Hi. I live in Portland, OR. I'm another member of team geezer, the over fifty bunch. I have been playing guit for about 2 1/2 years now, and boy are my fingers tired. I bought myself a larrivee for my 50th bday, and I found my D1A just this summer. (had to sell the larry, but it was worth it) I got to meet the inestimible RockerBob and his playing partner Carl at a jam/campout/soiree in WA state this summer. It was big fun. My Collings got lots of ohhs at the get together, so even if I suck, at least I got tone.
Mik

Name is Tom Friedrichs. Live in Sheboygan Falls, WI, 4 miles from Lake Michigan. I have a D1A and a Guild D-50 that was just modified by Dan Lahsbrook (now I have a Collings and a great sounding "knock around" guitar).

I played for several years in the early 80s, some Bluegrass and folk fingerstyle, then put the guitar down. Bought the Guild in '92 but barely played it.

Then, was in a few high-end shops November 2001 goofing around, tried a few Martins, H&D, Froggy Bottom, Taylor, Larrivee, Tippen, Gibsons, etc. Then by accident (I was trying only rosewood) I picked up a D1A and gave it a strum...

Needless to say, I pulled out some plastic and it changed my life. I am now playing 4-5 days a week, going to jams, and having a ball. Have learned how to sing, and that is coming along well also. With all this practice, I am advancing faster than I ever dreamed.

The other day I played a OM-2H; dang it all, now why did I have to go and do that! GAS

I am 47. My other interests include sea kayaking, canoeing, xc skiing, and wilderness travel.

I love reading about you other folks out there !

[This message was edited by Tom Friedrichs on October 03, 2002 at 12:52 PM.]

Greetings fm Singapore

Guess I make some brief introductions.
Born in '69, in Singapore, the only other Asia country, beside ED fm HKG, in the forum.


Picked up the guitar during early school days, juz playing strum & sing. Stopped the guitar on & off for few years, until in '97 I got serious in it. Took up Classical lesson for 1-2 years. Eventually quit the lesson after my guitar teacher let me listen to Tommy Emmannuel's CD. . That changed my goal & inspiration in guitar playing. Tommy became my hero then. Fm Tommy, I got to know Chet Atkins, Merle Travis, etc. I'm still learning & struggling hard to play Tommy's songs & also Chet's stuffs.

I hv the privillege to know ED when he's in Singapore for work last year. We did some exchanges on guitar & I learnt a lot fm him too. Also hv the privillege to try Ed's Thompson OM too. Unfortunately, Ed got to leave later for HKG & I lost a good guitar friend


I own a '95 COllings OM2H that I bought fm a guy in '98. He still owns a D1 & D2H, which Ed & I hv tried it b4. ED likes the D2H & I like the D1 better Besides him, we got a lady who juz bought a OM1K. So u got 3 COllings owners here, as far as I know of.

Besides Collings, I also hv a '00 H&D 00-SP, which is simply a great guitar too. Lefty the one who instroduced tis guitar to me. Good to know I'm still the only H&D owner in Singapore. Not to forget I still got a rare Thompson Nylon string. Yes, its the same steel string Thompson made by Ted.

Tomcat, We also have HANA from Japan and many members from European countries, Australia etc..

Hey all,
Not too much to tell here...I am currently an undergraduate student here in Colorado, majoring in Molecular Biology. My Mom started me out with piano lessons when I was in Kindegarten, so I played that until I was in 9th grade. I then had an interest in taking guitar lessons, but my parents wouldn't let me, due to my lack of practicing piano. My Dad has been playing now for about 10 years, and finally bought me an old Sigma dreadnought, and playing has turned to not only routine, but an obsession. I just wish I had started earlier. I play 2-4 hours a day, 7 days a week. Kind of hurts the grades sometimes...but that's okay, its for a worthy cause. Last summer, I saved and saved, and finally bought my first keeper of a guitar. After trying 10 or 12 different brands and 20 or 30 different styles, I bought a D2h with a larger nut, and absolutely love it. What a joy it is to play everytime I sit down with my Collings.

