Which one should I buy? The Ellis is a few hundred more.

It's a tough call. Can you play them both? That would be the easy way. How do you like the sound. How about the feel of the neck? They are in the same league. There are enough Collings around that you can find a used one if that is a consideration. I have heard on the inside track that Bill C and Tom E are occasionally competitors when it comes to obtaining fine woods. To me it's all about the tone. If I had to order, it would be like flipping a coin. I have a brace of great Collings dreads and the Austin boys have never failed this lefty. On the other hand I've heard a couple of really fine Ellis Fs. I don't think you can lose either way.

Ellis if it were my decision....

The Ellis might hold it's value a little better. Fabulous problem to have though.

In this price range I would want to play them.

i've seen quite a few, 3 or 4, brand newish mt2 varnishes on the used market at $3000. can't go wrong at this price. i played the Ellis A5 at Fiddler's Green(cuz i want one,maybe). pretty hard to convince myself that the ellis is $2000 better. it is nice, and it is a different sound. i think you cannot compare which is better. the better questions would be,
"what is the sound i'm looking for?"

Hey pjkle4 - Have you played them? Any thoughts on how they are alike or different tonally? I have an Ellis F5 and a Collings MT which are very different animals. I'd imagine an MT2 and Ellis A5 would be much more comparable, however. True?

houston picker, i know this wasn't addressed to me, but....i have played both. Ellis a5 and mt2 varnish or not, are not comparable. Ellis seems warm, and cozy, and woody, and vintage. collings seems modern, clear and clean, precise, loud. ellis' varnish finish isn't as high gloss as collings, it's looks more like an old vintage insrument. just some observations. both are fantastic a style mandos. just depends on what appeals to you...

I have an Ellis F5 and owned an MF5 and mandolishane nailed it fairly accurately.

quote:

Originally posted by mtucker:
I have an Ellis F5 and owned an MF5 and mandolishane nailed it fairly accurately.

Thanks. That's a pretty good description of my Ellis F5 as well, but I haven't had the pleasure of checking out an A5.

The Collings is probably what I'll end up with.
I live in Illinois so an Ellis will be hard to find to play. I'll probably buy used also.
I like the tone Dempsey Young had. I know he played a Hutto.Any way thanks for the help.

Here's a new one for sale at Carmel Music. They get used ones from time to time.

http://www.carmelmusic.com/sto.../Ellis_A5_155_FB.jpg