I just heard from Ed at Collings. My MT-1, with new pickguard and refinished neck, is coming home. It has been in the shop for about eight weeks, and although I have a very nice Rigel A+ Deluxe, I have missed the Collings. Its funny--a new pickguard and a refinished neck is not a big deal, but I am really looking forward to seeing and playing it. Plus, I believe that a trip back to its birthplace is a good thing for any older Collings (and this is almost ten years old). So, I get the fun of something new without the heavy price tag, and I got to support Collings with a little bit of cash. Once I receive it I'll post a picture. Dan

Dan,

That sounds great. Could a Collings mando be almost 10 years old already? Refresh our memory on what the MT1 is compared to an MT2.

The MT-1 that I have has an Englemann top (although some were red spruce). It is satin finished with all-over sunburst: front, back, sides, neck, and sides and back of headstock. The body is bound with ivoroid, black-white-black on the top and white on the back. The neck is fastened with what looks like one bolt. I'm pretty sure that the MT-1 evolved into the MT. It's an excellent sounding mandolin, but I don't know how it compares to MT's and MT-2's. Thanks for asking. Dan

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That's pretty unique. They couldn't have made too many of them. Mostly like the MT except for the bound back.

The MT1 sunburst is more like an old Gibson 'burst. Amber in the middle and pretty dark on the outside. It seems like a more labor-intensive 'burst than they do now on the typical MT. I may be wrong about that, though.

Dmargo, why did you have the neck refinished? When you get it back, could you post 'before and afters'?... Thanks...KK...

The finish chipped off of the neck in two places. Collings had seen that problem on a few early mandolins. The lacquer came off in dime-sized chips down to the white wood. I didn't take specific pix of the chipped areas, but I'll check my photos. Dan

Here are some pics of my "old" Collings MT1SB Mandolin, Serial Number 21. It has the overall gloss finish that the MT2's now have, ivoroid body binding, unbound neck and peghead.

Wow. It looks really nice. The 'burst is very similar to mine, but, of course, mine is satin. I guess at Collings they were figuring out what came to be the MT. Number 21 is glossy, #33 is satin. Both have what I call the "all over" sunburst (top, back, sides, neck, back of headstock), top and back ivoroid binding, and nicely figured woods. I wonder how many MT-1's they made. Mine will be home on Wednesday. Dan

Hey Dan. It's kind of cool to own one of these "trailblazers" of all the great Collings mandos that followed! I would love to see some pics of yours when you get it back if possible. I'm sure you're anxious to see it again!

Yep. Tomorrow's the day. It'll have a bound pickguard, which is a look that I love. Plus, I can stop chewing up the top with my little finger. I will post pix. Thanks for asking. Dan

So, my MT-1 is back. The ivoroid binding on the pickguard matches the ivoroid on the body perfectly. The neck refin is glossy and beautiful, and the ebony peghead overlay really glows. They installed a new nut, too. On the back of the neck, in addition to the finish chips there were some dark sploches and yellow wear spots that are now, of course, gone. The folks at Collings are the best!

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