Talk me out of a Collings... - Page 3

6L6 · #31 11-13-2019, 02:20 PM

I own three Collings guitars and love every one of them (D-1, D2H, and D2HA).

Best quality out there.

BUT DON"T confuse their tone with that of a Martin guitar. They are VERY different. Try before you buy!

Tnfiddler · #32 11-13-2019, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6L6

I own three Collings guitars and love every one of them (D-1, D2H, and D2HA).

Best quality out there.

BUT DON"T confuse their tone with that of a Martin guitar. They are VERY different. Try before you buy!

I'm not doubting this because I've never played one or seen one in person, but I just don't see how their quality could be better than a Bourgeois. Maybe just as good, but not better. My Bourgeois is FLAWLESS!! I went over it with a fine tooth comb, as the old saying goes, because I bought it used, in mint condition. This is the nicest guitar I've ever put my hands on. The fit and finish are impeccable.

boombox · #33 11-13-2019, 02:51 PM

Love my C10 custom deep body and would not hesitate to buy any Collings sight unseen. That said, don't discount Huss & Dalton, whose workmanship is also outstanding, though buy used if you can as their resale value is for no logical reason quite low.

Goodallboy · #34 11-13-2019, 03:10 PM

I've never played a mediocre Collings and I can't say that about any other maker other than perhaps Goodall or McPherson.

But as another said, our opinions aren't relevant as it applies to your selection of a guitar. Play a lot of them until one speaks to you and ignore the headstock ID.

cu4life7 · #35 11-13-2019, 03:35 PM

I agree with a lot of the posts here. Don't have the misconception of believing that Collings are super charged Martins, they are very different guitars. I was expecting Martin plus some, and what I got was Collings. It is its own sound. I personally prefer Martin standards, but I greatly respect Collings and the guitars they make. I still might have one in my future at some point. As well as another MT mandolin....

Dwight · #36 11-13-2019, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brencat

Collings are definitely on the modern tonal spectrum, have a tight, quick bass, a "hot" midrange, pronounced highs, and a highly articulate piano-like tone. They play like a coiled spring, and output about 115% of what you put into them. Very loud, cutting instruments. Great for flatpicking and fingerstyle, not so much for strumming IMO (not nearly mellow or blended enough).

Collings also demand your very best playing, and they will let you know if your fretting technique is less than perfect. Having owned several and played dozens, and directly comparing them to Martin equivalents, I find Collings OMs to be lacking in bass, and their dreads to have only modestly more bass then a typical Martin OM.

Sorry to be the contrarian here, but I think the OP should hear the counterpoint, considering he currently plays a guitar in the Martin tradition. Take this advice for what it's worth...

Brencat, your description of Collings guitars is spot on!

rstaight · #37 11-13-2019, 04:25 PM

Help me understand. Your on this site asking someone to talk you out of buying a guitar?

fngrpck · #38 11-13-2019, 04:27 PM

I've tried most of the major brands and a few luthier built guitars and my Collings OM1A beats them all. I've found my Holy Grail (at least for now

).

hotroad · #39 11-13-2019, 05:36 PM

Check out Bourgeois for sure. I had three Collings, several Martins, maybe 6 Gibsons thru the years and though those were all awesome guitars, my Bourgeois takes the win. The tone is what its all about for me with the other variables second. Do yourself a good favor and try a nice Bourgeois.

rwhitney · #40 11-13-2019, 07:41 PM

I love my Collings OM-2H, but, despite their reputation for consistency, I played several before I found one I thought was worth the money; so play as many as you can before buying.

Bridgepin · #41 11-13-2019, 07:58 PM

I can't be of any help because I have a Collings D3H and it is a wonderful guitar now I also own a few Martins and love those as well.

The best advice I can think would be to play as many and different makers that you can.

Hopefully there will be just that one that hits you and you just can put it down.

Now if that doesn't happen just buy the best sounding Collings you find.

marc515 · #42 11-13-2019, 08:15 PM

Talk you out of buying a Collings? No way!

No one talked me out of buying my Collings Baby, and I’m glad they didn’t.

M

Vancebo · #43 11-13-2019, 08:21 PM

I won’t talk you out of buying a Collings I own one and love it. It was the guitar that stood out of all the ones I tried and I had to have it. I knew it after first strum. I would go to a boutique shop that has several reputable brands and try them all even if you have to do a mini guitar buying vacation. It would be fun and you would come away with a keeper.

martingitdave · #44 11-13-2019, 08:40 PM

I’ve purchased and sold a few Collings guitars because they didn’t have as much thump as a Martin. Then, I played a D2H Traditional model. I went home with it. Be sure to play a few models before making your decision. They are beautifully made instruments.

EverettWilliams · #45 11-13-2019, 09:59 PM

I’m sitting in a room with fourteen Collings which is some indication of how I feel. The work really well for how I play, but I also like a lot of other makers’ instruments. Can’t talk you out of it, yet I don’t understand how they’re not a universal favorite, but they’re not - no accounting for taste. When you find something you love, trust your ears! Good luck!