Greetings to one and all,

I am a new Collings owner and couldn't be happier. After playing for 35 years and owning Martins, Guilds, Larrivees, and others, I am convinced that my C10 Deluxe is the best sounding guitar I've ever owned.

I am primarily a fingerstyle player and am fairly eclectic - I play some Celtic, some Piedmont blues, some general acoustic music, and some chord melody jazz standards. I am currently using the Collings for standard tuning and drop-D and my Larrivee OM-09 for DADGAD, CGDGAD, Open D, and Open G. Newtone strings on both.

I look forward to the discussion here.

Ken

"No guitar can withstand the creative spirit that is in every human being. Anyone who calls his guitar a 'box' does not understand. Anyone who calls his guitar an 'axe' cannot play it very well." - John Fahey

1996 Collings C-10 Deluxe
2002 Larrivee OM-09
1992 G&L Legacy
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2002 Larrivee LJ-05 (for sale)
1996 G&L ASAT (for sale)

Hi !

I am Tom, live in Sheboygan Falls, WI. I am 48 years old.

Began playing guitar in High School and just futzed around on an Ibenez cheapo. Years later, I played with some friends and formed a Bluegrass jam group, that was in 1980-81. Bought a Guild D-55, not bad (sold it three years later) Back then, we were listening to TR Manzanita, Doc Watson's On Stage, David Grisman's first (The C), and Hot Rise's first, surprisingly, still some of my favorite's.

Put the guitar down until 1992 when I bought a Guild D-50, played for a couple months and put it down until Fall of 2001.

Then the awakening. I decided to get back into guitar bigtime and chose Bluegrass because of the many jams available and I always liked both the rhythym playing and especially the leads.

Went to a local music store, of all the Martins, H&D, FroggyB, SCGC, and others, I came away with a Collings D1A. Loved it. A year later, I played a D2HA, and that was it, had to have one. I consigned with Cotten Music and now have the D2HA with premium top and no popsicle brace, 1 3/4 neck. Wow.

Needed a campfire guitar, and had previously tried to sell my Guild with little luck. So I sent it to Dan Lashbrook and had some work done. I'm really enjoying the Guild now, the change with Dan's work is really amazing.

Last fall picked up a very special 1990 Kentucky KM1000. For a Kentucky, sounds amazing. But don't have time to play it much. Now with the econo mandos Collings is building, guess what might happen next, yup, MAS !!! Have to play one first against the KM1000.

I also Flyfish, Sea Kayak, Canoe, Bicycle, XC Ski, and love Wilderness Travel.

Nice to meet you all.

Time to weigh in. My name is Brett Probert, and I've been playing since I was 10. I'm now 38, and acoustics have become a great passion of mine in the past 5 years. I currently own 9 acoustics, plus one Fender Telecaster I received as a gift. I play lots of styles from Gordon Lightfoot finger and flatpick to bluegrass and old-time. My passion is bluegrass. I play EVERY day, and try to put in at least 10 hours a week on the fretboard. I have gigged a little, but mostly play for my own enjoyment.

I married my wife Carla 11 years ago and she is my best friend. We have no children, but do have an Australian Shepherd we call Shadrach. She plays the violin, fiddle, piano, and clarinet. She is also messing around a little on the mandolin, as am I. We enjoy playing together, and usually do at least once a week.

For the past eight years, I've been a pastor. I gave up my career as a mechanical engineer and operations manager of a manufacturing firm to pursue my call to ministry. I've had no regrets, but I do miss my old job from time-to-time. It certainly provided more $ for the guitar collection! My wife is a full-time wife, and I love it.

I purchased my first Collings 2 weeks ago, after having spent years in pursuit of "the" D2H. I am more blown away every day by the beauty, tone, and power of it. I couldn't be happier!

2003 Collings D2H
2002 Alvarez-Yairi WY-1 Koa
2001 Martin D-18 (Kit)
2000 Alvarez-Yairi DY-200
2000 Alvarez-Yairi DY-40 Twelve String
1978 Alvarez 5021 Twelve String
2003 Fender Telecaster

quote:

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but do have an Australian Shepherd we call Shadrach. She plays the violin, fiddle, piano, and clarinet. She is also messing around a little on the mandolin, as am I. We enjoy playing together, and usually do at least once a week.

