Martin 0-18 vs Collings 01

[EverettWilliams]

Also, I don’t know whether you care about cases, but the Collings made 0 case is perfect and oh so compact. I love mine. It enhances the value of the upgrade proposition, in my view.

[Maryc-k]

Look for a used Collings 0 size guitar. Pretty close to the price of the Martin new.

[Maryc-k]

Originally Posted by EverettWilliams

Also, I don’t know whether you care about cases, but the Collings made 0 case is perfect and oh so compact. I love mine. It enhances the value of the upgrade proposition, in my view.

These cases are only available with the traditional now. Case production is limited at the time.

[EverettWilliams]

Originally Posted by Maryc-k

These cases are only available with the traditional now. Case production is limited at the time.

That is correct, but I’d advocate getting the Traditional version of the 0 anyway. The extra warmth is very helpful with Collings’ smaller guitars.

[Inyo]

The Martin 0-18 and the Collings 01 and 01 T are superior instruments. That is axiomatic.

But I prefer the tone and feel and projection of the 0-18--particularly those extraordinary examples produced during the 1950s: a practically perfect acoustic guitar, in my opinion.

For comparison, the dimension specs:

Martin 0-18:

Total Length - 37 3/4"
Body Length - 19 1/8"
Body Width - 13 1/2"
Body Depth - 4 1/16"

Collings 01 and 01 T (Traditional):

Total Length - 38"
Body Length - 18 3/16"
Lower Bout Width - 13 7/16"
Body Depth - 4 1/8"

Note that while the 01 and 01-T each measure one-sixteenth inch deeper, the 0-18 is one-sixteenth inch wider; and while the Collings instruments are four-sixteenths of an inch longer than the Martin in total long axis dimension, the 0-18's body is in actual fact almost a full inch longer than that exhibited by the 01 and 01 T.

[JerryM]

Having had several of both no contest between the two Collings is superior in every way.

[EverettWilliams]

So, to circle back on this, inspired by this thread, I’ve been playing my O1A Trad exclusively for the past couple of days and it’s just such a complete package. Everything I have thrown at it, it does beautifully. It really could be my only guitar.

If you get the chance, OP, I strongly suggest getting one in your hands. You may find that you like the Martin sound more. But I think the playability and fit and finish will impress you and, if you’re as taken by the tone as I am, I suspect you’d find it hard to hand back.

Just a great guitar.

In any event, let us know where you land on this! Maybe a road trip to Artisan or AMW is in order???