Collings OM2 HG

OM stands for "Orchestra Model," but 80 years after this body shape was first designed it has become the most popular 14-fret model with fingerstyle guitar soloists who choose to play on steel strings. Yet flatpickers also find it appealing, and when the graceful cutaway is added these OMs are often used by lead players who routinely explore all 20 frets much as they would on an electric guitar. The compact shape makes the Collings OM equally easy to handle onstage or when sitting on the couch, and the relatively shallow body (barely over 4 inches deep) results in balanced tone and an immediate response.

This is a very traditional looking OM, the kind of OM you could imagine up on stage with Wayne Henderson in Virginia playing traditional Appalachian music. Maybe it is the herringbone purfling, which always makes me think of tradition.

But that's just a visual reference.  The truth is,  this guitar can do so much more than traditional music too. For one thing, is has a deeper body than a standard OM, starting out at 3 3/4" at the neck, and growing to 4 5/8" at the button. Even with the width changes, it is very comfortable to play, and your arms don't feel strained as they can with a dreadnought-sized guitar. It's a very light guitar, with a clear and vibrant tone and an openness that is surprising for a brand-new spruce top guitar. Like many fine guitars, the wood needs to "grow" and from my point of view, a guitar this good at the beginning of its life is just going to grow and shine even more brightly as the years go on.

Beyond that, there's something very special about this guitar too... it seems to have an inner reverb built in, giving it an expansive sound that is wider than the traditional OM. It projects very well while maintaining full warmth and articulation. You could handle a fast Bluegrass gig, and then some Tony Rice tunes, and play solo or with a Jazz group. The guitar is just that versatile.

Me? I just want to take it home and play it in my kitchen, basking in the harmonies as they swirl around and fill the space... that's heaven!

If you'd like to find out more about this item, just call or e-mail me. It would be my pleasure to talk to you about it.

ABOUT COLLINGS GUITARS
Bill Collings moved from Ohio to Texas in the mid 1970’s. Spurred by a lack of interest in medical school, this move enabled him to combine lifelong interests in both guitars and tools into the challenge of stringed instrument building and repair. After a couple of years in Houston, several guitars and a few banjos later, he headed west to southern California. Making it only as far as Austin, where he shared shops with fellow luthiers Tom Ellis and Mike Stevens. From there, he set up his own small shop in a wooden "one car" garage. His reputation for outstanding quality and meticulous attention to detail quickly spread. In 1989, he rented a 1000 square foot space and hired two helpers. Fast forward to present day where Collings craftsmanship is respected by professional and amateur musicians alike…anyone on the quest for quality. Some of these include artists; Keith Richards, Lyle Lovett, Pete Townshend, Emmylou Harris, Andy Summers, David Crosby, Chris Hillman, Joni Mitchell, Don Felder, John Sebastian, Lou Reed, John Fogerty, Tim O'Brien, Pete Huttlinger, Kenny Smith, Brian May, Joan Baez, John Prine, Nigel Tufnel of Spinal Tap, and Steven Spielberg to name a few. You owe it to yourself to try one.