The Collings Forum

Good morning all,
I plan to acquire this 2003 CJ model mahogany western sunburst.
I wonder about the fact that it does not have thread in the axis of the back and that there are no key marks on the neck.
Is it a custum model?
Thank you for giving me your wise advice.
Remi

Remco, I'm pretty sure a mahogany CJ has a simple walnut backstrip.... like a D-18...so the joint doesn't really show. It is possible the no-marker fretboard is custom. It was very common on orders to have specific trim. It looks like a wonderful instrument. You are very lucky!

Hello,
Thanks for the info, I checked and it's ok.
A good price for a Collings not too far from me.
It will complete my D2H (1999) and my D1 (2002).
Do you well.
Remi

remi, if it's in good shape, you've found a jewel. I would say it's a Custom with the 'no' fret markers. My 2008 CJ is a Custom with 'no' fret markers, short scale, red spruce top with very similar mahogany back/sides, headstock inlay, and other custom features.

Just an all around great musical instrument imo. best wishes, bert

I have ordered a few Collings with a slightly different fretboard inlay (long dots on an 0, for example). I didn't think of it as a custom because of such a minor change. I am wondering what folks think makes a Collings a custom?
I love your guitar, and had one like it once. Wouldn't mind having that one back...

As a lefty, I've ordered every one of my Collings over the years, and each one had some non-standard features. My first, a D1av with diamonds and squares (before i truly got the D-18 shaker/style simplicity), a D2HBaaacust (a clone of the Clarence White....before the Winfield)with a 1 3/4" nut, a D1a with the shadetop copied from the photo of a '37 D18....and a D1av varnish with a volute, and a neck carve copied off my original D1a. It's just the way the Collings business model works....both dealers and customers were free to add features in their order. That's a different model than Martin where a guitar's specs are set in stone, and a 'custom' guitar was somehow less in value that a standard Martin.

Remi, That will go nicely with the Collings guitars that you already have! Let us know your thoughts about it if you buy it.

Hello Dave,
I should receive the guitar tomorrow Saturday or next Monday.
My two guitars remained in Paris but I could do a debreef from Normandy where I am now.
all my thoughts
Remi

Good morning all,

So let's take a look back at this 2003 CJ Mh SB that I just received:

Cosmetics: beautiful violin as it is to do well Bill and his team with an always sublime Honduran mahogany body, a tight and fine mesh sitka table, a well-appointed head with ebony plating, a curvature of the neck in C perfect. The sunburst is rather tobacco color between the classic dark and the western.

Tones: I cannot compare with my D2h and my D1 but I find this breadth, this impressive projection with a well-maintained balance. We will say pronounced low mids with less present but very subtle treble. The notes stand out distinctly even at high volume.
I am not a great specialist in finger games, but even there it is.

Yours truly

Désolé pour la traduction du Français
Rémi

Sounds like a great guitar! Enjoy!!