Best Boutique Versions of D-18 and D-28 - Page 3

jrb715 · #31 03-01-2021, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brencat

I had opportunities to buy several pre-2020 Collings D2HT and D2HAT models in baked and non-baked version. But when I heard the sound samples, I wasn't convinced. There was too much of the "old" Collings sound in them... too bright, not enough warmth/mellowness, too much splitting of the difference between the regular Collings line and the Martin sound etc.

The 2020 neck reinforcement change + the Satin finish however really made a massive difference in the T series. Plus I was strongly advised to avoid the baked versions because of my experience with the Bourgeois AT D-Vintage and how I didn't like its narrower cone of sound and quick decay of the upper mids and highs.

Great advice all around from some really nice forum members, particularly Kori. And now I have a(nother) killer Rosewood dread.

Brendan. Was more than a little surprised at reading your endorsement, but we certainly agree about the current T dread. I think you're right, the 2020 Ts do sound different than the older Ts, and maybe it is the neck. And the torrified tops do sound a little different, though both top options sound great to me. I chose to split the difference and asked, through Artisan, for a lightly baked top. The folks at Collings apparently went through the stock until they found one that really doesn't look baked--but rather a top that looks like it's simply aged a couple of years. The sound, as I've written, is for me perfect, and most importantly, it retains what I feel is the signature vibrancy of all Collings guitars. They seem to come alive in my hands.

And set up properly, almost all Collings have proven great to play for me. The dread T set up properly is pretty spectacular. And, as you write, the guitar might have the best neck carve ever.

MikeInBethesda · #32 03-01-2021, 02:28 PM

Has the neck carve changed with the newer T models (2020)? Or is the carve the same and the reinforcement the only change?

warfrat73 · #33 03-01-2021, 02:36 PM

I went through and listened to a bunch of fairly recent stuff from TNAG (not the first time) and still find myself preferring Bourgeois.

Would still be curious to try out a newer Collings.

UncleJesse · #34 03-01-2021, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brencat

I had opportunities to buy several pre-2020 Collings D2HT and D2HAT models in baked and non-baked version. But when I heard the sound samples, I wasn't convinced. There was too much of the "old" Collings sound in them... too bright, not enough warmth/mellowness, too much splitting of the difference between the regular Collings line and the Martin sound etc.

The 2020 neck reinforcement change + the Satin finish however really made a massive difference in the T series. Plus I was strongly advised to avoid the baked versions because of my experience with the Bourgeois AT D-Vintage and how I didn't like its narrower cone of sound and quick decay of the upper mids and highs.

Great advice all around from some really nice forum members, particularly Kori. And now I have a(nother) killer Rosewood dread.

Mine isn't a 2020. However, it sounds so good none of that matters to me. I have only owned one previous Collings and this doesn't have that sterile sound that I thought that one (D1A) had. It's also much bassier and warmer sounding.

Lkristians · #35 03-01-2021, 03:06 PM

I'm loving my 2018 D1 T big time!!

thumbnail_IMG_0201.jpg

SuperB23 · #36 03-01-2021, 03:13 PM

I've played quite a few and my favorites have been the Santa Cruz Tony Rice Pro, The Goodall TRD, and some people say Martin can't be out Martined. I love a lot of the custom shop and authentic series Martin guitars I've played.

Rev Roy · #37 03-01-2021, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleJesse

Mine isn't a 2020. However, it sounds so good none of that matters to me. I have only owned one previous Collings and this doesn't have that sterile sound that I thought that one (D1A) had. It's also much bassier and warmer sounding.

Yep, me too. Mine is a 2017. Wonderfully played in. I’m sure the 2020 versions are great...but so is mine.

otis66 · #38 03-01-2021, 03:22 PM

Pre-War Guitars.
“New old guitars of the future “.

Br1ck · #39 03-01-2021, 03:36 PM

In the $5k used price range, the world is your oyster. I'd venture you'll like anything in that price range. It sounds to me you really need to decide the hog vs. rosewood thing. If you are a flatpicker in the bluegrass vein, I think you need to play very clean to sound really good on a rosewood guitar.

If you can go shopping in a real store, play them all.

jrb715 · #40 03-01-2021, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleJesse

Mine isn't a 2020. However, it sounds so good none of that matters to me. I have only owned one previous Collings and this doesn't have that sterile sound that I thought that one (D1A) had. It's also much bassier and warmer sounding.

