We’re big fans of oval-hole mandolins here at Gryphon and one of our favorites is the MF O from Collings. This mandolin takes the classic F-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. 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.
