Sound Pure's Take

Condition: Used, Excellent

SP Luthier Notes: This instrument has been carefully inspected and, if necessary, serviced by our certified luthier to ensure it is in excellent playing condition.

The Collings MF is a masterfully crafted F-style mandolin that delivers exceptional clarity, projection, and refined tonal balance. Its Adirondack spruce top and flamed maple body produce a crisp, articulate voice with quick response and impressive headroom, perfect for both melodic leads and rhythmic drive. The rounded V neck profile and ebony fingerboard offer a comfortable, precise feel that invites confident playing across the board. Finished in a smooth satin nitrocellulose lacquer, it has an understated elegance that lets its craftsmanship shine. Responsive, dynamic, and beautifully built, this Collings MF is a standout performer and a smart investment for discerning players seeking premium mandolin tone!

From Collings Guitars

The MF is our satin finish F-model with simplified appointments. Featuring a fully-carved Adirondack spruce top and maple back and sides, the MF is built with the same quality construction as our fully-appointed models. These instruments produce the rich, woody tone that one would expect from a professional quality mandolin at a lower price point.

 

MF vs MF Deluxe vs MF5

 

While all three models share the same body shapes and dimensions, the MF is a fully-satin lacquer finish mandolin with simple appointments.  The MF Deluxe adds a glossy lacquer finish on the top and peghead veneer (satin back/sides/neck), ivoroid binding on the fingerboard and peghead, and an ivoroid-bound ebony pickguard.  The MF5 is a highly-appointed F-model, featuring an all-gloss lacquer finish on the body and neck, ivoroid binding on the top, back, fingerboard, and peghead, and our Flourish peghead inlay.

 

“O” models

 

The “O” mandolin designation indicates an oval hole design and voicing, which accentuates the bass and low mids, adding warmth and openness, while the f-hole models offer more cut and chop in comparison.

 

“V” Models

 

The “V” mandolin designation indicates an oil-based varnish finish in place of our standard nitrocellulose lacquer finish.  Our varnish process results in an ultra-thin finish that allows maximum resonance and responsiveness from the carefully selected and voiced tonewoods.

Construction: F-Style

Top Material: Adirondack Spruce

Back, Sides & Neck: Eastern Flamed Maple

Soundhole: F-Holes

Bracing: Tone Bars

Neck Profile: Rounded “V”

Neck Joint: Dovetail

Truss Rod: Fully Adjustable

Fingerboard Material: Ebony

Fingerboard Inlays: Mother of Pearl Dots

Fingerboard Radius: 5 1/2" – 11 5/8" Compound

Nut Width: 1 1/8"

String Spacing: 1 9/16"

Scale Length: 13 7/8"

Frets: Medium 18% Nickel-Silver

Bridge: Ebony with Adjustable Saddle

Tailpiece: Collings Original

Tuners: Nickel Gotoh with Black Buttons

Body Binding: Tortoise (Top)

Fingerboard Binding: None

Peghead Binding: None

Peghead Veneer: Ebony with Mother of Pearl Collings Logo

Pickguard: None

Finish: Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer

Pickups: Fishman Bridge, and a K&K Mandolin Twin. (Wired in stereo) 

Case: Deluxe Hardshell Case

Weight: 2lbs 7oz

Warranty

This item is sold without the Sound Pure 3-year warranty (used / B-stock / dealer-exempt). Coverage terms for items in this category live in Terms & Conditions, Section 27.

Returns

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Sound Pure Studios Control Room A — Durham, NC

Sound Pure Studios · Durham, NC

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