Huss and Daltons sound better than Collings or Bourgeois. Change my mind?

[warfrat73]

It is odd. I've had the opportunity to play 7 or 8 H&Ds, but never touched a Collings, even though they make a lot more guitars.

Just depends on where you do your guitar shopping, I guess.

[jpd]

Gotta admit...we are all very fortunate. The quality of builds nowadays is beyond measure. Wish I could play them all

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by warfrat73

It is odd. I've had the opportunity to play 7 or 8 H&Ds, but never touched a Collings, even though they make a lot more guitars.

Just depends on where you do your guitar shopping, I guess.

Hi warfrat

• There are other factors…
• What guitars my friends own
• What guitars people who attend our Guitar Society own (and will allow us to play)
• What guitar gatherings I've attended
• What guitar shows I've attended

I've never played most of the Huss&Dalton caliber guitars in a store or other conventional guitar retailer.

[warfrat73]

Unfortunately, I've not had the opportunity to play with a lot of other folks over the past few years. And when I have in the past haven't tended to try out other folk's guitars.

Have been in bluegrass jams with people playing Collings before, but never lived close to a dealer. On the other hand, I've lived fairly near a couple of friendly H&D dealers.

[LoveWins]

Thanks everyone.

I‘ve never played their standard line. Huss and Dalton that is. I only have experience with their traditional models. I’d say they actually compare really well to Santa Cruz. Collings have sounded a bit harsh, and Bourgeois were too mid rangey (not to mention the whole Eastman fiasco).

Here’s how I would rate them:



Martin Authentic/Huss and Dalton Traditional line
Merrel/B n K/Henderson/Pre war
Santa Cruz
Martin Standard line
Collings traditional line
Bourgeois

I really think the traditional line of H n D have nailed the old Martin Sound.

[Rev Roy]

Originally Posted by LoveWins

Thanks everyone.

I‘ve never played their standard line. Huss and Dalton that is. I only have experience with their traditional models. I’d say they actually compare really well to Santa Cruz. Collings have sounded a bit harsh, and Bourgeois were too mid rangey (not to mention the whole Eastman fiasco).

Here’s how I would rate them:



Martin Authentic/Huss and Dalton Traditional line
Merrel/B n K/Henderson/Pre war
Santa Cruz
Martin Standard line
Collings traditional line
Bourgeois

I really think the traditional line of H n D have nailed the old Martin Sound.

We all have our opinions...and are welcome to ‘em. So here’s mine: no way Martin Standard series beats Collings’ Traditional Series. I’ve owned many - two D-28s (one reimagined, the other not), a D-18 and a D-41. My Collings dread Traditional is in a different league than all of them. At least to my ears (and hands), which is all that ultimately matters...to me.

[LoveWins]

Originally Posted by Rev Roy

We all have our opinions...and are welcome to ‘em. So here’s mine: no way Martin Standard series beats Collings’ Traditional Series. I’ve owned many - two D-28s (one reimagined, the other not), a D-18 and a D-41. My Collings dread Traditional is in a different league than all of them. At least to my ears (and hands), which is all that ultimately matters...to me.

That’s just my opinion. Collings to me sound like Larrivees. Kind of sterile and not much going on.

[LakewoodM32Fan]

Originally Posted by LoveWins

That’s just my opinion. Collings to me sound like Larrivees. Kind of sterile and not much going on.

What you call sterile, others view as a focus on fundamentals vs. overtone content. Neither one is wrong, it's personal preference. I have found Collings to be more focused on fundamentals throughout their range, with the Julian Lage model to be their most focused guitar. It is unforgiving, if you're on point with your playing, it rewards you. If you're sloppy, it reveals you. I'm sloppy, so I don't get along with it. But obviously Julian sounds amazing on his, and AGF is filled with fans of that model.

[Rev Roy]

Originally Posted by LoveWins

Collings to me sound...Kind of sterile and not much going on.

No wonder we have different opinions. We have very different ears. I was always a Martin/Gibson guy until Collings taught me how wonderful a balanced tone can be. Glad you found the tone you like. I have too.

[Pender]

Sterile? I don't think so. My Collings OM2H has more overtones and depth than the Lowden F32C I once had.
At the same time, it's different from the Martin 000-18 I owned. Not better or worse. Different.

[SpruceTop]

If a player likes a rich mix of fundamental and chocolatey overtones (is that a new one?) then a Huss & Dalton TD-R would likely be music to his or her ears.

[Texsunburst59]

All this discussions about which high end acoustic is best, is RIDICULOUS.

It's about as SILLY as me saying that my $99 80's Yamaha DM-3 dred is every bit as good and sounds as good or better than ANY of these high end acoustics talked out in this thread.

I guess I'll join in this insanity.

My 80's Sigma DM-3 Dred can hold its own in playability and tone as well as any $8k-$10K H&D, Collings. Bourgeois, etc.............

OK.

Change my mind. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!

[SpruceTop]

Originally Posted by Texsunburst59

All this discussions about which high end acoustic is best, is RIDICULOUS.

It's about as SILLY as me saying that my $99 80's Yamaha DM-3 dred is every bit as good and sounds as good or better than ANY of these high end acoustics talked out in this thread.

I guess I'll join in this insanity.

My 80's Yamaha DM-3 Dred can hold its own in playability and tone as well as any $8k-$10K H&D, Collings. Bourgeois, etc.............

OK.

Change my mind. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!

Seriously, you may be sparking interest in old Yamaha DM-3 dreads. Next thing you know, due to demand, Yamaha will be releasing an updated DM-3 dread in the spirit of their Red Label reissues. By the way, are you interested in selling your Yamaha DM-3?

[BoneDigger]

It all sounds silly to me. Telling people that the guitar they paid $7,000 for isn't as good as the guitar you paid $7,000 for suits what purpose? Does it make you feel better as a human being to get a few acknowledgements on the internet?

I have seen/played/heard many guitars from many brands that did nothing for me, yet the owner was as proud as they could be. Good for them! If they found the sound that their ear wanted to hear, then that's good for them and I would certainly not disparage it! I have guitars that I love that others may not like. No problem!

At what point does the "my guitar is better than your guitar" ever actually help in any way? It might bolster some narcissism, but aside from that it's really not helpful.

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

If a player likes a rich mix of fundamental and chocolatey overtones (is that a new one?) then a Huss & Dalton TD-R would likely be music to his or her ears.

I have to admit I am huge dark chocolate fan boy . ..... oh wait guitars