2010 Collings MTO Gloss Top Mandolin Used

We’re big fans of oval-hole mandolins here at Gryphon and one of our favorites is the MTO from Collings. This mandolin takes the classic A-style oval-hole mandolin and updates it in some important ways. It still has the smoother, rounder, more bubbly tone we all know and love but the fingerboard has a radius and slightly wider 1 3/16″ width nut making it easier to play. Collings has also subtly changed the body shape so that compared to vintage A style mandolins, the neck has more frets clear of the body which gives your left hand more room.

Another difference which you can’t see is that the top of the oval-soundhole Collings is X-braced, while the old Gibson has a single horizontal brace just below its soundhole. The thinner X-braced soundboard, with a larger vibrating surface, delivers a lot more volume and a bigger, more open tone. We still love those vintage Gibsons, but the new versions of the old style deliver the characteristic sweet tone with volume to spare. This 2010 MTO has the optional glass top. It has been played, so there’s some light fret wear, and a few small nicks to the finish on the top and some very minor scuffs to the finish on the back. Includes the original hardshell case.