Collings 000-42BA

12 fret 000 size slot-head w/1 7/8" ebony fretboard.Pyramid bridge. Mine has several custom features-Adirondack top,Grade B brazilian rosewood sides & back,fancy tuners (3 on engraved plate w/synthetic ivory buttons versus standard individual nickel Waverlys), 42 style top (green abalone (really beautiful) top trim that extends around fingerboard & around soundhole but none on sides & back), 45 style neck (snowflakes start at 1st fret) w/torch inlay. It looks almost identical to the 1926 Martin 000-45 on pages 27 thru 29 of Walter Carter's "The Martin Book", except mine has ebony bridgpins w/abalone dot inlays. But mine does not have the pearl on the side & back like a 45 would. I would say for the features & price I payed compared to a 20's or early 30's Martin 000-42 I must give it a 10.

Well, I feel that my opinion is just that- My Opinion. I haven't played as many guitars as most people, especially expensive new or vintage guitars because I live in a really small town & don't get to travel to the big cities or guitar shows. I can't really describe the sound like a lot of people can but I can say that this guitar sounds great either flatpicked or fingerpicked. When played hard,it really is louder than you would think for a smaller guitar. And when played more softly it really has those nice ringing overtones that rosewood guitars tend to have. It has a large range on the volume scale that you can work with to get an expressive sound. So for me & my taste I'm giving it a 9.

This is one reason why I am such a sucker for a Collings guitar. They simply have to be one of the finest guitars you can buy if you consider design & the skill at which they are assembled. I am lucky enough to own 3 Collings, this 94 & 2 96's and I enjoy showing them to my carpenter & furniture loving friends. They can really appreciate the guitars for what they are besides musical instruments. Most people really take a long look at these instruments, sometimes like they are studying them.They are expertly crafted works of wood that rival some of the finest furniture in their sheer beauty & construction. As far as I'm concerned it looks like every detail is given the once over twice. I have to give it a 10.

This is another big plus for the Collings line. They look like they will last 100 years if given normal handling. I think Mr. Collings means for these guitars to be around for several generations. I think that is why they take a little longer than other, lighter built guitars to break in. I believe the quality of construction makes for a top that takes a little longer to break in, but the pay-off is a more stable top for the long haul. Since I have only owned this guitar for 3 years, I'm giving it an 8 but please see customer support.

This is another reason I own 3 Collings. I would not have bought this guitar without the help of Steve Henderson at Collings & Richard Johnston of Gryphon Instruments. Richard has this for sale used & sent it to me for approval. When I received the guitar I was extremely well pleased with it except for the fact that the action was slightly high for my taste but there was no adjustment left in the saddle. I must say that the action was within the normal limits & this was just a personal concern of mine. I was just not willing to pay $6000 for a guitar with no adjustment left in the neck no matter how beautiful it was because I was afraid I would have to pay for a neck reset down the road. When I talked with Richard about my concerns, he then spoke with Steve at Collings & they agreed to do a neck reset under the original owners warranty before I purchased the guitar! This is what made the deal happen. I have to tip my hat to these to guys for being very understanding in what I feel a lot of dealers & makers would have blown me off as being way to picky. These guys will always get a 10 from me (both guys, both companies)

I've been playing 35 years & I would definately replace this guitar with another Collings 000 if something happened to it. I don't know if I could afford the Adirondack/Brazilian combination again but I could live with am Sitka/Indian I'm sure. I have to give this one a 9 because I don't feel qualified to be handing out 10's in this department.