So, having been born in Red Wing, I was hatched very near that 45th parallel. Must be why I still cleave constitutionally to those long summer twilights, and actual seasons you can identify. Uncle Sammie gave me all the tropical, equatorial exposure I care for, thanks- although a vacation in rural Hawaii now and then wouldn't bum me out. I'd take the koa guitar, just 'cause. Nobody's gonna buy it. It's ordained. Long Live Bill Collings. And the problem isn't wind, it's INTO the wind. tom

jlkellyds2h wrote:

quote:

The 45th parallel passes directly through N. St. Paul, Lake Elmo, and many other beautiful places. If you would like to visit a closer point, it passes about a mile north of my house in Oregon. Come on up and try it. But be forwarned, we don't allow no jaw settin' up here, nor no pi**in' in the wind.

We have a connection -- the 45th parallel passes through Italy just south of Turin, a few miles from where I used to live and not far from where I am now. I always used to pass under a huge sign hung over the road announcing: "Stai Attraversando il 45' Parallelo" ("You Are Crossing the 45th Parallel") -- many times on a 1959 BMW R69 motorcyle that spent it's younger days in northern Montana, near the Idaho border. Until now, I never imagined that it had probably crossed the 45th before, only 7 or 8 thousand miles due west . . .

Not being from the north country, I can't comment on the 45th like you guys.
But I'll throw in a couple more useless cents on the German and Adi question that was first asked.
In short, I have 3 German topped guitars right now, have had a couple others. It is by far my choice for top wood at this stage of my life and playing. From dreads to little 00's it seems to be what attracts my ear the most. And I can play anything and any style I am capable of on it just fine. I don't find it harsh or brittle sounding, in this case any more than other Collings I own or have played.

As for strumming on Adi, can't imagine why that wouldn't be a no brainer to do? Adi seems to handle about anything thrown at it. I don't have a D2H, but I do have a DS3 in Braz and Adi,
and it can handle anything with ease.

Now about that northern thing, maybe I'll get my chance this Aug. Got an Alaska cruise booked now that I am offically retired as of yesterday.

RickS, Congratulations, yesterday was my first day of retirement,too.First day after 32 years of practicing Pediatrics.Spent most of it wandering around outdoors with my dog on the most beautiful Tennessee day you could imagine.

I also am very impressed with German tops.I traded an OM1A for my OM1G. Both were well played in,6 and 10 years respectively.I'm maxed out on guitars but if I were going to order another Collings in any style,from C10 through CJ and anything in between, it would be Mah/German/

Duck

Rick: welcome to the world of fixed incomes. Hang on. It's, uh, interesting. Not bad, just different. Let's just say after two years away from the workplace we aren't booking any cruises. Good fortune, sire. tom

RickS,

Man, I'd love to play that DS3A braz you own. I have a DS2HA which is the nicest rosewood dread I've ever played. Only thing I can imagine I might like more would be one with braz back/sides. Maybe varnish as well, but after talking with Kim at Cotten, she has me pretty convinced that I may not enjoy the varnish on a rosewood guitar as much as on my 'hog - the other Collings I own is a D1A varnish. Not many varnish rosewood dreads around, so I may never know.

If you ever decide to part company with the DS3A, I'd be interested.

Ernie

Thanks for the welcome to the fixed income set guys. I just got back from a week at my son's place up in Ga. Spent the 4th on Lake Oconee with him and some friends, and a couple grandkids thrown in. Rode the bikes in the Ga hills one day, big fun on a sport bike.

As for the income Tom, I figure that with the trips we already have planned I should be broke by this time next year. I'll either be playing on street corners for tips or greeting people at Wally World. LOL

Ernie, that DS Braz is killer good. And it just so happens that I have been thinking about selling it. Between retirement and my definite preference for smaller guitars, it is one that I would consider selling. I was talking to Kevin about sending it back to Tx. But if you are really interested drop me a PM or an e mail and we'll talk.

Good to be home, at elast for now.

Check out this Collings thread Adi/ eir it is a CW and all struming http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_imdwFoUngo
This is what we all need for struming.

Hello! I bought my 1997 D2HBaA used, so I never heard it brand spankin' new. But, it is excellent for strumming and fingerpicking. Every time I take it to my guitar lessons and warm up before the actual lesson, folks stop by and ask about the guitar. I can't say enough good things about my guitar.

In terms of german, the only german spruce topped guitar I've played was a Sheppard Guitar, and I can tell you that it was a very sweet guitar, no "overly bright" or "metallic" sound to my ears, and Gerald builds many of his guitars with German Spruce. And, I now have a Braz/German Grand Auditorium on order with Gerald.

So, I'll end up with my Collings Adi/Braz dreadnaught and with a German/Braz grand auditorium. Happy, happy to have both.