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Thread: Collings mt-1 and mt-2 serial numbers

  1. #1
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    I just picked up an used but like new Collings MT-2 from Grhun’s. It looks and sounds like it’s never been played. It’s an early one, s/n 202 and has the Gibson style tailpiece rather than the Collings tailpiece. According to Alex at Collings it was shipped 8/21/2002.

    What I’m wondering is were the serial numbers for the MT-2’s assigned in the same sequence with the original MT-1’s or did they start over with number 1 for the MT-2s?

    I know this is trivia but we love this kind of stuff, right?

    Thanks.

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    Oops! I double checked the label and the s/n is actually 209 not 202.

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    Registered User Russ Jordan's Avatar
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    Maybe folks can post their serial numbers and #corresponding year. #I have MT2 #252, which Alex says was shipped in June 2003. #Mine still had the old style tailpiece when I got it, but I have replaced it with the new one. #Anybody know when they started using the new tailpiece?

    Lavonne, did you get the blond MT2 that had been at Gruhn's for a while? It looked great in the photos.



    Russ Jordan

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    Yes it’s the blond MT-2 from Gruhn’s. This was my first purchase from them and I was very impressed with the service. The mandolin is a real beauty but I can tell it hasn’t been played very much. It sounds great but it will have to open up a bit before it can rival my MF.

    Russ, I’m curious to know your thoughts on replacing the tailpiece with the newer style. Did the holes and profile line up ore did you have to drill? And most importantly how did the sounds change?

    Thanks.

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    The holes lined up fine for the tailpiece swap out. I may have had to ream out the endpin hole a little bit. My MT2 was well played in and sounded great when I got it. I don't think there was a significant change in sound.
    Russ Jordan

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    Registered User Douglas McMullin's Avatar
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    I have an MT purchased new in September of 2005. It is #647.

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    I have MT1 #63 dated Jan. 2001.

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    My MT-2 is #155 and is from April 2002.
    1914 Gibson A-4
    2002 Collings MT-2
    2004 Brentrup L-21V
    2008 A.L. Smart A-5

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    MT-2 #496. 2005

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    I have a MT purchased new in December of 2005. It is #999.

    My apologies to the forum, I had originally typed 2006 when I meant to post 2005. Just out of habit I suppose.

    I have corrected the mistake.




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    Well, this is kind of interesting...

    I just bought an MT (my first real mandolin). I was told it was used, though it sure doesn't look it. Anyways, I picked it up a week ago, and it is number 1085. How many are they building each month? Mine does have the gloss top, does that impact the numbering somehow?

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    Registered User clem's Avatar
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    Well, just to add to the fun...or confusion, my MT2V is serial # 1019 and was finished in February '06.

    Clem

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    There was a discussion on this subject at the Collings mandolin forum @
    Collings Mandolin Forum

    I have MT #690 which I'm pretty sure was made in 2004.

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    MT2 #82, 2001.


    From a previous post, in Jan 2001 they were at #63 for the MT-1. In the Collings thread from above it states that they were just getting the mandolins started in 2001 and they weren't making all that many mandolins. In 2002 they produced something like 70 MT-2s once they started really getting down the production... so I would guess that they continued with the same #'s but changed the model number sometime in 2001. I bet MT1 #63 was pretty near the end of the MT1s. I'm not sure what mandolin production is like now at Collings but I know early on with the MT1 and the MT2 that Bill Collings was pretty much builing each mandolin. I probably couldn't afford to hire Bill Collings to custom build me a mandolin so these early Collings are a steal in my opinion.




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    Thanks Nolan. That’s exactly the kind of information I was looking for. The label on my MT-2 is signed by Bill. My April 2004 MF is not signed. Both mando's are just wonderful.

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    I also think #63 was close to the end of the MT1 line. It has a Red Spruce top and a full gloss finish. I had an earlier MT1 with an Englemann top and a # in the teens ( if I remember correctly). Both fine mandos. I really haven't lusted for another mandolin since I got #63.
    MC.

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    I think it's cool that an average guy can buy a mandolin made by Bill Collings and not spend $20k. #
    He was one of the luthiers Scott Chinery hired for the blue guitar project thingy.... there's some heavy hitters in that group liker Monteleone, Zeidler, Benedetto, Gibson Custom shop, Triggs, etc.

