Anyone who is seriously interested in an OM-1A should give Kevin at Hill Country a call and ask about the 2007 OM-1ASB that he has in stock. I have no affiliation with the guitar or the shop (other than being a very frequent visitor) ... just trying to do The Community a service here.

I've played this particular OM quite a bit. I don't have a full tone report or anything (insert your favorite adjectives), but I can say without a moment's hesitation that it's the best Collings OM I've played. The main beef I usually have with Collings OMs is that their trebles are too thin. On this guitar, the trebles are every bit as solid as the mids.

Every bit.

Some people string their OMs with mediums on the B and E strings in order to get around the thinness in that register ... but that would be completely unnecessary with this guitar. It seems to be pretty versatile as well -- loud when you want it to be, but real responsive as well. I personally think picks and OMs are like water and oil but if you're inclined to use a pick on this one, it will take all you throw at it.

And it's not particularly ugly either ...

http://hillcountryguitars.com/913.htm

So that's my report. Highly, highly recommended.

FWIW, the German OM1 is INCREDIBLE as well (particularly for someone with a light touch) and the Mahogany / Adi SJ is right up there. I've not spent much time with the other guitars in the shop but these three are really, really good ones.

Anyway, those are my thoughts. I've gotta go over next week to pick up a couple of vintage instruments that Tony has been working on. I'd be happy to play and opine on any of the others that anyone wants to hear about as well.

Cheers,

Thanks for that road report Mike.You can opine about all of them till the cows come home.That OM1A burst looks incredible with the rope.

That guitar was my custom order only it didn't have the bearclaw that I really wanted so I passed on it and waited for Collings to build me another. I am sure it sounds as good as it looks, the one I have ended up with is all I could ever want from a mahogany OM. Someone is going to be very pleased with this guitar.

quote:

Originally posted by mwilkins:
The main beef I usually have with Collings OMs is that their trebles are too thin. On this guitar, the trebles are every bit as solid as the mids.

Every bit.

Some people string their OMs with mediums on the B and E strings in order to get around the thinness in that register ...

Thanks for the post. I have to admit, however, that the trebles are almost never my beef with a Collings OM. I find that the trebles, on average, are plenty full. I just can't get around that plinky boxy bass on an OM -- relative to bigger guitars. I just need more depth and oomph in the bass strings than even the best OM provides -- even for fingerstyle. But, man, that is one pretty guitar...

The bass is great on my OM deep rich and sonorous, and that is compared to plenty of dreds I have played. I suppose it depends on the guitar, my Bourgeois OM is no slouch in the bass department either.

Hi Mike ,
That MerrillJ45 seems to be something special , could you give it a test drive for me if you have the time ? Thanks ,Dave C

and then there is mine, and it's already been nicely seasoned.

http://collingsforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/55660426/m/1151095755

Jeff

Hi Mike,

All of us with serious GAS problems thank you oh so much! We really need a knowledgeable, great guitar guy pointing out great guitars. How good are you at writing accompanying explanation notes to those we need to convince why we need another guitar......

Seriously, thanks for the alert. Always fun to know where an exceptional guitar is hanging out!

Phil

i'm also curious about that bursted H&D CM custom at HCG... if it's not too much trouble.

Making a list, checking it twice ...

Hey Mike,

I wouldn't mind a report on the used C10 SB Cut.-could you give it a brief spin?

thanks!

Anybody wanna know my consulting fee?



OK, OK ... it's on the house.