quote:

This is getting kind of circular. The old "agree to disagree" is lurking close by.

No, no. There are no fallacious arguments here. Just a healthy debate Seeking The Truth.

"They merely have opportunities to make improvements on a micro scale that factories don't have."

Like what exactly? The computerized processes that Collings uses for routine stuff that occupy the vast, vast majority of an individual luthiers time actually allows the wood person/s at Collings to spend more, not less time tuning the wood. And, here, I will stack Bruce at Collings against any contender.

There is a false perception that at a "factory" sweaty underpaid workers dump a load of generic wood into a chute and out comes a guitar 4.7 minutes later. Collings, I believe, spend over 5 minutes on each and every guitar. There. Theory debunked.

quote:

Originally posted by elambo:

From our mutual friend perhaps? OM-28?

Uh huh ... the moon would have to align with Venus and a couple of other things would have to transpire as well ...

I place the odds at no better than 10% but you never know.

quote:

Originally posted by collingscowboy:

quote:

This is getting kind of circular. The old "agree to disagree" is lurking close by.

No, no. There are no fallacious arguments here. Just a healthy debate Seeking The Truth.

Certainly not - no one's suggesting that anyone else is wrong, but I am saying there may not be a singular universal truth surrounding this, just individual perspectives.

But this is shooting off-topic. It was never meant to be the little guys vs. the big. At one point I'd said that my particular Borges is my favorite - as close to perfect as I could imagine - and I haven't played a Collings that equals it. I don't think many people have played this guitar, or any Borges for that matter since he doesn't produce many, and having a discussion about such a small company is difficult unless you're familiar with it, and his guitars, and this one in particular.

Tom disagreed with the initial premise of this thread and with my statement that there was a tier above Collings, which is an entirely valid statement for him to make, so I addressed that with my points of view. Since then, this thread is trying to find a wider resolve. I don't believe it will find that.

quote:

Originally posted by mwilkins:

quote:

Originally posted by elambo:

From our mutual friend perhaps? OM-28?

Uh huh ... the moon would have to align with Venus and a couple of other things would have to transpire as well ...

I place the odds at no better than 10% but you never know.

So you've played it? I'm very curious to know what you think.

I sent Kim a message tonight about something unrelated to that guitar, but I wanted to ask her about it.

Borges is definetly in my top 5.
Elambo! pictures please.

quote:

Originally posted by Papi:
Borges is definetly in my top 5.
Elambo! pictures please.

Which model(s) have you played, and do you remember where you played them?

Yes, I know, I promised pics a loooong time ago. I'll try to remember to take a few this afternoon.

quote:

Which model(s) have you played, and do you remember where you played them?

No Sir, I have never had the honor or privilege of playing a Borges, I don't have that kind of money, yet, but I am praying on it. So, meanwhile I research, read, call and talk to certain Luthiers and to my brothers on this forum. I consider myself blessed to have a Collings and I dream about the next step in my guitar journey, knowing full well that I cannot afford to make a mistake.
Here, so far, is my top 5 list in alphabetical order: B&H, Borges, Collings, Franklin, Walker

Papi - I've played at least two of all these builders except Franklin (and have owned 2 B&H, 6 Collings and 1 Walker.) These are all excellent choices! The only additions I would make are John Slobod (Circa Guitars) and Ed Claxton. Both are very, very expensive! Slobod does the vintage Martin thing, Claxton is a "modern" fingerstyle type builder. There are others, many others, but this list will almost guarantee you find something magical.

Wow, that's exactly what I love about this forum, someone always has some kind of knowledge or experience to contribute that helps in an individuals quest. Thank's FreeBlues