The Collings Forum

I bought my first Collings (D2H) in 1992 and fell in love. It took many years to be able to buy another, and that one was an OM. And I fell in love with the OM's smaller, more comfortable size. I currently own several Collings OMs and was looking at an SJ. The problem is I am totally biased towards the Modified V neck (as found in Collings' Dreads and OMs) and the SJ has a C-shaped neck. Does anyone have experience playing both types of necks? If so, what are your feelings between the two? I am afraid that if I purchased an SJ and didn't like the feel of the neck, that I just wouldn't play it. Thanks in advance!

I can answer your question since a ‘21 CJ-45 Traditional landed last week and I’ve been A/B’ing it a lot with my ‘06 D1AV Varnish.

They have different-but-similar necks as far as mass goes. The Vintage neck is a big ‘un that I love… yet the C-shape neck on the CJ is a honker! Easily the largest neck profile I’ve ever experienced. It’s a handful, yet for me it feels very comfortable.

My hands aren’t married to just one shape, as long as enough mass is there for them not to cramp. I can’t stand small, skinny necks!

Good luck in your search,

Gary

I like both the vintage now and C shaped necks. Collings’ website shows neck dimensions for each model, take a look if you haven’t yet.

Note that I have seen some errors on their website.

As Brazad pointed out, the CJ45-T neck is huge - they describe it as the CJ45 carve, so don’t let that scare you away from the SJ.

Personally the SJs have never made a big impression on me.

I have a Collings C10 and really like it's C shape neck. Never much liked V shape necks.

Derek wrote: Wed Feb 19, 2025 5:45 am I have a Collings C10 and really like it's C shape neck. Never much liked V shape necks.

I generally don’t like V necks either, but Collings modified V neck is really subtle. It has more “shoulders” than other ones I’ve tried. For example, I really don’t like Martin’s V necks. I had a C-10 for many years. That’s a really comfortable neck for me. I now have a C10-35, which I like, but it feels a bit wider than the standard C-10. I also have an 002H 14-fret with a modified V which is very comfortable. All those were 1 3/4” wide at the nut.

I have an older D-2H and an SJ. The SJ neck is nothing like a CJ neck. It is a mild C shape. I don’t find it any larger than the modified V. I like them both.