I spent the weekend bonding with my new SJ Custom. David you’re right, there’s actually a yellowish kind of color with the black tiger-stripe on the pick-guard, but like I said, not nearly as bright and contrasting as the way it appears in the photos.

The best way I can describe the sound and tonal quality of the Sitka / Maple SJ is in comparison with my CJ Adirondack / Mahogany. It’s funny because in this comparison it really gives me a great sense of appreciation of both guitars. To me it also tells me that there is no universal holy grail of guitars. Both these guitars do most things very well but do certain things amazingly well. Really, to each his own.

So, ultimately this is an informal review of both the SJ and the CJ. I must preface my thoughts and comments by acknowledging that I’m only a decent guitar player. I’m a singer songwriter kind of guy. I do mostly first position kind of stuff. Strumming with a pick and with bare fingers and finger picking with bare fingers. Nothing fancy at all… kind of like Steve Earle style. But the tone is still very important to me, even if I’m just banging out a G chord.

So here’s my little recap...

CJ Adirondack / Mahogany:

-typical Collings projection and clarity

-very, very powerful guitar, moves a lot of air
strong bass, but very balanced especially for its size

-ringing bell-like trebles when strumming with a pick

-clear, strong, defined notes when doing a flat-pick run

-very good fingerpicker (surprisingly good)

-incredible dynamic range can play loud as all get-up with virtually no ceiling but responds beautifully when played lightly as well

-Over all: An incredibly powerful yet versatile guitar, very good finger picker, but a monster when it comes to volume and dynamics especially when using a pick


SJ Sitka / Maple

-typical Collings projection and clarity

-very good volume (not as loud as the CJ) but rather strong while maintaining a beautiful intimacy, perhaps akin to a larger OM

-the strumming tone is somewhat reminiscent of what one may identify as a Gibson type tone. A nice warm compression,love that sound!

-an incredibly clear & clean finger picking tone, yet amazingly warm at the same time, really excels here

-Over all: Another very versatile instrument, not a bluegrass cannon but a very good strummer with a sweet tone, an amazing finger-style instrument that does not have thick goopy overtones, but rather clear, clean yet warm fundamentals, really a joy to play!

Both guitars are versatile and can do what I need them to do beautifully. The CJ leans more towards being a cannon with incredible dynamic range and the SJ is the more intimate of the two. I’m a lucky guy to have both.

I’ll be opening up for Jimmie Dale Gilmore at the Tin Angel in Philadelphia on July 3rd if anyone is interested. I’ll be playing my G chords with my Sunburst CJ, ‘cause the SJ doesn’t have any electronics installed yet.

Thanks to everyone and especially to Ed for posting the pix. Cheers!

Dave
www.murphyworld.com

Dave,

They both sound like great guitars. Collings does seem to put that clarity and projection as well as responsiveness into every guitar they build. Thanks for the review.

Dave,

Interesting review: thanks! I'd love to hear them thangs. Seems like you have a couple of special guitars there, but then, they ARE Collings.....

Cheers!

B