Best Collings guitar for recording

[AB3]

Thanks elambo. I do think it needs new strings and I need to compare it to some Collings. Here is a sample of the high E string. The string set on it is bronze and I really do not like them, and they need replacement anyway. I will post another sample of all the strings, if it is worthwhile, when I change the strings. I joined your awesome Collings forum today.
(I have a Collings mando - which made me desire the Collings sound. That mando is so clean. It was not their most expensive one. And yet - I have yet to find one that sounds better!)

44.1K 16 bit no eq no compression no reverb. Same close micing with DPA 4015s with preamp at higher setting.

[FFTT]

I'm in love with the way my Larrivee P-10 Parlor records.

It is much easier to control boominess and the slightly more mid focus
of the smaller body sits very well in a busy mix.

So my vote goes to Parlor 00 sized for recording.

[elambo]

Originally Posted by AB3

I joined your awesome Collings forum today.

I saw your post. Right on! Let me know if you have trouble getting a recording of that guitar. This brand is incredibly consistent so any 6 year old D1A will likely sound very similar to the others of its age, depending on how much it's been played.

[PdotDdot]

Originally Posted by elambo

Santa Cruz guitars tend to sound a bit ordinary behind a mic and that clip is no exception. (No offense to whoever owns the guitar)

Adi tops will take 5-7 years to break out and will continue to get better from there. Consider a used D1 or D2H that's already broken in. Or give Kim Sherman a call at Cotten and describe what you want -- she'll nail it.

I second the tout to check Cotten Music in Nashville. Kim or Andrew will steer you right.

[Johnkenn]

Originally Posted by elambo

Santa Cruz guitars tend to sound a bit ordinary behind a mic and that clip is no exception. (No offense to whoever owns the

This might be the worst advice I've ever seen on Gearslutz. You think a guy that runs a Collings forum might be a little biased? I've owned both and would choose Santa Cruz's a large majority of the time...

[elambo]

Originally Posted by Johnkenn

This might be the worst advice I've ever seen on Gearslutz. You think a guy that runs a Collings forum might be a little biased? I've owned both and would choose Santa Cruz's a large majority of the time...

This isn't a contest so spare us the drama. You've expressed an opinion, as have I, but I've not suggested that one is right and the other wrong, I've relayed my personal experience. I have 35 guitars and only three are made by Collings. The OP is asking about Collings guitars in particular and I'm not going to withhold my opinions because you think it's biased. Anyone who suggests a favorite brand is holding bias -- hell this place is crawling with bias. In fact I wouldn't take advice from someone who can't identify a personal preference. You clearly and very passionately prefer SC - by your guidelines you are offering the worst advice you've ever seen.

Over the past few years I've spent more time on that forum discussing brands OTHER than Collings, fwiw. Truth is, of the 10 or 15 recordings I've heard of SC guitars, 4 or 5 have impressed me whereas the others sounded ordinary. You may not like that and you may disagree but it's my truth. I record a lot of acoustics and that's precisely why I don't own a SC. Yes, they sound great in person, but I don't like them recorded. This thread is about recording guitars. If you can't handle my opinion simply ignore it. No need to downplay another person's opinions. That's poor taste but worse it undermines a major function of this forum: to gather a collection of opinions.

btw, I moderate that forum because I choose to, but it's unpaid. I can, and do, play any brand I choose and more often than not it's something else. Biased? Hardly. A Collings fan? Hell yes!!! Many people share this opinion.

[Frank_Case]

Originally Posted by alohachris

That OO-HK Koa is the Collings model I'd choose for recording acoustic guitar.

Koa sometimes is an acquired taste.

Midrangy, sparkly, sweet, but in a softer Koa way.

I like Madagascar Rosewood of the current available woods. Not all Rosewoods sound the same. Brazilian was great but is rarely available.

[Johnkenn]

Strike a nerve? I just had a problem with it because it was wrong...

Originally Posted by elambo

This isn't a contest so spare us the drama. You've expressed an opinion, as have I, but I've not suggested that one is right and the other wrong, I've relayed my personal experience. I have 35 guitars and only three are made by Collings. The OP is asking about Collings guitars in particular and I'm not going to withhold my opinions because you think it's biased. Anyone who suggests a favorite brand is holding bias -- hell this place is crawling with bias. In fact I wouldn't take advice from someone who can't identify a personal preference. You clearly and very passionately prefer SC - by your guidelines you are offering the worst advice you've ever seen.

