Collings D1-H

This guitar was built in April 2001. It is a classic dreadnought with a beautiful AAA Sitka Spruce top, outstanding Honduran mahogany back, sides, and neck, all solid woods, of course! As is typical, it the neck joins the body at the 14th fret.
There are a few custom features that separate this instrument from the standard D1's. First, it has a herringbone top binding which is not very common on D1's or even on many mahogany dreadnought that i've seen period. Secondly, it has a Brazilan rosewood headstock veneer and the headstock is bound in two layers - tortoise & white. The third custom feature is the 1 3/4" nut width, found on Vintage Matins b/w 1934 & 1937.
It has a tortoise-styel pickguard, Ebony fingerboard & bridge, Waverly vintage tuners, and all the tone you could possibly want.
it is not, however, a fancy guitar. It is beautiful, though

The sound of this guitar is incredible! However, as with all sophisticated things, its advantages over other guitars are subtle.
The most striking aspect of its tone is the amazing clarity and focus it has in the upper midrange an treble registers. It is brilliant without being harsh, and chords and single line stuff all ring out with amazing clarity and projection.
This not just a loud, boomy guitar. The bass response is great, but there are other guitars that are bassier. The Santa Cruz D-PW is such a guitar. The Collings is balanced, and is versatile.

This is one of the most well constructed instruments i have ever seen. People all over the guitar world are saying that the quality of contruction found in all Collings guitars is unparalleled.

the ONLY thing I could mention is that the matching of the two halves of the herringbone binding is not consistent...the wedges line up differently over the perimeter of the guitar.

What an excellent piece of craftsmanship. The construction is TOP NOTCH. There is no glue 'squeeze-out' in the interior of the guitar, the bookmatching is first rate, and the joints and seams are FLAWLESS!

the setup is excellent, and it is very easy to play all over the fingerboard. NO buzzing, even, balanced tone.

This guitar is fully intended to withstand the rigors of live performance and touring. As with all guitars of the caliber, it must be maintained properly...it must be kept at a consistent and appropriate level of humidity. It is not a light guitar, and I'm sure it will hold up extremely well over the years.

I have not yet contacted the Collings people. I bought the instrument used (barely), and, therefore, am not eligible for the lifetime warranty.

I spent MANY hours in the store before finally choosing this Instrument. I compared it with Martin, Taylor, Santa Cruz, Larrivee, Bourgeois, Lowden, CFox, etc. I eventually chose this guitar based upon its sophisticated tone.

I look forward to a lifetime of enjoyment with this guitar, and would certainly recommend a Collings to anyone looking for a high-end acoustic guitar. See if the tone is right for you.