The Collings Forum

I've run into an odd duck of a Collings build. It's a DS2H with a paddle headstock and a 1.75" nut. It actually doesn't look bad to me based on a photo. I'm wondering how those deviations would affect its valuation on the market.

In my experience customizations such as these won’t impact used value versus one with standard specifications.

I think it might. For example, I would not consider purchasing a DS without a slotted headstock. It is a pretty traditional style guitar, so others may feel similarly.

Dryfly, i don't think it's so much a question of affect on value, but rather if you decide to sell.... a much small pool of potential buyers because of the variations

I don't think it is that much of a difference. I would guess that it would be a wash. The guitar picks up more potential buyers on one had and loses some on the other. Then there's those that don't care that much one way or another.

I am not sure about the value but a paddle headstock and 1.75 nut is a mod I’ve seen a few times on 12 fretters. Might actually be an advantage for those who don’t like the wider nut.

If you're already concerned with the potential future resale value of the guitar you're probably not sold on it. Indeed your description talks about " not bad".