martin vs collings

[bluesman62]

going to buy either a martin 0014 or a collings 01A
Both ave adi tops and mahogany back and sides.
the collings is 300 more .Any opinion would help in my decision


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https://youtu.be/FzmLo9ZVWaA

[00-28]

I'm not sure what the Martin 0014 is. The Collings looks nice. .....Mike

[llew]

I assume you're referring to the Martin 0018V? Never played either guitar but have owned two Collings OM's (OM1DB and OM2HDB) and a few more Martin 000/OM's. I prefer the less bright sound of the Martin's in the 000/OM body size. I suggest you play them side by side until one of them speaks to you a little more than the other. I'm sure both guitars are great in their own right but I'd lean toward the Martin...but this isn't about me?

Not bashing Collings...I still have a SJ Indian that I love. And would really like to try their slope and standard dreads one day...

[PTC Bernie]

Sorry to say that you're the only one who can make that decision.

Put them side by side and see which one is harder to walk away from.......

[BrunoBlack]

I agree with llew, this is all about you. I've gone the other way and sold off all 5 of my Martin's over the past 4 years, replacing them largely with Collings. You will need to figure this one out for yourself. And have a ball doing it!

[nedray]

The Martin 0014 is a custom model in 00 size with 14 frets clear of the body. That's how the customs are designated. You need to read the specs to learn more about it. In this case we know it has adi and mahogany, but don't know neck shape, bracing or any of that. What store is advertising it?

As for the Collings, the 0 will be a smaller body than the 00, which may suit you or not. Collins does a nice job on these very small guitars and I would probably lean that way if it was me.

[Tone.woods]

I agree with what has already been said, you'll have to play them side by side and determine which is most suitable for you.

That being said, I own a few Martin's (OOO28, HD28V and GPCPA1+) and a Collings O2H, so not the same models but relatively close. Both are fine instruments, but a purist would probably lean towards a Martin. For starters, it has a dovetail joint as opposed to a bolt-on neck, which makes it harder to reset over time but tends to produce marginally "better sound" (more traditional pre-war Martin style).

Anyway, my two cents, you won't know until you play them...but you really can't go wrong with either.

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

Originally Posted by bluesman62

going to buy either a martin 0014 or a collings 01A
Both ave adi tops and mahogany back and sides.
the collings is 300 more .Any opinion would help in my decision.

Can you give us more info on the Martin, and what type of music you are planning to use these guitars for?

[Dwight]

They're both going to be good guitars. I don't know much about the 0014 Martin you speak of, I have a 00-28 Martin and a few Collings guitars. The Collings will be louder and more articulate as well as have a very precise fit and finish.

My Martin is clearly not at the same level as the Collings and I wouldn't expect it to be as it cost much less.

[Prizen]

Collings for me. Don't have either model you mention, but just base this on my preferences over all of the Martin and Collings guitars that I have played.

[muzz76]

Tone is a subjective preference but I'd expect the Collings to be louder and have better string to string balance. The Martin may be more mellow and woody sounding with a stronger bass. I have one of each and find they compliment each other well.

The only area I could give one the nod on is construction and fit/finish and I'd say Collings without question.

[buddyhu]

When someone has a complaint about Collings guitars, they usually fall into two categories:

1. Every mistake of your playing is exposed because of their tremendous clarity.
2. Some folks don't like the tone: not dark enough, not woody enough.

If you have played the Collings in question and like the way it sounds, I'd urge you to get the Collings. They are sturdy (but not overbuilt) guitars, and are among the most playable instruments I have come across (indeed, I know someone who bought one even though he didn't particularly like the tone, simply because the neck, "felt amazing...easiest guitar to play ever").

[fishstick_kitty]

I'd go with the Martin

[dneal]

muzz76 and buddyhu nailed the key points, and the only thing I can add is that the Martin might have a touch more bass because the Martin is an 00 instead of an 0, and Martins tend to lean that way in general.

Now it's just a matter of which one you like the sound of better.

[Goodallboy]

You left off the most important point......Which one sounds best?

I'd pick that one.