Searching for a cannon: Martin vs. Bourgeois vs. Collings

vanpatten · #1 10-22-2021, 06:10 PM

Trying to decide between three great dreds. I’ve narrowed it down to three:

1) Martin D-18 custom adi top sinker back and sides

2) Bourgeois Country Boy D

3) Collings D1A

I realize I probably can’t “miss” here, but I figured I’d see if anyone here has owned these and what your choice would be. I’ve watched clips of each and they all sound great to me. I like the adi/mahogany combo and these three seemed like the best candidates to cut through a jam. It’s hard to find these to play in person right now, so I figured I’d start here first. Thoughts? Experiences? If you could only have one? Thanks!

llew · #2 10-22-2021, 06:30 PM

All three would certainly qualify in my book. I would add a couple of things:
1) If it's a D-18 I'd get "GE" forward shifted bracing.
2) If you decide on a Collings I'd consider the D1A Traditional with a satin finish.
3) If you decide on the Bourgeois I'm sure it'll be great. Just not familiar with those?

Hard to go wrong with Adirondack over Mahogany by any of these builders...best of luck!

UncleJesse · #3 10-22-2021, 06:54 PM

I guess it depends on what makes a cannon to you. When I think cannon I think lots of bass and volume. As far as D18 cannons go, if you can find a D18 Authentic 37 or wait a few months until the custom authentic 1937 D18s come out, they're exactly that. Some people think they're too bass-forward, but I say there's no such thing.

hifivic · #4 10-22-2021, 06:58 PM

A Lowden O will eat the other 3 for lunch!

Sugar Bear · #5 10-22-2021, 07:05 PM

The Collings owners always seem to love their guitars.

I have always admired the Bourgeois line up.

D-18s are my favorite Martins.

It's going to be tough to make a bad choice here. If you go with a custom D-18, definitely order the forward shifted scalloped bracing as llew suggested if you want a cannon.

But if it was me, I'd look for a D-18 Authentic as UncleJesse suggested, if I went the Martin route.

But whichever you choose, it's probably going to be a very nice guitar. Tough choice. Maybe owners of the various options will join us in the discussion.

eljay · #6 10-22-2021, 07:13 PM

Gibson Dove

jrb715 · #7 10-22-2021, 07:32 PM

I own a Collings D1AT and have auditioned over two days and agonized over also getting a Bourgeois dread or slope dread (my choices were a banjo killer and a country boy). I've played many D18s, but not a custom adi/sinker.

As to just sheer volume, I believe the Collings edges the Bourgeois and both are more impactful than the Martin. All three, however, will hold their own in any group. In my experience, the Martin will sound as if it has thicker bass, but at the expense of clarity through the mids and volume through the trebles.

I'd flip a coin between the Collings and Bourgeois. My memory tells me the Bourgeois is a little rounder and sweeter sounding, the Collings has a little more clarity and, with the Ts, a little more delicacy when played quietly. Both can sound thunderous as well as quite beautiful.

My guess is you'll get an array of various answers. For me, excluding the Martin is an easy choice (I have a Martin HD28 by the way). The other two guitars I've found truly excellent.

Brucebubs · #8 10-22-2021, 07:33 PM

I believe the Martin D-35 is known for it's volume.

Synrel · #9 10-22-2021, 07:38 PM

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery..

Find a hot D-18, you won't be sorry.

slimey · #10 10-22-2021, 07:56 PM

Best Cannon I've played is a Collings D2H The projection is unmatched by the Martins ( HD 28, D 28, D 18 , HJ 28 ) and Bourgeoise ( Banjo K ) I've owned so maybe a D1 will be there too. Side note, of the 3 main players I think the Collings is the hardest to play , for some reason I don't find it to be a relaxing instrument, you have to be very precise.
With my D2 I can hang in with banjo's and mandolins at an acoustic jam.
I also have a Lowden O and while it's one of my fav guitars it's no where near the projection of the Collings. An F model maybe, in that it was designed for more projection but I have not played one.

warfrat73 · #11 10-22-2021, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hifivic

A Lowden O will eat the other 3 for lunch!

Nope. Will not.

catdaddy · #12 10-22-2021, 08:27 PM

I'm a big fan of all three makers (Martin, Bourgeois and Collings). My experience in owning all three is that if by the term 'cannon' you desire a particularly loud guitar then a Collings is probably going to be on average the loudest of the three with the best tone profile to cut through in a jam. Having said that, each maker has their own distinctive sound, and you may prefer the tone of a loud Martin or loud Bourgeois to a louder Collings. You need to play them to know for sure.

Zissou Intern · #13 10-22-2021, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hifivic

A Lowden O will eat the other 3 for lunch!

I worked in a shop that carried all four brands as well as B&H, Guild, SCGC, and Gibson. No Lowden I ever played is eating a Martin, Collings, or Bourgeois dreadnought for lunch. Just sayin'.

Steve DeRosa · #14 10-22-2021, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleJesse

...if you can find a D-18 Authentic '37 or wait a few months until the custom authentic 1937 D-18s come out, they're exactly that...

What he said...

Tnfiddler · #15 10-22-2021, 08:43 PM

I’ve had an Adi/mahogany Bourgeois Slope D Banjo Killer and it was a cannon. I now own an aged tone Adi/eir Bourgeois Vintage D with torrefied Banjo Killer bracing and it is the loudest acoustic I’ve ever played. I know it’s not the wood combo you’re looking for, but Dana’s torrefied dreads are powerful!