Well.... I've had nearly 3 weeks now with my new MT and it continues to wow me on a daily basis. I can't begin to tell you how satisfying it is to hear it's beefy, woody tone and big, woofy chop. I've been searching for that sound since i started playing mando many moons ago. I've been thru several mandos in that time, the MT is the highest quality and best sounding i've owned. I had a Rigel A Natural for a couple years that was also very nice but just didn't fully have "it" for a bluegrass sound. If the higher end Collings mandos sound even better than this MT (and they probly do) i would most likely wet myself playing one. I haven't had the pleasure of laying hands on one but hope to someday. My next acquisition will most likely be an MF. Maybe someday an MF5 but that's a lot of hay for a non-pro like me to shell out.

I'm blabbering. Just wanted to share my continuing glee with the MT and gush some more about its amazing qualities. I think it's probly made a Collings lifer out of me.

Zeke, I actually have a MF5 Varnish Deluxe, but last summer I picked up a MT and picked on it in a music store. It was easily the best mandolin in the store, and they had a lot of mandos! I think Collings puts everything they have into everything they build when it comes to sound.

I am also a happy MT owner. I have only had it for a couple of months, but I like it more and more (and I really liked it a lot when I first got it). I have been saving for Phoenix Bluegrass, but after purchasing a Collings guitar this summer (OM2H) I was so impressed by the quality I decided to take a look at their mandolins. At first I figured I might go for an MF, but after playing an MT & MT-2 I decided all of the sound I could possibly need was in those A models. I had the money for the MT-2, but I went for the MT. Same sound (to my ears anyway) and I prefer the simple look and feel.

Call me nuts, but I don’t have scroll envy anymore. There is something equally satisfying about a simple great sounding A. Mind you I could always have one of each!

Douglas
Seal Cove, Maine

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SealCove,

I'm completely over my scroll envy, also. I'm much more into the simple look of the MT. I will certainly take this tone over a scroll any time, and will have both someday like Douglas said.

Fred... how would you compare the tone of your Deluxe V to the MT?

Zeke,
I've never compared the sound to the MT, but when I played the MT in the music store against the MF and MF5 and even some Webers, it was clearly the winner. I was so tempted to buy it, but alas, my wallet was empty.

You could definitely tell it was cut from the same cloth as the Deluxe. Just not as shiny. =^)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: fredfrank,

Ah... i see, Fred. I had it in my mind you owned both. Wow... that is amazing tho, that my MT just might sound as good as an MF5 Just the fact that that's possible makes me smile, heheheh.

If you ever get tired of looking at that ugly old MF5 V let me know and i might trade ya!

OK, Zeke. Don't hold yer breath, though.

Ohhhhhhhhh...... It hurts SO good!!
That is truly stunning, Fred... great pic.
I'm off to look for a rag now... to wipe up all the drool on my keyboard.....

I just came back to Sweden with my new MT. It has black gloss top with a tiny white binding to offset the tortoise binding, gloss peghead, and sligthly wider nut. Simple but elegant!
I spent a day at Mandolin Brothers comparing it side to side with a number of great mandos including Flatirons, Webers, Phoenix, Gibsons (old and new) and the only ones that in my hands sounded as good were the rest of the Collings family (maybe with the exception of a Phoenix Ultra and that was a bit steep for me!)

I actually came for a budget mandolin and was going for a Mid-Mo (which are excellent instruments considering the price), but after trying this black face beauty I just had to brake my budget!

I wondering what it will sound like when it's broken in?

Mattias

I'll try to post a picture soon.

Can't wait to see the pics, Mattias... sounds really nice. They just get better and better with age and playing. Mine gets played alot and sounds better all the time which is stunning given how great it sounded from the start! I just came home from several days at a festival and had several comments on it. It just really puts it out there

Zeek and others, here are some pics of my new MT:

More pics of my new MT. I'm not the best photographer!

Mattias