Collings 000-2H

2009 USA. 12 fret Spruce top with rosewood back and sides. Mahogany neck with Ebony fingerboard and bridge.

I had originally decided on a Patrick James Eggle Etowah that was until I played the Collings. I was torn over an OM (Collings) but my wife made me sit down and stop using my head. Good God this thing is insanely good. The neck was exactly what I have always wanted. The bass from this body is never going to worry a dreadnaught but I wnated something that had power and warm with note precision. This has it all. I also looked at an Atkins 000 and OM which were very good and if the Eggle and Collings had not been there then you would have walked away a very happy punter indeed.

I noticed after perchase a 4cm mark on the top like someone knocked the guiter also the bottom of the case was damaged, looked like a second hand case, got some money off.
I have also noticed a worn/dented fret, that will rub out but not good on a expensive guitar. I suppose if I lived in the town/country of purchase I would have had no problems. nevermind.

The rest of the guitar is faultless and has enriched my life everyday I touvh and look at it.
I have marked this down purely due to the dealer.

I would not hesitate to use this guitar anywhere, that after all is its purpose and I love the way it looks new, unusual for me as I like my electrics looking a bit worn.
Everything is as you could hope for and I believe it will always be the case.

Very poor dealer which I will never deal with again, completely unpleasant to my wife when I was not there and moody towards my 3 year old son being in the store. You would think people are lining up to spend this kind of money in their store.
Collings has anwered my e-mails and been helpful, unlike the dealer.
I have no idea how long the warranty is as the dealer failed to supply a warranty card which I have had to get sent from the USA.

Been playing for about 20 years. I own 3 strats 1 Japanese 1982 and 2 custom shop (with massive necks),2 Kramers (original),Gibson Les Paul Standard, Fender Telecaster '52 reissue, Custom Made Wolf with 2 P90s' (Joe Gormal where are you?)70s' Ibanez artist.
Marshall 1969 JMP50 small box plexi
Marshall 1971 JMP50 Large box metal panel
Marshall 1973 2x12 checkerboard Cab'
Orange MATAMP 1969/70 OR100 head
Ibanez OD855, TS9, Digitech delay, Carl Martin red repeat, Crybaby,Mk1 Marshall Guv'nor.
Taylor baby

Anyone reading a review of the Colling 000-2H probably already knows the details. Here are the features that I really appreciate. Wide string spacing - I love it. Its a very pretty guitar - you can sense its different looking, but you can't put your finger on what makes it special - like the girl you just can't help but stare at. It is not too small for a small body guitar, yet still very comfortable to hold. If I were to custom order this guitar, all I would change is 1) eliminate the pick guard, 2) eliminate the fret markers, and 3) maybe try an adirondack top. Features aren't important - this is a high end guitar that doesn't need to brag.

First off, let me say that I distinctly favor the "mahogany sound" for its note definition and sweet treble. Somehow, Bill Collings has achieved this in the Rosewood 000-2H, yet it maintains the fullness and overtones typical of rosewood. I've played several of these over the years, and they have always stood out. This one was auditioned against (and blew away) a mahogany Huss & Dalton and an upgraded Collings OM1 - remember, I generally favor mahogany guitars. I also liked the sound of this guitar better than a Martin 000-28VS and a Martin 000-28GE; the Martins had the bass, but the Collings had the treble. This guitar also holds it own against my personal mahogany guitars, one of which is a 36 year old mahogany dreadnaught. For my ear, this is the only rosewood guitar I have ever played that can compete with high end mahogany guitars for fingerstyle music. Interestingly, I didn't like the mahogany version of this guitar, the 000-1. The 000-2H exceeds its reputation - who needs brazilian and adirondack?

I bought this guitar used. It was and is in as close to perfect, unplayed condition as one could ever expect. The kerfing and joinery inside is of ultra-yacht quality. The laquer is buffed out beyond belief. The wood selection is clearly AAA. I'm sure a fussy technician could tweak the action a bit more, but it might cost you some sound - it's iminently playable as I found it. This guitar reeks quality!!

Bill Collings has now made over 10,000 guitars in 20 or so years. If they were junk, they wouldn't have the stellar reputation they have. I do not anticipate any problems.

The fact that the company will register a used guitar says something. I strongly suspect customer appreciation comes with the price.