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Wow! That's one talented dog!!

Just joshing you, Brett. Welcome to the forum. Btw, if you ever do decide to have children you can forget that 10 hours a week on the fretboard. I've got two daughters; one 3 and the other 1. I'm lucky if I can accumulate 10 hours on the fretboard over a period of 3 months!

Allen,

You ought to see Shadrach play "The Orange Blossom Special!"

And why would I have kids? That would ruin all my playing time. Children might be cheaper, however....

Hello, my name is Loet and I'm living in Arnhem, a town in the Netherlands.
I'm 47 years old, married and have 3 kids. I play guitar since I was 16. First started to play drums in a rockband, but I preferred to play guitar. I learned playing by myself without lessons.
The first guitar I bought was a acoustic 12 string Ibanez. I'm lefthanded and this happened to be the only lefthanded guitar in the shop. I did a lot of (home)recording and 12 years ago I bought a Takamine acoustic guitar, because their pickup-hardware is very good. This way I could record direct without a mic.
I play mostly acoustic music like Venice, Crowded House, Beatles, Stones, C,S,N&Y, etc sometime I play alone, sometimes with some friends. Sometimes we perform in a folkcafé nearby.
About 2 years ago I found out that the sound of the guitar itself is more important than the direct pickup options. I started looking for a guitar that had a good sound of its own.

Last month I went to a guitar-shop in The Hague. I took a friend with me so he could play the righthanded guitars. First we tried Martin D18, then D28, D35 and then we tried a Collings D3. We were overwelmed by the sound. So clear and balanced. I decided to buy one. Because it a lefthanded one he (or she) had to be ordered. It will take about 3 month before he’ll be here. In the mean time I’m reading the posts on this forum, they makes me more impatient.
I can hardly wait ‘till she’s here.

By the way: half year ago I took 6 guitar lessons to learn to play solo-riffs. It was a amazing. I never understood which tones to play. Now I learned some scales and playing lead-guitar keeps getting better.

Greetings,

Loet.

Loet,

Cool. I'll be hoping the time flies by quickly. You won't be disappointed. Welcome!

Brett

My name is Gary Beecham and I'm new to the forum. Live in Concord, NC (where the Charlotte Speedway is, for you NASCAR fans), work as an estimator for a large electrical contracting company in Mooresville, NC (where McIntyre Pickups is or was, for you guitar gear fans). 5 kids, 52 years old. Got my first Collings in '92, a '91 D1 (SN 623, I think) that Dan Lashbrook had customized for himself (are you out there, Dan?) (in the days before he did the whole tuners and fretboard reduction thing). 2 years ago we moved from our 25 year home in Fort Wayne, IN, down to Pensacola, to help build a Christian church / Bible school. On the way, I stopped at Cotten and left the D1 and got a new D2H. (Wish I could have kept it, but didn't have enough money for two! But time for a new sound.)
Favorite guitar music style is almost any new acoustic stuff. I like all of Russ Barenberg's stuff (and wish the Skip, Hop and Wobble trio would do another album). Love Buddy Greene, too, who's great musicianship takes a little experience to fully appreciate. Mostly I play and sing at church and with friends. I'm 95% self-taught, using Homespun materials --I highly recommend Russ' Exploring the Fingerboard series. Play mostly with a semi-legal(?) piece of turtle I've been carrying around for about 6 or 7 years (my wife can't believe I haven't lost it yet).
Thinking of changing to a smaller body guitar, or shallower, but the old D's are hard to beat, and there's such a gut-level connection when accompanying singing.

Hey Everyone my name is Jim Farrar and I purchased my first Collings (CJSB) last Tuesday. I purchased my second one Friday used (SJ42 Ad/BRW) from Carmel Music; it should arrive on Tuesday. Big week, phew! I've been playing since 1971 and I don't care to do the math, not being rude, just in denial; have 4 kids, 21 yr old son, 17 yr old daughter and 22 month old daughters. I currently, besides my Collings, have a 1967 Guild F50R BRW/not sure what type of spruce, 1970 Guild F512e Special (looks like the F612, 17" precurser), 1982 Taylor 815ce, Yamaha LL-35, Cordoba Gypsy Kings, Breedlove NS-20R, Taylor JDCM-24ce. I think that's it, but most all of them are about to be sold to make room for the Collings.

