quote:

Originally posted by Alberta Guy:
...is it worth paying a few hundred bucks extra for the Collings to learn on?

yes. you may get discouraged otherwise. i think it's important to have a good mandolin to start. more important than learning to play guitar with a good guitar.

I bought an MT as my first mandolin, and I love it. I've had it a year, and it just gets better every day. The only mandolin I've come across during the year I've owned it to inspire true MAS is an Ellis F-style a friend bought last week.

Frankly, when I bought the MT I had no real idea what I would really want in a mando. I just knew and trusted Collings. I've come to appreciate it much more as my playing progresses and as I've had the opportunity to play other instruments. If I'd gone with a typical "beginners" instrument, I doubt I would have fallen in love with the mandolin to the degree I have.

Alberta Guy,

Take it from me, it is definately worth it; I say that because I went the cheap route with my first mandolin, and it was frustrating, and I quit twice to return focus on the guitar. I have since upgraded, and!, also have a custom MF on the way as a roomate to a D2HA.

Starting out with Colling's excellent action and playability, as well as the high volume and response to the pick, will all help to keep you from forming bad habits that are both hard to break and can slow down your progress. Your technique will be more dynamic; besides, it is simply more inspiring to play a nicer mandolin. And hey, you'll be better looking.

Thanks Guys...not much that I didn't expect. I just bought a D1A so the mando may have to wait a month or two. However if I tell my wife it'll make me better looking....

quote:

Originally posted by Alberta Guy:
is it worth paying a few hundred bucks extra for the Collings to learn on?

Yes.


This is my wife's christmas present. I am looking at Poe or Pomeroy.

I actually like the 2-points.

how 'bout this one?

I love to play the mandolin and mandola, however I sold my Collings MT2 because I just couldn't get use to the 1 1/8" nut, instead opted to just play my Breedlove Cascade which is 1 3/16". Lately, I've tried to divide up my practice time to 25% mandolin vs the rest of the time on guitar. I know that Collings makes a wide nut MT2, but now I've found me a builder, Bob Schneider who is going to build me a varnish F4. These are sweet looking and I've played one to know that he builds a fine instrument. I'm hoping for the best since I won't know until mine is done sometime in April 08.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kenny B.,

kenny, i divide my practice time in days, alternating one day guitar, one day mandolin.

mary,

For What Its Worth (FWIW):
i began by learning enough mandolin to play in a band as a sideline from playing electric back in 2000. then I kept getting calls to play in church on mandolin, so I sometimes would end up bringing 3-4 instruments for a 1/2 hour service, changing between songs from banjo, to mandolin, to acoustic, to electric.

Then I started playing in a band that had a CD out and it was all on mandolin, my chops improved... but recently I took my first lesson. The whole hour was spent getting me to hold the pick properly. After the lesson, I decided this is a better way to play mandolin. Last Sunday I played in church again, 1 hour worship all on mandolin. I probably reverted to playing the old way for about 95% of the time. It is really difficult to change something like that... but I'm trying.

marymary: that black mandolin is really cool. who makes it? (it's a little hard to read.) that slightly diabolical look will be a good contrast to the blonde MT you've ordered. we hope to see pics of that one when it arrives for the holidays.

peter, the black "Stealth" is made by Hans Brentrup (my fave mando builder). i love my black MT, but this mando will rattle your teeth right out of your mouth. People say, "hey, Batman lost his mandolin." Then they play it. No more laughing after that.

alas, the blonde MT that was almost done a few weeks back had a blem in the wood during the last phase of finishing and has ended up sunbursted. the good news is the sunset burst MF i ordered a few months back is almost done...............i spoke to alex and so as not to break the bank the MT (the very last blonde MT to come out of Austin) will be delivered early next year.

sigh...............

Like Mary, I am a big fan of Hans Brentrup's mandolins. My Collings and Brentrup are both wonderful instruments but certainly have a different character. Lawrence Smart is my next big catch (coming soon). Chuck