HI,
I ordered my "Retirement Guitar" today. It is a Collings OM1A Cutaway, Short Scale, VARNISH Finish, 1-3/4" Nut Width, Straight Grained Brazilian Peghead Veneer Overlay, w/Collings Calton Deluxe Case. Still have to decide if I want the Fingerstyle Top, (Lightened Braces) or not. I have some time to decide. I also spec'd out the widest grain Adi Top, with 0% coloring or (Barn-wood) effect.

I had one just like it last year (non-varnish) and let it go. But I cannot get the comfort, playability, and of course the sound out of my head.

A couple of years ago I would have never thouhgt a Collings Varnish Guitar would be part of my "Retirement Planning". But it is definitely an integral part of my overall Plan!

Wonder which one of us will "Get there" first.

Many Kudos to Kevin at Hill Country Guitars!
Estimated start date: 9 months
Estimated Completeiion Date: 18 months.


Thanks,
Michael

This message has been edited. Last edited by: dadthrash,

Michael, congrats on the new order. Unless things have changed since I got my OM1ACut Varnish back in Nov. '07, yours would be the second with both Varnish and a cutaway. May you enjoy yours as much, or more, if that's possible, as I have mine. Mighty fine OM indeed.

Tom F.,
Thanks. I really enjoyed the non-varn one, so this one should really be special!

Actually, mine will be the 5th one built. They just sent one to Canada and I called them but it was already gone. The Canada folks emailed me back that they have a Collings OM1A Deep Body Varnish showing up pretty soon. Man, I would like to have both of them.

Do you have any sound clips of yours? It would be interesting to hear....although I've had the non-varn, and have a D1A Varn.....so I can only imagine!!!! And that's OK.

Did you go with the Standard Top and Bracing or did you go with the FS/T...Fingerstyle Top?

Thanks Again,
Viva La OM1AC SS VARN,
Michael

Michael, can't say for sure whether this one has a "standard" top and bracing or not. What I do know is this OM is very light, so go figure.

Can't provide any soundclips, and I'm not aware of any Collings Varnish OM soundclips available on the web, so I think the closest you'll come is checking out the various descriptions from Collings Varnish OM owners that have been posted in this Forum. Definitely not as good as hearing for yourself, but as they say, it is what it is.

Congratulations Michael

I've got a 2 year old version without the "cut". I bought it used on eBay earlier this year. Don't know how much playing time it got from the previous owner. In just 4 months its voice has developed noticeably. What a wonderful retirement gift. I'll be counting the months with you.

Alan

My two cents (make 'em Canadian; they're worth more): I've owned, gulp, at least five Collings OM's. two have been OM1A's; of those, one was varnish and one was a cutaway with the Podium style lightened bracing to which you refer. If I was ordering one, which I am so, so, so not able to do, I'd go with the wide grain (straight edge to edge) and the lighter bracing. I loved that guitar, almost as much as the varnish. Yes, it was one of the victims sacrificed on the alter of The Guitar That May Never Arrive. It sold here, and then, quite quickly, at AMW in about two days. It was just an amazing guitar. That configuration in short scale will be perfect for arthritic hands, wheelchairs, and all the other fun stuff that awaits in the "golden" years. I am thinking of the GTMNA as the cherry on the GAS sundae, if I may mix the heck out of a metaphor. Man, are you in for a mega-treat. Makes me wonder if I made the right call, but I have an OM of a certain lineage that should suffice until the after life. Good on ya, bro. tom

sonoman,
Yes, thats exactly what was discussed today...the "Podium Bracing".

The discussion centered around these two factors. With the Podium Bracing, the guitar would be much more responsive to a light touch, such as Fingerstyle, (which I am 95%),but less headroom when Strummed and FlatPicked.

Was that your experience with your Podium Bracing, Fingerstyle Top OM. How did it work for FlatPicking and Strumming?

I eagerly await your experienced reply,
Mike

PS...Thanks for the tip about my wide grain adi going straight from edge to edge...I am going to inform them of that.

Dadthrash: Well, let's put it this way: one of my steady band gigs is as a lead guitarist for a quasi bluegrass band- with the usual instrumentation, plus a bluesy harpist. I played the Podium braced guitar with that and my other band for two years as the primary gig instrument. I played it fingerstyle at home, but not "out". The only counterweight to that: both bands have rhythm guitarist to boom/chuck, although I both boom and chuck in some songs as the material requires. I also played it with a K&K pickup, not over a mic (having long discovered that if you want to keep your playing secret, play over a mic in a bar with 100 people. Folks will see your hands move, and not much other evidence will there be that you're actually playing music). That bias aside, I found no, repeat no, shortfall in volume or headroom or whatever else you wanna call it. I tend to play three and four note voicings, double stops, little pieces of scales, and passing chords, not I/IV/V flogging (although I do that, and love it). When I take a guitar "out", it has to do soft country ballads, swing songs, blues, bluegrass, folk rock- you know, American music. Of all the guitars I've had to sell, I miss that Podium braced cutaway just about as much as I miss the first varnish OM1A Collings ever made. Yeah, I'd take the varnish back first (fat chance), but the cut was close. You won't have to worry about either/or. You'll get AND. A good source: call Jeff at the Podium. He is the guy who conspired with Bill and the Boys to make that style of guitar. He's forgotten more about 'em than I know. Gotta stop. I'm getting hap-piness envy. God forgive me, I'm a GAS glutton (slightly reformed). tom

Alan, Thanks...tick, tock, tick, tock!

sonoman...Awesome...that pretty much settles it, especialy since my last OM1A Cut SS non-varn had that FS/T (Podium Bracing) and I , like you , never ever wanted for more volume and/or headroom. Well, maybe just a little more Bass. FS/T it is!

OK...I have tried to figure it out....what the heck is GTMNA? Don't laugh...I gotta know.

Mike

Congrats on the new purchase and glad to hear you followed up on your dream guitar.

A short-scale OM cut is perfect for retirement but the bracing question is tough. If it's a guitar truly and only aimed at old age perhaps the light bracing should be embraced. I just purchased an OM with a very light build and it sounds magnificent but doesn't have the headroom I need when... well.. when I need it. My light-weight Collings OM1A Varnish w/normal bracing has headroom that knows no limits and it enables me to be the rock star I am not, but play anyway, at times, even on the OM.

Do old retired guys play like rock stars? I'm not there yet but bet that I will still do so. Perhaps you'll have no need for the headroom, but if you do, a different guitar such as your D1A Varnish will suffice.

piratejab,
Thanks!
Uh oh, better take a little more time about the bracing...conflicting reports....back to pondering it all.

Two concerns I have about knowing the D1A Varn will be there for the Rock Star Stuff.....Will it fit in my lap and wheelchair...but most of all, will I be able to hold on to er' as she resonates off my Lap....Man, does that guitar vibrate!!!

Thanks very much for you input.

Mike

GTMNA: guitar that might never arrive. sorry. As far as bass response, the varnish will twist that dial on the EQ for sure. I'd ask Alex at Collings as well to get his take. The short scale/varnish/wide grain mix oughta give you a hog guitar with a whole lotta warmth. You'se a lucky dude. I mean, how long is 18 months? I've been waiting ten..... best call: don't think about it. Yeah. Right. tom oh, and I am an "old retired guy" and I gig six or eight times a month, and intend to do so as long as someone'll hire me and my fingers still function. Ref: Buena Vista Social Club, Standing in the Shadows of Motown. Very, very encouraging. tm