Re: Comparing brands?
Very different.... I find the necks on both to be very comfortable... the SA's have more 'low end'... the Collings more balanced and veering towards the top end... simply different voicings. Which you prefer would be entirely down to your tastes and the kind of stuff you play. For solo mandolin or in a duet with guitar the SA's are very good indeed, in a Bluegrass band, you MIGHT find the Collings 'cuts' more. ... yes, the Collings are pretty much flawless in terms of fit and finish. The SA's have a more 'organic' obviously hand-built look - but again both are nice in their own way. You really need to try these to get the full picture...
Gibson F5 'Harvey' Fern, Gibson F5 'Derrington' Fern
Distressed Silverangel F 'Esmerelda' aka 'Maxx'
Northfield Big Mon #127
Ellis F5 Special #288
'39 & '45 D-18's, 1950 D-28.
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