O.K. Here goes. I am the proud owner of a new D1A. I played it with the original strings for a couple of weeks and then decided to change them one at a time from the bottom E first as I have done pretty much for the last 20 years. When I was all tuned up, the nice slinky feel was gone, and the tone was muffled, even after the string break in period. I used the same D'addario med strings that come stock on the collings. I changed them again with the same method only to get the same result. Needless to say I was crushed. Then the third time I removed all of the strings because I wanted to oil the fingerboard. When I restrung and was all tuned up, the original awesome ringing sound was back. The strings felt wonderfully slinky feeling again. It was hard to believe that the strings were medium gauge. So my question is this. What the heck is going on? Best I can figure is that some unusual, tension was placed on the neck or top in some way. Not more tension obviously , due to the same gauge, but rather a tension that was not optimal for the tonal qualities of the guitar. Also, The strings were barely wrapped twice around the tuning post when at pitch which is less than usual for me. Is there a trick to setting up with med gauge strings to give that sweet feel that collings guitars are known for. I have mainly used light gauge prior to the collings.
Please tell me that I am not the only one who has experienced this. I have been playing seriously for many years and I feel like a moron having to ask these questions.
Sincerely, Rob S.

Rob,

That's a good question. Thanks for stopping by! I've been restringing my D1A just the way you described...one at a time, low to high, D'Addario J-17s...but I've never noticed the muffled tone. You're obviously an experienced string-changer, but I wonder if it was the way the strings sat in the nut slots or something like that. Otherwise I'm stumped. Try it all again at the next string change and let us know what happens.

Rob,

First of all, welcome to the D1A club. I guess I'm no longer the newest member.

Eric has a good point about nut (and saddle) seating. I still occasionally fail to seat the ball end of the string against the bridgeplate and that can have a huge impact on tone. However, it has never effected the feel. Hopefully this is a one time thing and you won't experience it again. I'm an EXP guy myself, but I have not noticed a change in feel from Js to EXPs, whatever that is worth.

Again, welcome.

David...still jealous of Eric Jones' signature line!


2005 D1A
2000 DC16-RGTE
2003 KM 630
(From the hours of midnight to 6 AM, I own Kenny Smith's 1935 D18!!!!!!)

Sorry i didn't introduce myself. I guess I am the new guy. You all are nice to respond. the strings did appear to sit correctly in the saddle. Although I thought that the ball end of the strings were properly seated against the bridge plate, this may very well have been the culprit. I've got to say that the D1A and collings in general is so far superior to anything else that I have encountered. I'm sure all of you share the same sentiment. I am no seasoned pro. Just a serious basement player (wannabe jazz,chet,& travis stuff).I've suffered MAJOR GAS over the years and I finally feel at peace with this D1A. Thanks for the input.

quote:

Originally posted by rob s.:
I've suffered MAJOR GAS over the years and I finally feel at peace with this D1A.

For now...

quote:

Originally posted by rob s.:
I am no seasoned pro. Just a serious basement player (wannabe jazz,chet,& travis stuff).

I am seasoned but don't know about being a pro.

A wannabe jazz, chet, & travis stuff? You're just like me. Welcome to the Forum.

Ace
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Here's another strange thing. When I restring and leave them untrimmed until they settle in they feel quite slinky and easy on the fingers.
When I trim them off they revert to the usual 'medium' feel, how can that be?

rob.s welcome
I purchased my D-1A middle of August 05
joined the forum right before Christmas ( had been snooping for about 6 months Prior )
the forum carried some weight on my deciding to pull the trigger on my Collings, I had already
fell in love with tone, feel , workmanship etc. butt to read the posts of those who had track
record with the brand put me over the top.
I have owned a few other high end guitars , & parted with them to get my D-1A I finally feel
like this is the one that I will have through what ever playing time will be granted in my life time
for me it cured the I wants ( at least for some time to come )I was always drawn to the rosewood boxes, till I played the Collings mahogony & adi combo I love the percussive tone.
I know you will enjoy your new D-1A
Fred