HELP: Collings OM3 vs. Gibson J200

[llew]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

Just to clarify my earlier post - when I say 'monsters' I mean that in a good way.
Powerful, warm and responsive.
Impressive guitars!

Yes they are! I'm trying to buy this one!

But unfortunately it's not looking good. Someone gave her the guitar and she has sentimental attachment. I'm not the kind to push so I'd say my chances aren't too good at this point?

[dbintegrity]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

Just to clarify my earlier post - when I say 'monsters' I mean that in a good way.
Powerful, warm and responsive.
Impressive guitars!

Interesting.... I had a couple of J-200 Western Classics a few years ago and found the warmth of the rosewood just didn't work in that sized body.... of course since no 2 guitars sound exactly alike, the ones I had could've been poor examples.... Personally I think the J-185 was a much better guitar than the J200

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by SprintBob

This. The Collings should be good all around but don’t expect the bass to rumble like a SJ200.

No, of course not - Collings guitars (all of them) are perfectly balanced.

[jrb715]

I've recently played a maple J200 that was exceptional (after playing a few duds previously). But it is so wildly different than a Collings OM3 that I don't know how you'd compare the two. I'd want both.

Which do I prefer if I have to have one? Well, the Collings because I find Collings OMs pretty much terrific at everything I ask them to do. The rosewood variants like the OM3 sound subjectively warmer than the J200 in my experience. I suppose in absolute terms they don't have as much bass, but I don't find the J200s particularly bassy or nearly as dark sounding as J45s. OM3s are at least the equal as strummers. I don't have a clue why someone thinks Collings OMs (rosewood especially) don't make good strummers--clearly different tastes and expectations: I prefer the internal texture that the Collings delivers when strumming over that of the blended (or wooly if thought of negatively) sound of J45s. And Collings OMs are both exceptional as finger style guitars and when played with a pick.

Nevertheless, if it's the J200 sound that most appeals, the Collings OM3 won't be a substitute. You'd need to look for a Collings SJ to get a similar sound scape from a Collings.

[cliff_the_stiff]

Apple’s and oranges.
Buy an OM if you like bright mids and highs- reduced lows and volume.
Buy a Jumbo for all of that, plus some bass.

[zmf]

So DV -- What did you end up doing? Do you have a new guitar?

[JC.]

The Collings will be 100 times better built. But I'd keep the Gibson...

[ScaryLarry]

IMHO it is very difficult to beat a good (S)J-200 for all types of playing including finger-style! I have a few OM guitars (no Collings just a Waterloo) and my go to guitar is my SJ-200 Standard maple. My Martin 00-28VS comes in second for finger-style. Neck width is usually a determining factor for finger-style but I have no problem with the different neck widths. Just my 2 cents worth.

[Freedbaby]

if you decide to sell your SJ200, I'd be interested.