Collings I-35 anyone?

[fumblefingers]

or for that matter, any Collings electric, like the Soco (South Congress area, for all you Austin hippies ).

any opinions? reputation seems to be pretty good.


kinda diggin this one:

Collings I-35 Deluxe Tiger Eye | The Guitar Sanctuary | McKinney, TX

[Cooperro]

Their instruments are ridiculously expensive. Talk about a fancy 335 - you could have two for that price.

I played one at a trade show. They were very light, and sounded good. I didn't care for the white knobs at all. And at almost $6,000...

[jzucker]

corksniffer guitars

[Cooperro]

Originally Posted by jzucker

corksniffer guitars

That's funny! Never heard that expression before - but it seems to fit.

[jzucker]

everytime I see someone raving about these $6k guitars I want to hear clips that justify the price. I haven't heard many.

[Jake Hanlon]

wow 6 grand. no thanks, that finish is not for me either.

[JohnW400]

I like the thinline jazz box. It looks sweet but it's too thin and it's overpriced at $7500-7650.

[NSJ]

The "urban dictionary" definition of "cork sniffer" specifically references guitars and online guitar forums--

"A derogatory term used to describe a person that tends to overanalyze physical properties that may not even be relevant.

These people seem to split hairs on details and are usually just percieved as windbags who just like to hear themselves speak.

The implied insult of the word, is that the corksniffer, is a lab worker that microanalyzes everything to the extreme, but fails to see the big picture.

The term probably originated in the wine industry or the wine conneisour pastime to describe people that innaccurately believe they can tell the quality of a wine by sniffing the cork.

This term is very commonly used in the discussion pages of popular online forums dealing with guitars, in which the cork sniffers are the ones that argue and debate over the subtleties of various factors that contribute to tone, such as wood types used, guitar picup types, body shapes, finishing methods, manufacturing proccess etc.
The term is generally used to imply that these very people don't really have any experience with the actual playing of the instruments, but they are simply analyzing or evaluating tone based on theory or science, instead of just listening.

The corksniffers completely miss the point.
"Hey, can you belive that guy?

Trying to say that adding cat hair to the varnish of a guitar will brighten the sound of it's tone."

"Aw, don't listen to that cork sniffer."

[Franz 1997]

This term is very commonly used in the discussion pages of popular online forums dealing with guitars, in which the cork sniffers are the ones that argue and debate over the subtleties of various factors that contribute to tone, such as wood types used, guitar picup types, body shapes, finishing methods, manufacturing proccess etc.

So, no cork sniffing here then.......

[Steve Z]

Originally Posted by fumblefingers

or for that matter, any Collings electric, like the Soco (South Congress area, for all you Austin hippies ).

any opinions? reputation seems to be pretty good.


kinda diggin this one:

Collings I-35 Deluxe Tiger Eye | The Guitar Sanctuary | McKinney, TX

I have played several of the Collings electric guitar models... all have played wonderfully and sounded equally great. I must agree that they seem to be rather expensive, but hey if it is what makes you happy then go for it! I had a couple Benedetto Bravo Deluxes for a while because that is what I wanted and I saved for the expense, though I did buy used. Look around for used ones as that usually cuts a couple thousand off the price.



From the comments on this thread and other lower end threads it appears...

1) don't buy cheap foreign guitars because they are not the same quality of US guitars and you will regret the purchase later

2) don't spend too much (what ever that is) on a US guitar or your a "cork sniffer" and pretentious.

Bah to both of those thoughts... buy what makes you happy that is within your budget

- I've owned very high end US archtops and inexpensive Chinese, Korean, etc. archtops... all have been nice guitars, just different.

Cheers,
Steve

[Harleyboy]

I agree with Steve..I'd buy a Collings if I had the money to spend.

"Bah to both of those thoughts... buy what makes you happy that is within your budget "

Amen Brother, Amen.

[Bill C]

Originally Posted by Steve Z

From the comments on this thread and other lower end threads it appears...

