Collings, Fiddler's Green, and a Dream Realized.

[Caleb]

I've had my heart set on a Collings MT since I first played one back in 2009. Well, my wife surprised me Christmas morning with an envelope containing a card from Fiddler's Green in Austin along with a note stating that I had an MT waiting for me there. Not only that but she lined up a hotel in Austin and really put together a nice weekend. FG was closed for a good stretch for the holidays so I was not able to pick up the instrument till 2 January.

She not only knew I wanted a burst-finished MT, but that I also wanted it with black tuners. FG had one with white tuners but changed them to black for me, so I ended up with exactly the instrument I wanted all the way around. That's service.

I've only got to spent a little time actually playing it and it's a wonderful instrument. I've been playing an Eastman 505 for a long time that I was actually pretty content with: but the Collings just takes everything to the next level. The biggest difference, tone-wise, is the highs are not shrill and piercing like on the Eastman, and the overall tone is just warmer and more complex. The Collings is just a joy to play and listen to while I play.

This is truly a dream realized for me. I look forward to spending the rest of my musical life with this instrument. It's pretty much all I've ever wanted, and I'm satisfied. And grateful.

(Not sure why I couldn't get my pics upright?)

[Bertram Henze]

I...She not only knew I wanted a burst-finished MT, but that I also wanted it with black tuners. FG had one with white tuners but changed them to black for me, so I ended up with exactly the instrument I wanted all the way around. That's service.

No, that's love. She is the real hero of this story. Wives like that are harder to find than a signed Lloyd Loar at a yard sale.
But you know all that already, I assume, and you have a plan how to reciprocrate.

[Caleb]

No, that's love. She is the real hero of this story. Wives like that are harder to find than a signed Lloyd Loar at a yard sale.
But you know all that already, I assume, and you have a plan how to reciprocrate.

You're right, that is love. She made sure it was just what I wanted and didn't want me to settle. I know I'm blessed to have such a wife. We'll be married 20 years next month.

[bbaker2050]

I'm happy for you Caleb! I can't wait until the day I can get a nice one like that!

[Michael Bridges]

Sounds like you really got a keeper! Oh, and the mando ain't bad either.

[Austin Bob]

Congrats, that looks to be a really nice mando, I hope you enjoy it. But as others have pointed out, the true gift is to have a wife who loves you enough to not only find one, but have the tuners changed as well. You are blessed.

[Teak]

Nice mandolin; outstanding wife!

[Nashville]

Nice mandolin; outstanding wife!

Congratulations! You are lucky man Caleb.

[tburcham]

Congrats Caleb! Beautiful MT.

[Jon Hall]

Congratulations Caleb! You need to bring that new mandolin to Nacogdoches and pick some tunes with us.

[ccravens]

I'm happy for you Caleb! I can't wait until the day I can get a nice one like that!

Umm, you mean the wife or the mando? Either way...

FG is one of my favorite places to go in Texas. What a great experience for you Caleb!

I'll add my kudos to the growing chorus celebrating your wife. Dandy!

[Gary Leonard]

Congrats! As a recent MT owner myself, I can relate, it is a joy to play. You are a lucky man with a wife like that!

[DataNick]

Congrats Brotha! You've got a wife for the ages...and not a bad mando either!

[SincereCorgi]

Nice!



MT-lover fist-bump. Got my from Fiddler's Green too.

[Caleb]

Home from Austin. A weekend to remember for sure! I played the Collings tonight at home and didn't even have to go to my "corner" where I normally play for a bigger sound and a bit of natural reverb: the Collings fills up the room on its own. What a fine instrument.

I forgot to mention in my original post the full-contact bridge on the MT. That was a surprise since I figured they, like most mandolins, come with the standard bridge with the "feet." I've never liked those and even had a full-contact CA put on my Eastman. It just makes more sense to me to have the entire bridge snug to the top. So this was another added bonus to my dream mandolin.

Also, I swung by Fiddler's Green on my way out of town to get a t-shirt. They wouldn't let me pay for it (thanks again, FG). If you're ever in Austin make sure to stop in there. I've never seen a better acoustic instrument shop, and I've been to a bunch of them.

[almeriastrings]

Congratulations. Those a very fine mandolin. Never heard a less-than-excellent example.

As a matter of interest (I had not noticed this before) but if you Google Fiddler's Green Music in Austin, under 'Maps' you now get a "Look Inside" option! 360 degree view.... in addition to the normal streetview...

Fascinating.

[darylcrisp]

neat story to read about.
congrats on the excellent wife and MT.
I picked up a MT a while back..............it changed everything!
Great mandolins-enjoy
d

[Don Grieser]

Congrats on all accounts!

[Mark Wilson]

Classy looking Collings. That burst is tasteful and I agree on the choice of the black buttons.

You're gonna need plenty of spare time for a while

[Caleb]

Did an artsy shot of the flame with a little morning light on it.

[bassthumper]

yuppers....mando&wife.... two definate keepers...

[bohemianbiker]

What a great story!

[terzinator]

Congrats.

I'm also a sucker for the black tuner buttons. First thing I did to my black topped MT when I got it some three years ago. It's just the right thing to do.

If you're anything like me (and if your MT is like mine), you won't be able to put it down. You'll play grooves into the frets in no time.

Enjoy!

[Relio]

Congrats, I've had my MT for a little less than a year and I love it. You'll enjoy yours for a very long time.

[Eric F.]

Wonderful story, Caleb, and congratulations. Play your MT in good health and give your wife a hug.