Collings OM1A Vs Taylor 814CE Deluxe Comparison Video

Groberts · #1 07-20-2017, 09:36 PM

Collings OM1A Vs Taylor 814CE Deluxe Comparison Video -

Trying to decide if I can let this Collings OM1A go without forever regretting it. (Might be no getting around that)

Yes these guitars are apples and oranges. I know that.
Collings OM1A - Hog/ADI
Taylor 814CE Dlx - East Indian Rosewood/Sitka & Adi bracing / Larger body

I made this comparison video for a couple reasons.

1. I have two Collings OM's. The other Collings is an OM2H MRG (Madagascar RW/German Spruce top). It is currently having the frets dressed at my luthier so it wasn't available to throw into the mix. But I love it madly and it is a very special guitar ...and it is cutaway. So it gets played the most (hence the need for fret dressing) Ha!

2. I play above the 14th fret every gig and the lack of a cutaway presents challenges for upper fret access. I can get there, but not nearly as fluid and I prefer a cutaway every time. I just do. Wish that wasn't the case because it is limiting.

3. The Taylor with its bigger body and Adi bracing gives me a bolder/deeper sound that neither of my OM's offer. So it makes more sense to me as the alternate guitar to my Collings OM2H Cutaway / MRG.

That said; Here are a couple video's. Curiously, in the room, the Collings OM1A does sound much smaller. But the recording seemed to level out a lot of the bigness/volume differences to some degree.

Welcome your input. (as apples-to-oranges as this is, its a decision I am facing!)

AcousticDreams · #2 07-20-2017, 10:09 PM

First off, beautiful playing you have a very nice touch. I often struggle in the same way as you do...trying to decide which of my two favorite guitars is best for a certain song. And even worse..sometimes I wish for part of the song I could use my other guitar..in other words....one guitar for one part..and other for another part of the same song. So, Unfortunately I can not give you a definitive answer...as there is no definitive in sound, preference and music. What I will encourage you is to embrace the differences in sound. If you write at all, each guitar will make you write slightly differently. And even if you don't write...each guitar might make you play slightly differently from one another. I can see the delima you are facing..you want to go towards one guitar...that is exactly what I often want myself..and then..I realize that the other guitar offers me something different...a good different. What I can give you is something to think about..something that I have learned recently. Sometimes it is good to have focused sound...as you mentioned in Collins being more midrange and the Taylor more full scale. Surprisingly...More is not always the best all of the time. And further more...if there is something lacking in one of your guitars...something you wish you had more of..I would encourage to experiment with different Bridge pins materials and different saddle materials. You would be surprised at just how much of a difference..how much you can slightly alter the sound to your desires. Good luck and keep on playing those guitars with the ever so nice touch that you do.

j3ffr0 · #3 07-20-2017, 10:46 PM

I like both of them. Surely if you let a guitar like that Collings hog go you'd one day regret it. Of the two, I'd probably play the Collings for more instrumental solo stuff and the Taylor with vocals. However, both could do a fine job of either. Nice guitars and nice playing. Good luck!

Colbyjack · #4 07-20-2017, 11:03 PM

Hello,

I've owned 25 or more Taylors. I really like Taylors. I've owned 3 Collings acoustics. I still have 2 of them. I have 1 Taylor Custom as well.

I assume you would have to let one of the Collings go to purchase the Taylor?

I'll be "clear" with my opinion. The Collings you have sound like "special" guitars to me. My guess is that if you were to get rid of the OM1A you would regret it. I believe for sure you would.

How about keeping the Collings (which sounds REALLY good to me), the special sounding guitar, and save and find another way to get a Taylor?

A Taylor like that one is one you could find "everyday". The Collings that sounds well played and as good as yours would be harder to find.

If it were me I'd find a way to keep the Collings and find a used Taylor.

I believe you would regret letting either of your Collings go.

Just my opinion.

ii Cybershot ii · #5 07-21-2017, 12:24 AM

I have to say that both of these sound utterly phenomenal and no one should have to pick between the two!

StevenL · #6 07-21-2017, 12:47 AM

The Collings sounds much better to me.

5th Element · #7 07-21-2017, 01:30 AM

Both of those guitars sound great, but definitely apples and oranges. The contrast in voices is nice. If comes down to preferences and tools for the job. From your clips and descriptions, the Taylor seems to be a better gigging guitar for you. For more intimate stuff, and the guitar that I could listen to every day for a very long time, it's the Collings.

jrb715 · #8 07-21-2017, 02:47 AM

I have one Taylor but three Collings including both an OM1A and an OM2G. My Taylor is a fine guitar, but both my Collings OMs are very special with contrasting sounds. And when I hear your exceptional playing on the Taylor and the Collings I come away knowing I'd have very, very serious banging-my-head-against-the-wall regrets in letting go of that Collings you're playing.

