Hi, I'm an old Brit, and I met Bill when he made a brief stop over in the UK on his way to Italy. I took my 1998 and my 2007 Ds2hs with me to discuss the differences, and he enthusiastically explained to me that he reserved the right to constantly improve his products not that there was anything wrong with the '98 guitar. Bill's enthusiasm for the product and the customer was very evident. Sometime later, I had dealings with Mark and Steve about a question I had about my DS1. Their response and the action they took for me was overwhelmingly positive. I've been playing since the '60s and I've had about every brand in my "collection" (still do) but if there's a choice of a Collings or some other brand for the model I'm seeking, it will be the Collings. Thanks to Bill and all the guys at Dripping Springs.
A number of years ago I played a Collings D2H at the Guitar Center in Hollywood, previously owned, as they did not stock them new. I went online to see what people were saying about the Collings guitars they owned. One fellow said, if my house was on fire, once I was sure my wife and family were safely outside, I'd run back in to get my Collings. That was all I had to hear. I've owned it now for about 15 years and I'll never let it go.
A few years ago I bought an 02h and shortly after I bought the same model in a 12 string. I dearly love small bodied 12 fretters and that 12 string was sonic however I am a finger style player and I didn't have the ability to bring out the best in that particular model. So, I sold it and picked up a 2T Parlor. I'm not a pro musician and IMO I'm not even a good player but these two guitars satisfy my need and desire for fantastic quality in construction and sound, playability and value and I am very happy that I chose Collings.
Absolutely worth the money. I played one of the Les Paul style electrics my cousin had ordered. Can't remember the model, but it was a Bisby, silver and black rain type finish, with P-90 pups, and I can't put into words how incredible that guitar was. It rang like a bell and growled like an angry Leviathan. Even after he told me the price tag, I was like,...."and worth ever penny.". Well done Colling's. Just killing the game. One day. One day.
Beyond the guitars, how many small business owners have this type of relationship with their employees? The old school value of mentorship over management.
I played my c10 and had to pay in three chunks, but I haven’t gigged another acoustic since I bought it. People often comment on the tone and volume… there are other fear brands but it’s getting so confusing - which of those others are actually made by hand, and which are machine made is all a bit messy. My Taylor LKSM Signature models (6 & 12) were my pride and joy until I got the C10 - now I’d like a 12 string but slight issue with $$$ 😂 and availability
Have had an O2MH, City Limits Deluxe and a 360. Absolutely beautiful guitars, but I just didnt bond with any of them and sold them all. I have played others that sounded great - I mustve just had bad luck with my 3.
This was good to see. I heard somewhere that since Bill died quality has dropped. Maybe that was just BS from some fanboy of some other brand. I hope to get one someday.
@@micktheman6What is history? Gibson and Fender are the most recognized names in the guitar world but change ownership roughly every ten years so am I buying a part of history? Check out Gibson’s prices and quality recently? Martin’s were always the guitar that you bought first and then went and had a proper setup done on it. Taylor revolutionized the market by making guitars playable right out of the case. Collings is a small manufacturer but their guitars are beautiful and I think sound fantastic. Yeah, you can get a Martin or Gibson for the name but you can also get a Epiphone, Squire, Rogue or a hundred other brands if it’s a price only issue.
@@gregmiller7123 when I play a martin Gibson or fender vs anything copying them it never has the sound or feel take away the headstock it still isn’t the same they are different and that’s okay but I have a sound and feel I’m looking for and any other brands have not been able to do that.
@@micktheman6 I’m glad that works for you and neither are bad choices at all. But at 65 I’m glad that there are a lot of choices because there should be guitars that inspire every player regardless of age, income, or music style. I personally have a couple of PRS’s, a couple of Taylor’s, a Godin LP style, an American Tele and MIM Fender Player Strat, a couple of Ibanez’s and each one has it’s own attraction to me. Cheers!
This may get some flack but Everyone who says they can’t afford a $6,000 shouldn’t even be complaining. Even at $200/gig that’s 300 gigs. If you’re not a player at the level to have cut your chops playing 300 gigs, this probably isn’t the guitar for you. You won’t appreciate it the same as if you’d toured a now beat up mid grade guitar. These guitars are so fine detailed just as it takes years to learn to play properly and proficiently it takes years to appreciate the qualities that make up a guitar of this level.
Hardly anything is worth every penny. And certainly a penny isn't worth a penny, but Collings makes some bitchin instruments. Condolences to Bill's fam. And thanks to CF and the whole Martin fam for generously sharing their proprietary design, never patenting anything, selling parts, kits, plans and all those things which allowed all the copycat boomers like Collings and Taylor to do what they did.
