Replacement Tuners for Collings MT?

[Caleb]

Mark, looks wonderful. You went with the rosewood buttons which are the ones I’ve been looking closely at. I might get some of those at some point. My own MT was just in the shop for some routine setup/maintenance. I played my wife’s Breedlove OF while it was gone. I was so happy to get it back that the crummy tuners haven’t bothered me all that much.

[Mark Gunter]

Thanks Caleb! I went with rosewood to match the armrest. This mandolin plays superbly after a good cleaning, buffing and new strings, it's like a whole new unit.

[pheffernan]

My own MT was just in the shop for some routine setup/maintenance. I played my wife’s Breedlove OF while it was gone. I was so happy to get it back that the crummy tuners haven’t bothered me all that much.

Having never played one, I've often wondered how the Breedlove OF's stack up against the Collings MT's.

[Caleb]

Having never played one, I've often wondered how the Breedlove OF's stack up against the Collings MT's.

The Breedlove is a very good mandolin - loud, good tone (very woody and not wiry), great playability, etc, etc. It’s a 2003 model. Flawless workmanship, up there with Collings in fit, finish. But I think the Collings takes things up a notch over all when it comes to playability and tone. I like to play closed chords up in the higher register and the Breedlove sort of bottoms out, and the frets feel a bit too close together up there to get much done. Where I can comfortably play the Collings all over the neck, and maintain good sound.

I got the Breedlove in a trade deal with some money for my wife. All said it probably cost me about $600 used, and basically in new condition from a fine Cafe member. The Collings cost me about $2400 new a few years ago. Huge difference in price.

[pops1]

Used to have an OF, mine played well up the neck, but didn't like the wider nut width.

[CES]

Dang it, too late to help! Optical illusion, man, with the headstock shape and the angle the tuners lie on it. They may have their tuners custom made, but the difference from other in-line tuners wouldn’t be significant...

That said, props for exercising caution and restraint. No reason to ruin your baby just to try out a new toy! And, glad it worked out!!

[colorado_al]

I got the Breedlove in a trade deal with some money for my wife.

What did you trade and how much money, to get a wife and a mandolin?

[Caleb]

What did you trade and how much money, to get a wife and a mandolin?

Traded a Trinity College octave, and (if I remember correctly) $200 for the Breedlove OF “Quartz” model.

[HonketyHank]

Well, I have a confession to make and I just can't hold it inside any longer. I must let it go and let the truth set me free, if it will.

Not long a go I saw new ebay listing for a Breedlove Quartz, oval hole. Photos were quite nice. Listing was cogent and helpful. Seller's creds looked good. Opening bid of $600, buy it now for not a lot more (I forget what it was though).

My thinking was as follows: That mandolin looks really nice and if it is as good as I think it is, it is worth at least the BIN. So somebody could snag it while I am thinking about it. So. Only logical thing to do was kill the BIN with a bare minimum bid and let the market take it where I was sure it was going to go eventually. Then I could make my REAL bid if I still wanted it and if the bidding was still at a reasonable level.

A week later, I became the proud, but reluctant, owner of a Breedlove Quartz OO for $600. I was surprised. And a bit chagrined - I had decided to let it go (don't let it know that). A few days later it arrived. I tuned it up and played it. A Collings, it ain't. A Weber, it ain't. But it is a darn good mandolin for $600. I will save it for a while. Maybe use it in a trade at some point. Or maybe I'll just keep it. It has really grown on me.

[RobP]

So the verdict is thumbs up on the Rubners for the MT? I'm sick of the stock tuners - I'm eyeing the ones Jill bought. Do they perform a lot better than the stock ones?

[colorado_al]

Rubners are a big step up from the Golden Age tuners that Collings uses on the MT. Go for it.

[Mark Gunter]

I'm happy with the Rubners I installed in mid-February, plan to get another set for an old, cheap guitar I like to play sometimes.

[Michael Neverisky]

Would a kind soul please post a link to the specific tuners suitable for an MT/MTO? Are they drop-in replacements for the Golden Age or should I give the job to someone who knows how to fill and drill?

[Mark Gunter]

Would a kind soul please post a link to the specific tuners suitable for an MT/MTO? Are they drop-in replacements for the Golden Age or should I give the job to someone who knows how to fill and drill?

Any of the A style mandolin tuners should just drop right in. https://www.rubnertuners.com/hauser-...lin%20Machines

[Jill McAuley]

So the verdict is thumbs up on the Rubners for the MT? I'm sick of the stock tuners - I'm eyeing the ones Jill bought. Do they perform a lot better than the stock ones?

The Rubners are a HUGE improvement on the stock tuners that were on my MTO - I'm delighted with them!

[colorado_al]

Would a kind soul please post a link to the specific tuners suitable for an MT/MTO? Are they drop-in replacements for the Golden Age or should I give the job to someone who knows how to fill and drill?

You likely will have to drill new screw holes, but just go super easy and make sure to tape the bit for a stop so you don't go deeper than the screw length. But the posts should line up just right.

[RobP]

Well, I finally did it. You all are right.. the Rubners are miles better than the stock tuners on the MT. (and I got the brushed nickel)

Thanks for all the input!