New Collings MF

[Jack Roberts]

number 320

[Jack Roberts]

Here is the back

[Jack Roberts]

Heres the neck. #The colors glow on this mandolin.

[Baron Collins-Hill]

ive always liked mf's, how does she sound?

[Jack Roberts]

The sound is "loud", "throaty" and a good "bark" on chop chords. It definately sounds better than I play, but that ain't hard.

[FrankenMouse]

Beautiful. It almost looks like it's illuminated from within!

[Jack Roberts]

Illuminated within! I love that. Frankemouse, you made my day! It has an amazing appearance. The back and neck glows like a tiger's eye gemstone.

[Samando]

Whoa!! Thats a beauty!! Go figure, I just purchased number 317, and it looks strikingly similar to yours! (Especially the back.)

So, are you glad you got it?? How does it do on the G string? When I first got mine, it kind of sounded metallic, but then it went away...
Did yours do that??

[Jack Roberts]

It is metallic on the G string, more so with the GHS strings that came on it, but I changed them to J74s. Now rather than pure metal, it sounds, as I put it, "throaty" 317 and 320 are close enough that they were likely to use the same lot of wood in making these. I tried a number of MFs, and I think we've got winners, Samando.

MFs (and MTs) are known for thier playability. I have always had trouble playing heavy strings, since I am missing the finger tip on my pinky (dont ask...) so I am glad to have a mandolin that I get get some volume out of in a jam, but is still easy on the left hand.

Jack

[brewmaster]

Ah yes, she's made it home!Very beautiful too.
I've had #211 for 2 months now and am still amazed every time I pick it up. Congrats and happy pickin!

[John Rosett]

very pretty. i think that the thin finish that the satin finish instruments have really contributes to the tone. i have a prucha A style with a satin finish, and it's amazing. i have d'addario flat tops on it, and they're my favorite so far.
john

[Samando]

[QUOTE] It is metallic on the G string, more so with the GHS strings that came on it, but I changed them to J74s. [QUOTE]

Hmm.. J74s?? I went ahead and changed from the GHS to Elixir Nanowebs, and I really like the tone that I get with those. I'll have to try the J74s...

Whoo hoo!! I sure hope we've got winners!!

[Samando]

One question...
How many of you out there own MF5's? When we were looking for an MF, my dad called all around the nation looking for one, and there were only like two for sell out of all the Collings Guitars dealers. They said that they were out of stock, or were shipping more in... But pretty much every single dealer had MF5's in stock... I find that somewhat.. Interesting..

Are MFs that much more popular?

[MEP]

I own a MF5 (I bought it used)and believe that they are a little nicer than the MF in sound quality and finish.

The main reason that the MF's are selling so quickly is their obvious quality and value for the dollar. There is very little in that price range that stands up to the Collings. Mass Street Music has a couple of MF's right now (or at least they did) as well as a couple of MF'5. Good guys to buy instruments from.

[jasona]

It is metallic on the G string, more so with the GHS strings that came on it, but I changed them to J74s. #

I find my G always sounds metallic for the first couple of days after a change--then it settles in and I get the tone I like. I think its just a Phosphor-Bronze thing. Be paitent and the tone will come!

(I'm a dedicated J74 person)

[250sc]

Does your new mando still smell like sawdust? I love that.

[Jack Roberts]

The smell is good. It smells like freshly cut wood: still the burnt wood smell.

[Samando]

Yeah, mine too. Its such a nice smell...
(I've been trying to keep my case and such smelling that way for as
long as is humanly possible...)

[Albert Whiting]

hey becky like to check it out sometime. maybe we can compare new mandolins. hope to see you guys soon. luv ya

[250sc]

The smell goes away in time but the tone gets better.

enjoy.

[Jack Roberts]

I pulled the J74's off and put on T.I. Mittels. They are a lot easier on my fingers, and I get better hammer-ons and pull-offs. I sacrificed some volume in doing it. I'll try moving up to T.I. starks, which sounded alot like the standard J74s on the other MF I played.

This is fun, but my other mandolin is unhappy about being ignored.

[ShaneJ]

I REALLY like the no binding look - as well as the color that doesn't hide all the wood grain. Binding and high gloss finish don't always make for a prettier mando, especially when there's a lot of dark finish hiding the wood (IMHO).

Congrats on a beautiful mando!

[Jack Roberts]

I REALLY like the no binding look -

This mandolin is to be enjoyed up close. From a distance, and even in the photos, you can't see that it actually has a faux tortoise binding. It is very pretty. But it doesn't jump out at you. The sound sure does, though.