I got this guitar used and the store also allowed me a reasonable trade in. I just couldn't pass up getting a perfect condition guitar with fabulous sound for essentially half price. I've lived with it for four months, and I have no regrets. Again I say that this is the best rosewood guitar I've ever played - and its the first rosewood guitar that can hold its own against fine mahogany guitars (for my ear and playing style). I think the Collings 000-2H is worth its list price, and is a bargain at its typical street price in the low 3s - its that good. Sophisticated and elegant ( but not dainty) describe this guitar well.

00-sized body (nut width 1 13/16", scale length 24 7/8 ", body width 14 1/4" body length 19 3/8", body depth 4", total length 38"). The 00 size sits between the 000 grand concert and the parlour or baby sized guitar. It features a select spruce top, in this case sitka along with Indian rosewood sides and back. The H designation indicates a herringbone purfling around the top of the body which all adds to the traditional Martin-style feel of this instrument. The guitars pre-war feeling is further enhanced by a slotted headstock featuring Waverley tuners. Finally, the guitar I bought has has a pickup installed although I am unsure of the exact model.

Fantastic clear, bell-like chimes from this instrument. The small body size belies the power and depth of tone that is produced. I am pretty well exlcusively a fingerstyle player (blues, rags, celtic, classical) and this guitar simply does it for me. I would have to say that it is simply the finest steel string acoustic I've ever played, and I've played a few. Great response and suberb balance across the strings and up the fretboard and VOLUME, this baby sings louder AND SWEETER than my Martins (D18 and 00028).

I bought this guitar second hand from an authorised Collings dealer. The condition was (and still is) mint and the setup perfect. I would have to say that the build quality is exemplary, but this is what Collings guitars are renowned for. Action is neither too high or too low, I prefer a slightly higher action as I like to feel I'm actually playing as well as getting a good volume from an instrument.

It's an acoustic, fantastically built but hey, you cant use it to bang nails into blocks of wood ! Look after it and it will look after you/me or whoever owns it.

So far I've not had to have recourse to this but other reviews of Collings guitars tend to suggest that they are no slouches in this department.

Been playing for 30 + years. Have owned a number of guitars over the years. Current stable consists of : Martin D18, Martin 000-28, Ramirez 1a (classical), Gibson Les Paul 1959 re-issue Custom Authentic (built 2003) plus of course the the Collings 002H. I simply love this guitar and would definately have to replace it if I needed to.

2002. 000 size 12 fret . Indian rosewood sides and back. Open Waverly tuners. Herringbone trim. 1 13/16 nut. Best standard hard-shell case I've seen.

Had been very impressed by the clarity and separation of a friend's Collings OM, but didn't limit my search to any particular make or model. Everyone has different requirements so I'm not going to say this is the new King of the Flattops, but for me it's as close to perfect as anything I've ever played. Clear and bright without being harsh. Deep bass and volume if wanted. Only time I reach for a different guitar is for old country blues when a simpler tone with less sustain sounds more appropriate.

Trying to be objective with this review, but honesly can't find any flaws. Aside from it's merits as an instrument, it's a work of art! Set-up well from the factory and only required a little fine-tuning for personal preference.

Biggest surprise to me is how heavy Collings builds their guitars - had always associated great sound with ultralight build. This thing weighs twice as much as my old 00 Gibson! Not the type guitar you would beat around, but feels like it could take it better than most.

Called a couple times. Very helpful even though calls like mine must really be frustrating to field everyday. Lifetime warranty, but nothing yet to suggest that will be an issue.

Started looking for a guitar to replace my Santa Cruz OM/PW - great guitar and exceptional for the $ - but I'd been very impressed by a friend's Collings. Drove hundreds of miles over several months time to play as many as possible. Played dozens of fine guitars but really wasn't finding anything significantly better than my SC. Never been a big Martin fan, so was a little surprised to find a used Clapton that sounded great! Tempting, since Used it was about half the price of others I was considering. Hope the obnoxious rock star signature inlay didn't influence my decision too much? Finally, after playing many impressive guitars I found that the only two I liked more than my SCruz were the Clapton - only a bit better, and the 000 Collings - in a whole different league! Again, hate this to sound like all I can do is gush but it really is a phenomenal guitar! I've had several great guitars in the past few years, but this is the last one I'd want to part with. Only thing I'd change isn't really a fault, - would personally prefer simpler with no herringbone or inlay. I see next to this rating of ten it says "Fantastic Value" I don't know - in this $ range I expect a lot from any guitar. However, when all other considerations including price were ignored, this was my clear favorite.

