Collings D2-HBAaaaV

The back and sides are equal to the highest grade Brazilain I've
seen including aaa wood from forty years ago. The red spruce top has
fine, clear grain that is rarely seen in recent cuttings of this wood.
The seemingly outrageous price was justified by a high degree of
confidence that wood of this quality will not be available at any
price in a few years. Any wood that Collings uses must pass through
the eye of a very small needle, and this set was very special.

The "vintage" neck and string spacing is consistent with the 1930's
Martins as are other construction details.

The sound is what you would expect from a Brazilain / Ad topped
Collings D2H..........crisp and bright with lots of punch and
tone that does not break down. The guitar is only six months old, and
it has been my experience that red spruce tops take a while to loosen
up: the best is yet to come. This guitar has more overtones
than my Collings D1A mahogany guitars, but has plenty of cut and
articulation for serious flatpicking. It does not have the overpowering low end of the recent Martin D28GE's and brighter mids
and highs.

Perfect.

Collings builds strong, durable gutiars without compromising tone and
volume. The bolt on neck system (described on Collings web site) may
be superior to the traditional dovetail and is far simpler to
deal with for neck resets.

Recent support from Collings on a neck reset and refret work on two
other guitars was exceptional with two week turnaround and very
modest charges. The work is flawless.

It is always chancey to justify the purchase of expensive things as
"investments".......
the treaty that bans the export of
Brazilian rosewood may be repealed tomorrow, and the Forest Service
may allow old growth red spruce trees to be cut. Fantastic value?
Ask me in twenty years. Meanwhile, I am going to enjoy this wonderful
instrument as I find out.