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Thread: Collings MTO

  1. #1
    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
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    Default Collings MTO

    This one: http://www.fiddlersgreenmusicshop.co...-mto-gloss-top

    Can’t say it was my favorite of the day, but it was the loudest, with sustain for days, and I played it for about an hour yesterday at Fiddler’s Green. I’d have to be a much better player to do that one justice. That one would make me a better player.

    They currently have an abundance of mandolins, only a few are showing online. The Km500 is an outstanding axe as well and not such a budget buster.
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  3. #2

    Default Re: Collings MTO

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Gunter View Post
    Can’t say it was my favorite of the day.
    Which mandolin was your "favorite of the day"?

  4. #3
    Fingers of Concrete ccravens's Avatar
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    Default Re: Collings MTO

    You played the same mandolin at a shop for an hour?
    Chris Cravens

    Girouard A5
    Montana Flatiron A-Jr.
    Passernig Mandola
    Leo Posch D-18

  5. #4
    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Collings MTO

    Quote Originally Posted by DGtryin View Post
    Which mandolin was your "favorite of the day"?
    Flatiron Performer ... The little Kentucky KM500 suited me very well, too. Didn't care for the Weber Bitterroot so much.

    Quote Originally Posted by ccravens View Post
    You played the same mandolin at a shop for an hour?
    And?

    Actually, I held it for between 45 minutes to an hour. Spent time tuning and fine tuning, then noodling, then played it a lot. Fiddle tunes, blues and Bach. Have you ever visited Fiddler's Green? During the time I spent with the Collings, no one was in the shop except me ... and one salesperson (who appreciated my Cattle In The Cane, said he doesn't hear it played often enough).

    When I was playing the Kentucky, there was one other guy who'd come in, and as I was checking out the Weber, he came into the mandolin room to chat. Great guy, he plays a '22 A2 oval hole. I was eyeing the Collings, and he left before I really got into it.

    If you're near Texas and haven't visited Fiddler's Green, I'd highly recommend it. Low key atmosphere, and if you wish, you can get plenty of alone time with high end instruments. I was there to return a defective amp I'd purchased, and they made the transaction simple, a swap out. Note: I always visit on a weekday between 11 and 3, FWIW.

    I like to spend time with a few instruments rather than just touching a plethora of them at each visit. I spent plenty of time with the Kentucky and the Flatiron and the Collings. Didn't care much for the Weber so not much time there. Played the old Kalamazoo Oriole for a few minutes. Then tasted a few of the mandolas and octaves. Finally the guitars.

    The biggest surprise was the Collings. I'm not kidding, that particular one was a beast. Loudest by far, and too much sustain for me to control right away. Thus the lengthy play time.
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  7. #5
    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Collings MTO

    Flatiron

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    Weber

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    Collings

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    I didn't play all the Webers, just that blondie, not to my taste.
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  8. #6

    Default Re: Collings MTO

    Oh, Mark, you will be dreaming about that mandolin in your sleep. Now, I can tell you, when you look at the back of that mandolin, it's got a pretty wide curl to the flame. I have noticed that mandolins with maple that is figured like this seem to have a life all unto themselves.
    "your posts ... very VERY opinionated ...basing your opinion/recommendations ... pot calling ...kettle... black...sarcasm...comment ...unwarranted...unnecessary...."

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  10. #7
    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Collings MTO

    LOL, I didn’t exactly fall in love. She was such a shock I found her a bit intimidating. I’ve been playing my mandolin all day while thinking about the tone & sustain of that one, though.

    Anybody in the market for a MTO would be safe buying that one sight unseen, trust me.
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  11. #8
    Fingers of Concrete ccravens's Avatar
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    Default Re: Collings MTO

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Gunter View Post

    And?

    Actually, I held it for between 45 minutes to an hour. Spent time tuning and fine tuning, then noodling, then played it a lot. Fiddle tunes, blues and Bach. Have you ever visited Fiddler's Green?
    Yes, I've visited FG, and do it 2 to 3x a year. Yes, they are very accomodating, and rarely is there a crowd. Sorry, I shouldn't have been so vague in my original comment.

    I rarely spend more than 5-10 minutes on any instrument, even the ones I like, especially if I don't have the resources to purchase at the time. I worry about two things: instruments getting played so much by tire-kickers (not saying that is you) that the shop, as other shops have done, stops allowing people to freely pick up instruments to play. And I also worry about the instruments' future owner, wanting to make sure they get as pristine an instrument as possible. I can't play/try out an instrument for more than about 10 minutes before the worry about those two considerations entering into my thinking. Thus my surprise at your hour.

    I know my opinion on this subject may be controversial, and my belief subjective. I'm not saying my opinion is correct. I'm just explaining my original comment in answer to your question.

    It's a great shop. Glad you had a good time there.
    Chris Cravens

    Girouard A5
    Montana Flatiron A-Jr.
    Passernig Mandola
    Leo Posch D-18

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  13. #9
    ************** Caleb's Avatar
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    Default Re: Collings MTO

    FG is the coolest acoustic music store I’ve ever been to, hands down. I got my MT there several years ago. Nice folks too.
    ...

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  15. #10
    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Collings MTO

    No worries, Chris. You're probably in good company with your opinion, and the truth is I often regret posting in the forum. My business is my own after all. I have no guilt about spending time with instruments at FG, and have sensed no issue from the proprietors.

    FG is the coolest acoustic music store I’ve ever been to, hands down. I got my MT there several years ago. Nice folks too.
    Me too, Caleb. I like the vibe there and have spent my $$$ there as well. Great folks.
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  16. #11
    Registered User Jake Biddix's Avatar
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    Default Re: Collings MTO

    I just ordered that Flatiron from FG. Been eyeing it for a while. Should be here Thursday!

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  18. #12
    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Collings MTO

    Quote Originally Posted by Jake Biddix View Post
    I just ordered that Flatiron from FG. Been eyeing it for a while. Should be here Thursday!
    Hope you like it Jake
    WWW.THEAMATEURMANDOLINIST.COM
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  19. #13
    Registered User Jake Biddix's Avatar
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    Default Re: Collings MTO

    Thanks Mark! I hope so too. They were kind enough to answer my questions and even made a video for me one of the guys playing the mando. It appears to be in fantastic shape, and sounds really good in the video. I'll report back once it's in hand!

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