LtlRchrd - Posted - 01/02/2012:  13:26:24

If you were buying a new Mandolin which of these two would be a better choice? Pros and Cons of each.

Ben Venuti - Posted - 01/02/2012:  18:10:47

I have been floored by some of the top of the line Collings, not so much by Gibson. Once up to that cost level though there may be something else that I would rather have over either of those -maybe an Ellis or a Duff,a Lawrence Smart --a Red Diamond. I played a Dudenbostle A that beat every F model that I have ever seen and might be available in that price range. Lots of good choices if you have a fat wallet!

JaMando - Posted - 01/03/2012:  12:49:56

I personally played a Gibson F5G for about 4 yrs. I sold it and bought a Collings MF5. At the time the Collings was by far the superior instrument. I still own the Collings but I haven't played it in about year. My main instrument since then is an Aleyas LF5 #6. I agree with Ben. When you start getting into the upper price ranges there are a lot of great handmade mandolins being built.

ccravens - Posted - 01/04/2012:  06:15:48

If you have to buy over the internet, without being able to play each, I would go with the Collings. Their workmanship and tone are consistent on all instruments that they build. I haven't found Gibson, depending on the year/years, to be as consistent.

If you can play both, do and decide for yourself. 

pickn pete - Posted - 01/12/2012:  02:16:15

Ellis A-5

f5mando - Posted - 02/11/2012:  21:09:21

I've owned both, but still have the MF5. Was my main axe for about five years. A question to the OP:

The F5G of Gibson would be of similar trim to Collings' MF Gloss top. The price difference between the MF5 and F5G makes me wonder about the comparison of these two as contenders for your purchase dollars.

If I were buying today I'd grab a Northfield Workshop F5. 

Edited by - f5mando on 02/11/2012 21:17:25

TI_USER - Posted - 02/13/2012:  12:24:47

If I was buying and wasn't able to hear either, I would go with the Collings.  Fantastic instruments.

JMalmsteen - Posted - 03/18/2012:  18:25:26

Gibson, but this is a personal choice. I have tried Collings but I just don't like them. You really need to play them both and see which one you like.

billruns - Posted - 10/04/2012:  13:44:28

I am looking for a new (or good used) mandolin and have narrowed my search to the following:

Gibson F-5G, Collings MFG, Weber Yellowstone.  They are all within a couple of hundred dollars of each other.  They are on the internet at a music store, so I can't play any of them.  Thanks for the suggestion on the Collings.  Any advice?

f5mando - Posted - 10/04/2012:  17:19:58

Go with the Collings. They are consistently flawless on workmanship, and nothing less than 100% doesn't get out of the factory.
I cannot say the same for the others. You could get lucky, but you won't get unlucky with the Collings!
Bon Chance!

billruns - Posted - 10/05/2012:  05:05:04

billruns - Posted - 10/05/2012:  05:05:27

Thanks for the good advice!

Muscle Tone - Posted - 01/27/2014:  07:03:28

I'm pretty sure I'm resurrecting a old thread, but I just recently acquired a Collings MT and it is hands down the best high-end A-model I've played. I've also played an MF-5, an MT-2 and an MF. Every single one of these mandolins sounded great in every way and they have extremely good consistency in comparison to other mandolins I've played.

ErikForGod - Posted - 01/27/2014:  09:45:09

Never played any of the Collings so I don't know...Gibsons are great but obviously expensive

Loarcutus - Posted - 01/31/2014:  12:46:26

Based on the 3 Collings MF mandolins I have played (MF, MF5, MF5V) I would say that the MF best approximated a good Gibson F5G or Nashville Flatiron Festival F (same mando).

The MF5 was like a Gibson MM; believe it or not, the MF5V was very similar to the MF.



Goes to show they're all individually different...

Edited by - Loarcutus on 01/31/2014 12:47:06