Chris Lewis

Great to meet you wonderful people. I grew up in Alabama and have enjoyed a lifetime of music thanks to my dad. I was fortunate enough to practice on a '63 D-18 as a kid. I lost interest over the college years though. Focused too much on girls I think.
Moved to Miami about ten years ago. Since I knew my dad was not going to give me that Martin I started playing guitars everywhere I went. Guess I was missing the connection with my dad and folkmusic and blue grass. I own eight guitars now with another on the look out for the office (or campfire guitar). Finally I flew to New York in August to see if I could find a great guitar there .. I did. I own a Collings D3. I celebraed that night by seeing Jack Lawrence, Doc Watson and Richard Watson. I put the tickets in my guitar for mojo.

I Sell custom casino dice knobs for electric guitars and basses for the love of it:
http://www.guitar-bones.com
"For Control Freaks"

I was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, raised in Bluegrass country, and have played guitar in various acoustic and electric bands for close to 40 years. My first influences came through the Folk revivial of the early 60's. I still remember learning the opening phrases on the guitar to Puff the Magic Dragon. And from there I went on to following Doc Watson around from venue to venue. I am currently a pastor in a Presbyterian Church. My music preferences are eclectic, ranging from straight Bluegrass to swing to fingerstyle to rockabilly and roots rock and roll, and of course praise and worship style. I currently own three Collings' guitars: a D1A, a D2H, and a 000-2H. I have other guitars but have over the years traded many other brands in for additional Collings. There is something about the sound and feel that I do not find in any other brand. Bill is doing it right. I have also found myself moving more and more to smaller guitars (as did Norman Blake). I love the sound of the 000-2H, and am working on techniques to flatpick it without overdriving it. My favorite technique is to use a flatpick (usually real tortise) and two Dunlop metal picks on my right hand, doing a combination of flatpicking and fingerstyle. I recently moved back to the West Coast from the Washington DC area. We now live in Laguna Niguel (Orange County).

Hi everyone. My name is mike and I live in miami. I have eight guitars covering most playing styles: 1931 National Doulian, 1959 Gretsch 6118, Taylor K65, Collings D3, and a 1968 Martin D-18 plus. I am very happy this forum came up to answer all my guitar questions. I play mostly bluegrass and classic rock tunes. Any one who owns an electric guitar or bass may enjoy my website:
http://www.guitar-bones.com

See you in the threads..

Hi Everyone,

My name is Nash and I live in Sumter, South Carolina, which is about 40 miles east of Columbia. I've been here about 5 years, and I work as a geographer for a planning council.

I've been playing guitar for about 6 years, and I bought my first Collings, a '91 D-1A, in 1999. I primarily fingerpick, but I have to admit that I highly appreciate those who can play bluegrass. I have to admit that I've always liked bluegrass, however my primary interest is country blues.

Well, I'm glad I found this forum and I look forward to participating.

Nash

Howdy, My name is Bill. I don't own a Collings but I do have GAS! I've bought 4 guitars since March and I love them all but I've got a hankering for a custom guitar. I've never looked into a custom Collings but I have played some. How does Collings compare to say Martin in the custom department, prices, etc? FYI two Gibsons, a Martin, and an Alvarez. Pleasure meeting ya'll

In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is.

Collings custom orders are WAY more expensive than a Martin custom. But, they are built better, much, much better - not even a slight resemblence in build quality - the Collings wins hands down.

Tonally and playability are personal matters.

If you have got a thick wallet, order a custom made Collings. Otherwise, either order a new custom Martin (you can't really beat Martin's for the money), or look around for a good used Collings (check www.gbsae.com)
Good luck.

I'm a 43 year old physician living in SLC. I do some singing/rhythm playing on a variety of folk/contemporary bluegrass/pop tunes, as well as flatpicking, on flattops. I also play gypsy jazz on Selmer/Mac style guitars. Check out my gypsy jazz band's meager website - www.redrockhotclub.iuma.com. We've just finished a CD.

I love the tone of a good flattop, my favorites of which are Santa Cruz, Bourgeois, and Collings. Unfortunately I've recently had to give up two of my favorite guitars (Skaggs dread and D2H), tone wise, because the necks were too wide for my tendonitis/carpal tunnel syndrome. I'm now awaiting a used D3, which should arrive next week

Charlie