Collings' Consistency with Electrics?

[phoenix 7]

Anyone in a position to judge? I know its superb with acoustics. I always prefer to play before buying, but I'm thinking about ordering a 290. Thanks!

[The bear]

The four Colling's electrics I tried where all really great.

[mojocaster.com]

I have never tried a Collings I didn't want to bring home.

[tvegas99]

the 2 I own are perfect...

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=449767&page=2

you're responsible for the first one Pheonix7 and my resulting GAS for the second one

[pedalcr8z]

In my experience, truly the most consistent luthier on the planet..........see my review of my new 290 a page down or two!

[jimmybcool]

the 2 I own are perfect...

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=449767&page=2

you're responsible for the first one Pheonix7 and my resulting GAS for the second one

Same here. The two I own are on par with high end PRS in quality.

[Shane S]

I have four electrics: 2 X CL Deluxes and 2X I-35 Deluxes. I bought one CL and one I-35 first. I liked them so much I ordered another pair. Honestly, I think they have gotten better from the early serial numbers that I bought. I have a fifth one on order now that is going to be pretty special - but I am not going to divulge what it is until it is done.

[kingsleyd]

I have a couple of pretty early serial number Collingses. When I was going through the whole rewiring adventure with my I-35, I did an a/b with several new guitars that were in the shop. Mine was a lot more open and resonant.

But I think that had a lot to do with the fact that it had 18 months of fairly heavy play on it, and even when I don't play that particular guitar, it's sitting there out on a rack in a room where I tend to play LOUD. The shop owner definitely noticed. And it's what one would expect with a solid carved top.

Aside from opening up over time, my experience has been that every one I've picked up off a wall somewhere has been at a pretty high level. I haven't ever found a CL that got me all excited, but I think that's just my own reaction to that design -- well, that and the fact that I have a Gustavsson Bluesmaster and a couple of Les Pauls that, in comparison, leave me pretty unexcited about the CL.

[AD]

I've owned 3 electrics and they were all excellent. I had 2 CL deluxes and there were differences on the neck size and tonewise, one was brighter than the other.

[Steve L]

Not a flaw in sight (happy 290 owner...)!
Incredible.

[phoenix 7]

the 2 I own are perfect...

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=449767&page=2

you're responsible for the first one Pheonix7 and my resulting GAS for the second one

Ha ha - I'm glad you're still enjoying the I-35! :D

Thanks for the helpful replies, guys.

[phoenix 7]

Aside from opening up over time, my experience has been that every one I've picked up off a wall somewhere has been at a pretty high level. I haven't ever found a CL that got me all excited, but I think that's just my own reaction to that design -- well, that and the fact that I have a Gustavsson Bluesmaster and a couple of Les Pauls that, in comparison, leave me pretty unexcited about the CL.

Interesting. I preferred my Les Paul to a CL Deluxe that I A/B'd with it too. And I'm a big Collings fan.

[jads57]

I don`t own one, but every one no matter which model I try are impressive! And I`m judging that against Gibson ( old & new), PRS,etc.

[amc]

I have not played a Gus but I've owned many LP's including R9's, R7's, and an early original '68 Goldtop Standard (new, my 1st electric). I've also been fortunate to play
a number of original 50's LP's.

Knowing that I'll probably get flamed, I just want to state that my CL Deluxe is the
best LP-style guitar I've yet owned. Mine is as good or better than all but 2 Gibson
LP's I've played.

Is it as good as a Gustavsson? I couldn't say. At approximately 1/3 the cost of the Gus,
the CL Deluxe is a phenomenal guitar.
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q199/amc115-photos/IMG_0451.jpg

just my 2 cents.........

[Jujo]

I've played about 8 Collings electrics. 4 of them were magnificent (as in best instruments I've ever handled), 2 were very good, 2 were just ok. That's how I'd break it down. I own 2 currently and don't see myself parting with them.

[kingsleyd]

Interesting. I preferred my Les Paul to a CL Deluxe that I A/B'd with it too. And I'm a big Collings fan.

Well to be fair one of my Les Pauls is better than any other Les Paul or LP-style guitar on the planet. And you know that I'm not given to that sort of [:boxer Tag-like?!?] absolute statement. (it's a conversion/retop with all vintage hardware and electronics, including a really nice set of PAFs, and it's a magical guitar that in all seriousness I'd take over Pearly Gates and Hot 'Lanta)

Even my R9: more often than not if I bring both that and my JG to a gig, the R9 gets the majority of the love. I'm talking about a couple of real special Lesters here, the point being I'm NOT trying to knock CLs.

[Bluedawg]

My experience is limited, but when I bought my CL Deluxe I crawled over two CL Deluxes as thoroughly as I could.

As others have experienced - build wise they were both excellent.

However, one had more bottom end than the other. IMHO it has the rich bottom end of an archtop with the snap and upper bite of a solid body. Naturally that's the one I took home.

The other was excellent as well, but with a tonal range matching your average Les Paul.

So despite excellent build quality they can still vary in tone.

One thing that did stand out is that the upper frets still had really great tone on both guitars. Most solid bodies get "plinky" above the 12th fret or so IMHO, but the upper frets of both CLs were very musical. This is through a clean undistorted amp of course.

I still like my LPs, though. The CL is not so much better as much as it is different in very nice ways.

But then, I'm a sucker for an LP anyways.

Good Luck

:drink

[v-verb]

The collings I tried was flawlessly built. Excellent materials - fit and finish were superb. However it left me unexcited - perhaps it was too perfect if that makes any sense.

It felt sterile. My Les Pauls and JG's just seem more visceral - they felt more organic and responsive than the Collings