It’s hard to overstate the impact Bill Collings had on the modern boutique guitar world. What started in a Houston apartment turned into one of the most respected names in small-shop luthiery, thanks to his obsession with detail and consistency. By the early 2000s, Collings was building acoustics, electrics, and mandolin-family instruments that could hang with the best vintage instruments, and are often used as people’s “workhorse” substitute for their $100,000 30’s Martins and such. Though Bill has since left us, Collings’ output has remained maybe the most consistent of any builder in the U.S.

The MT Mandola is technically their entry-level model, but “entry-level” doesn’t mean much coming from Collings. This one’s built with the same carved Adirondack spruce top and carved maple back and sides as their high-end models, and this particular example has a few tasteful upgrades: a gloss top finish and ivoroid top binding, normally found on the fancier MT2.

The 15.9" scale length keeps the feel close to a mandolin, but the low C string opens up a deeper register. A rounded V neck profile, 1 5/16" nut, 1 11/16" string spacing, and a 7"–15" compound radius fingerboard all make for a comfortable and responsive playing experience.

If you’re after a clean, well-voiced A-style mandola with just enough trim to feel dressed up, but without crossing into heirloom price territory, this one hits the mark and then some.

Visually this instrument has a little bit of wear, expected after nearly 8 years of gigging. This mandola is set up great, and plays even better.

Comes with the original Collings hard shell case.