Collings steals from the best!

[tjmangum]

Yes, I have to confess to having a few more guitars than just Guilds. I kind of go through a rotation of instruments that I leave out, with little rhyme or reason. This morning I noticed in the morning light that the Collings SJ has a very strong resemblance to the GF30. Even the head stocks have similarities. Coincidence? I don't think so!

tj

 

[adorshki]

Y'know I actually like that little asymmetrical notch on the crown. Reminds me of the headstock on my old '81 Fender F210. That pickguard on the other hand, just clashes... :roll:

 

[twocorgis]

"I like big butts and I cannot lie" :lol:

 

[Brad Little]

Y'know I actually like that little asymmetrical notch on the crown. Reminds me of the headstock on my old '81 Fender F210.

Sort of the mirror image of the old Epiphone headstock:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7QgfHAf ... r_embedded
Since revived in the Masterbilt series:
http://images.gibson.com/Files/28bce88a ... 68090c.jpg
Brad

 

[BurstD55]

Imitation is the biggest form of flattery....

But how does this imitation stand up to the real thing???

 

[chazmo]

Imitation is the biggest form of flattery....

Exactly. Interesting flip side to this is that the shop manager in New Hartford told us that he has enormous respect for Collings guitars.

In the guitar biz, there's an enormous amount of idea "borrowing." Frankly, it keeps the industry alive. If these guys didn't learn from each other, we wouldn't be here in the first place. As I recall from Hans' book, Guild was formed in NY from the moving of Epiphone out of state (or something like that). Note the real irony since the Collings headstock has elements of both Guild and Epiphone!

 

[twocorgis]

Imitation is the biggest form of flattery....

Exactly. Interesting flip side to this is that the shop manager in New Hartford told us that he has enormous respect for Collings guitars.

In the guitar biz, there's an enormous amount of idea "borrowing." Frankly, it keeps the industry alive. If these guys didn't learn from each other, we wouldn't be here in the first place. As I recall from Hans' book, Guild was formed in NY from the moving of Epiphone out of state (or something like that). Note the real irony since the Collings headstock has elements of both Guild and Epiphone!

Well, not all Collings headstocks. A lot of them look like this (pretty Braz, no?)

Darren (our tour guide and shop manager) does have a lot of respect for Collings guitars, and for good reason if mine is any indication. The other thing that I've noticed is that guitar building (like music) is very derivative, and most of it derives from CF Martin and Co. when it pertains to steel string acoustics.

 

[iJamF47M]

Both of these share a striking resemblance to the Santa Cruz F Model. Even the headstock top is shaped nearly identical to the Collings. At least Guild stays with their Art Deco stair step which is unique and easily identifiable.

http://www.santacruzguitar.com/instrume ... model.html

 

[tjmangum]

Imitation is the biggest form of flattery....
But how does this imitation stand up to the real thing???

A bit hard to compare - Guild is maple backed and Collings is rosewood. The Collings is, IMHO, an outstanding instrument.
The SJ model stands for "Small Jumbo". It has a 16" lower bout.
tj

 

[FNG]

Those fretboard inlays look Gruhn Guildish... 8)

 

[Dadaist]

The tapered, "Snakehead", headstocks always reminded me of the ones that Stromberg designed for their archtops in the '40s and '50s.

 

[BurstD55]

Imitation is the biggest form of flattery....
But how does this imitation stand up to the real thing???

A bit hard to compare - Guild is maple backed and Collings is rosewood. The Collings is, IMHO, an outstanding instrument.
The SJ model stands for "Small Jumbo". It has a 16" lower bout.
tj

I would take the Collings over the Guild!