Collings MF5 Sunburst; Weldon Lister Engraved Tailpiece

[californiajed]

A few weeks ago this one came up for sale used, and it was owned by a guy just a few miles away. When I got to see and play it, I snatched it up before anybody else could! I wanted to do something to make it my own, so I phoned fellow Texan Weldon Lister and asked him to engrave a Collings tailpiece for me. I couldn't be happier with the results, which the UPS man brought by on Friday. I put it on yesterday and picked (and grinned) all day today! Thanks again Weldon! You're an amazing artist!!!

CaliforniaJed

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/CaliforniaJed/image.jpg (http://s64.photobucket.com/user/CaliforniaJed/media/image.jpg.html)

The pics that follow were before I put on the new tailpiece:

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/CaliforniaJed/Collings%20MF5/P1010214.jpg (http://s64.photobucket.com/user/CaliforniaJed/media/Collings%20MF5/P1010214.jpg.html)
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/CaliforniaJed/Collings%20MF5/P1010208.jpg (http://s64.photobucket.com/user/CaliforniaJed/media/Collings%20MF5/P1010208.jpg.html)
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/CaliforniaJed/Collings%20MF5/P1010211.jpg (http://s64.photobucket.com/user/CaliforniaJed/media/Collings%20MF5/P1010211.jpg.html)
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/CaliforniaJed/Collings%20MF5/P1010209.jpg (http://s64.photobucket.com/user/CaliforniaJed/media/Collings%20MF5/P1010209.jpg.html)

[californiajed]

Shoot - my picture links got messed up. Here's a pic of the new tailpiece on the mandolin:

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/CaliforniaJed/Collings%20MF5/image-1.jpg (http://s64.photobucket.com/user/CaliforniaJed/media/Collings%20MF5/image-1.jpg.html)

[GarY Nava]

What a great looking tailpiece! Just looked at Mr.Lister's web-site- now there's something else that I wish I could do!
Cheers Gary

[Galileo]

That tailpiece is a stunning piece of artwork! Incidentally, the rest of the mandolin isn't too shabby either. :)

Thanks for sharing.

[John Gardinsky]

I find this very appealing. I love the nearly but not quite symmetrical aspect of it, very organic.

[cayuga red]

Exquisite! Thanks for posting.

[Cheryl Watson]

Gee, that costs a pretty penny (I'm not asking how much though). I've always admired Mr. Lister's work. It really is a very handsome tailpiece!

[William Smith]

Man that tailpiece looks as it could fire Lead!..Smokin Kool:mandosmiley:

[Gary Watkins]

102701102701
Here is a picture that Weldon did for me a few years ago.

[almeriastrings]

Fine. Mighty fine.

Lovely back on that MF-5 too. Equally tasty.

[californiajed]

Gary, that's a great one!

[stevedenver]

man
thats beautiful

i am always hesitant about owner 'improvements'

there is no question, that is simply a lovely detail that enhances a great lloking instrument
a credit to both of you indeed

i visited mr lister's web sight
you truly chose an amazing artisan
the crispness and precision of his detail is wonderful

[californiajed]

man
thats beautiful

i am always hesitant about owner 'improvements'

there is no question, that is simply a lovely detail that enhances a great lloking instrument
a credit to both of you indeed

i visited mr lister's web sight
you truly chose an amazing artisan
the crispness and precision of his detail is wonderful

Dan, thanks for the kind words. I agree that owner 'improvements' aren't always what they're cracked up to be, but, yes, this one was a no brainer. Weldon really did an amazing job. To have a Texas craftsman adorn a mandolin made in the heart of Texas, well, it just makes me feel even better every time I play it.

[Trent Crawford]

My gosh that looks amazing! :-)

Enjoy!

[Steve Sorensen]

Beautiful craftsmanship!

[mandobassman]

Weldon does some amazing work. Everything I have seen from him has been stunning.

[Cheryl Watson]

So, does he engrave right through the nickel plating? Are the Collings tailpieces stainless steel with nickel plating?

[californiajed]

So, does he engrave right through the nickel plating? Are the Collings tailpieces stainless steel with nickel plating?

Cheryl, the tailpieces that come on the Collings mandolins are nickel plated over brass, but Collings sold me one unplated. Weldon then plated it for me when he finished. (For $20, a local plating company said they would de-plate the one I had.)

[Buck]

I know this is an older thread, but does anyone have an idea on the value of these Lister-engraved tailpieces?

(A PM would be fine if details are better shared privately.)

Thanks in advance!

[Phil Goodson]

If you Google Mr Lister's webpage & look around, you'll probably get a reasonable idea.