Recent model, bought used. This is a very well made guitar, extremely nice construction, no flaws that probably didn't come from normal wear and tear by the previous owner (who obviously didn't play this guitar much. A very nice interpretation of a late 1920's Martin 000 12 fret model. As such, it has all the features that it needs.

A very nice fingerstyle guitar. It's very responsive for a factory made guitar and has good volume for a small bodied guitar.

The fretwork is perfect. This guitar came with the factory setup, the first owner clearly didn't modify a thing as the saddle was high and there was no visible wear on the frets. The action was a touch high at the saddle and the nut and there was a touch too much relieve in the neck for my taste, so a setup was necessary.

This guitar is very well made and is probably as sturdy as any guitar.

No experience.

I compared this to a couple Martin 000-28VS models on the day that I bought it. It sounded a little bit fuller than a brand new 000-28VS but not quite as good as a five or six year old used one. I didn't buy the used Martin because it was kind of beaten up for the price...the Collings was the better deal at the time. Also, the drop in saddle on the Collings meant that saddle adjustments would be a little easier.

New 0002H with a cutaway and gorgeous sunburst finish. This is my second 0002H and my first new one. Typical Indian rosewood back and sides, Spruce top, ebony fingerboard and bridge and brazilian overlay headstock with Waverly open gear tuners. What is unique is that it ame with a 1 3/4 neck width at the nut instead of the usual 1 13/16. I prefer the wider neck but the guitar is awesome as only Collings does it. Bought it from Lindsey at Maple street Guitars in Atlanta and these guys are the best.

The guitar sounds perfect and is really well balanced. For a new guitar its incredible and will only improve with time. Its a little thin in the upper frets but I expect that to improve.

The set up is perfect. The finish is very detailed and just outstanding to look at and is buit very solid. No issues here at all.

Collings is the simply the best. I own another Collings and just sold an older one to buy this one. They are incredibly well made.

I have spoken with Collings staff several times and they are professional, responsive and super friendly. never had a problem and all my calls were just for info.

I've been playing seriously about 10 years. tried em all. Martins, Taylors, Breedloves, Goodall and all high end guitars. The Breedloves and Goodalls are nice guitars. Martin just isn't what they used to be and Taylor is a great playable guitar but getting too commercial in their production and quality. Collings is #1 and Goodall is nice too!

Collings is known and justly known for its fine interpretations of vintage Martin designs. This one is based on the 000-28 of the late 1920s, when that model was twelve frets to the body and featured a slotted headstock. The top is spruce and the back and sides are East Indian rosewood. The purfling is what master guitarmonger Stan Jay calls (jokingly) "that bourgeois herringbone stuff." It has "butterbean" tuners, which are very cool-looking. The back stripe is a traditional Martin zigzag. There are five snowflake mother-of-pearl inlays on the fingerboard, and that's the only questionable part of the design: it would look more balanced, I think, if it had single snowflakes at the third and twelfth frets.

With its wide fingerboard, this is obviously meant to be a finger-style guitar, but I find it flat picks extremely well. The tone on the treble strings can only be described as cutting, in the best possible sense of that word. (At the time I bought this, I played another 000-2H from the same year, and its treble was a little less percussive.) The sound is well balanced through all ranges. This guitar is slightly louder than a 14-fret-to-the-body guitar would be, I guess because the sound box is slightly longer in the 12-fret style.

I bought this used, so can't speak to factory set-up, but the store that sold it to me did everything right but one. The action on this guitar is superb. I have never played an acoustic with more fluid action. Some guitarists might find the action almost too low, but I don't. For me, the only problem is that it will require a reset of the 12th fret; the 6th string is unplayable at that spot.

I see no reason to question the durability of this (or any other) Collings. We're talking about a high-end luthier here. And the finish is breathtaking.

This is a great all-around guitar. It's not an ideal bluegrass guitar because its body is shallow relative to dreadnaught models. But then, ideal bluegrass guitars are ideal for nothing else. An ideal all-around instrument may exist, but I've never found one. I do own a Martin dreadnaught along with several other instruments purchased for specific musical purposes, and I can say that if I could keep only one of them, it would be the Collings 000-2H.