@@boshi9 IDK. I think there's design patents which cover the look of a thing. They probably didn't exist then. Still, you gotta give credit to the inventors--Martin, Gibson, Fender, Lloyd Loar, and before them all, the great Antonio de Torres! You can be sure, derivative makers like Taylor and PRS patent every little thing. I love that giving spirit that comes out of Nazareth. Amen? Merry Christmas to you and yours. May your holiday season be full of good gifts!
@@carlosreira413 Design patents actually have a shorter term compared to technical patents - 15 years, as opposed to 25. You're probably thinking about trademarks, which can be renewed every 10 years, potentially indefinitely. In any case, Merry Christmas to you as well!
@@boshi9 Thanks for that info. I had it in my head that all patents were about 13 years. They should be longer and copyrights should be shorter imo. Best
Ok.....no cowboy hats.......in Texas! Really!!!! Everyone knows the longer your hair and the quality of felt in your hat make you better at everything! And penny should be dollar....or loonie, eh!
Beautiful guitar but you can't tell me they're 4 times better than my Taylor...but hey, if you want to drop 9 grand on a guitar then more power to you.
It’s my opinion that “beginner guitars” shouldn’t be in our vocabulary. Why should a beginner have to start on a guitar that sounds like crap. I bet Stradivarius built violins for beginners.
Hi, I'm an old Brit, and I met Bill when he made a brief stop over in the UK on his way to Italy. I took my 1998 and my 2007 Ds2hs with me to discuss the differences, and he enthusiastically explained to me that he reserved the right to constantly improve his products not that there was anything wrong with the '98 guitar. Bill's enthusiasm for the product and the customer was very evident. Sometime later, I had dealings with Mark and Steve about a question I had about my DS1. Their response and the action they took for me was overwhelmingly positive. I've been playing since the '60s and I've had about every brand in my "collection" (still do) but if there's a choice of a Collings or some other brand for the model I'm seeking, it will be the Collings. Thanks to Bill and all the guys at Dripping Springs.
A number of years ago I played a Collings D2H at the Guitar Center in Hollywood, previously owned, as they did not stock them new. I went online to see what people were saying about the Collings guitars they owned. One fellow said, if my house was on fire, once I was sure my wife and family were safely outside, I'd run back in to get my Collings. That was all I had to hear. I've owned it now for about 15 years and I'll never let it go.
They are worth every penny indeed!
There is a reason George Strait plays one.
A few years ago I bought an 02h and shortly after I bought the same model in a 12 string. I dearly love small bodied 12 fretters and that 12 string was sonic however I am a finger style player and I didn't have the ability to bring out the best in that particular model. So, I sold it and picked up a 2T Parlor. I'm not a pro musician and IMO I'm not even a good player but these two guitars satisfy my need and desire for fantastic quality in construction and sound, playability and value and I am very happy that I chose Collings.
Bill will always in my mind be the greatest luthier to ever live. RIP Mr Collings
I have owned 3 Collings guitars and I can attest to the fact that the attention to fine detail is just incredible.
Absolutely worth the money. I played one of the Les Paul style electrics my cousin had ordered. Can't remember the model, but it was a Bisby, silver and black rain type finish, with P-90 pups, and I can't put into words how incredible that guitar was. It rang like a bell and growled like an angry Leviathan. Even after he told me the price tag, I was like,...."and worth ever penny.". Well done Colling's. Just killing the game. One day. One day.
A Collings is my next guitar !!!!!
1 minute into this video and I thinking to myself.....WOW....these people ARE CRAFTSMEN.
Beyond the guitars, how many small business owners have this type of relationship with their employees? The old school value of mentorship over management.
I have many guitars Larrivee, Martin Santa Cruz but never have had a Collings.... yet.
I can play Martin and Collings at home. Always gravitate towards my Collings.
Would love to work here
I played my c10 and had to pay in three chunks, but I haven’t gigged another acoustic since I bought it. People often comment on the tone and volume… there are other fear brands but it’s getting so confusing - which of those others are actually made by hand, and which are machine made is all a bit messy. My Taylor LKSM Signature models (6 & 12) were my pride and joy until I got the C10 - now I’d like a 12 string but slight issue with $$$ 😂 and availability
amazing!!
Have had an O2MH, City Limits Deluxe and a 360. Absolutely beautiful guitars, but I just didnt bond with any of them and sold them all. I have played others that sounded great - I mustve just had bad luck with my 3.
Wow
I do agree but I just dont have that many penny's to spare
This was good to see. I heard somewhere that since Bill died quality has dropped. Maybe that was just BS from some fanboy of some other brand. I hope to get one someday.
Sounds like good old fashioned 'Mercun pride and quality...very cool in a throw away AI world...
Beautiful guitars, love Collings. Still Overpriced for me, just my point.
2 problems....1) I'm Italian in Italy...2) I'm poor...shit...sad life....
