Results 1 to 12 of 12

Thread: Typical MT2 sound?

  1. #1

    Default Typical MT2 sound?

    Hi All - new to the forum and the mandolin. Been interested in Collings mandolins and while testing out online lessons, came across:

    https://youtu.be/ZBLcUzA8mOs

    Is this pretty typical of the MT2 sound/tone? I've heard there can be quite a bit of individual variation. Still developing an ear.

    Looking forward to learning!

  2. #2

    Default Re: Typical MT2 sound?

    That sounds great!

    Note that MT (which I have) has an Engleman top. MT2 has a Adirondack top. Sound is a bit different if you are looking at the lower priced MT (vs. MT2) model.

    The F holes are tone bar braced. The oval holes are x braced. Again different sounds.

    Collings mandolins are known for being super consistent but (based on the above) can vary in sound in the various versions.

  3. #3
    Registered User peterleyenaar's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Kimberley B.C. Canada
    Posts
    345

    Default Re: Typical MT2 sound?

    What is that song Sharon and Dan are playing ?

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Boulder, CO
    Posts
    550

    Default Re: Typical MT2 sound?

    Dan is the playing Chinquapin Hunting (very out of tune) and Sharon is playing Clinch Mountain Backstep with Scott Nygard.

  5. #5

    Default Re: Typical MT2 sound?

    I used to own an MT2 but sadly traded it away during an irrational bout of MAS. I have an MT right now which is a terrific mandolin, but I wish I could have that MT2 back.
    The player is surely more important than the instrument, but this video is the tone I hear in my head when dreaming about that MT2.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnywoS8u-FU

    Rich

  6. #6
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    1,322

    Default Re: Typical MT2 sound?

    I have an MT, I listened to sound clips from both the MT and MT2 before I "pulled the trigger," I liked the MT sound better than the MT2, although both sounded great to me.

  7. #7
    Registered User Mark Seale's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    1,055

    Default Re: Typical MT2 sound?

    The MT2 is also available with Italian Spruce. I think it suits the Collings sound beautifully.


  8. The following members say thank you to Mark Seale for this post:


  9. #8

    Default Re: Typical MT2 sound?

    To complicate tone matters, according to the clip, Kym's MT2 is engleman. It (and he) sound wonderful.

  10. #9
    Mando-Afflicted lflngpicker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    So Cal
    Posts
    2,239
    Blog Entries
    6

    Default Re: Typical MT2 sound?

    Quote Originally Posted by devildog View Post
    To complicate tone matters, according to the clip, Kym's MT2 is engleman. It (and he) sound wonderful.
    I hate to admit this, but I don't know the difference between the tone of Engleman, Sitka and Adirondack. I came from the guitar world and I focused more on sustain and bass response for finger picking. These last five years as a mandolin player have opened a whole new scene for me! Are there basic rules of thumb-- resonance, bass response, brightness differences, etc.? I would appreciate a better understanding. Thank you for anyone willing to educate me a bit.
    2014 BRW F5 #114
    2022 Kentucky KM 950 Master Model

    YouTube Original Recording of My composition "Closer Walk"

  11. #10
    Registered User Eric Hanson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Bloomington, IN / USA
    Posts
    796

    Default Re: Typical MT2 sound?

    I have an MT2-V from 2009. It sounds VERY much like this one. If you look for an instrument that has had time to age it is very possible it could end up like what is being played by Kym.
    Eric Hanson
    Click #016/ Born on 2/29/08 - Sold to the next Conservator of this great mandolin!
    The search has ceased! (At least for now)
    Collings A-Style
    White #29R : Oh my!! This one is so AWESOME!!

  12. #11
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Location
    Chester County, PA
    Posts
    39

    Default Re: Typical MT2 sound?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Seale View Post
    The MT2 is also available with Italian Spruce. I think it suits the Collings sound beautifully.

    Semi related - it was something in the tone of the mandolin in this video i was looking for and using as a reference when I was on the hunt recently. It stood out to me for some reason and stuck in my ears.

    It's probably silly to try to judge tone from sound clips and videos, but for whatever it's worth I didn't hear what I wanted in other videos & sound clips, including other TME videos of MTs & MT2s. Could have been for any number of reasons though, possibly including my own self-delusion.

    I did (with help) find a mandolin with a sound that makes me happy, but it wasn't a collings somewhat surprisingly. If I had the budget for the collings in this video that's probably what I would have tried first, I just couldn't find other videos w/ the same sound. Best guess is the italian spruce but there are way too many variables for any certainty.

    The only other mandolin's I've actually played were way different from both this video and my mandolin to my ear, but also weren't collings so not much use as a reference point.

  13. #12
    Registered User Lane Pryce's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Asheboro,NC
    Posts
    2,281

    Default Re: Typical MT2 sound?

    MT2V with an Engelmann top is the way to go. To my ears this epitomizes the Collings sound. Lp
    https://youtu.be/m-6CB8dg_2E
    J.Lane Pryce

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •