Results 1 to 25 of 25

Thread: torrefied top MT in the house

  1. #1
    Registered User darylcrisp's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Banner, Ky
    Posts
    2,654

    Default torrefied top MT in the house

    I saw this when Avenueguitars(formerly tejonstreetmusic) sent an email notice on new instruments in the shop. I love MT's, and especially simply appointed Mt's. I took notice of the Collings announcement some time back of the first MT with torrefied top Sitka and liked what I heard.

    This cool dark shaded MT I watched for maybe 2 months. Figured it would sell quickly, but it kept hanging on the wall. Not that I needed a mandolin, but this one kept calling out to me. Called Sean up a week+ ago and he confirmed that it was a very cool MT with an excellent voice.

    Its pretty to the eyes as well. In person the gloss top and darkish brown gives it an old character to ones senses. The tone does also. The simple binding with the small white line just works.
    Plays like a dream, super low action, feels light as a feather.didn't need another mandolin, but this sure is a neat one.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Collings%20MT%20Torrefied%20Sitka%20Spruce%20A-Style%20Mandolin%20-%20SN-A4143%20-%20Image%2015.jpg 
Views:	287 
Size:	127.4 KB 
ID:	173382
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Collings_MT_Torrefied_Sitka_Spruce_A-Style_Mandolin_-_SN-A4143_-_Image_02_1500x.jpg 
Views:	246 
Size:	74.9 KB 
ID:	173383
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Collings_MT_Torrefied_Sitka_Spruce_A-Style_Mandolin_-_SN-A4143_-_Image_08_1500x.jpg 
Views:	208 
Size:	48.4 KB 
ID:	173384

  2. The Following 8 Users Say Thank You to darylcrisp For This Useful Post:


  3. #2
    Registered Muser dang's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Omaha, NE
    Posts
    1,185

    Default Re: torrefied top MT in the house

    Wow, beautiful! Great pics also
    I should be pickin' rather than postin'

  4. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to dang For This Useful Post:


  5. #3
    Mando-Afflicted lflngpicker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    So Cal
    Posts
    2,240
    Blog Entries
    6

    Default Re: torrefied top MT in the house

    Hi Daryl, Congrats on your new Torrefied Top MT. I like the idea of that fine white stripe in the binding. Gives it a distinction from the other versions. I bought my MT Gloss Top with a Wide Nut from Avenue earlier this year. It has a particularly open, modern sound with a lot of sustain and richness in tone. Punchy enough for bluegrass, too! Love the soft V neck profile! I can't put it down. I will have to check back and see what you think after playing her a few weeks. Enjoy!
    2014 BRW F5 #114
    2022 Kentucky KM 950 Master Model

    YouTube Original Recording of My composition "Closer Walk"

  6. The following members say thank you to lflngpicker for this post:


  7. #4

    Default Re: torrefied top MT in the house

    I'm really glad the whole torrefied top thing is starting to catch on with mandolins now. It seems like guitar builders have been using torrefied tops for several years and after buying a killer Huss & Dalton with a torrefied top I was sold on the idea. My Stiver F model was the second torrefied top mandolin Mr. Stiver built and I'm couldn't be happier with it.
    Stiver F5 #366
    Kopp K-35 Braz
    Huss & Dalton TD-M Custom
    1935 Martin 00-17
    HD-28E Retro

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


  9. #5
    Registered User Bob Buckingham's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Greer, SC
    Posts
    898

    Default Re: torrefied top MT in the house

    I've had a MT-2 with a torrified top for about 6 months. It keeps getting better and better. You'll love that beauty.

  10. The following members say thank you to Bob Buckingham for this post:


  11. #6
    Registered User jim simpson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Wheeling, WV
    Posts
    5,508

    Default Re: torrefied top MT in the house

    Frank Wakefield, an original!
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Frank Wakefield.jpg 
Views:	140 
Size:	180.1 KB 
ID:	173386  
    Old Hometown, Cabin Fever String Band

  12. The following members say thank you to jim simpson for this post:


  13. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    San Diego CA
    Posts
    2,200

    Default Re: torrefied top MT in the house

    That's stunning. Congrats Daryl.

  14. The following members say thank you to Clement Barrera-Ng for this post:


  15. #8

    Default Re: torrefied top MT in the house

    That is beautiful to behold

  16. The following members say thank you to DocT for this post:


  17. #9
    Registered User Al Trujillo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Southern Colorado
    Posts
    694

    Default Re: torrefied top MT in the house

    Hey Daryl...I picked that one up and played it (gently, of course!) a couple weeks back before handing it back to Sean with a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat.

    Its a beauty, it plays wonderfully and the sound - Oh My!! Merry Christmas to yourself...you did very well! It went to a good home!

  18. The following members say thank you to Al Trujillo for this post:


  19. #10
    Registered User darylcrisp's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Banner, Ky
    Posts
    2,654

    Default Re: torrefied top MT in the house

    Quote Originally Posted by Al Trujillo View Post
    Hey Daryl...I picked that one up and played it (gently, of course!) a couple weeks back before handing it back to Sean with a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat.

    Its a beauty, it plays wonderfully and the sound - Oh My!! Merry Christmas to yourself...you did very well! It went to a good home!
    thanks Al
    totally agree, its just got a swell mojo to it. and yep, it was something of a personal Christmas present and forthcoming retirement(in a few years-lol) buddy.
    Sean told me only one person had played it, bet that was your fingerprint I found on it-lol
    d

  20. #11
    Registered User darylcrisp's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Banner, Ky
    Posts
    2,654

    Default Re: torrefied top MT in the house

    Quote Originally Posted by dang View Post
    Wow, beautiful! Great pics also
    have to give AvenueGuitars credit for the pics, they do excellent photoshoots of each instrument so you see all around.

  21. The following members say thank you to darylcrisp for this post:

    dang 

  22. #12

    Default Re: torrefied top MT in the house

    I have yet to play a Collings,Ellis,or any of the so-called modern-sounding mandolins. Looong overdue for a mandolinistic adventure
    to Carters or somesuch place.
    Hoping I really hate the "modern" sound. Not sure though.

  23. #13
    Purveyor of Sunshine sgarrity's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    San Diego, CA
    Posts
    5,658

    Default Re: torrefied top MT in the house

    Wonder if they’re doing torrified tops on the ovals?

  24. #14
    Registered User Al Trujillo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Southern Colorado
    Posts
    694

    Default Re: torrefied top MT in the house

    Quote Originally Posted by sgarrity View Post
    Wonder if they’re doing torrified tops on the ovals?

    I asked that same question to Sean @ Avenue and he said that Collins does.

  25. #15

    Default Re: torrefied top MT in the house

    I played one at Gryphon and it was certainly different. Kept going back and forth with a regular MT. I remember thinking, yep, this one's good, then yep, this one's good, back and forth.

    It wasn't that long ago I didn't care for the Collings tone at all. I've changed my tune. They sure build a beauty for sure. Play in good health.
    Silverangel A
    Arches F style kit
    1913 Gibson A-1

  26. #16
    Registered User darylcrisp's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Banner, Ky
    Posts
    2,654

    Default Re: torrefied top MT in the house

    I've owned a couple Collings along the way trying to figure out what has that sound that I hear in my head. Some of the Collings were too much of something for my taste, Adi tops were too strident for me-the e strings especially . I always preferred the Engle man top MT for its more earthy tone. I don't care a lot of adornment(although my Weber Yellowstone TMS custom carries about all you do to a mandolin, but it was purchased solely for its tone and fit for my hands-i don't notice all the binding, gold hardware, fern inlay).
    I see Collings moving things around subtly after Bill's passing, everything I've seen/heard just gets better and better.
    The big thing I want to mention, this MT wasn't that far price wise from the old base MT of years past, that to me looked kinda drab.
    The simple gloss top, gloss headstock veneer, and the added thin white stripe alongside the tortise binding took this mando many steps forward. I have no idea just how much difference the Torrified Sitka top makes because I didn't have a bunch of with and without to compare, and this is the first Torrified top I've played.
    The tuners need some loving attention at string change, they tune and hold fine, but I think I can get them a little more smoother and at ease to use. I've found this pretty standard for every Collings I've had. To date, I've found no mandolin tune as smooth and easy as the Northfields, Webers, Girouard that I've owned.
    This MT shows the light weight, surgical precision of build, and eye popping wood choice that they seem to always have, but what I'm hearing and enjoying is the sound of deep old tone with clarity. Nothing is harsh,thin, or brittle.
    d

  27. #17
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    1,322

    Default Re: torrefied top MT in the house

    Darylcrisp, I wonder if age mellows Collings instruments, as I bought a used Collings that has a deep but crystal-clear tone. And supposedly torrefied tops (IIRC) simulate aged instruments. Anyway, I am glad you like it - it has a kind of understated elegance in appearance IMHO. I also bought a set of Rubner tuners in case I need to replace the tuners on the Collings, but it hasn't been necessary yet.

  28. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to LadysSolo For This Useful Post:


  29. #18

    Default Re: torrefied top MT in the house

    I don't know about mandolins, but Taylor uses torrefied tops in their guitars and the sound quality is amazing.
    Loar LM-370

    “The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between.” ― Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

  30. The following members say thank you to DocT for this post:


  31. #19

    Default Re: torrefied top MT in the house

    Quote Originally Posted by Al Trujillo View Post
    I asked that same question to Sean @ Avenue and he said that Collins does.
    When I asked Adam at TME he said Adirondack yes, Sitka, no.

    As for simulating aging, the torrified Sitka dries out the tone. The torrified Adirondack makes the instrument louder, and more lively. I’ve owned a lot of torrified instruments (including an all-torrified mt2 from Collings), and realistically, if you are really looking for vintage tone, the only way to get that in a guitar is to buy a vintage instrument. To be honest, it might be cheaper in some cases.
    "your posts ... very VERY opinionated ...basing your opinion/recommendations ... pot calling ...kettle... black...sarcasm...comment ...unwarranted...unnecessary...."

  32. The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Mandobar For This Useful Post:


  33. #20
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Fort Lauderdale, FL
    Posts
    3,859

    Default Re: torrefied top MT in the house

    It's rarely a bad decision to buy the base model from an excellent manufacturer. You generally get the same craftspeople working with the same focus on performance only with fewer costly bells and whistles. In that sense, the Collings MT is much like a BMW 2-series automobile. Perhaps the torrefied top is the equivalent of the upgraded 6-cylinder 240i.
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
    2005 National RM-1
    2007 Hester A5
    2009 Passernig A5
    2015 Black A2-z
    2010 Black GBOM
    2017 Poe Scout
    2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
    2018 Vessel TM5
    2019 Hogan F5

  34. The following members say thank you to pheffernan for this post:


  35. #21
    Registered User Lane Pryce's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Asheboro,NC
    Posts
    2,281

    Default Re: torrefied top MT in the house

    Wow very nice. I’ve been looking at MT2’s for ever just never pulled the trigger. Haven’t really considered a torrefied top but Engleman is a must. I’ve always had a love for A style mandolins. Lp
    J.Lane Pryce

  36. The following members say thank you to Lane Pryce for this post:


  37. #22
    Registered User darylcrisp's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Banner, Ky
    Posts
    2,654

    Default Re: torrefied top MT in the house

    Quote Originally Posted by pheffernan View Post
    It's rarely a bad decision to buy the base model from an excellent manufacturer. You generally get the same craftspeople working with the same focus on performance only with fewer costly bells and whistles. In that sense, the Collings MT is much like a BMW 2-series automobile. Perhaps the torrefied top is the equivalent of the upgraded 6-cylinder 240i.
    M3(lol), this little fellow is the performance version of the base MT, with a single color slick paint job, and a single, simple pinstripe.
    Not that it matters, but I am a certified(well, once was many decades ago)BMW motorcycle mechanic(air cooled twin motors).I had totally forgotten about that...........

  38. #23
    Registered User darylcrisp's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Banner, Ky
    Posts
    2,654

    Default Re: torrefied top MT in the house

    Quote Originally Posted by Lane Pryce View Post
    Wow very nice. I’ve been looking at MT2’s for ever just never pulled the trigger. Haven’t really considered a torrefied top but Engleman is a must. I’ve always had a love for A style mandolins. Lp
    Lane, I owned an adi top MT2 for a short while, but just didn't bond with it. I've always loved the base MT's that passed thru my hands(all of them had Engelmann tops), as I liked the earthy tone they produced more than the brighter(to my ears) adi and Sitka.
    Now though, this torrefied top gives me all of what I like in the Engelmann, and has something more. it has the earthy tone, the woody nature, and clarity of the notes. nothing is muffled and nothing is strident/harsh. its different than any collings I've played, all in a good way(this is torrefied Sitka btw).

  39. #24
    Registered User darylcrisp's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Banner, Ky
    Posts
    2,654

    Default Re: torrefied top MT in the house

    Quote Originally Posted by LadysSolo View Post
    Darylcrisp, I wonder if age mellows Collings instruments, as I bought a used Collings that has a deep but crystal-clear tone. And supposedly torrefied tops (IIRC) simulate aged instruments. Anyway, I am glad you like it - it has a kind of understated elegance in appearance IMHO. I also bought a set of Rubner tuners in case I need to replace the tuners on the Collings, but it hasn't been necessary yet.
    I've never played an older/well played Collings so I don't know, would be interesting to hear from some folks who have a well played in collings and know what they have experienced.

  40. #25

    Default Re: torrefied top MT in the house

    Quote Originally Posted by darylcrisp View Post
    I've never played an older/well played Collings so I don't know, would be interesting to hear from some folks who have a well played in collings and know what they have experienced.
    Herein lies the conundrum when trying new instruments. All the imports below the Kentucky master series leave me wanting more. But my experience is with new instruments only. Would I have the same jaded opinion if I played a five year old MD 315? Adding fuel to this speculation has been my experience with a new adi top. Rather dramatic changes there.

    Baking wood definitely has an effect for sure.
    Silverangel A
    Arches F style kit
    1913 Gibson A-1

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
  •