I really love my Collings mandolin. Bought it here from a nice fellow named Mike C. and have been playing it daily since. I’d always wanted to add a finger rest to it to keep my fingers from eventually digging a hole in the top. Thought about building one myself and about buying one from another source but finally decided I wanted one from the Collings factory. I have to admit, I was worried when the folks at Collings told me it was going to take two weeks to install. I couldn't imagine being without my mando for that long. Took me the last 1/2 year to get past that stumbling block……but, I’m glad I did. The folks at Collings were very helpful. They told me it would take ~2 weeks. Couldn’t promise it any sooner but suggested that it probably wouldn’t take that long. I dropped it by at lunchtime on Monday and Alex called me late Tuesday afternoon to tell me it was ready. I picked it up first thing Wednesday and I’m very pleased with the results. In addition to the great pickguard it had new strings on it and the black top was all buffed and shiny. Alex had also milled the frets so they looked brand new. Now that’s service. Just thought I’d share ….
How much money was everything? They must have charged you for the fretwork, even if they did'nt charge for the buffing? Enquiring minds wanna know!...Kerry K
"You know you have a problem when the box you put your guitar in, costs more than the box you'll eventually put yourself in."
Posts: 2210 | Location: Prince George British Columbia | Registered: November 04, 2008
Originally posted by MandoCycle: Kerry, They charge $150 for fabricating and installing the pickguard. They did not charge me any extra for milling the frets or buffing out.
I think you got lucky (or I was less lucky): When I sent back my MF5 last year for a pick-guard, it came back in exactly the same state it left me, sticking gears an' all! I was actually very surprised that it hadn't even been looked over - something I'm used to whenever I submit an instrument to a luthier (could have used a fret dressing, too). Still - I'm glad I finally coughed up the scratch for the pickguard, 'though the UPS shipping cost almost as much as the job!
Posts: 4 | Location: SoCal | Registered: May 28, 2009
The MF pickguard is nice, much better than the average slab 'o plastic that many manufacturers use. I sent my MT-1 in 5 weeks ago for a pickguard and a neck refinish. I've been patiently waiting. So far I have not bugged them, although I may inquire soon as to its status.
Posts: 468 | Location: Massachusetts | Registered: August 12, 2005
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