Hi there all-

After lurking in this forum for a few months, I think it's only appropriate that I introduce myself...

I recently became the owner of a Collings CJ quite by accident...and ironically, thanks to Taylor guitars. You see, I was sent to Appalachian Bluegrass, in Catonsville, MD, by Taylor Guitars...to get my Baby Taylor's broken neck replaced (the headstock snapped off on an airplane). They very kindly said that if I took it there, they would fix it for free! Who could pass that up?

Now, at the time I very happily owned a 1989 Taylor 910 as my main guitar for over 10 years. I loved that guitar, and up until that day, I had never played a guitar that I liked better.

After dropping off the Baby-T, I started chatting with Emory, the shop owner, about current guitars brands, what was good these days, etc., and he said that the Collings were among the best guitars around. Now, not having shopped around for some time, I was not familiar with them. He asked if I wanted to play one. Well, of course, why not?

I tried a regular Martin D-shaped dreadnaught and was very impressed with the quality and sound, but then when I tried a CJ he had there, it was like a whole new world of sound...rich and complex, and most of all ...LOUD! A real cannon! Not to mention, it had a beautiful sunburst and really classic good looks.

Now, up until then, I had always been happy with my Taylor's balanced, clear and crisp sound, but it was a also a very "clean" sound - very beautiful, but not very bluesy or brimming with personality.

I brought my Taylor into the shop the very next day and A/B'd it against the Collings. There was little comparison in my mind. As wonderful and familiar to my ear my Taylor was, the Collings just had 'more'. It has this real "woodiness" to its sound, especially in the bass...it had MUCH more personality to its sound than my Taylor, which is especially surprising, as I was comparing a brand new guitar to a 15 year old one (I had purchased the Taylor used). I wish I could jump ahead 20 years and hear what the Collings will sound like, because if it sounds this good now....

That said, I did prefer the Taylor better only when capo'd up quite high (V)...that's when its 'chiming' quality really shines...but only then was it was the winner between the two instruments. But capo'ing high isn't something I do that often, so...

Needless to say, I was suddenly a bit scared that I was suddenly smitten by a $3800. guitar!!! Long story short, I bought it (and had to sell the Taylor to pay for it!). What can I say? It's a whole lot cheaper than falling in love with some sports car...

I must say that I HIGHLY recommend Appalachian Bluegrass for anyone in the Baltimore/DC area...Emory is the nicest guy you could meet. There was no pressure or salesmanship, I was given all the time in the back room I wanted to play...the sale was a very nice experience. I'm sure everyone here knows about them, but if not, mine is a 2004 Collings CJ SB guitar, which is largely patterned after the old Gibson Advanced Jumbos...it has a sunburst spruce top, rosewood back and sides. It is certainly a very expensive guitar, but there are no excess showy features...abalone inlays and the like. You are paying for a truly top-shelf guitar. It's a very restrained and classic looking instrument. It sounds great with a flat-pick, with fingerpicks, or bare fingers. It would be great for Bluegrass because its such a powerhouse...especially in the bass. But, that said, it's also very well-balanced with a real delicacy to the highs. I play mostly vintage blues and fingerpicking ragtime music, often with finger-picks, and it's wonderful for this. It also sounds great when played softly, so you really have a lot of dynamics at your fingertips. It has a very open and "alive" sound. Any time I get together with friends to play and we trade guitars around, all I ever want to do is get MINE BACK!!!

I am currently playing in a production of The Who's "Tommy" on stage in Alexandria, VA ( http://www.thelittletheatre.com/pages/nowplaying.htm ), and am using the the CJ with a Fishman Blend soundhole pickup for the acoustic guitar parts. One song features solo acoustic ("Capt. Walker/It's a Boy" for those that know or care) in drop-D tuning, and at one point, the music calls for me to bang that low D string at let it ring...and it just sounds awesome filling up the entire theatre. I have received many positive comments on the guitar sound during this show so far.

Well, sorry for the long story, but that's me and my guitar...love to hear from fellow CJ owners...

jojo

Jim Pittman from north Georgia here. Now age sixty, I began playing guitar in the late 1950's. When Doc, Norman, and Clarence surfaced I took up flatpicking. I got an MBA at a young age that enabled my retirement ten years ago, and "converted" to Collings guitars. Although I do recall the times when the 1930's "vintage" Martins were cheap, I believe that the Collings
exceed the best of those old instruments when they were new and that they are far more consistent. We are fortunate indeed to live during the second "Golden Era" of flat top guitars. Advice? Don't let the babies go without shoes and food, but suck it up and buy the guitar that you want......you will end up there, so don't waste money on "second choices".

Mike here, from Vancouver, BC.

I play upright bass, mandolin and guitar... equally badly. I've had the pleasure of owning some very nice instruments (Martin guitars and vintage Gibson mandolins) but haven't yet enjoyed a Collings. We'll change that soon enough!

