Collingsguitars.com Collingsforum.com Collings Forum Gear Acoustic Guitars Please advise me: OM-1A vs. OM-2HA or even a D1-A.
Collingsforum.com Collings Forum Gear Acoustic Guitars Please advise me: OM-1A vs. OM-2HA or even a D1-A.Page 1 2
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My intention to purchase a Collings OM-CA failed. It turned out that it had a Sitka top instead of an Adirondack top. I tried to like it, but the Adirondack top speaks to me in a way the Sitka does not. The cutaway is not that important for me so long as the guitar has 14 frets clear of the body. When I attempt to play “Vincent” arranged and performed by Chet Atkins, my 12 fret just won’t do.
I already have a 1978 Taylor 12 string with a Sitka top and a CA Vintage Voiced Legacy (I need to keep this one for prison ministry) and a SCGC D 12 fret (Mahogany with Sitka top). Since I already have three large guitars, I am thinking an OM is better for me; but the D1A I played really spoke to me. Does anyone have advice on the relative merits of an OM-1A vs.an OM-2HA? Does anyone know of any sound clips comparing these? Or should I consider getting the D1A? I know the best advice is to play them all and compare them. Unfortunately, Seattle does not have a shop that carries all three. I want to use the Collings mainly for finger picking and some strumming. I am neither a flat-picker nor a bluegrass player. I found a used D1-A in mint condition for $3000. My limit is about $3000. I will sell my SCGC D 12 fret and some vintage tubes to come up with the money. I may even sell my 1969 Gibson ES-335 and my 1970 Fender twin-reverb amp and go completely acoustic. I apologize in advance if this has already been covered. If so, please direct me to the relevant posts. Peace, Rip |
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Rip:
I was going thru the same dilemma about a 3 yrs ago when I started my Collings sojourn: D1A vs. OM1A vs. OM2HA The D1A can do it all. Many consider it Collings best sounding, best all-around guitar. I believe they are right. I can do pretty much anything on the D1A I have. Regarding OM's, the advice I was given on the OM2HA is that with the Adi top, it may be hard to drive with the OM shape. You might talk to Kevin at Hill Country Guitars or Steve Miklas at Acoustic Music works. I was steered away from the OM2HA and towards an OM2HG - german spruce top and have never looked back. It responds great to a light touch and I have yet to overdrive the top when strumming hard. Lush sustain and overtones. I have both a D1A and an OM1A. The OM1A is very similar to D1A, just lacking a little bottom end. At the end of the day, like I said, my D1A can do it all. So here is my advice. 1. DO NOT SELL your ES335 and FENDER TWIN - I have heard and read about too many people regretting doing the same thing time and time again. 2. Jump on the D1A. 3. Wait a little to see if it can meet your needs. I am willing to wager it will cover all your needs. (You can play fingerstyle on a D1A, trust me) 4. If not, go with a german top / East Indian Rosewood Dreadnought. Wny dreadnought and not OM ? Dread will be more versatile, and I bet it would be great for fingerstyle. 5. If the german top dread does not suit you, go with the OM2H - german top. I think having a D1A and a german top dread or OM probably covers 99% of your tonal desires. Good luck. |
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I would second the recommendation for a German-topped OM. They are pretty amazing - at least mine is. |
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I find myself in a similar dilemma. How does an deep body OM2H fit into this?
Taylor 114e McPherson EIR/Adi Taylor GSMS Doerr SJ MadRose/Euro |
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If I found the OM lacked punch (which I don't, but for the sake of discussion), I'd get an SJ, which is built that way from the ground up. I've owned an played some deep bodied small Collings, an I liked 'em, but no better than their thinner cousins. SJ's are seriously underrated. I think I saw a mahogany/adi SJ at Podium. Just the model I owend, and a phenomenal guitar.
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Go to www.thepodium.com under soundclips they have a D1A and about a hundread other guitars all the best of everything. The clip sounds better than all the others. The player is fingerpicking then flatpicking. Make sure you play a few D1a's before buying one. My third one I played was enormous so I bought it. Here is a thread of the closest I could get to resemble the sound of my very loud D1a http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmwT4gc6KXw
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IN defense of just a plain four on the floor OM1,
I have one and it's amazing. I use it as my main stage guitar with an akg condenser mic, and I get rave reviews how well it sounds. I think Addy tops are great and all, but a straight up Collings OM1 is plenty of guitar for me. You can pick up a minty one for around 2600 bucks with a sunburst to die for....and keep your Gibson.... D1AVSB D2HG : myspace.com/michaelinsanantone |
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What Randy Bauer said - especially the part about not selling the '69 Gibson.
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1ply,
Don't overlook an OM2HA! I have one and it is anything but "tight". Very rich and open sounding. Remember, Collings and other luthiers put Adirondack tops on smaller guitars than OM's. Howard OM2HA Custom |
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the good part is that there's no bad decision. I could live with nothing but a D1A, even though I no longer own one. Just a great guitar. I find a good CJ better balanced with a fuller midrange, and thus better for fingerstyle or jazz chord voicings, but a D1A would suffice for anything.
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It comes down to your style of playing. If you are a flatpicker, and like to dig in, the D1A is a great choice. If you are a fingerstyle guy, you can easily go with the OM, and you don't necessarily need Adirondack. I would go with a German, Sitka, Carpathian or even a cedar top. The softer woods work well for fingerstylists.
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Thank you so much for all of your helpful advice. I purchased a mint condition D1A for $2950. I played it last weekend. I loved the way that it sounded. I could not believe how well it sounded for both finger picking and strumming.
This is my first Collings and perhaps my only one. Thanks, Rip |
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Collingsguitars.com Collingsforum.com Collings Forum Gear Acoustic Guitars Please advise me: OM-1A vs. OM-2HA or even a D1-A.
Collingsforum.com Collings Forum Gear Acoustic Guitars Please advise me: OM-1A vs. OM-2HA or even a D1-A.This is an independent website created by a group of Collings Guitar owners, and not part of Collings Guitars. The statements and opinions expressed in the Collings Guitar Forum are solely those of the individuals posting the same and are not those of Collings Guitars, the forum's administrators, moderators and its supporters, financial or otherwise, or its members, guests or other contributors.