01 Sunburst

[tdavis3337]

I am looking seriously at trading a very nice Martin 00-18 for a 2010 Collings 01 Sunburst. The Collings owner is a guy I trust, and so I'm very secure in whatever deal we make. I have not, however, had any experience with an O1 body Collings...or by any other manufacturer.

Can some of you here that have or have experience with the Collings 01 give me your personal feelings about the guitar. Will I miss the size and sound of the larger 00? I want the guitar to be my go-to guitar, and not some parlor/couch guitar only. Will I be impressed or disappointed?

[Greg Y]

Terry, An 01 has potentially lots of power. I had an 01a that always came out when i went to fiddle jams. Now there are 00 and 00.... so are you talking about a new on or a vintage one. I don't think an 0 will disappoint you....& it's easy on the shoulder.

[tdavis3337]

Terry, An 01 has potentially lots of power. I had an 01a that always came out when i went to fiddle jams. Now there are 00 and 00.... so are you talking about a new on or a vintage one. I don't think an 0 will disappoint you....& it's easy on the shoulder.

It's a 2010 model, and I'm not 100% certain about trading my 2019 Martin 00-18 & $1800 additional cash for. $400 of that is shipping to Hawaii, where the seller is. I know the Collings is a Collings...but my Martin is pretty dang good.

[Flash]

I am by no means an accomplished player; I’m an okay fingerpicker and a flatpicker in waiting. I own a couple guitars — all Collings — and two of them are 01s. To hear them, you’ll never confuse them with OMs or dreadnaughts, no matter how loud the 01 might be. Regardless, the Collings 01 is my “if I could have one one guitar” guitar. It’s comfortable, loud, has beautiful tone and can be fingerpicked or flatpicked (if you have the chops) with ease. While it’s a short scale, it’s not so short that it can’t be taken seriously. This is a real guitar, not a parlor trick (no offense to Collings parlor guitars intended.)

I bought my first Collings 01 about 12 years ago, but passed it on to a friend who would make better use of it than me. But I missed it. In the last year I bought another, an 01 SB with a baked Sitka top. And lately, I picked up a used 01AT SB. (It was calling my name.)

I hope I always have a Collings 01. They are that good. I hope you make the same discovery.

Tom

[pto]

the Hawaii part would be something to check out (i go over there a lot - family for 46 years). but first of all, i have had all three "0" sizes - 12-fret collings all. the 0 (all koa) is the only one i still have. the 00 (adirondack/koa) was the first to go, as it had appreciably no more sustain and volume. it was a great guitar, but just wasn't special enough for me. the 000 was so big, i just decided to keep only a D for a larger guitar. i don't see selling the 0 ever (of course, we all now that can change on a dime for so many different reasons, without warning:)).

i would be concerned about the Hawaiian humidity, both from the standpoint of setup and wood stability. the former would be a real concern since shipping is so much. the latter is accommodated by a humidity-controlled "storage" environment. i just love that 12 fret 0!

[MSEV]

Great question, and a difficult one. I gravitated from Martins (I remember my 000-18GE and my D18A, both great guitars) to many Collings, and now have only Collings in acoustics, with a 01A, an 001A 14 fret (similar I believe to your Martin) and a C-10 with a German spruce top. I, of course, prefer Collings and am greatly biased. I can be pretty sure in saying you will like the build and finish better for the Collings guitar. After that, I think your taste will come into play. My 01A would keep up and out shine your 00-18, to my ear. I would definitely like, I believe, my 001 over your 00-18, and the same with my C-10 (which is a Gibson 00 sized guitar). It is really difficult to say what you would like between these two guitars. That said, I don't think you will be disappointed with the sound and power of an 01 Collings compared to a 00-18 Martin. My two cents. Best of luck to you, whatever you do.

[LefyD]

Hi, I have an 01sb left handed which I received early October. I currently own a martin 00028, HD28 and a D18. Also a Larrivee P09. I've owned the 00028 for 21 years from new so I'm pretty attached to it. But...this 01 SB blows them away. I still can't believe how good it is, from the fit and finish to the playability and obviously the sound. It is, without doubt, the best guitar I have ever owned (I've had a few) and is one I shall never part with. Mine has a 1.75 inch nut with a v neck which I was concerned about before I received it but it is so, so comfortable. I can't put it down. I'm convinced you would not be disappointed if you go for the one you're looking at. I'm a Lefty from the UK, to even find one here is unusual so when I saw it advertised I had to buy it. I really can't see I'll use my other guitars, particularly the dreds so I may move them. Hope it works out for you.