I have an MT Gloss Top but MAS is starting to rear it's ugly head and I'm thinking of upgrading to an F style mando. Just curious, how many of you also have/had a mandolin (A of F) made by an independent builder and what your thoughts were comparing their mando to a Collings especially regarding tone, fit and finish. I just started researching this and I can't believe the number of builders there are out there. Thanks!

I'm probably not typical, but here's the relevant part of my experience: Started with a Breedlove KO, with a funny F-like appendage. Didn't play it much, guess it wasn't time for the mandolin for me. Then an old Gibson A, a Breedlove Columbia, then an old Gibson F2, then, since I truly had the F jones, a second mandolin, a Collings MF5, which I actually didn't feel was as special as the F2. Sold the MF5, bought a Sobell OM, then sold the F2 and bought a Collings MT2, then ordered an MT2 with a wide neck. So I currently have one MT2, a couple of less expensive older mandolins for places I wouldn't take the Collings, and a mandola, guitar and banjo. The other MT2 is on loan to a friend I think will buy it when he has the $$. I'm probably all set.

Why all the switching? Coming from guitar, the wider neck in the Breedlove was attractive but I didn't like the look or the sound, and even though I liked the F shape in the F2 and the MF5, it didn't seem worth the additional $$. Maybe my hearing is off, but I could not hear much difference between any of the 3 Collings mandolins I've owned. So when Collings offered a wide neck, that was all it took. My next mandolin will be a...Vega Whyte Lady banjo!

I've held and played probably 30 other builders/ mandolins. Fit and finish wise, I've never seen any mandolin that is as consistent and perfect as Collings. I believe that Collings sets the standard for the industry.

Hope this helps.

I own a Stephan Passernig F5 that I think holds it own with Collings. Stephan worked at Collings for 5 years. His instruments are available new through Smoky Mountain Guitars. The prices have been increasing (they sell as quickly as they come in), and are currently at $4250. Stephan uses an oil varnish finish, with shellac on the neck. Mine has wonderful tone and is a plaeasue to play. You can see photos of my Passernig at
http://community.webshots.com/user/a5mando

Mine is #25. The newer Passernigs have a fancier headstock inlay.

As you pointed out, there are many great independent mando builders. I have had a Collings MT and was keen for a F style lefty varnish mandolin. At that time (2002-3) Collings wasn't doing varnish mandolins, so by a round about way I ended up with a Heiden F. Michael has been building for more than 20 years. It's everything I would ever want in a mandolin. My mandolin is #82 and his first lefty. It is shown in his gallery: [URL=www.heideninstruments.com]heiden mandolins. John Reischman also has a Heiden besides his Loar....but then again he has a magic right hand/
I've been totally happy with all 3 of my Collings guitars, so if I were back at square one I would certainly consider an MF5V Deluxe. I have at least 4 friends who have MF5's and they are all great sounding mandolins.

i first bought an MT in 2004. i don't know why, but i thought i needed to add a gibson F2 to the collection (MAS strikes!). i hated the neck on the gibson, and traded it for an andersen oval hole mandola. MAS struck again last summer. i bought a varnished MT-2 (featured at the NAMM show), and it's all i play now. MAS is cured. i sold the MT on consignment in four days just recently. all the collings mandolins are excellent. i don't think anyone else comes close... not in this price range.

A5Mando - I had called that shop with questions about a Silver Angel Mando and they raved about the Passernig! They told me that he was responsible for getting Bill to do an A mandolin and used used to work at Collings. I'm curious to hear one. Do you have any sound clips you could post? I'll check out the pics as well. Thanks all for your response. I was at Mass St. Music yesterday comparing my MT Gloss top to their MF Gloss top. I can defineatley hear a difference but I wouldn't say one was better than the other... just different. MSM also said the top was sitka on the MF Gloss which I have never heard before. So I'm calling Collings tomorrow to find out. Thanks for all of your responses!

Check out Ellis mandos. Ellismandolins.com. Tom is making just one model, a varnish F5. He has two dealers currently. Fit and finish are incredible and the sound is out of this world. These mandos sell as fast as they are built and have wonderful deep bark with lots of volume and sustain. Three of the people building these mandos use to work at Collings. There is plenty of info on mandolin cafe and a recent Bluegrass Unlimited instrument issue.

Speaking of Ellis.....Buck White plays a great sounding Ellis on the CD Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza

It's sort of funny with me, my GAS seems to never end. Even with the little collection of guitars I have now.
But my MAS, not a problem at all.

I traded a H & D guitar I didn't like much for an MT gloss top last year. (about this time actually)
Last winter I traded it for a Collings MF gloss and I don't seem to have any problems with MAS at all. I picked the one I felt had the sound I was after out of several, including and MF 5 and at least one wide neck. Don't play it all the time, cause I really ain't no Mando player.
But when I do, that's it for me.

Some day I do hope to add an octave mando to the collection. Just cause I want to try one.

there's a review of tom ellis' mandolins in the spring 2006 issue of mandolin magazine. his F5 model is $10,500, but he plans on introducing a less ornate version for a few hundred less. when asked why he doesn't make an A-size, his reply was: buy a collings.
you may find that your MT gloss compares very well with ANY other mandolin, regardless of price.

I am interested in learning the mandolin and have found a Collings MT for sale nearby. This is likely a silly question but is it worth paying a few hundred bucks extra for the Collings to learn on?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Alberta Guy,

Yes....Always nice to have a great instrument to learn on.!