tburcham
Nov-10-2010, 11:55pm
Confessions of the Scroll
Café Faithful,
They say confession is good for the soul. Well folks, I’ve officially gone scroll-less. That’s right, I’m playing an A-style mandolin as my #1. A couple of months ago I purchased a 2009 Collings MT2v from Dennis at the Mandolin Store (Click here to see it (http://www.themandolinstore.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=9007)). A mint used model that was featured at the 2009 NAMM and was by his description “a Monster.” Having traded with Dennis a few times over the years, I’ve learned one thing about his listings…he rarely uses the term Monster, and when he does, it usually translates into a KILLER mandolin. My family now has two mandolins from Dennis that he awarded the “Monster” moniker: my Dad’s Gibson F-9 (Derrington Era) and this Collings MT2v. I can tell you that both of these mandolins are spectacular in volume and tone.
When I called Dennis to inquire about this Collings MT2v, he said “Tim this is a great mandolin, but you probably won’t like it because you’ll have to have a scroll.” Dennis knows I am a Bluegrass/Old Time (you purist forgive me lumping these two terms together) picker, so he was genuinely looking at my best interest with that comment. I told him I had been playing my 1942 Strad-O-Lin for the past few months with no apparent scroll backlash symptoms, so the deal proceeded. Wow, am I glad it did. To say this mandolin is special is an understatement. The many rave reviews posted here on the Café about the MT line of mandolins from Collings is a testament to their consistency and quality, but I was not prepared for how good these A-model mandolins can be (particularly the varnished models).
This MT2v is loud, dry, woody, and yet lyrical at the same time, i.e., it has beautiful tone with power (something I am just beginning to appreciate as my skills continue to be honed). The playability is excellent with a slight radius to the fretboard. I added a Bell ebony arm-rest (from the Café Classifieds) a couple of weeks ago and I think elevating the forearm off the mandolin top adds even more power and tone to the equation (and it certainly makes it more comfortable to play). I have had no mental or physical issues from the absence of the scroll, e.g., I don’t freak out when I look down and there’s no scroll and the balance of the instrument is good.
When combined with a Tone-guard on the rear, this mandolin can be downright scary!! Some mandolins have a good chop at certain places on the neck…this Collings has a thunderous chop anywhere on the neck…right down to the last fret! When you play this mandolin the entire mandolin resonates and produces a feeling in your chest that is nothing less than intoxicating. My best friend and picking partner emailed me after a Gig we did (no microphones) a couple of weeks ago and said he was going to stand on the other side of the group the next time we performed so he could hear himself play! ;)
Scroll-less in a Bluegrass setting...tell me it isn’t so. When you consume the many comments from builders (here on the Café) concerning the tone/volume difference between their F-style and A-style mandolins...they pretty much all say there is little to no difference! They will tell you there is a difference in price due the cost of construction for the F-style, but not many of the top builders will tell you there is an appreciable difference in sound. I don’t know about the tone/volume of other A-style makes, but I can tell you this Collings MT2v has a voice that is particularly suited to Bluegrass, as the depth of tone and power across the board (every string is Monster) allows the player to “command” the situation on any break, for any style, at any pace. It will CUT!
To date I haven’t experienced any snickers, sneers, eye rolling, etc., when I cut loose with the MT2v in a Jam. To the contrary, many work their way around the circle to see what is written on the headstock of this impressive mandolin.
Is Scroll-less for everybody? Probably not, but this mandolin has moved me to the side of the Café contingent who recommend that folks spend their money on the best A-style they can afford as they are progressing up the mandolin food chain.
Does this mean I'm gong to sell all the fine F-style mandolins I have carefully amassed...not a chance; but I've learned that power and tone don't emanate from the scroll!
This hurts a little, but move me over to the Collings bandwagon. There, I said it! :grin:
Café Faithful,
They say confession is good for the soul. Well folks, I’ve officially gone scroll-less. That’s right, I’m playing an A-style mandolin as my #1. A couple of months ago I purchased a 2009 Collings MT2v from Dennis at the Mandolin Store (Click here to see it (http://www.themandolinstore.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=9007)). A mint used model that was featured at the 2009 NAMM and was by his description “a Monster.” Having traded with Dennis a few times over the years, I’ve learned one thing about his listings…he rarely uses the term Monster, and when he does, it usually translates into a KILLER mandolin. My family now has two mandolins from Dennis that he awarded the “Monster” moniker: my Dad’s Gibson F-9 (Derrington Era) and this Collings MT2v. I can tell you that both of these mandolins are spectacular in volume and tone.
When I called Dennis to inquire about this Collings MT2v, he said “Tim this is a great mandolin, but you probably won’t like it because you’ll have to have a scroll.” Dennis knows I am a Bluegrass/Old Time (you purist forgive me lumping these two terms together) picker, so he was genuinely looking at my best interest with that comment. I told him I had been playing my 1942 Strad-O-Lin for the past few months with no apparent scroll backlash symptoms, so the deal proceeded. Wow, am I glad it did. To say this mandolin is special is an understatement. The many rave reviews posted here on the Café about the MT line of mandolins from Collings is a testament to their consistency and quality, but I was not prepared for how good these A-model mandolins can be (particularly the varnished models).
This MT2v is loud, dry, woody, and yet lyrical at the same time, i.e., it has beautiful tone with power (something I am just beginning to appreciate as my skills continue to be honed). The playability is excellent with a slight radius to the fretboard. I added a Bell ebony arm-rest (from the Café Classifieds) a couple of weeks ago and I think elevating the forearm off the mandolin top adds even more power and tone to the equation (and it certainly makes it more comfortable to play). I have had no mental or physical issues from the absence of the scroll, e.g., I don’t freak out when I look down and there’s no scroll and the balance of the instrument is good.
When combined with a Tone-guard on the rear, this mandolin can be downright scary!! Some mandolins have a good chop at certain places on the neck…this Collings has a thunderous chop anywhere on the neck…right down to the last fret! When you play this mandolin the entire mandolin resonates and produces a feeling in your chest that is nothing less than intoxicating. My best friend and picking partner emailed me after a Gig we did (no microphones) a couple of weeks ago and said he was going to stand on the other side of the group the next time we performed so he could hear himself play! ;)
Scroll-less in a Bluegrass setting...tell me it isn’t so. When you consume the many comments from builders (here on the Café) concerning the tone/volume difference between their F-style and A-style mandolins...they pretty much all say there is little to no difference! They will tell you there is a difference in price due the cost of construction for the F-style, but not many of the top builders will tell you there is an appreciable difference in sound. I don’t know about the tone/volume of other A-style makes, but I can tell you this Collings MT2v has a voice that is particularly suited to Bluegrass, as the depth of tone and power across the board (every string is Monster) allows the player to “command” the situation on any break, for any style, at any pace. It will CUT!
To date I haven’t experienced any snickers, sneers, eye rolling, etc., when I cut loose with the MT2v in a Jam. To the contrary, many work their way around the circle to see what is written on the headstock of this impressive mandolin.
Is Scroll-less for everybody? Probably not, but this mandolin has moved me to the side of the Café contingent who recommend that folks spend their money on the best A-style they can afford as they are progressing up the mandolin food chain.
Does this mean I'm gong to sell all the fine F-style mandolins I have carefully amassed...not a chance; but I've learned that power and tone don't emanate from the scroll!
This hurts a little, but move me over to the Collings bandwagon. There, I said it! :grin: