Last night I picked up the OM-1A and started playing in DADGAD, then DGDGBD. I felt a real connection to the sound of the guitar and my hands. I cannot describe it other to say that I felt one with the guitar and like in a zone, I was playing above my abilities it seemed.

The only caveat, I had taken some cold medicine early in the day and perhaps that had relaxed me some way.

I finished the day playing my SJ sitka/rosewood in CGDGAD and the flow continued. What wonderful guitars we have to play with these Collings. I feel really lucky to have rediscovered acoustic guitar, especially with the alternate tunings.

kenny

Hey Kenny:

I know what you mean. I've played a fair amount in DGDGBD (called Taro Patch in Hawaiian Slack Key guitar vernacular) and I recently have been dabbling in DADGAD. Really fun stuff. I find DGDGBD to be particularly forgiving since even a missed string usually still sounds good or at least acceptable.

In fact, I was thinking about another thread I saw yesterday about the use of blue grass strings (with medium gauge bass strings and light gauge trebles) on my OM, wondering if that would make the bass even fuller as these lower strings are loosened quite a bit, particularly in tunings that require a low C. Thoughts anyone?

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Kenny B.:
Last night I picked up the OM-1A and started playing in DADGAD, then DGDGBD. I felt a real connection to the sound of the guitar and my hands. I cannot describe it other to say that I felt one with the guitar and like in a zone, I was playing above my abilities it seemed.

The only caveat, I had taken some cold medicine early in the day and perhaps that had relaxed me some way.

Back in the 70's (remember them?) I read an interview with David Bromberg, wherein he was asked what he would recommend to someone hoping to achieve the mastery of the guitar that he had achieved. He said (close paraphrase) "Somehow or another, you have to get in touch with your instrument. Now I'm not saying that you HAVE to use drugs, but......"

At the time I assumed he meant recreational drugs, but, who knows, maybe it was indeed cold medication he had in mind. Cheers!

B

Hey Kenny,
Just returned from a shorter then planned Winter Break in Sunny Florida. Was planning on staying all of March but things needed immediate attention here at home. Burr it's cold here after mid 50's nights and low 80's during the day.

While I was gone space was limited and I could only take one guitar with me. I was also leary leaving one of my Collings guitars in the camper during those warm days while out enjoying the sunshine. I had to take my Rainsong WS1000 and leave my beloved Dreadnaughts at home. The Rainsong is a nice guitar which plays and sounds great for what it is and I was glad I had it along.

When I got home and finished the chores and it was finally time to bust out my beloved Collings guitars. I was totally smitten by how nice my sunburst CW looked and once I started playing it the sound was unbelieveable. I couldn't comprehend how much I loved to just sit there and hear the tones coming from that guitar. It was just like hearing my first Collings guitar all over again. I played for over 2 hours without interruption and was finally brought back down by an unappreciated phone call.

This was a totally out of body experience and will remain in my memory for years to come. It was almost like the first time I went out with Raquel Welsh but that's a different story better left untold.....................

Best,
Papple

Papple, good to hear you are back and in the swing of things again. I sold my Breedlove and my Carvin... I'm down 5 guitars and one mandolin in just about a year. Not bad... still have the 335 and twin to let go of.

Still loving all my Collings guitars, they are truely amazing.