namm 2019

pto
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Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2018 3:40 am

namm 2019

Post: # 582Post pto
Sat Jan 26, 2019 6:48 pm

based on the 3 emails i have gotten from Collings on their "highlights" this year, i have been way-underwhelmed. very un-collings-like in my experience and opinion. of course, there have been a few interesting wood combos, as there always are. i'm never looking to buy something out of namm (not to say that i haven't after the fact), but i do look forward to my to usual reaction - wow, look what their doing now! but then, the incredible people and methods and Bill, is a different combo than just the incredible people and methods alone.

Peanut73
Posts: 71
Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2019 4:14 pm

Re: namm 2019

Post: # 590Post Peanut73
Sun Jan 27, 2019 4:18 pm

Agree 100%. The only thing notable that they are doing is raising prices, and substantially in my opinion. For example, I've heard a D1AT is now over $6k, where it was around $5600 last year.

nocaster
Posts: 37
Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2018 3:19 am

Re: namm 2019

Post: # 593Post nocaster
Sun Jan 27, 2019 5:36 pm

I wish I knew earlier about the price hike. I ordered one right after new year. Used ones are getting to be better deals if you don't need custom options.

But I am excited about the new stuff:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgtOHU5S9-o

Peanut73
Posts: 71
Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2019 4:14 pm

Re: namm 2019

Post: # 594Post Peanut73
Sun Jan 27, 2019 7:30 pm

The increase isn’t mandatory until February. While some dealers have already started using the new price sheet, others haven’t. Hopefully if you did a custom order in January, the 2018 price is honored.

nocaster
Posts: 37
Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2018 3:19 am

Re: namm 2019

Post: # 596Post nocaster
Sun Jan 27, 2019 11:04 pm

Thanks and hi David. I just emailed the shop. This is my third Collings from them so I hope they will honor it.

tstyer
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2019 8:57 pm

Re: namm 2019

Post: # 597Post tstyer
Mon Jan 28, 2019 3:15 am

I am afraid to say... I think Collings best days are behind them. No doubt they still have a group of folks whom can build exceptional instruments.. but that excitement that Bill cultivated and delivered (like when the “T” models first came out... or guess what we are going to build electrics.. ecetera... )

It just ain’t like it was. The Steve Jobs of the Collings guitar company is gone and it seems no one is filling the void at Collings.

I think the Collings story contrast heavily with a Bob Taylor type strategy of transitioning in Andy Powers...

I love my Collings guitars.. but speculate the T model era might be the last great evolution. The golden era of Collings. I hope I am wrong.. but Collings needs a new visionary. How many T models can they sell to us hardcores ? They need something new for their core customer group to get exited about... and I am just not for sure what that will be.

pto
Posts: 160
Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2018 3:40 am

Re: namm 2019

Post: # 602Post pto
Mon Jan 28, 2019 4:12 pm

"but that excitement that Bill cultivated and delivered-"

even if he was just working on cars at the time, somehow there was that excitement. fortunately, thinking just about Bruce, say, they've go some wonderful talent, with deep understanding and skill, capable of solid innovation and vision. just not, maybe, the total unpredictability of what Bill would be working on next. cases? mandos? electrics? holy cow! that's my hope.

the biggest danger comes, in my opinion and experience, when outside money comes in (if it has or does), increasing profit usually is the goal; not to the betterment of quality. if there's one thing that jumps out at collings, even before versatility, it's unmatched (imo) quality.

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elambo
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Re: namm 2019

Post: # 603Post elambo
Mon Jan 28, 2019 5:55 pm

What's the new cost of a run-of-the-mill standard D2H?

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Haasome
Posts: 138
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Location: Massachusetts

Re: namm 2019

Post: # 604Post Haasome
Mon Jan 28, 2019 5:59 pm

elambo wrote: Mon Jan 28, 2019 5:55 pm What's the new cost of a run-of-the-mill standard D2H?
I see them for $4,455.
Paul

Peanut73
Posts: 71
Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2019 4:14 pm

Re: namm 2019

Post: # 605Post Peanut73
Mon Jan 28, 2019 6:08 pm

Collings has recently gone back on their mission to require the traditional case with every model. The standard line is now reverting to the TKL case again.

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