Hey there, folks!

I'm a newbie, and am glad to have found a forum just for Collings mandolins -- I have to wear a bib every time I get my hands on one, which isn't often enough. One of these days I'm going to pull the trigger.

In that vein, I just saw a custom blonde MT2V for sale. The very professional-looking picture showed a birdseye maple back with a striking yellow gold finish. The other Collings blondes I've seen were had more of a natural -- that is, almost unfinished -- look. It's really hard to tell from the pictures. It also seems like the blondes sell for a little less than their more traditional counterparts.

Comments?

Ed

for an f, i have to have the incredible collings burst, but for the mt's, that blond would indeed be tempting, especially birdseye. i see that dexter johnson at carmel music (where i bought my mf5Varn) has a nice birdseye mt2.

I agree; the blondes seem to fit much better into the A form. I've actually never been all that fond of the natural finish blondes, but the MT2V at 12th fret just seems special. Maybe it's the combination of birdseye maple and the amber-toned varnish.

Thanks for the response. The forum doesn't seem to have caught on. Time will tell.

Ed

FWIW, I prefer sunburst mandolins and "natural" guitars.

Agree with you re: this forum. Has someone let the folks on the co-mando list know that this exists? I know there are a lot of Collings owners on that list and they are mandolin fanatics.

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

My own opinion - which shouldn't influence your decision in the least - is that I don't care for blonde mandolins. Every once in a while I see one I like - but it's pretty rare. Some of the "pumpkin" tops can be attractive however.

About ten days ago I received an A style mandolin from Hans Brentrup. I was a little tired of sunbursts - so I ordered a solid. I told Hans to make it look like my 1967 mahogany D-18. A dark brown with gold highlights and darned if he didn't nail the color on the head with just my screwy description to go by. And it's pretty sweet sounding too. A "keeper" if I do say so myself.

Sounds pretty. Got pics?

Ed

As for blonde mandolins, I like 'em to be more of a honey or dark blonde. Both of my mandolins are sunburst, however.

When I ordered my D-1, Collings' tops are so pale white, I opted for a sunburst. My wife's D-2H has the darker top. Wish they'd go back to that.

ThatEdGuy,

Any possibility of you throwing up a picture of the blonde your talking about? It sounds like something I've never seen before.

Ed - Thanks - no pics yet. I'm still trying to get photos of the stuff I need to sell. My Lowden 12 string - a Martin OM28V and a Weber Bridger mandolin. I'll get some pics eventually but I not sure the subtile colors will come through very well. We'll see.

quote:

Originally posted by rocknrollrjm:
ThatEdGuy,

Any possibility of you throwing up a picture of the blonde your talking about? It sounds like something I've never seen before.

Well, I was giong to post a link, but it looks like 12th Fret has sold her. Let's see if I can post this pic ....

Beautifull

Thanks

There's a great story about Jesse McReynolds talking backstage with Jethro Burns. Jesse had just gotten a new Stiver F in blond, and because non-sunburst mandolins usually have the highest grade woods, it had cost more than one w/o the sunburst.

So he was complaining about it, figuring that the added work to do a sunburst should make those more expensive when Jethro, in his lconic drawl, just said, "You know, Jesse, it's been my experience that blonds are always more expensive."

LOL

David McCarty