Purchased from Cotten Music in mid-2005, a custom ordered by someone else who opted out. Thought by Kim Sherman at the time of purchase to be one of the four or five best guitars ever to come through the shop during her tenure. It's been my primary gig guitar for the past three years. Huge, mature, dynamic voice. The best large bodied guitar I have ever played.
Specs: EIR back and sides (excellent to near mint), ultra choice adirondack to (excellent minus, with several top dings (visible against the light, no structural impact at all, just....well, dings), and some significant pick wear on the inner treble side of the sound hole. The wear is down to bare wood, but is about a quarter inch wide and does not breech the inner ring of the rosette). Abalone rosette. Ebony overlay. Doppler dots. K&K Pure Western Mini pickup installed (passive, no battery, the most minimal and truest sounding pickup I've yet found). 3800, and that basically reflects 100 off for the pick wear and 100 back on for the pickup and installation, which cost twice that. If you have to ask the reason, you've not been reading the news. This does not make me happy, but you do what you have to do. That would be this. thanks tom

3700. I'll split shipping and insurance. someone put me out of my misery. photos on request. thanks tom

Here I am, having another conversation with myself. Here's the deal: I want to move on another guitar which shall remain nameless. My wife and I have agreed that further use of credit is, well, stupid. that stupid I'm not. so, this is a guitar that I offer ONLY as a matter of great reluctance. It is tremendous. It is the best large bodied Collings I've ever played, and that includes a whole lot of 'em. Power, clarity, dynamic range, physical beauty, a great pickup. Ask Kim at Cotten how good it was- and it's better now. But, if the guitar I'm trying to move on is gone, so is this opportunity. We're talking a few days, tops. So, as the saying goes, this offer good for a limited time only. It's almost as good as the Alien. that good. No more words, to your great relief. best, tom

It would appear this offer is not drawing the proverbial flies. One more bump for this chump, and then maybe I'll take a hint, or get a clue. One helluva guitar. Last call.

desperation bump. photos on request. thanks tom

even more desperate bump. 3600. The verbiage above still applies. thanks tom

Sonoman -- "bridge financing" -- short term loan to buy new guitar, pay it off with proceeds from non-desperation sale of CJA. Benefits: interest will cost you less than making desperate sale and you won't miss the one you've got your eye on.

quote:

Originally posted by sonoman:
even more desperate bump. 3600. The verbiage above still applies. thanks tom

Tom, I think with all the great deals on guitar out there due to panic in the market, upcoming recession, government bailouts, socialism, new president, anyone remember the war? You will have a tough time finding a buyer for your market price. Things are going below market just like the housing market.

You gentlemen are almost certainly correct. Easy decision for me, though: no offer, no sale. And the recession is upcoming? What do we have now? Our house is worth about 200K less than it was a year ago. Obla di, obla da. tom

I now refer to my 401k as the 201k. IF we have significant slow down it will only last 18 months or less like the last few times.

If? The stock market is down 40% from last year. What would slow be? If? foreclosures are at the highest level in five decades. Guitars are the least of our problems, brethren. best, tom

back to 3700. description in first post. gives the Alien a run for its deutchmarks. no longer desperate. no rush. fatalism has set in. best tom