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Thread: Custom Collings MF-5

  1. #1

    Default Custom Collings MF-5

    I just picked up my custom Collings MF-5. 1 3/16" nut, nickel hardware, black tuner buttons, engelmann top, tobacco burst, tortoise binding, and a focus on a bassy dark tone. Definitely has that low growl which seems to be missing from the standard MF-5s yet still rings sharp on the high strings. Anyway, here are the pics:






  2. #2
    Registered User Kevin K's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Collings MF-5

    Very,very nice
    "Can I have a little more talent in the monitors please?"

  3. #3
    Registered User robert.najlis's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Collings MF-5

    That's interesting, I didn't know you could custom order from Collings with a focus on a certain tone...

  4. #4
    Registered User Jill McAuley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Collings MF-5

    Congratulations on a lovely looking mandolin there - love the tortoise binding!

    Cheers,
    Jill
    2018 Girouard Concert oval A
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  5. #5
    acoustically inert F-2 Dave's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Collings MF-5

    That's a beautiful mandolin. You are a lucky man. I love the headstock shot.
    "Mongo only pawn in game of life." --- Mongo

  6. #6
    formerly OldDirtyTurtle Jason Kindall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Collings MF-5

    Wow. That's pretty stunning. I'd love to hear it!

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Custom Collings MF-5

    Wow. Astounding. So how is it different from a standard MF-5, other than the appointments?

  8. #8

    Default Re: Custom Collings MF-5

    Thanks, everyone!

    Quote Originally Posted by robert.najlis View Post
    That's interesting, I didn't know you could custom order from Collings with a focus on a certain tone...
    The folks at the Music Emporium in Lexington, MA mentioned that an early batch of MF-5s that came to the shop were built specifically with a deeper low end tone. When placing my order with Collings, they referred to this batch and asked if they'd be able to aim for that specific tone (Collings even suggested the Engelmann top to hit that target tone). Now, I'm not sure if this is standard practice for Collings or if they just have a great relationship with the guys at the Music Emporium, but it does seem that they can at least customize tone by referring to a previous build.

  9. #9

    Default Re: Custom Collings MF-5

    Quote Originally Posted by barrangatan View Post
    Wow. Astounding. So how is it different from a standard MF-5, other than the appointments?
    Aside from the tone mentioned above, it's really just the appointments (neck width, hardware, binding and pegheads), and color (more of a flat tobacco burst with less red/orange/yellow than their standard...although you can't really tell from the photos).

  10. #10
    man about town Markus's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Collings MF-5

    That is one beautiful mandolin, the inlay is nicely understated letting the wood itself shine.

    If it plays anything like the last new Collings I've played, it's a dream. Makes me grin just thinking about it.

    Have fun with it, would love to hear updates about what you think.

  11. #11
    Registered User red7flag's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Collings MF-5

    Would love to hear a sound bit from that beauty, if you can post one. I all works together very well and so tasteful.
    Tony Huber
    1930 Martin Style C #14783
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  12. #12
    Registered User Austin Koerner's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Collings MF-5

    I wish they would use that color for all the MF5s.

  13. #13
    bird and mando geek Rob Fowler's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Collings MF-5

    Wow I'm sure you are fully enjoying that beautiful and unique instrument!

  14. #14
    acoustically inert F-2 Dave's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Collings MF-5

    I'm sure Collings has done enough research (trial and error, etc) to know what works for them. But I have to agree, that's a beautiful color scheme. It works for me.
    "Mongo only pawn in game of life." --- Mongo

  15. #15
    Registered User Bill Snyder's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Collings MF-5

    Very nice.
    Bill Snyder

  16. #16
    Registered User Randi Gormley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Collings MF-5

    Beautiful instrument.
    --------------------------------
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  17. #17
    the little guy DerTiefster's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Collings MF-5

    That color scheme is just about what is on my Breedlove KO from about 1997. I think it's beautiful on my mandolin and on the Collings. I suspect the mandolins sound different enough that you'd be able to tell in the dark. I enjoy the sound of the Breedlove, and don't know exactly what the Collings sounds like. This pre-production KF style mandolin (pics have been up for 1-2 yrs I know of, so I suspect they'll be available for a while more) looks almost just like my very early production KO:
    http://www.imagineguitars.com/archiv...007/index.html
    My purpose in posting this is to show what a similar color scheme to the Collings above can look like on another mandolin. I -do- approve of the Collings. I think it's beautiful.
    You live and you learn (if you're awake)
    ... but some folks get by just making stuff up.

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  18. #18
    Ursus Mandolinus Fretbear's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Collings MF-5

    You seem quite calm for a guy whose new mandolin is on fire......
    But Amsterdam was always good for grieving
    And London never fails to leave me blue
    And Paris never was my kinda town
    So I walked around with the Ft. Worth Blues

  19. #19
    Registered User Andy Fielding's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Collings MF-5

    Gorgeous. However, I think anyone who starts a thread about their newly-acquired dream instrument (well, it's still a dream for most of us) should be required to post some soundfiles or a video, too. After all, while mandolins can be awfully pretty, it's how they sound that's most important, and how we can take advantage of all that musical potential that's suddenly in our laps. (Well, okay, your lap---I'm still waiting for a Collings to land in mine.)

  20. #20

    Default Re: Custom Collings MF-5

    Quote Originally Posted by Andy Fielding View Post
    Gorgeous. However, I think anyone who starts a thread about their newly-acquired dream instrument (well, it's still a dream for most of us) should be required to post some soundfiles or a video, too. After all, while mandolins can be awfully pretty, it's how they sound that's most important, and how we can take advantage of all that musical potential that's suddenly in our laps. (Well, okay, your lap---I'm still waiting for a Collings to land in mine.)
    Although it's the "Post a picture of your mandolin" category, I agree 100%! The mandolin just happened to arrive the same week as we moved into our first house and when my sister had her first baby, so things have been a little hectic around here. I do hate to disappoint though, so I quickly recorded a lil' something I've been working on. I'll try and grab something that shows off its low end when I get a moment. ...and be kind regarding my playing -- i'm still new.


  21. #21
    Registered User Andy Fielding's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Collings MF-5

    Wow, Mike, you're an efficient guy. I nag about a video, and the next day you have one up! (If only I could find managers like you...)

    Anyway, that's one great sounding mando. We all knew it'd be, of course, but it's sure fun to hear it. Thanks a lot. Cheers, Andy

  22. #22

    Default Re: Custom Collings MF-5



    My fiery MF5

  23. #23
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    Default Re: Custom Collings MF-5

    Very nice. Thanks for the YouTube
    Pastor Ed

    "let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation" Psalm 95:1b

  24. #24

    Default Re: Custom Collings MF-5

    Grats!
    Ellis F5 Deluxe #130
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  25. #25
    Registered User Jill McAuley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Custom Collings MF-5

    Great sounding mandolin there Mike - you're a lucky man!

    Cheers,
    Jill
    2018 Girouard Concert oval A
    2015 JP "Whitechapel" tenor banjo
    2018 Frank Tate tenor guitar
    1969 Martin 00-18




    my Youtube channel

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