(And the Taylor does indeed sound very good.)

Kalani · #9 07-21-2017, 03:02 AM

IMO, in this recording the Collings sounds crisper, clearer, cleaner and more balanced than the Taylor which sounds a little muffled to me. Not sure how much of this is due to the different woods. I would love to hear a comparison between the two Collings!

brencat · #10 07-21-2017, 05:14 AM

Hi Groberts. The Taylor's bass response is terrific but the Collings has it beat everywhere else. Way more meat and thickness in the mids and highs in particular. Also, you say that the Taylor neck is more comfortable, yet I hear you muting one of the strings...maybe the A or D, not playing it cleanly. I heard the same muting going on in your NGD video the other day. Does the Taylor need a setup? Meanwhile, the Collings rings out and you play it well too.

Tough call, but since you already have the other Collings you like better, it's certainly not a hardship to move the OM1A on (and free up a slot for something else

). Then again, you got rid of that Hummingbird Vintage earlier this year, which I liked better than all your current guitars, so maybe you can't be trusted after all...

Rudals · #11 07-21-2017, 06:57 AM

I think a different approach may have been better. Don't tell the folks what guitar you're playing but just let them hear it and judge it. But you have to get what you like, not what we like.

Jackdaw9516 · #12 07-21-2017, 07:16 AM

Honestly most decent guitars in the right hands would sound just as good. Just my opinion.

Groberts · #13 07-21-2017, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brencat

Hi Groberts. The Taylor's bass response is terrific but the Collings has it beat everywhere else. Way more meat and thickness in the mids and highs in particular. Also, you say that the Taylor neck is more comfortable, yet I hear you muting one of the strings...maybe the A or D, not playing it cleanly. I heard the same muting going on in your NGD video the other day. Does the Taylor need a setup? Meanwhile, the Collings rings out and you play it well too.

Tough call, but since you already have the other Collings you like better, it's certainly not a hardship to move the OM1A on (and free up a slot for something else

). Then again, you got rid of that Hummingbird Vintage earlier this year, which I liked better than all your current guitars, so maybe you can't be trusted after all...

You cracked me up. True, ...I cannot be trusted true!

LOL Then again, you had a couple Collings OM's and let them go and you don't miss them correct? ahem.

As I listened back to these videos, this OM1A is a VERY special guitar. i knew that going in to the comparison. It simply is not cutaway. (sigh) It records with an even response that is balanced and superb. If it was cutaway, it would be perfect. Regardless, it has always compelled and inspired me to play. So maybe it simply is not the first gigging choice.

When I gig, I often lay down instrumental rhythm loops and solo over them. And I often go up to the 16th fret. Hence my quest. Ultimately a Cutaway OM1A would be fantastic. But every guitar has its own voice and personality and this OM1A is particularly SUPERB. So now I am on the fence and thinking I need to fund and offset the cost of the Taylor by letting go other things.

When my OM2H MRG comes back from having the frets crowned, I will do another shoot out.

FYI - As cool as the former Gibson Hummingbird Vintage was that you mentioned, it was not going to stay. I fought to play it as cleanly as other guitars. In fact, I hear very sloppy technique on my part in these recordings. I was in a hurry and just wanted to capture the sonic differences. The Taylor however gives me the bigger/bolder sound with significantly better ergonomics.

SugarmillMan · #14 07-21-2017, 07:38 AM

The Collings sounds better to me too. It has a richer, more high quality sound to my ears.
The Taylor sounded more of a cheaper, lower end sound (if any of that makes sense.)
I would keep the OM1A forever and trade something else.

brencat · #15 07-21-2017, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groberts

You cracked me up. True, ...I cannot be trusted true!

LOL Then again, you had a couple Collings OM's and let them go and you don't miss them correct? ahem.

Haha, I'm glad you didn't get upset at my sometimes weird sense of humor

. Yes, I had 3 Collings...two OMs and the CW, and got rid of all of them. I totally get your desire for bigger, deeper bass, and I've concluded that no Collings OM will ever do it for me in that area (very few OMs do, it seems). I also had a lot of difficulty playing my Collings well, and always seemed to be 'on defense'. That's no way to enjoy guitar.

Anyway, we all need to figure out what works for us individually. I've always liked your playing, and I enjoy your videos, so please keep them coming!