Collings is one of the USA’s highest regarded makers. Ben Morgan-Brown discovers why
If money is no object, today is a wonderful time to be buying an acoustic guitar. The ‘big name’ makers seem to be at the top of their game, boutique builders are producing some superb instruments and somewhere in between, smaller makers like Collings, which is neither a ‘one man in a shed’ boutique operation, nor a big company with a production line, are offering guitars which the cognoscenti reckon are among the best ever made.
The Collings OM2H is a relatively restrained looking instrument but from the moment you pick it up and take a close look you can see the superb craftsmanship and attention to detail that Collings has become famous for. And when you start to play it… well, listen to how it sounds on Ben’s video.
As a guitar aimed at professionals and highly experienced players, Collings offers quite a few options and our sample had two of those included – a fine quality sunburst finish and Adirondack spruce, pre-war style, scalloped X bracing, as opposed to the standard bracing, which is made from Sitka spruce. You could save quite a bit of money by choosing neither of these options but, as Ben found, the sunburst looks fabulous and upgraded bracing does seem to make a real difference to the tone. That’s to be expected on a guitar at this level – small differences affecting what is already a refined performance that experienced players will be able to recognise and appreciate.
Built to the highest standard from the finest materials, for a go anywhere, play just about any kind of music, the 14 fret Collings OM2H (14 fret refers to the point where the frets meet the body) is a serious instrument for a serious player. Check out how it out sounds on Ben’s review with the best pair of headphones you can find!
AR Reviews are recorded in a top quality studio with the finest equipment. To get the best from our reviews and really hear the instruments perform make sure you listen on good quality speakers or headphones!
Specifications
Collings OM2H
UK price (with options, as tested) £5,100
Top: Sitka spruce
Back & Sides: E. Indian rosewood
Neck: Honduran mahogany
Body Binding: Ivoroid with herringbone purfling
Fingerboard Binding: None
Peghead Binding: None
Bridge: Ebony belly-style with 2 3/16″ spacing
Fingerboard: Ebony with abalone short diamond & squares
Bridge Pins/End Pin: Ebony with MOP dot
Nut: Bone, 1 11/16″
Saddle: Bone, drop-in
Neck Profile: Modified V
Peghead Profile: Tapered square with volute
Neck Joint: Mortise & tenon hybrid
Truss Rod: Fully adjustable
Frets: Medium 18% nickel-silver
Peghead: Veneer Stained Exotic Ebony with MOP Collings logo
Tuners: Nickel Waverly (16:1 ratio)
Backstrip: 2-style (Zipper)
Rosette: iv/tort/iv & b/w purflings
Scale Length: 25 1/2″
Brace Material: Sitka spruce
Brace Pattern: Pre-war scalloped X-brace
Fingerboard Radius: 14″ – 26″ compound
Body Finish: High gloss nitrocellulose lacquer
Neck Finish: High gloss polyester resin
Pickguard: Tortoise
Strings: D’Addario EJ-16 (.012″- .053″)
Case: Collings Traditional Handcrafted Case
Neck Profile
Neck Profile: Diagram
*Actual measurements may vary slightly due to hand-sanding and finishing variables.
Dimensions
Body Length: 19 1/4″
Body Depth: 4 1/8″
Lower Bout Width: 15″
Total Length: 39 1/2″
