quote:

Originally posted by Ed:

TomCat, those are not FWI pins but bone pins I ordered from Stewmac. The Baby is almost as LOUD as the OM given that this OM is already the loudest OM I every own!

The cream-like pins sure looks FWI to me but anyway why spend so much $$ on FWI where bone is good enough.

I agree with Sonoman why use the Baby for flatpicking or even strumming when u hv yr OM for the job. Keep it fingerstyle.

Absolutely stunning guitar Ed. If you must, use a clear pickguard. I'd go without myself since it'd be a fingerstyle instrument for the most part.

By the way Ed, how did you get such sweet tops with such bear claw? Did you pay a premium?

Ernie

Ed, You have another winner! Congratulations! If you intend to do any flatpicking at all, I would encourage you to add a pickguard, but would suggest a clear one. However, I like the way it looks without a pickguard, and if you plan to fingerpick only, I would keep it as is. Looking forward to some recordings on our forum. Definitely worth the wait. Billy Boy

Thou shalt not install a pickguard!

Ed, really nice guitars there and WOW for the bearclaw Adi! I always flatpick and I don't need a pick guard (even though my D2HV came with one). That top deserves to be seen in its entirety. But you know better than any of us whether or not you need the protection of a guard. ENJOY!!!!

Very nice, Ed! You've got me wanting one now.

Btw, you can for sure flatpick and strum a Collings Baby. The ones I've heard sounded like a little dreadnought. Which, I suppose, is what it basically is...

Ed no pickguard please..it looks better without it..

Another vote without - rather than mathing, think of the different looks as complimentary, like a very good looking couple, he in tux and tie, she in a beautiful gown...

I would not install a clear plastic pickguard. It just seems untraditional to me. As many others stated, if it's fingerpicking only, I would leave off a pickguard - it gives it a unique look and very symmetrical. On the other hand, I don't think that a pickguard will detract from the beauty either.

Beautiful guitar. Thanks for sharing the progress of the build, too. It's nice to compare the shapeless pieces of wood to the final product. By the way, what time frame did Collings give you when you placed the order in September? I'm wondering because I placed an order a couple of weeks after that and I wonder what the progress of my guitar is.