SoCo 16

imwjl · #1 03-17-2013, 10:16 AM

I guess it's still GAS even if your net is still two less guitars than when you started the search. Yesterday ended a two year obsession with wanting a 4 knob type guitar and what could maybe get me happy with only 2 guitars.

There's an old Collings thread wondering why people aren't critical of the products or company like other relative newcomers or acoustic makers who got into the electric business. My conclusion is because they make stuff where you can't keep hands, ears and eyes away.

It sounds more like a 335 than the I35 models which is interesting. My guess because it shares the same 16 inch lower bout. It is stiff in what I'll call a good way - the construction and .011 string set - not hard to play.

Pre-sales info was hard to find on this model but I learned Collings is small, and this is a relatively new model. Two road trips to Dave's was not exactly punishment. That included Dave letting me play his 1937 Martin 000 while the Collings was getting prepped for the trip home.

The 1937 Martin is light, powerful and sweet. I can honestly understand how people who can afford to make some guitars worth as much as my first house or my new car.

SoCo 16:

One of Dave's two 1937 Martins:

Song · #2 02-02-2018, 07:22 PM

Congratulations on your (almost new) SoCo! 5 year old cricket thread...
Every NGD deserves at least one reply so...
I took your advice and joined the 10,000 mile high club.
It cost me 3 nice guitars, an amp, and $750 worth of pedals
but I got Bill so its ok.

These are sweet guitars.

imwjl · #3 02-02-2018, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Song

Congratulations on your (almost new) SoCo! 5 year old cricket thread...
Every NGD deserves at least one reply so...
I took your advice and joined the 10,000 mile high club.
It cost me 3 nice guitars, an amp, and $750 worth of pedals
but I got Bill so its ok.

These are sweet guitars.

Sweet indeed. I hope you enjoy it in good health.

I took the liberty to embed your linked photo. It shows the beautiful way he designed the back and neck.

You should have no regrets or problems with moves to make it possible. To me this 5 year gap supports that. Mine is still a thrill every time I experience it, and I still have no desire for anything else.

Nailpicker · #4 02-02-2018, 10:03 PM

Yeah. I'm not an electric guy, but I played a couple of Collings a few years ago at Dave's. They flat out have got other hollow body or semi hollows beat to a pulp in my opinion. At the time I just wasn't in the market for an electric and couldn't afford the $5-7000 price tag having just purchased a Taylor K26ce.
I really like Gretsch, but if I were to go out and splurge on an incredible electric, I'd go Collings.

Did this thread really get dredged up from 2013?

Song · #5 02-02-2018, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imwjl

There's an old Collings thread wondering why people aren't critical of the products or company like other relative newcomers or acoustic makers who got into the electric business.
My conclusion is because
they make stuff where you can't keep hands, ears and eyes away.

I'm too elevated to explain it now. You guys are doin' a great job!

imwjl · #6 02-03-2018, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Song

I'm too elevated to explain it now. You guys are doin' a great job!

Yes, it’s hard to explain. I’ve got the house to myself this morning so I’ll plug it straight into my Princeton Reverb for something I won’t really be able to explain.

Thanks for posting that video. It reminds me of calling them about pick guards. I was told they may or may not have them for the model but because it was a new model my actual guitar had a lot of Bill himself in it. Even if I can get one now it’s staying as is. That beauty should not be covered up by a piece of plastic. I don’t have pick hitting it but a close look shows micro scratches from use. It all seems as it should be.

The article linked here partially explains what might do you in if you handle and hear one of these. It is interesting to learn what they did to get the final result.

http://www.tonequest.com/files/TQRSep12_Proof.pdf

Most of all I hope you get what I got - not just the guitar but not even wanting another. I have pedals but the only ones I seem to use with this guitar are tuner and looper.

KevWind · #7 02-03-2018, 09:01 AM

Wow beautiful guitar congrats

Dru Edwards · #8 02-03-2018, 09:18 AM

Sweet! What a beauty. Collins makes some exceptional electric guitars - not just acoustics.

Song · #9 02-03-2018, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imwjl

Most of all I hope you get what I got - not just the guitar but not even wanting another.

Tonequest has an amazing advisory and editorial board http://tonequest.com/advisory

I get it. I've been thinking about these guitars for years.
Patiently watching, waiting, and listening.
Barreing thin neck guitars is doable but unnecessarily onerous.
This neck is nice and fat making everything I do easier and cleaner.
Frets are my favorite size (medium jumbo). check ~ Recommended string gauge/brand is my favorite (got some semi-flat D'Addario ehr370s on the way),
a little shorter scale length, intonation up the neck,
Playability, tuneabilty, harmonics,
check
Does it sound any good? Yes even in the hands of a top 100 millionth player like me.

Stereo into my rosette and recto is instant valhalla.

Like you I searched many years for Trigger.
I found it in Bill.