2005 Collings OM2H-SS Flattop Guitar

So, this is the Collings take on a '30s-era 000-28. It's short scale rather than OM-style long scale and to me that makes all the difference. The shorter scale, less tension approach lends this guitar a more relaxed, warm, and mellow experience all around. It makes me want to chunk-out chords on it all night while I sing to the coywolves up the hill. I can't say the same for the average Collings OM (long scale) guitars -- on those I want to pick zippy lead and fill work as they fire-off like shotguns -- or detune and retreat into open-tuning decadence.

Anyhow, a local customer brought this in for consignment. He's much more of a Gibson guy than a Martin guy (this Collings being at heart basically a better-than-your-average-Martin clone) and has settled on an old LG-2 over this box of velvety chocolate. The plainspoken midsy bark of the Gib serves his style better, so I get it. But still -- this is a nice guitar. It's rich and full, has plenty of lows, and a good saucy, mellow midrange and sweetened highs. It's a much more complex sound.

Fortunately for me, I just had to take it out of its case, wipe it down, and tune it up before putting it on the rack for sale. This had recently received a pro level/dress of the frets (they look brand new) and a setup and it was playing on-the-dot right out of the case, no tweaking needed. That never happens. I'll have to ask again on who serviced it because I'll need to remember the name.

Repairs included: in the past it had a center seam cleating job and finish touch-up. Someone very clever did this as it's invisible -- I wouldn't have even expected it'd been done. Also the previous level/dress work on the frets (recent job, pro quality) and a perfect setup. I did nothing but tune it up, myself.

Setup notes: action is perfect at 3/32" EA and 1/16" DGBE at the 12th fret. Strings are gauged 54w-12, the neck is straight, and the truss rod works.

Scale length: 24 7/8"

Nut width: 1 11/16"

String spacing at nut: 1 1/2"

String spacing at bridge: 2 3/16"

Body length: 19 1/4"

Lower bout width: 15"

Waist width: 9"

Upper bout width: 11 1/4"
Side depth at endpin: 4"

Top wood: solid spruce

Back/sides wood: solid rosewood

Bracing type: x

Fretboard: ebony

Bridge: ebony

Neck feel: medium C/soft V-shape, ~14" board radius

Condition notes: it's almost "near mint" but here and there one will find only the very lightest of usewear/playwear on it. There was nothing for me to photograph that would show at all.

It comes with: its original Collings, TKL-made hard case with plush lining. Oh, yes, and it also has a Fishman undersaddle pickup (w/9V battery at neckblock) installed. It's working.