Uncle Jesse,

I tried to be careful in my post to avoid saying the 2020 sounds better. But it does, to me, sound a little different. I can't say which I'd prefer (an earlier T or the 2020) since I've never had the two side by side. I can say the tipping point for me to get one was its availability in the 1 11/16 nut width with, I believe, a slightly less full neck.

I previously owned a standard D2HA which was a splendid guitar--but not quite what I needed for vocal accompaniment. But I've come to believe I pretty much succumbed to what many Collings owners do by bailing on the guitar too early. Collings guitars, from my no longer insignificant experience, really do age into more expressive, coherent and generally more colorful instruments. I've three that have, and I wouldn't trade my two mature OMs for their new T versions.

But the T versions do seem to me to be more of the way to the direction of played in guitars--though not necessarily heading to the same destination as the standards. That's been my experience demoing Ts over the last few years. Some prefer the standards--undoubtedly with an eye (and ear) to how they'll develop. I do know that when I played my D1AT, which was an act of faith encouraged from afar by Bill at Artisan, I was thrilled from the first note.

fitness1 · #41 03-01-2021, 03:39 PM

I've heard some people say Matt Arcara builds some fine guitars.

Music Emporium stocks them new and used from time to time. Recording sound very nice (with the builder playing some of them!)

brencat · #42 03-01-2021, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrb715

Brendan. Was more than a little surprised at reading your endorsement, but we certainly agree about the current T dread. I think you're right, the 2020 Ts do sound different than the older Ts, and maybe it is the neck.

And set up properly, almost all Collings have proven great to play for me. The dread T set up properly is pretty spectacular. And, as you write, the guitar might have the best neck carve ever.

Quote:

Originally Posted by warfrat73

I went through and listened to a bunch of fairly recent stuff from TNAG (not the first time) and still find myself preferring Bourgeois.

Would still be curious to try out a newer Collings.

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleJesse

Mine isn't a 2020. However, it sounds so good none of that matters to me. I have only owned one previous Collings and this doesn't have that sterile sound that I thought that one (D1A) had. It's also much bassier and warmer sounding.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrb715

Uncle Jesse,

I tried to be careful in my post to avoid saying the 2020 sounds better. But it does, to me, sound a little different. I can't say which I'd prefer (an earlier T or the 2020) since I've never had the two side by side. I can say the tipping point for me to get one was its availability in the 1 11/16 nut width with, I believe, a slightly less full neck.

But the T versions do seem to me to be more of the way to the direction of played in guitars--though not necessarily heading to the same destination as the standards. That's been my experience demoing Ts over the last few years. Some prefer the standards--undoubtedly with an eye (and ear) to how they'll develop. I do know that when I played my D1AT, which was an act of faith encouraged from afar by Bill at Artisan, I was thrilled from the first note.

I'll go ahead and stick my neck out with this recording of my 2020 D2HTS. Let me know how you all like the tone. Played with a BlueChip TD-45 and strung with John Pearse 600L PBs in 12 - 53 gauge... yes, Lights!

UncleJesse · #43 03-01-2021, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brencat

I'll go ahead and stick my neck out with this recording of my 2020 D2HTS. Let me know how you all like the tone. Played with a BlueChip TD-45 and strung with John Pearse 600L PBs in 12 - 53 gauge... yes, Lights!

Sounds great! I'm going to have to upload one so I can listen to them both back to back

ataylor · #44 03-01-2021, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brencat

I'll go ahead and stick my neck out with this recording of my 2020 D2HTS. Let me know how you all like the tone. Played with a BlueChip TD-45 and strung with John Pearse 600L PBs in 12 - 53 gauge... yes, Lights!

Uh oh. I'd already been daydreaming a little bit about a D2H down the road to pair with my two mahogany guitars, but now you've got me in scheming mode. Nice playing and recording — the sample sounds lovely.

Rev Roy · #45 03-01-2021, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brencat

I'll go ahead and stick my neck out with this recording of my 2020 D2HTS. Let me know how you all like the tone. Played with a BlueChip TD-45 and strung with John Pearse 600L PBs in 12 - 53 gauge... yes, Lights!

Great playing as always, Brendan! Somehow I’m thinking that whether I’m playing my nicely played in 2017 or your new 2020 the result won’t be near what your skill produces. Go figure...