And it cost 1975.00.so over the years I had six of em.Had a custom D1 made,D3,DS2H,DS41,and a D1A sunburst.all of which were great guitars,but alas six months ago I got the vintage guitar bug and traded the four I had left to obtain a D18 made in 1943.Haven't regretted it, what an awesome guitar.Much drier and sharper in tone and clarity.Very crispy sounding on the wound strings.You know,that sound we all look for.So all I have left besides the D18 are a Merrill C18,Bourgeios"Ricky Skaggs"and a Santa Cruz D/PW.but those will probably be sold cause the Martin will be my main axe.Anyway hats off to the moderators in creating this forum.I will always be a huge Collings fan and look forward to sharing my thoughts and opinions.

Walt
Roseville,Ca

Walt ... a question for you. I have a Collings D1A which is a great guitar. I have never had the privilege of playing a Merrill equivalent but hear great things about Merrill. I have followed Phoenix's epic with the OM with awe! What is your experience? Merrills seem to cost a few more $$ and access is limited...thanks.

Wayne
The Merrill C18 is very close to the sound of my D18,is very clear and has that sharp crispy sound that is so hard to get on the low E,A strings.Not as loud as the D1A I owned(I don't think any guitar could be louder!!)but a dryer tone that Martin Pre War guitars are known for.It really is amazing that Jim Merrill has pulled it off.About as close to a vintage D18 as you are likly to get without paying the big bucks to get an original.I have owned mine for a little over a year and it still is in the process of opening up.I believe it will be a great guitar when its has opened up.
Walt
Roseville,Ca

Thanks Walt ... appreciate the comparison. You are correct about getting some bite out of the low E and A strings, in fact I was noticing this very point on my Collings the other night. Concluded it wasn't the strings as I was using D'Addario J17's which shouldn't understate these strings. I've had the Collings for 4 months and it sounds better with playing notwithstanding it was made in Jan./01. I guess that supports the view that its not just the passage of time but the playing that causes it to opens up ...glad to hear you are really pleased with the D18 ...

On another discussion group, someone stated that the Collings guitars made prior to 1994 were built more lightly than they were subsequently, and were in fact better guitars. I think they are pretty darned good guitars right now, but I haven't seen any pre-94. Are the early ones in fact better?

I think that Mr Bill is building the best guitars now than he ever has.It has always impressed me that he got better and better over the years.As far as weight,hard to tell,he has always built his guitars heavy which is more remarkable cause they sound so good.The man is a genuis!!

Walt
Roseville,Ca

Our Moderator, Phoenix had recently acquired a Merrill OM28 in Brazilian and Adirondack.. I am sure he can share his view on the Merrill as compare to his Collings and others.

Not sure if the pre 94 were better.. I oldest one I tried is one from 95....

All I know is that Collings start using CNC for some parts in 7/98.... But I doubt that will make the guitar any heavier..

I agrees with flatpicker18 that Collings is make better and better guitars now.

I got my D2H because the former owner got a Merrill that he liked better.

More than that I may not say, because there are people here from flatpick-l, and I've been threatened with awful things if I brag any more.

So go to:

http://listserv.nodak.edu/scripts/wa.exe?A2=ind0102d&L=flatpick-l&F=&S=&P=35574

And see what the story was.

Peter

People!!! Let's try not to encourage this fellow. Give him an inch and off he'll go bragging about his Collins or Colings or whatever it is!!!



Bryan Kimsey
http://www.bryankimsey.com