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    I have a black top, blonde back and sides MT-2, #1043 that I bought used in November 2006. I believe it actually left the factory in early September. Kenc
    Cartwright's Music & Repair Shop
    "I repair what others sell"
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    Here’s some info I’ve gathered up from the Collings site and this one.


    MT1
    #33 2000 MT1 Jan #

    #63 2001 MT1 Jan

    * Collings only made 21 MT-1's with Adirondack tops then they introduced the MT-2 (according to a post on the Collings site) #I’ve heard the rest of the MT-1’s were Engleman. #Anyone know for sure?


    MT2

    #82 # 2001 MT2g Sept

    #125 #2002 MT2r Mar #
    #155 #2002 MT2 #April
    #167 #?? # #MT2h ?? #
    #186 #?? # #MT2h ?? #
    #209 #2002 MT2 #Oct

    #252 #2003 MT2 #June

    #496 #2005 MT-2 # #
    # # # #
    #1019 2006 MT2V Feb #
    #1043 2006#MT2 #Sept


    MT
    #525 2004 #MT #Aug # #
    #647 2005 #MT #Sept
    #690 2004? MT #
    #999 2005 #MT #Dec. #


    Production info:
    2003 244 Mandolins (97 A’s, 147 F’s)
    2004 558 Mandolins (185 A’s, 373 F’s)
    2005 407 Mandolins (162 A’s, 245 F’s)




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    Just some clarification, I received confirmation from Alex that my MT-2 # 209 was shipped 10/22/2002. The August date was for #202. Gruhn’s had originally told me the s/n was 2002 thus the confusion.

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    Quote Originally Posted by (LaVonne @ Dec. 30 2006, 14:24)
    What I’m wondering is were the serial numbers for the MT-2’s assigned in the same sequence with the original MT-1’s or did they start over with number 1 for the MT-2s?

    I know this is trivia but we love this kind of stuff, right?

    Thanks.
    So, back to the original post...looking above at the numbers for 2001 and based on the amount of mandolins Collings was making in 2001 I would say again that they just changed the model to MT2 and didn't start back at #1 again.

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    Quote Originally Posted by (Nolan @ Jan. 04 2007, 12:49)
    Here’s some info I’ve gathered up from the Collings site and this one.


    MT1
    #33 2000 MT1 Jan

    #63 2001 MT1 Jan

    * Collings only made 21 MT-1's with Adirondack tops then they introduced the MT-2 (according to a post on the Collings site) I’ve heard the rest of the MT-1’s were Engleman. Anyone know for sure?


    MT2

    #82 2001 MT2g Sept

    #125 2002 MT2r Mar
    #155 2002 MT2 April
    #167 ?? MT2h ??
    #186 ?? MT2h ??
    #209 2002 MT2 Oct

    #252 2003 MT2 June

    #496 2005 MT-2

    #1019 2006 MT2V Feb
    #1043 2006 MT2 Sept


    MT
    #525 2004 MT Aug
    #647 2005 MT Sept
    #690 2004? MT
    #999 2006 MT Dec.


    Production info:
    2003 244 Mandolins (97 A’s, 147 F’s)
    2004 558 Mandolins (185 A’s, 373 F’s)
    2005 407 Mandolins (162 A’s, 245 F’s)
    Hi Nolan, I made a mistake when I listed the year that I purchased my MT #999. Out of habit I typed December 2006 when I meant to say December 2005.

    You may want to edit your list. Sorry for steering you wrong.

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    Thanks mandopoet, I updated it. #

    Looking at some of the dates and #'s of the MTs.... something isn't quite right. #I wonder if some of the other folks stated the year they bought their MT not the year of origin? #Oh well.

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    My MT1 #63 has 01/01 written on the label.
    I assume 01-01 is the date of origin but it had to be a few days (weeks?) before it showed up in the store.

    It is also signed by Bill Collings.

    I've also had a few Collings guitars that were dated and signed by Bill.

    Are the new mandos and guitars not dated on the label?
    Does Bill still sign every instrument?

    M.C.

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    I have a new Collings OM1AC and a new C10 (my retirement gift to myself) and neither one is signed or dated.

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