Looking for general opinions, impressions, and info on early serial number Collings mandolins vs. the latest ones.

Thanks

i had a pretty low number mt2.....it is long gone. i didn't even have it a year. the neck was small and pointy.

i have quite a few newer ones.....they're all staying put.

soundwise, the newer ones have more "depth" as far as the tone goes. i just love 'em....can't get enough of 'em.

i bought an mt (#392) in '04, and sold it after i bought a varnished mt-2v (#11..) in '06. the mt was a great mando (sold it in three days), but the mt-2v is otherworldly... and it cured the MAS. i agree with mm about the "depth".

I have an MT2H (back when they were still designating wood hardness), #152. I got it used in a trade from Buffalo Brothers several years ago, I don't remember exactly when. I'm not sure what to say about it other than the more I practice the better it sounds (imagine that!) I flipped it around to left handed. Just turned the bridge around, made a new nut, and away I went.

I have a MF5 that is number 77 and it is great good bark and even tone. It doesn't get played enough but when I do play it, I am always impressed.

Thanks guys. All good info.

MEP...I just bought MF5 #72.

I just bought MT2 #84 from another forumite. I hesitated a little bit because when you listen to the mando guys talk about all the data they collect and how they get better with each mando, it makes you think about a later vintage.

Having said that, I'm very pleased with my purchase. More tone than I know what to do with it. The neck does seem smaller than some later Collings mandolins I've played, but it has cured the cramping I was getting from my el cheapo Kentucky with the pencil thin neck.

--David

I've got MF-5 #88. It just flat out HONKS.

I got MF-5V #290
Real pretty birdseye one piece back. Sounds pretty good too.

David...I think you're right about the neck size. I have a new '09 MF and the neck seems to be a bit more beefy than the '03 MF5. Not much more but I can feel it.

I own MT1 sn-21. It differs from the current MT mandos in that it has a total gloss finish. Very sweet A model, Engelmann top, looks and sounds great. A pic for your viewing pleasure:

That's a nice looking one PTO.