My OM-2H stays in tune like no other guitar I've played. However, I've heard a lot about compensated nuts and tuning systems and was wondering if anyone has explored them. Thanks!!

As I understand it, a guitar's ability to "stay in tune" and its ability to play in tune all over the fretboard are two separate things. A compensated nut should be relevant only to the latter. I'm certainly no expert, but it seems to me that a guitar that is fundamentally well-constructed in the first place shouldn't need a compensated nut. With a decent guitar, you quickly learn where the minor inconsistencies are and you can almost always figure out a way to tune it so that it's acceptably in tune all over the neck.

I have, but I like the salted-in-the-shell ones best.

I agree with Redavide, Although I will say, that on my Collings, I have never run into that problem.

I should have been more clear. I meant to say "stays in tune up and down the fretboard."

brazil nuts sound best, but cashews taste better. tough call. no more nut jokes. tom

When I bought my black C-10 from Buzzy at Lark tTreet Music I had a K & K installed and the nut shimmed with a sliver of bone. I asked him if he had any experience with the Feiten tuning system and did he recommend it. He said he would absolutely not consider it on a Collings and I've got to say that guitar is in tune no matter where I play (and it has a cutaway, so the upper frets get used).

Randy, if you don't mind me asking, why did you have the nut shimmed?

Bill

When I bought the guitar from Lark Street it had an open string buzz on most of the strings, but I was so enamored that I had to take it home. I had looked for a black C-10 for 15+ years and I was willing to change strings and tweek the truss bar, though I had a feeling it would need attention. I did find this odd since the guitar was minty for a '94. I took it back to Buzzy and he shimmed it perfectly with the slice of bone. I had thought he'd just make a new nut but he said the original was so well cut he thought it would be a shame to replace it. Good call. It's difficult to see even when you are looking for it. Now its got the Black Snake Moan.

I know most of you have seen it but just in case
http://collingsforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/125105645/m/8981036543

Blind Lemon Jefferson or Bessie Smith, either way the Black Snake Moan ain't 'bout no reptile. Ironically, one of the first bay area gigs I ever played was at the Blind Lemon in Berkeley, 1967.

That C-10 is off-the-chart -- absolutely beautiful -- you're lucky to have it. If it was mine, I'd be happy if it sounded half as good as it looks . . .

You'd be happy - it sounds as good as it looks. Thanks for the compliment on my baby's good looks. Stan Jay of MandoBros was the first one to hand me one to strum in the early '90s. It was a black C-10 w/o cutaway or fingerboard extension, but a beauty. it was the first Collings I had ever seen and it turned my head. Stan has a baby blue Collings that matches his '50s or '60s Cadillac. His is either a C-10 or a baby, I can't remember which.