Yamaha lL series
Why would I buy them when I can get a Gibson or a martin though
You should play one, and then you will have the answer to that question. I don't think there is any other way to answer that.
@@Stratboy999 I did play one they aren’t as good to me. Nor do they have the history.
@@micktheman6What is history? Gibson and Fender are the most recognized names in the guitar world but change ownership roughly every ten years so am I buying a part of history? Check out Gibson’s prices and quality recently? Martin’s were always the guitar that you bought first and then went and had a proper setup done on it. Taylor revolutionized the market by making guitars playable right out of the case. Collings is a small manufacturer but their guitars are beautiful and I think sound fantastic. Yeah, you can get a Martin or Gibson for the name but you can also get a Epiphone, Squire, Rogue or a hundred other brands if it’s a price only issue.
@@gregmiller7123 when I play a martin Gibson or fender vs anything copying them it never has the sound or feel take away the headstock it still isn’t the same they are different and that’s okay but I have a sound and feel I’m looking for and any other brands have not been able to do that.
@@micktheman6 I’m glad that works for you and neither are bad choices at all. But at 65 I’m glad that there are a lot of choices because there should be guitars that inspire every player regardless of age, income, or music style. I personally have a couple of PRS’s, a couple of Taylor’s, a Godin LP style, an American Tele and MIM Fender Player Strat, a couple of Ibanez’s and each one has it’s own attraction to me. Cheers!
Wish they used a dovetail
They good.
This may get some flack but Everyone who says they can’t afford a $6,000 shouldn’t even be complaining. Even at $200/gig that’s 300 gigs. If you’re not a player at the level to have cut your chops playing 300 gigs, this probably isn’t the guitar for you. You won’t appreciate it the same as if you’d toured a now beat up mid grade guitar.
These guitars are so fine detailed just as it takes years to learn to play properly and proficiently it takes years to appreciate the qualities that make up a guitar of this level.
Made similar reply to someone saying it’s "a cream of the crop instrument". Are they deserving of it .? Can they get the goodie out of it .?
I think a beginner should get the best instrument possible to encourage and enjoy learning and playing.
Not everybody is a gigging musician lol
No, that’s 30 gigs.
If I starve myself for ten years and never do anything other than sleep I could come up with half the money for one.
Hardly anything is worth every penny. And certainly a penny isn't worth a penny, but Collings makes some bitchin instruments. Condolences to Bill's fam. And thanks to CF and the whole Martin fam for generously sharing their proprietary design, never patenting anything, selling parts, kits, plans and all those things which allowed all the copycat boomers like Collings and Taylor to do what they did.
Even if Martin patented everything, their patents would have expired a century ago.
@@boshi9 IDK. I think there's design patents which cover the look of a thing. They probably didn't exist then. Still, you gotta give credit to the inventors--Martin, Gibson, Fender, Lloyd Loar, and before them all, the great Antonio de Torres!
You can be sure, derivative makers like Taylor and PRS patent every little thing.
I love that giving spirit that comes out of Nazareth. Amen? Merry Christmas to you and yours. May your holiday season be full of good gifts!
@@carlosreira413 Design patents actually have a shorter term compared to technical patents - 15 years, as opposed to 25. You're probably thinking about trademarks, which can be renewed every 10 years, potentially indefinitely. In any case, Merry Christmas to you as well!
@@boshi9 Thanks for that info. I had it in my head that all patents were about 13 years. They should be longer and copyrights should be shorter imo. Best
You can buy a Martin D18 AND D28 for the price of a D1, so I’m going to have to reject that premise.
Dont give a crap about texas, but Collings make beautiful guitars.
Agreed on both counts. Love my I35-LC!
Lol
And Texans don't give a crap about you either...please stay away.
Ok.....no cowboy hats.......in Texas! Really!!!! Everyone knows the longer your hair and the quality of felt in your hat make you better at everything! And penny should be dollar....or loonie, eh!
Beautiful guitar but you can't tell me they're 4 times better than my Taylor...but hey, if you want to drop 9 grand on a guitar then more power to you.
Almost all guitars are over priced now, including Collings.
@@drsrsv8884 my gear/guitar collection says otherwise lol. Everything is overpriced, doesn’t mean I’m poor. Haha
It’s my opinion that “beginner guitars” shouldn’t be in our vocabulary. Why should a beginner have to start on a guitar that sounds like crap. I bet Stradivarius built violins for beginners.
Sorry, until TX comes out of the dark ages, I won’t be sending any of my money that way.
what, like Asia and Africa, South America and three quarters of the world?
Notice everyone in this video are in masks. Most stereotypical Texans would disown Austin in a heartbeat.
@@jwukulele ha yes I did
@@TheGrammarSmithy don’t have a squire squire
…..what?