The first Collings I played was a D1. It was also my first experience with a boutique quality guitar. I was blown away by the superb craftmanship. But the tone? I handed it back to the salesman and said, “Tight and bright.” Keep in mind I’ve always been a Martin/Gibson kinda guy. I didn’t realize that brief encounter with a Collings was going to revolutionize my understanding of guitars. But it did. I just couldn’t get that guitar out of my head. Then a few weeks later my CME guy offered me a great deal on a 2017 D1AT. I jumped on it. I’d heard the Traditional Series was warmer/more Martin-like. And that’s certainly what I hear. That D1AT has since been replaced by my new D1T (Torrified/Sunburst). A truly superb guitar. And it’s confirmed my strong preference for the Tradtionals.
