Re: Playing a collings - what would an "upgrade" really get me?
Collings mandolins are very well built from beautiful woods and have great playability. They also have typically very clear tone with good volume and projection. With just a few occasional exceptions they can consistently be relied upon to be excellent instruments. I have really appreciated every one of them I've played and owned. It's really hard to go wrong with one.
I entirely agree with Jim above - it seems to me moving on from a Collings could be more about seeking a different sound rather than seeking a 'better' instrument. Factors such as tone flavour and complexity, etc. Those will be distinctive to each mandolin you're considering. It might be worth exploring the world of different construction philosophies, F5 vs F4, oval vs f-holes, modern vs "Gibson" voicing, etc. to see what appeals to you.
Perhaps the best possible case would be to seek another mandolin that inspires you and that's rather different than the Collings, add it to your music room and let them both take you in their own directions. It could be worthwhile to play the field a little - try a short-neck F4 with transverse bracing, a long-neck F4 with X-bracing, an F5 with X-bracing, etc. Since you like the way the Collings plays you might even consider trying a few of their other models. Sometimes a pair of quite different instruments from the same maker can be a great combination.
What a nice problem to have - Enjoy!
Gavin Baird F4 & F5, Weber Octar, Gibson K-1, Guild D50, Martin D35, Yairi DY-84, etc...
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