The Music Emporium emailed me about a new model line of acoustic guitars from Austin: the Hill Country series. So far, a D1A, OM1, and OM2 (tho I think one is only a prototype). Apparently Collings showed these at the recent Fretboard Summit in Chicago. They sound great, in a more traditional "Martin" way (tho that brand name is not mentioned). Here's an intro video.
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsGKGNWRkVA
I see there are videos from Acoustic Guitar magazine, Mass Street Music, perhaps more. What do you think?
See also my post [to come] about two new electric prototypes.
New model line: Hill Country Series
-
uponamouse
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Sat Jun 27, 2020 5:39 pm
- Real Name: Tom N
New model line: Hill Country Series
Cheers, Tom
Re: New model line: Hill Country Series
impressive styling. but i love Collings for the "original" sound. did my foray into the traditionals, but jettisoned them at one point or another. HC is a lot of money; i'm SURE it's worth it, though for the right player. EXTREMELY appealing visually. if you're looking for more of a martin sound, they say perhaps, but want far superior Collings craftsmaship... maybe this is for you:)
Re: New model line: Hill Country Series
Hello,pto wrote: Sat Oct 12, 2024 1:40 am impressive styling. but i love Collings for the "original" sound. did my foray into the traditionals, but jettisoned them at one point or another. HC is a lot of money; i'm SURE it's worth it, though for the right player. EXTREMELY appealing visually. if you're looking for more of a martin sound, they say perhaps, but want far superior Collings craftsmaship... maybe this is for you:)
Isn't this new series a continuation of Martin's pre-war sound research.
The subject had already been raised before the T series when the first series had been lightened.
Am I wrong?
Rémi
Re: New model line: Hill Country Series
good point... in Andy and Adam's TME video, they seem to indicate that. whether there actually was a plan all along to continue to approach martin PREWAR sound, with the T being a stepping stone, i don't know. Andy's playing is always so tasteful; he makes it easier for me to differentiate two models, in this case HC with T. Bill's original goal, according to a conversation that Bill Warmouth had with him, was to "take some of the [Collings] zing" out of the sound, not necesarily to emulate martin prewar. Steve would know! Bottom line to me: exciting work by Collings.
Last edited by pto on Mon Oct 14, 2024 12:28 am, edited 1 time in total.
-
Frank Sanns
- Posts: 152
- Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2018 5:38 pm
- Real Name: Frank Sanns
- Location: Pittsburgh
Re: New model line: Hill Country Series
We all have our own likes so this comment is not to be for or against anybody else's choices.
I was initially drawn to Collings for the energy in the strings of the guitar and the way they couple to the rest of the instrument. There is good power and springiness to each pluck of the string. While it gave a slightly early harsher sound, it came quickly into its own with some time and playing (or cheating).
This energy can not be gained with time. It is either into the build of the guitar or it is not. I had measured and felt the T series and even owned one. It was quite different from the classic Collings. It is clear why many would really like that direction. For me though, not so much. Sold my T and never looked back.
In contrast, the HC does sound closer to a Collings version of a Martin but still trying to be a Collings. I like it from the video and will try to get my hands on one before too long. I was at the Music Emporium just a few months ago. Looked and played many guitars, mostly Collings. Came home with a 1944 Martin 0-18 from the original owners family in about as good a condition and sound of any that I have encountered in the US, Japan and elsewhere.
I mention this for a couple of reasons. First, this particular guitar, it has energy and nice rebound springiness on the strings. Very responsive like a classic Collings but with a sweetness that takes decades with many classic Collings (with the exception of the AO1 Process which is now only reserved for past clients with very few exceptions). Secondly, it is always dangerous to go into TME as one often comes out with a very nice guitar. Great people and selection of guitars.
It is now high on my list to get my hands on a HC. I will report my findings when I get some time with one.
I was initially drawn to Collings for the energy in the strings of the guitar and the way they couple to the rest of the instrument. There is good power and springiness to each pluck of the string. While it gave a slightly early harsher sound, it came quickly into its own with some time and playing (or cheating).
This energy can not be gained with time. It is either into the build of the guitar or it is not. I had measured and felt the T series and even owned one. It was quite different from the classic Collings. It is clear why many would really like that direction. For me though, not so much. Sold my T and never looked back.
In contrast, the HC does sound closer to a Collings version of a Martin but still trying to be a Collings. I like it from the video and will try to get my hands on one before too long. I was at the Music Emporium just a few months ago. Looked and played many guitars, mostly Collings. Came home with a 1944 Martin 0-18 from the original owners family in about as good a condition and sound of any that I have encountered in the US, Japan and elsewhere.
I mention this for a couple of reasons. First, this particular guitar, it has energy and nice rebound springiness on the strings. Very responsive like a classic Collings but with a sweetness that takes decades with many classic Collings (with the exception of the AO1 Process which is now only reserved for past clients with very few exceptions). Secondly, it is always dangerous to go into TME as one often comes out with a very nice guitar. Great people and selection of guitars.
It is now high on my list to get my hands on a HC. I will report my findings when I get some time with one.
Re: New model line: Hill Country Series
agree, Frank, with your description of the original collings sound. wish i could have articulated it like that. that is why i prefer it. there is one thing i don't like about the HC presentaion. the headstock missing the collings on the front and the stamp on the back. i can take or leave the "hand poured" tortoise. these are just cosmetic, though. the bigger neck is a worry for my small hands, but could be a non-issue for me depending on the actual shape with which Collings came up; i had a '39 wide-neck D-18 (before the transition): not for me. for the 1-3/4 nut, the vintage now on the D-45 can't be beat for me.