1) don't buy cheap foreign guitars because they are not the same quality of US guitars and you will regret the purchase later

2) don't spend too much (what ever that is) on a US guitar or your a "cork sniffer" and pretentious.

... don't forget expensive "foreign" guitars - they've caused a few arguments here too ...

[mangotango]

Wouldn't bother with that one...but there's a really nice looking SoCo deluxe in sunburst further down the page.

But, £3,447.41 for that one? Don't think that I'd be investing that in a single guitar until I felt I could justify it.....

[Steve Z]

As I mentioned, used is my preferred way to buy guitars these days.

A quick Craigslist search finds a 2008 Collings Soco Deluxe for $4200 asking. Still a lot of money, but a much better price tan new.
2008 Collings Soco Deluxe




Here is a new Collings SoCo Deluxe from a great store in my area where I have purchased a guitar from and highly recommend them if anyone is looking to purchase new, though asking price is almost $1300. (plus tax is in TN) more than used.
Collings SoCo Deluxe Tobacco Sunburst High Wind Imperial Humbuckers Modern “Jazz” Wiring - Artisan Guitars

[msr13]

They say that the first step is to admit the problem. I don't fit the definition NSJ gave of a corksniffer, but I do have the "corksniffer" guitar in question. I think if I accepted Jack's dare to post a clip, my playing skill would warrant the implied slaying ;0 -- so I won't try and justify my purchase that way (or in any other). I am sure, however, that this guitar would sing beautifully in Jack's hands-- as do pretty much all guitars he touches.

The actual cost of these is closer to $5k, not six. Still a lot! But, for a carved top, with premium woods, immaculate design and build-- certainly not that far apart from other high-end builders that have received lots of judos on this site. The stores have flexibility to discount about 10%. I got lucky and and got mine for the price of a Sadowsky as a result of an error that worked out in my favor. They are also making a laminated version of the I-35 for about $4k.

I love mine. Have had it for just about 2 years now. My skill doesn't justify the purchase, but my appreciation does. I play it every day and enjoy. All other judgements are irrelevant. Here's a picture.

[jzucker]

i agree that folks should buy what makes them happy. *BUT*...can anyone post an example that demonstrates that the tone is any better than the $1k guitars? Just wondering...

[Steve Z]

The point is not whether the tone is better to you, but rather that the person who owns the guitar gets inspiration and enjoyment from the guitar they have purchased.

I see no need to negatively campaign that the cost is too high. For your needs it appears to be too much, as it is for mine. But if someone else gets enjoyment from a certain guitar then who are we to say they are wrong.

I drive an older vehicle I bought used because having a flashy sports car is not important to me and not worth the expense. However, to a car fan who really gets personnel enjoyment from driving a very expensive vehicle the extra expense is realistic. One car doesn't get to the grocery store any faster than the other... just in more style and enjoyment.

I really like the Collings SoCo Deluce and the SoCo Jazz Deluce. If I could afford one of them, then I would really think hard about getting one. My playing is terrible and there are other guitars that may sound the same or better and cost less, but the Collings design is wonderful and the guitars are a joy to play... that is worth a lot to each owner.


Cheers,
Steve

[Steve Z]

Here are some good YouTube videos that I quickly found. Sure, many guitars can get a similar tone but the playability, feel, artwork, personnel enjoyment all go into the personal value of an instrument. I dig the Collings guitars.

YouTube Video

YouTube Video

YouTube Video

YouTube Video

Cheers,
Steve

[jzucker]

I never said anyone was wrong to want one.