Hello All,

My name is Steve, and I live in a small town north of Boston. Been playing the guitar for just under 2 years, and it takes up a lot of my free time. I'm a recent college graduate, and I work for a biotech company as an engineer. The job has allowed me to purchase a Collings CJ-SB, and I love it. Between the CJ and the H&D TD-R, I feel set for life in the acoustic department. I just started taking some flat picking lessons at Acoustic Outfitters in NH, and i'm really enjoying learning some old time fiddle tunes. I also like messing around with a lot of other genres. I'd say that my primary goal right now is to improve my ear and learn the fretboard to the point that I can hear a song and just pick it up on the spot. Lessons really seem to be helping with this, as it forces me to learn the tunes by ear. I also like to play electric guitar and build tube amps. I'm hoping that in 10 or 15 years the amp building thing could turn into a side business, but we'll see what happens. Anyway, this is a great forum and I'm very glad that I have spent the money for quality instruments over the last two years. I'm pretty psyched at the prospect of growing old with these guitars, and hopefully my grandkids will be getting some fine, well played-in instruments 65 years or so down the line.......

Hi, I'm Dan, from Western Massachusetts. I've been playing for 40 years. I play jazz, folk, rock, blues, country, and swing, both professionally and for fun. I bought an '02 D2H a couple of years ago, and an '00 OM2H sunburst last year. Great guitars. Went to Austin in May, visited Collings, Hill Country Guitars, Quincy's, the Salt Lick BBQ, County Line BBQ, the Broken Spoke, and the Continental Club. A great city, nice people, good times. I enjoy this forum, and hope to meet some of you someday. I thought about attending the gathering; perhaps next year. Thanks for all of your comments and good vibes.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dmargo1045,

Hey guys,

My name is Matt from Houston, Tx. I am 24 and have been playing guitar for around 5 years now. I currently am working full time for Bank of America and am finishing school at the University of Houston. On top of that, I am getting married next July, and we are closing on our first house in two weeks. Lots to do with not enough hours in the day. I do not own a collings yet, but am told that I will recieve one when I graduate. I take great pride being born in raised here in Texas and owning a fine guitar like Collings will only reaffirm why I love it here. I look forward to getting to know all of you.

Hello everyone...

Just joined the forum to learn more about the wonderful Collings guitars. My daughter appropriated my last acoustic guitar so I will eventually need a replacement and the Collings I've played in my local shop are very impressive indeed. I play Paul Reed Smith electrics. I have a hollowbody with spruce top and a McCarty soapbar with an unfinished rosewood neck. Looking forward to getting to know you folks and learning more. Thanks!

-Randy

Hi, Silly Moustache in the UIK her.
Proud owner of a DS2H (1999).

I'm a 12 fret nut, and after a long time , I'm about ready for anotyher - I'm looking for a 0002h.
Anybody got one for sale ?

A

Hi SM. Welcome to the "family". A 12 fret nut? Usually, the nut is behind the 1st fret.

Cotten Music (http://www.cottenmusic.com) has a 0002HC I think. Check their site. I bought all 3 of my Collings from Kim Sherman there. Yes, I have a 000-2CG and I love it.

Ace

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quote:

Originally posted by Brewer:
Hello everyone...

Just joined the forum to learn more about the wonderful Collings guitars. My daughter appropriated my last acoustic guitar so I will eventually need a replacement and the Collings I've played in my local shop are very impressive indeed. I play Paul Reed Smith electrics. I have a hollowbody with spruce top and a McCarty soapbar with an unfinished rosewood neck. Looking forward to getting to know you folks and learning more. Thanks!

-Randy

How strange, your username is my last name and you posted directly after me. Kind of freaked me out for a minute

Hello... I just signed up to the forum, been lurking for a little while and thought it time to say howdy.

It has finally been my extreme great pleasure to become the owner of a brand new Collings MT mandolin. I've been a mando/bluegrass picker for years and have owned quite a few mandos, but none could even exist in the same room as this MT. It is the culmination of years of searching for "the tone".

I've long drooled over the MFs, MF5s and MF5-Vs and will own one someday when my wife... errrr... i mean... my wallet will permit it

I've heard many people say, about both Collings guitars (which i'd also love to own) and mandos... they've just simply never heard a bad one. I believe it.

Greetings to all... Nice to meet you!

Greetings from THE largest state in the union! No, not Texas. No, not California! It’s the last frontier, a sportsman’s paradise, the land of the midnight sun – has more lakes than Minnesota, and more shore line than Michigan, colder temperatures than Montana. With light shows in the night sky during the winter that will give you stories to tell for the rest of your life – that no one will believe. Never mind the Black bear in the back yard, or 2 Bull Moose sparing in the back yard while 2 cows are watching – and all that within the city limits of the largest city of the state. I could go on – but I’m probably boring you. Where do I live? Been here for 5 years now.

Grew up in Tennessee. Been playing since 1966. But, I’m still a student of the only real music worth playing. …flatpickin bluegrass.

Went all the way to Nashville to buy my Collings D2H (Cotten Music). I’ve owned it for close to 2 years now. What can I say – without preaching to the choir? I can’t imagine owning a better guitar.

Merry Christmas! And God bless America!

Tony