I've been on kind of a Collings binge lately. Last week I got a used MT2v in trade. This week I could not stand to look at the pictures of the blacktop MT2 oval hole that arrived at Acoustic Music Works, so..........this morning it arrived via UPS. I opened it up. Took it out. First strum. Sounded like the church bells from the church around the corner.
I've owned a lot of oval hole A style mandos (including some snakeheads), but this is by far the most comfortable to play and the most toneful. The wide nut is great for open chording and this has the biggest bottom end that I have heard from a new instrument in ..........like never.
The adirondack top needs opening up of course, but after some playing this thing really sings. The trebles get fatter and the E string sings and the low notes are just soooooo fat. These mandos love to be played and as my MT2v exhibits if you play the dickens out of these they will return the effort in spades.
Obviously, this is not a bluegrass machine, but it is quite loud for an oval hole and is perfect for old time, celtic, jazz, and choro- at least to my ears. it has that signature Collings tone matched with the tubby sound of the Gibson's thrown in for good measure.
The neck is a very comfortable shape, the one piece back is gorgeous and the fit and finish, well, it's a Collings!
So, I have to say, I am pleasantly pleased and am looking forward to spending some time breaking this in.
now for all those looking for pics, I'll cheat and use Steve's
http://www.acousticmusicworks.com/MTO1675.html
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