Over the past few years I've spent more time on that forum discussing brands OTHER than Collings, fwiw. Truth is, of the 10 or 15 recordings I've heard of SC guitars, 4 or 5 have impressed me whereas the others sounded ordinary. You may not like that and you may disagree but it's my truth. I record a lot of acoustics and that's precisely why I don't own a SC. Yes, they sound great in person, but I don't like them recorded. This thread is about recording guitars. If you can't handle my opinion simply ignore it. No need to downplay another person's opinions. That's poor taste but worse it undermines a major function of this forum: to gather a collection of opinions.

btw, I moderate that forum because I choose to, but it's unpaid. I can, and do, play any brand I choose and more often than not it's something else. Biased? Hardly. A Collings fan? Hell yes!!! Many people share this opinion.

[elambo]

Originally Posted by Johnkenn

Strike a nerve? I just had a problem with it because it was wrong...

I like SCs and they're a great company, I just happen to prefer others for recording. You shouldn't take all this personal.

[FFTT]

When I first saw the title to the thread, I was thinking more along the lines
of this Collings for recording.



Essentially, this guitar is very much like George Harrison's Gretsch Blackie.

[FFTT]

How about this for a monster guitar?

Collings 290 DC S Custom # 11098 | Custom Gallery

[guavadude]

I have an 0001 Collings that is amazing. The smaller than dreadnought body, the 12th fret neck/body joint and the slotted head stock all contribute to the sound. It's so well balanced a tone that every note speaks clearly no matter where you play on the neck. To me, tonal balance and great playability are what make a good recording guitar.

The wider 1 3/4" neck took some getting used to but now I love it and the extra space makes for very clean performances, another plus when recording.

I've played every model Collings and even other 000's and none of them sound like this. You need to find a model that covers the style you primarily play (the wide neck wouldn't be my first choice for bluegrass, etc.) and then play as many as you can get your hands on. Collings are amazing and very consistent but even they will tell you that every piece of wood is unique.

It's also the very best thing I own!

[AB3]

I believe that is the case. That would be explain why my $2000 (8 years ago?) Collings mando appears to be better than much more expensive mandos that I have tried. It may be the particular wood for the top. I notice that even with the Adirondack tops - some have a more narrow striping (grain) than others. Certainly, they cannot all be exactly alike. And even if the wood was exactly the like molecule for molecule as it left the factory, some have opened up more than others by the time one gets to demo or own it. At the same time, everyone is looking for something that suits them for their style and taste.

To say that all wood is alike is an insult to trees.

Originally Posted by guavadude

. . . Collings are amazing and very consistent but even they will tell you that every piece of wood is unique.

It's also the very best thing I own!

[Ardis]

Interesting about Santa Cruz. I have a Collings D2H, a wonderful guitar. The bridge was pulling up so I was able to take it to Bill Tippin for a repair. Bill to my mind, is one of the best builders on the planet and he refretted my guitar and fixed the bridge, made a new saddle, etc. Wow, what a difference! He said that he was a big fan of Collings and also liked Santa Cruz as a builder, high praise considering the source. Honestly, I think Collings guitars have a great sound but have played a couple I didn't like. I really think you have to find the right one that you like of any builder. I have a cheap old Epiphone that has a killer bright sound (opposite of the Collings), had to play damn near everything in the store to find it....By the way, played a lot of mandos AB'd with a collector, and the Collings mando had that Collings punchy straight ahead sound that made it quite unique. Great instruments!

[FFTT]

My old friend who owns a totally mint pre war Martin 00-42, just bought a Rosewood Santa Cruz 00. Sweet little sound cannon!

[AB3]

You are right. BTW, ignore my first clip of the Santa Cruz above. I have been playing and f-hole mando off and on, that I approached the guitar like a mando - meaning I was picking it too close to the fretboard (which sounds great on a very bright little mando) but not on this guitar. When picked just below the guitar hole, it is an entirely different instrument with all the brilliance that anyway could want. This shows one of the dangers of clips for comparisons. I am not saying that the Santa Rose is a "Collings" - it is still different and great. I still want a Collings (and a Santa Cruz!). Owning one of anything is a violation of the Gearslutz sacred philosophy.

Originally Posted by FFTT

My old friend who owns a totally mint pre war Martin 00-42, just bought a Rosewood Santa Cruz 00. Sweet little sound cannon!

[BluegrassDan]

My advice if for you to play a lot of them and choose the guitar (brand, size, model) that fits YOU the best. If you choose one that you absolutely love, then you'll spend more time playing it and learning to pull great tone from it. If you can pull good tone, then miking it will be simple.

[AB3]

Great post!

Originally Posted by BluegrassDan

My advice if for you to play a lot of them and choose the guitar (brand, size, model) that fits YOU the best. If you choose one that you absolutely love, then you'll spend more time playing it and learning to pull great tone from it. If you can pull good tone, then miking it will be simple.

[Ardis]

For those around Boston (or anyone else) the Music Emporium is a great Collings dealer and has a really full selection of other builders:
Acoustic Guitars Collings, Martin, Taylor, Banjos, Mandolins - The Music Emporium (I have no affiliation)