The Collings Forum

I tried it out today but also compared it to other Collings models on display and I have to say that the other guitars sounded better. I think the expensive price is scaring a lot of buyers away. The cj45 was just getting any playing time I guess. This has been at my shop for quite a while as well. The Collings models I tried were used and one was 22 years old and it was a c-10 so this can make a big difference

Like other acoustic instruments. they're all individual. I was in Austin at the end of last week, and heard Joe play a CJ-45T that had just been strung up. It was very very impressive for a new instrument. A friend of mine bought the CJ-45aT that was at Folkways during Covid. It might have been the first one into Canada. It's in a quiver instrument including a D2G and a very good late 40s D-18 and it get lots of playtime and is a great sounding guitar. Certainly Bob Minner's instrument as recorded sounds terrific.

Who knows? The shop I go to has a few nice Collings new and used, so there is lots of competition. They have a really nice 2000 c-10 cutaway that is amazing. It has had quite a while to age like a fine wine. I find the older Collings sound amazing. I can image that the cj45t would do the same thing after 20 years of being played

Old thread but I just did a search and it popped up.
I've owned several Collings and played many more, I also mainly buy boutique, small-shop custom builds - and for me and the two CJ45 Ts I've played (one Sitka/one Adirondack) are the two finest Collings I've played. They are also among the best guitars, period, I've played. I passed on the first CJ45 T (Sitka) I played this March while on mini-tour through the SW. I would have purchased it on the spot (Black Mountain Guitars Cave Creek, AZ) but it is a bit overpriced. Once I got home I got my hands on a mint (almost unplayed) CJ45A T - that I couldn't pass on. I've owned most of the top-end Martins, Lowdens, McPhersons, several customs..... and when I've stated previously that one, or more, of my guitars were "cannons", I had not experienced the volume that would come out of the CJ45. The neck is like a bat but is surprisingly comfortable and playable. At 4lbs 3ozs it's a feather of a dread and more articulate than my OM1, OM2 (sold), D1, D1 T (sold). I thought Collings had climaxed when they built my D1 Custom Torrefied but the CJ45 AT can do it all. I don't know what production was on these but I have never seen one for sale locally and only a few nationwide, when I do, they hold their value better than any other Collings I've experienced. Of course along with the tone, volume, sustain, growl...comes the Collings manufacturing quality and their exquisite burt finishes.

I was a bit disappointed for a while with mine, a Sitka-topped I traded for. It was used and hadn't beeen played much, like all the Collings guitars I get. However, after putting some time in, I have one helluva newfound love for what all the fuss is about: they have achieved what they set out to do in producing a great, dry vintage whomp of tone from the slope shoulder shape that was not gotten from what came before it. I love the austere look of it, yet still marvel at their superb build quality. Great chunky neck. Sitka, mahogany, rosewood board. Check one out.

I have played Collings instruments since1996 and have at one time or another owned and
played most of the models. I acquired a OM1T several years ago and it really impressed
me. A while back I had the opportunity to acquire a CJ45T in a good deal scenario. I played
it some and then arthuritis set in. I sold some instruments and I also put the CJ45T up for sale.
The sellers put LIGHT strings on it and no one liked it. I got it back and put EJ17 s on it and it now
is back home to stay. I have played acoustic instruments since 1962 and this is by far the
best I have had. The melody notes just ring. No problem with the wider neck and I can only
use 2 fingers on my left hand.
Still pickin,
Tom OB

A couple of years down the track now with my CJ45T (Sitka) and I love it more and more each time I pick it up. Yes, a big neck but I don't have any trouble with it. It's a keeper for sure - no, I really mean it this time, it's a keeper.