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Old 07-12-2020, 01:11 PM
GeorgeMich GeorgeMich is offline
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Default Which tone do you like better? Collings vs Gibson

Hey guys,

Here is a quick video of me playing my two acoustics back to back. First one is a Collings D2H Traditional, Sitka top, non torrefied. The second one is a Gibson Historic Banner J-45 re-issue. Adirondack top and torrefied. I’m trying to decide which one to keep. I think I’m a one acoustic type of guy. Let me know what you think.

https://vimeo.com/437653513
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Old 07-12-2020, 01:43 PM
Dotneck Dotneck is offline
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I also own Collings & Gibsons. The one I like better depends on which one I'm playing...
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Old 07-12-2020, 01:51 PM
Bridgepin Bridgepin is offline
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I like sound of both of your guitars. But if I had to take one over the other it would be the Collings. To my ears the Collings seems to have a more crisp and clearer tone with better note separation.
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Old 07-12-2020, 01:56 PM
MHC MHC is offline
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See my response to your other thread about the very same clip.
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Old 07-12-2020, 02:01 PM
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Collings. I like guitars with a crisp sound.
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Old 07-12-2020, 02:13 PM
Tnfiddler Tnfiddler is offline
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I’d like to hear those two guitars played with a pick. I think they both sound great finger style, but playing them with a pick would bring out their true sound for me. My opinion means nothing, but I don’t think a dread or slope shoulder dread is the Instrument of choice for fingerstyle and are more suitable as rhythm or flatpicking instruments.
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Old 07-12-2020, 02:22 PM
DukeX DukeX is offline
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For solo guitar the Collings.

For accompaniment for vocals the Gibson.
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Old 07-12-2020, 02:32 PM
andrewbenw andrewbenw is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DukeX View Post
For solo guitar the Collings.

For accompaniment for vocals the Gibson.
I’m on board with this.
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Old 07-12-2020, 02:35 PM
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Are you palm muting at the bridge? I can't see your entire right hand and it sounds like you are. Both guitars sound very subdued.
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Old 07-12-2020, 02:38 PM
Gordon Currie Gordon Currie is offline
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You asked for opinions:

Keep the Collings and get rid of the Gibson. The Collings has a complex and subtle tonal profile. The Gibson... does not, and it is a sound that gets boring quick.

However - it's only my opinion, based on what I like and need for the styles and techniques I enjoy.

I encourage anyone in this situation to think about who you emulate and are inspired by, and research what those guitarists use. You may find a consensus of sorts. Most likely this consensus will be driven by practical concerns. Let THEIR hard work help you save time and money.

For instance, if you play bluegrass, it seems that dreadnoughts are (almost) a required form factor. There will be some brand and history biases for sure, but there is also a long track record of that tonal profile just WORKING better than others.

One last data point: I thought YOUR PLAYING was more fluid on the Collings than the Gibson. To me that is significant.
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Old 07-12-2020, 02:51 PM
Rosewood99 Rosewood99 is offline
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Gibson, but to be fair, I never have been a fan of the Collings sound.
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Old 07-12-2020, 02:56 PM
jaymarsch jaymarsch is offline
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Default Which tone do you like better? Collings vs Gibson

Both are beautiful guitars but I think that the tone of the Gibson has a tad more character. Are both equally comfortable to play? That might tip the scales one way or the other.
Best,
Jayne
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Old 07-12-2020, 02:57 PM
Rinaz Rinaz is offline
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Not a fan of either one, but Collings all day for me. No offense, but Gibson guitars nowadays sound dull to my ears for their prices. But one should buy a Gibson if they play country music though. Their guitars are best for it imo. I have heard some old Gibson guitars that are really powerful. There's a Gibson J50 in the AGF buy and sale that impressed me.
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Old 07-12-2020, 04:57 PM
godfreydaniel godfreydaniel is offline
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Sounded to me like the Collings had a more balanced sound - bass, midrange and treble all sounded good. I thought the Gibson’s midrange stood out (similar midrange sound as the Collings). With that said, I liked both. I tend to like small Collings guitars for their strong midrange.
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Old 07-12-2020, 07:53 PM
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I didn't like the sound of this particular Gibson at all. It sounded very tight and has quite a bit of opening up still to do. The Collings sounded very nice, and you seemed to play it better as well, which is also something to consider.

For the record, I'm not really into the Collings sound anymore. But I liked this one.

Like Tnfiddler, I would love to lay into both of these with a flatpick. That would likely decide it for me really quick!
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