I bought the CJ at Appalachian Bluegrass in Baltimore. I was debating buying a Martin OM-28V and just for the heck of it Emory (store owner) gave me the CJ and told me to have at it. 90 secs later he was putting it in a case for me to take home and I didn't even have a clue how much it cost. All I knew was that I had to have it. Since then, I've spent hours playing an SJ at Acoustic Axis in Alexandria, VA and an OM2H (I think that's right) at Appalachian. I think I'll still end up with an OM but I just couldn't pass up the SJ. I am seriously hooked.

I play mostly fingerstyle, no picks, but on occassion flat pick when the mood strikes. Grew up a folkie and have played on several indie albums as well as produced a couple minor projects. I listen to Lucy Kaplansky, Shawn Colvin, Nanci Griffith, the late JD, Lyle Lovett and others that fly in the face of Clear Channel.

I appreciate any advice, new artists or just a drop by from any of my new bunk mates and hope that I can add something of value to this magnificant forum from time to time. Thanks for providing a space.

Jim

Hello,

I live in East Yorkshire, Engalnd with my partner and two year old daughter.

I began playing guitar 17 years ago when I was 16. The pivotal moment for me came in my early 20's when a friend introduced me to the world of fingerstyle folk & blues (Mississippi John Hurt, Stefan Grossman, John Fahey, Leo Kottke etc) and that's pretty much what I've been playing ever since.
I got my OM2H a couple of weeks ago (used) and I am totally blown away by it. I also have a couple of Martins (HD28 & OM21) but they are now for sale as I only need one guitar and I am confident the Collings is The One.
I am also a baseball fanatic and have high hopes for a Red Sox - Cubs World Series this year.

Cheers,

Neil.

Hi! My name is David Song, 26 years old, and I live in Mill Valley(walking distance from Goden gate Bridge), California. I am currently in Seminary and was full time flight instructor prior to Seminary.

I got into guitar 1 year and few month ago. I only started, because we needed someone to lead praise for our youth group. The kids were being neglected and saw the desperate need. It was a big challenge and struggle for me to learn guitar. You see, I hated playing any kind of Instrument while growing up. Music was the only class I didn't pass in Elementary, Middle school, high school. Get the point? ANyhow, I picked up the guitar not for me, but for the kids. ANd now guitar has become my only hobby. I came to a point where my fellow Seminarians think I am idolizing guitar over God.

I encountered Collings on many forums I visited during last one year. It all started out with Cort (Korean made) 200 dollar guitar. Since then, I had Larrivee D-05,L-3BW,C-09, Santa Cruz D/PW, Martin DR, and no name Classical guitar. I sold them all and now only have D2HA and D3 being built. I fell in love with Collings Dred at Gryphons string inst in Polo Alto, CA. I can't wait until July for my D3 to arrive. Than it will be the difficult part of choosing which one to keep.

Greetings!

My name is David Berchtold. I live in Central Illinois, between Bloomington/Normal and Peoria.

I've been playing guitar on and off for 30+ years, seriously for 15. Took lessons from Bob Applegate back around '90 and that opened up a whole new world. I still go back to his lessons today and pick up new stuff.

Started gigging out about 5 years ago and it's become a hobby / 2nd job. I'm having a blast playing at restaurants, coffee shops, occasional bar shows, and festivals across central illinois. Even have my first honest to goodness ticketed concert event scheduled for November in Peoria.

I'm married and have a 15 year old son who is a dynamite trumpet player. He gave it up this year because the school let his (excellent, charismatic, and talented) music teacher go so they could give raises to their 2W-9L football staff - aaarrrggh! This teacher had them playing Count Basie and Thelonious Monk tunes in 8th grade Jazz Band. Teacher's gone now and Ryan refuses to join what's left - marching band. Can't blame him.

Anyway, I'm thrilled and honored to be a Collings owner and member of this forum. I love my D1A!

David Berchtold
Finger pickin' good Folk, Blues, Gospel, Ragtime, and Originals
David Berchtold website

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