RD) 1922 David Grisman "Crusher" model to get the F5G. Shhhh!

OK, OK, OK, I'll explain before someone gets a rope. Well, ya see it's like this...I was a long time guitar player and wanted to teach myself to play mandolin. So, I bought a Collings MT. Great mandolin, especially for a beginner. Even for a pro. But as I got better I was wanting to move up to an F model. I had 5 Collings guitars at the time. I began to research mandolins and auditioned a bunch. I really wanted a RD. So, I decided to trade 3 guitars and some cash for the RD. I loved it. But as time went on I wanted to learn to play Scruggs style banjo and I wanted to be a multi-instrumentalist. At that point in time the only way I could afford a banjo was to trade something away. I know myself well and knew I would accomplish my goal of being a good banjo player, especially if I had a great banjo to learn on. I wouldn't be satisfied unless it was a pro level banjo. I really, really, wanted to learn to play Scruggs style banjo. So I traded my RD mandolin for a really good 5 string banjo and, after playing several mandolins, the Gibson Harvey F5G.

I was very afraid I wouldn't like any other mandolin. Not true. I love the F5G. Would I like to have another RD someday? You bet!! the But the trade turned out to be a very good move. I'm now playing both mandolin and banjo at the intermediate to advanced level. I was a good guitar flatpicker to begin with. So I've pretty much accomplished my goals of being a multi-instrumentalist and a pretty good one...if I do say so myself. I've been retired almost 2 years and I do lots and lots of woodshedding. I do work hard at learning all 3 instruments. And it's really fun. The idea that you have to be young to be good is b#&&#%@t, barring any physical reasons. At 67 y/o, I'm playing better than I ever have and you can too. Regardless of age.

Anyway, now you know the rest of the story. I traded a RD for a Gibson F5G and I'm still very happy with my choice. I will have another RD someday though. They're outstanding mandolins. But this F5G is a keeper.

[almeriastrings]

Those Harvey-signed F5G, Ferns and MM's are superb. Never heard a 'bad' one. They deliver the classic tone and have loads of volume and headroom. Good choice.

[Mark Wilson]

I think you made a best choice of the 3.
Question: Does TMS not have a return policy on used mandolins?

[Loubrava]

I think you made a best choice of the 3.
Question: Does TMS not have a return policy on used mandolins?

Yes, I bought a used Weber from them about a year ago they did.

[Sothoth]

Wondering if anyone is willing to describe what they consider to be the tonal differences between the Gibson F5G and the Collings MF. I have an MF and totally love it, but of course there is probably a second mando in my future :)

[NJmando]

Wondering if anyone is willing to describe what they consider to be the tonal differences between the Gibson F5G and the Collings MF. I have an MF and totally love it, but of course there is probably a second mando in my future :)

Same here, would love to hear a detailed compare/contrast from someone whose spent time with both. In my discussion with Dennis at the Mandolin Store, he gave me a general explanation from his view. He sees gibson F5 style mandos as "dark" and "3 dimensional" sounding, which I agree. The way my F9 resonates is not straight ahead - there are lots of overtones. He agreed with me that Webers are comparably bright and could be placed at the other end of the spectrum. He then said he sees Colling's as straight down the middle of those two. I trust his opinion but would certainly like to hear what others think.

- - - Updated - - -


I think you made a best choice of the 3.
Question: Does TMS not have a return policy on used mandolins?

Yes - 2 days. Good enough.

[ccravens]

Wondering if anyone is willing to describe what they consider to be the tonal differences between the Gibson F5G and the Collings MF. I have an MF and totally love it, but of course there is probably a second mando in my future :)

The Gibsons seem to have a more mid-rangey emphasis, and the Collings have more emphasis on the low end, in my hearing. They both have that dry, woody-sounding, "pop" in the strings thing going on (at least the good ones do).

As the above poster said, I also see Collings as kind of in the middle between a more traditional, mid-rangey sound (Gibson), and a more modern sound (slower decay, more overtones, more low and high) on the other end of the spectrum. But Collings is closer to the Gibson sound/end of the spectrum more than the contemporary end.

So there is no "better" there is only which sound you prefer. The Gibsons are excellent at cutting through the mix in a bluegrass jam, like a mid-rangey Martin guitar.

Those are very broad generalizations, of course. Interested to hear other's opinions.

[Sothoth]

Thanks for the info. Yes I think some of the Weber’s I’ve tried are painfully bright and love the MT for being more balanced. I’ll try a Gibson now that you’ve all peaked my interest

[DataNick]

Wondering if anyone is willing to describe what they consider to be the tonal differences between the Gibson F5G and the Collings MF. I have an MF and totally love it, but of course there is probably a second mando in my future :)

Depends on your vintage of Collings.

When Pava K. was graduating Collings mandolin tops (circa #1-130 or so) they were definitely "Gibsonesque" and a former employee at the now defunct Buffalo Bros. told me that Bill Collings boasted to him that Collings could out Gibson Gibson!

A friend of mine has one of those MF models and everytime I see him I try to wrangle it out of his possession. It is a bluegrass canon!

Newer Collings (2004 or so forward) definitely have a different vibe, as noted, more "modern" tonal characteristics...YMMV