[Jake Hanlon]

not wrong to want a guitar, we're guitarists we're freaks

6 grand though... the only people who have any business buying that level of axe are professionals and 6 grand, that's a new CD or enough to get a nice Tour going, that's money far better spent

[fumblefingers]

this is funny. a couple of things.

i can afford it - but - on high end guitars i always negotiate down. (30-40%) i never pay sticker, its actually not expected unless you are ordering a made to order custom guitar. this one is store inventory baby, get it?

if i have to pay sticker i will move on.

i have a spotless, blonde es-347 with gold hardware etc. i dont like the weight of the laminate. gibson is doing a limited run of es-355 in red, but they look kind of homely to me.

i am not crazy about the white tuning pegs etc either. (on the Collings). might be fixable though.

finally, i drink fine red wine frequently (too frequently actually ). i already know that the cork won't tell you squat unless its totally rotted.

but that was funny Jack. you are a pragmatic man. i like to collect a little bit though.

[jzucker]

i also like to collect but I just dislike new, shiny guitars. Dunno why. Some folks hate fake relics but i'd rather have a fake relic than a new shiny guitar that's begging to be put in a semi-circle for a guitar forum picture.

[msr13]

Here are a couple I like, that drove me to explore Collings in the first place. Both are Socos. The question, though is the sound a derivative of the guitar itself, the player, the amp, the song, the recording device, or youtube's compression? I don't know. As Steve said, for me they feel great, are especially comfortable, and boy, do I love to play mine.

YouTube Video

YouTube Video

[msr13]

Originally Posted by jzucker

i agree that folks should buy what makes them happy. *BUT*...can anyone post an example that demonstrates that the tone is any better than the $1k guitars? Just wondering...

BTW, just 'cause I am getting defensive, doesn't mean I don't agree with Jack's point . Last year, I posted a video of me playing a clip on the I-35, a PRS McCarty, and an American Tele Deluxe. I asked whether people could tell the difference. Again, my playing, the amp, my recording, etc. all played into it, but the overwhelming majority of folks couldn't pick the $5k from the $2k from the $1k-- let alone the variety of guitar stylistically. Here it is again.

YouTube Video

[Jazzpunk]

Originally Posted by Steve Z

As I mentioned, used is my preferred way to buy guitars these days.

A quick Craigslist search finds a 2008 Collings Soco Deluxe for $4200 asking. Still a lot of money, but a much better price tan new.
2008 Collings Soco Deluxe

Gorgeous! I'd be ALL over that if I lived in Austin and could go check it out beforehand!

Now where's my cork?

[Jazzpunk]

Originally Posted by Cooperro

Their instruments are ridiculously expensive. Talk about a fancy 335 - you could have two for that price.

I played one at a trade show. They were very light, and sounded good. I didn't care for the white knobs at all. And at almost $6,000...

I agree with that not to mention that I found the neck carve to be one of the most comfortable I've ever played (subjective, I know).

If they made a 16" model, I'd own one by now!

[jzucker]

no offense but these are incredibly mediocre IMO. I think my RL-4 actually gets a better tone. Could be the recordings of course but this reinforces my point. Anyway, I'm going to bow out here.

Originally Posted by msr13

Here are a couple I like, that drove me to explore Collings in the first place. Both are Socos. The question, though is the sound a derivative of the guitar itself, the player, the amp, the song, the recording device, or youtube's compression? I don't know. As Steve said, for me they feel great, are especially comfortable, and boy, do I love to play mine.

[Soco]

Originally Posted by jzucker

no offense but these are incredibly mediocre IMO. I think my RL-4 actually gets a better tone. Could be the recordings of course but this reinforces my point. Anyway, I'm going to bow out here.

No offense to you either, but I don't think it is fair to judge how a guitar sounds from a youtube clip. Have you actually played a Collings? If you actually play one and still don't like them thats fair enough. I am sorry to say it but you do come across as very arrogant on this forum.

[Soco]

Originally Posted by jzucker

corksniffer guitars

Actually I think you are the one who is the real cork-sniffer.

[msr13]

Originally Posted by jzucker

no offense but these are incredibly mediocre IMO. I think my RL-4 actually gets a better tone. Could be the recordings of course but this reinforces my point. Anyway, I'm going to bow out here.

No offense taken-- and given that these gentleman both have demonstrated tremendous talent and capability, then the tone problem must be with the guitar, the recording, or the listener. So, your point is made-- the guitar is not worth it.