I have a 2005 Collings Nugget Tim O'Brien model on approval for a few days. It's a fine instrument, though it needs a bit of waking up. I was "first on the waiting list" for one of these at my local dealer, but they never got one, so plan B happened.

Actually, this TO'B is not so different from my MT2s. The neck is a bit chunkier, a matte finish, and it has a 1 piece back, but that's almost all the visible difference. Odd that a top end instrument has the matte - my MT2 is ahead on style points. Tonewise, also very similar, though a bit more resonsnce at low volumes, perhaps more sustain on the open strings and slightly deeper tone up the neck.

According to the folks in Austin, the current total output of TO'Bs is 33; this is #24, and I understand that only 3 were made last year. I never bought an Eric Clapton model Martin, and the celebrity aspect of this isn't a plus, but this is as close as I'll get to owning a Nugget, so I'll rationalize this as an investment grade mandolin if it stays. I think there's more in this T'OB that has yet to surface, and hopefully I get get it to come out in 2 days.

I'll put some fresh J74's on it, play the heck out of it for the rest of the weekend, and post again.

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

Congrats, I would love to try a TO mandolin (and a Nugget, for that matter), but have never been so fortunate. Enjoy it! Chuck

and now one on evil-bay

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nugget-Collings-Tim-OBrien-Mandolin...QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

you know, i have not seen specs on what the top is made of (some assume adi, but tim's nugget is engelmann from what i have heard).

Timing is everything...

Having played this wonderful mandolin for 2 days and A-B'd it in front of my bandmates, spouse, and myself as audience, I just don't hear enough difference from my 2007 MT2. Its a great mandolin, but not twice as great, if you understand. Others may hear differently. It's headed back. PM me if you want to know where.