The Collings MT Mandolin features an Engelmann spruce top and beautiful satin sunburst finish. This A Style mandolin is the entry point for Collings mandolins, and its lack of decoration doesn’t hide the quality of the instrument or the care with which it was built. The A Style mandolin appeared in the closing days of the 19th century as part of Orville Gibson’s revolutionary introduction of violin making principles to mandolin construction. The results were such a dramatic improvement that the centuries old European bowl-back design almost died out in short order. The Collings MT as stock – like many Collings instruments custom options are available – uses a carved Engelmann Spruce top paired with Eastern Flame Maple for the sides carved back and neck. The fingerboard and bridge are Ebony. Tuners are nickel plated Gotoh models with Ebony buttons, and the tailpiece is a Collings design. As usual for Collings, the finish is very, very good. The satin sheen over the sunburst helps bring out the flame figure on the carved back – it really looks good. It has a warm, smooth yet clear and crisp tone with a large dynamic range. While these instruments provide great tone at low volumes, they can get quite loud when driven. DETAILS: Construction: A-style Top: Engelmann spruce Back/Sides/Neck: Eastern flamed maple Soundhole: F-holes Body Binding: Tortoise (top) Fingerboard Binding: None Peghead Binding: None Bracing: Tone bars Bridge: Ebony w/ Adjustable Saddle Fingerboard: Ebony w/ MOP dots Nut: 1 1/8" String Spacing: 1 9/16" Neck Profile: Rounded V Neck Joint: Dovetail Frets: Medium 18% nickel-silver Truss Rod: Fully Adjustable Peghead Veneer: Ebony w/ MOP Collings logo Tuners: Nickel Gotoh w/ black buttons Scale Length: 13 7/8" Fingerboard Radius: 5 1/2" - 11 5/8" compound Body Finish: Satin nitrocellulose lacquer Pickguard: None Tailpiece: Collings original tailpiece Strings: D'Addario EJ74 (.011" - .040") Case: Deluxe hardshell case
