Collings 290 vs Gibson Custom Shop Specials

[PaulS2]

Anybody do a side by side comparison?

The Collings seems to have everything going for it but plentiful availability - not enough anyways to actually play one where I am located. I hear they are very consistent which I don't find Gibson's Specials to be. I've played a few great ones and a few mediocre.

Basically, I'm looking for an extremely resonant P90 guitar which has a great bloom to it. Other possible recommendations would also be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Casey]

I played a Collings 290 the other day at Fat Sound Guitars in Cary, NC. And wow...I just bought a Gibson R6, and that Collings got me GASSING for another P90 guitars. Perfect build and fit, extremely resonant, and played and sounded like God. I'm sure they are quite consistent...they are a Collings!

[bbarnard]

This thread might be of interest to you. The search function is a beautiful thing.

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=192635&highlight=Collings

[PaulS2]

Thanks:-) You know, I tried the search function and it kept spitting back to me my search didn't have enough words (4)......which it did have. I gave up trying.

[strangec]

If you're after the classic Gibson thing, the Collings has a different scale length than a Gibby I believe, doesn't have the dog ears, and doesn't have the classic wrap around bridge. The Heritage H137 is another good choice. It also has Lollars (dog ears), nitro finish, sold mahogany body, and quality tuners, but it has a intonatable wrap around tailpiece, Gibson scale length, and bound neck I think. It cost less too.

The Collings sounds great, this is just another approach to consider.

[cbpickin]

If you're after the classic Gibson thing, the Collings has a different scale length than a Gibby I believe, doesn't have the dog ears, and doesn't have the classic wrap around bridge. The Heritage H137 is another good choice. It also has Lollars (dog ears), nitro finish, sold mahogany body, and quality tuners, but it has a intonatable wrap around tailpiece, Gibson scale length, and bound neck I think. It cost less too.

The Collings sounds great, this is just another approach to consider.

+1 to this. I just picked up an H137 right after playing the Collings. The Collings is a very well made guitar, definitely, but I got my Heritage for exactly $1k less than the Collings (Jay Wolfe took a little $ off for a superficial ding to the edge of the body). The Heritage is a killer guitar, and for the money, it is a steal. I actually prefer the feel of the Heritage to both the Collings and the Gibson CS. Honestly, of the three makers, the Gibson came in last for me. I only played 4 different Gibsons, 1 Collings and 1 Heritage, but the Collings and the Heritage played and felt better made than all of the Gibsons I tried. Yes, I do own two Gibsons so I'm not just hating on Gibson.

[strangec]

Heritage is an excellent guitar and the quality compares well with Gibson and Collings in my mind. I recently acquired an H137 and have interacted extensively with Ren at Heritage . These guys have given service beyond excellent. I can't say enough good things about how they treat customers and stand behind their product. I'm sure Collings is very good too. I have a '99 R9 which is a great guitar, but before I paid that $ again, I'd sure consider a Heritage.