Kevin, you know if they are selling those Prototypes?

I was told that they are not selling the prototypes and don't know when they will go into productions. Alex said that they barely got those ready to show at the NAMM. They don't even have model names for them. I'll throw some of the pics I took on the Gallery Section.

Ace
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Ooph! Those are going to be incredible, no doubt. But I'm very disappointed that they chose Seymour Duncan pickups. Someone else called them vanilla, and I'd have to agree. Not that vanilla is bad, but it's just average, and there are so many amazing pickup manufacturers these days. I wish they'd teamed up with Fralin, or WCR, or Jim Rolph, or Suhr (although he's a guitar-building competitor now, so not really an option) or a company that's up to the same level as Collings. It's certainly possible to swap them out after the fact I suppose but I wish that wasn't necessary. I've been holding out on a 335, but this might stop that.

Ed - the prototypes aren't for sale, unfortunately. 'Cos if they were you know I would've snagged one for myself already.

Elambo - The Duncan pickups were, as I understand it, their best "stock" bet. Bill mentioned to me a couple months ago that once they got production up and running, they'd be offering pickup options for customers...just like picking your tonewood choices. With a little patience, I'm confident that within a few months the option lists for these guitars will be as cool as you imagine.

kdd

Am I the only one here who is disappointed in a (try to say this without choking!) "Collings electric"? As someone has stated, the electric world is covered with many fine specialty luthiers.

I know Bill's an old hippie, but still.....



Gary Collier
Atlanta

Gary,
I'm glad that Bill Collings didn't say "the acoustic world is covered with many fine specialty luthiers" or we wouldn't have the 11 or 12,000 fine specialty acoustics he has given us thusfar. Don't we owe Bill the pleasure of producing just what he would like to produce? Let's not fall into the trap of fans who go to a concert and only want to hear our favorite artist play the hits we know well, rather than letting them show us something new.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Randy Carone,

quote:

Originally posted by BrazAd:
Am I the only one here who is disappointed in a (try to say this without choking!) "Collings electric"?

I feel your pain Gary. But maybe it'll turn out alright and we'll all be playing Collings electrics some day!

I'm with Gary, I fear where this might be headed ie new factory, electrics... mass production?
I've become an acoustic purist as I approach 50yrs.

Wow - Collings Electrics.
I was thinking that the market niche seemed to be covered already. But I'm just a guitar player, not in the business of selling. More power to you guys. Just remember what happened with Martin's electrics. Hopefully the Collings ones will sell as good as Taylors. If Bill and co. can build better electrics than Brian Moore, Paul Reed Smith, and the old fenders and Gibbys - They'll do well. Based on the pics. I saw, the Jazzy guitars looked the best. Good Luck!

I'd rather learn to play a mandolin
than go back to playing electrics.
LOL

I don't know????????????

I have to admit that if I were given a vote I would have voted no on this idea, but Bill didn't and doesn't have to ask me.

I've got a great D1A and I'm about to get in the market for a rosewood guitar. I'll probably be done at that point, and I expect my future CJ or D3 has already been made. So this won't affect me too much.

Can someone name for me a builder who has been successful making excellent acoustics and excellent electrics? I don't seem to recall any.

How about Gibson... I have a Les Paul that simply wreaks of great tone. No other humbucker I've played has quite as much mojo. But I got lucky because they're not all winners. I've also played many Gibson J's that sounded pretty sweet. So I'd say Gibson is one company that's done both.

But you're right - it seems nearly impossible for companies to succeed on both sides of the coin.