After ten years with my CJ, I never knew what bracing it had until I read this post -- I guess it's kind of a hybrid -- a mutt -- start with Gibson, throw in a dash of Martin, have Collings masterfully put it all together and there you've got it . . . Great package.

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. . . discretion was the better part of valor in not spending time alone in a rural house with a beautiful woman.

I live in Italy -- we are unable to comprehend at all what you mean by this . . .??????

I thought it was France that has at least one mistress as a virtual requirement for married men. Am I wrong?

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It was beat up, checked, worn -- and my gosh, one fo the most beautiful things I have ever seen or heard!

Yes, but what about the guitar?

And oh, can you please give me further details of this lady: phone, address, etc. I'd like to, er, say hi to her and see if I can get her a brand new shiny guitar instead of that old beat-up thang.

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Yes, but what about the guitar?

Great line!

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I thought it was France that has at least one mistress as a virtual requirement for married men. Am I wrong?

The French like their mistresses, but the Italians love their beauty . . .

Anyway, where do all those mistresses come from? I suppose that French married women have some of the same requirements as their husbands . . .

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Originally posted by collingscowboy:

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It was beat up, checked, worn -- and my gosh, one fo the most beautiful things I have ever seen or heard!

Yes, but what about the guitar?

And oh, can you please give me further details of this lady: phone, address, etc. I'd like to, er, say hi to her and see if I can get her a brand new shiny guitar instead of that old beat-up thang.

Ha, ha -- trust me -- I subtly started to go down that path with her a bit:

Me: "Um, you know -- there are people who aren't going to think that you know what the value of that guitar is ---"

Her (twinkle in eye): Oh, it don't matter what it is worth. That guitar will never leave my family. It's going to my daughter when I pass on and she will pass it down to my grandkids."

So it appears that guitar is permanently off the market. But, I have never heard another like it. It was a tone bazooka.

Turnabout is foreplay; or is that fair play? Details, details. Memory has deleted the name of the fair and far too tempting young maiden. But she'd be pushing forty now, so skip the young part. She looked kinda like a young Diane Lane. Nothing compared to my wife. One day mayhaps I'll post a wedding picture. I'm not making this up. Enough of this. Band practice tonight. I always practice before practice. What a doofus. tom

GH, ain't it strange that after all the kerfuffle here about Braz, tops, varnish, bracing, ivory etc., some our most memorable guitars are humble mah Gibsons. Among the pantheon of my guitar memories is that 10oz, concave top, loose braces, scratched to hell, L-00, $200 soundbox my friend bought at the Dallas show a few years ago. I got John Renbourn to play it and even he was genuinely amazed.

Yup yup, the only predictable thing is unpredictability. But of the top ten I've played, I'd have to say half are Collings. No other one maker has more than one in that pantheon.

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Originally posted by sonoman:
Yup yup, the only predictable thing is unpredictability. But of the top ten I've played, I'd have to say half are Collings. No other one maker has more than one in that pantheon.

Interesting -- my top ten (that I have ever played, not owned) are likely ten different makers, including (gasp) a Taylor. Best I ever played was a worn out 1939 Martin D-18 at Guitar Works in Evanston IL back in 1997. Why, oh why, didn't I bring that guitar home?! Only $3400. Frankly, there is only one Collings in my top ten and I bought that one. I have had a tough time finding another.

okay. I'll bite. which ten makers? I've got Martin, Recording King by Gibson, Zeidler, Borges, Blazer, OM1A varnish, CJA, D1A custom, SJ mahogany adirondack, C10 maple/adi.