NGD...

Lewy · May 2018

Picked up from @WillEdmunds this afternoon. I’d been watching it in the classifieds for months and eventually couldn’t resist anymore. A 2007 Collings CW Indian A (for Adirondack).

https://imgur.com/gallery/6NYGpWl

Pictured on the right here next to its D1A stablemate.

First order of business was to get some 13s on it (there were 12s on there) and then drop the action by about 1/32”. First time working on a long saddle, which has to be lowered from the top not sanded from the bottom like a drop in saddle. Turned out fine. I haven’t bothered re-compensating the saddle - it really doesn’t sound like it needs it (for how I play anyway).

First impressions - loud (but not as forceful as the mahogany bodied D1A), and the enlarged sound hole seems to do what people say thy do ... make the bass sound drier and less whompy and make the highs a little less bright but with more body. I like it a lot.

Will post a vid once the strings have played in a bit.

Many thanks to Will for a very smooth and easy transaction!

BigLicks67 · May 2018

Looks terrific, happy ngd.

Strangefan · May 2018

Proper ngd there, well done.

kaypeejay · May 2018

Lovely guitar. I do like the Collings’ sound.

CHRISB50 · May 2018

Congrats Lewy.

Enjoy.

Winny_Pooh · May 2018

Damn that's tasty.

jellyroll · May 2018

Congrats. Do you think the “A” makes a noticeable difference?

Lewy · May 2018

jellyroll said:

Congrats. Do you think the “A” makes a noticeable difference?

Definitely. Not necessarily better for all players/styles, but absolutely noticeable.

With all other things being equal (which of course they never are) the stiffer Adirondack has more headroom and punch so for bluegrassers/flatpickers who prize true acoustic projection, there is a distinct advantage. But it wouldn't be my choice for a guitar that I wanted to do a lot of delicate fingerstyle with, or one I wanted to put light strings on.

In terms of species of spruce for tops, for me Adirondack is out on its own....again in terms of sound and response, not necessarily quality/merit. I've found the differences between the other commonly used spruce species(sitka, german, engelman) to be noticeable to the extent that I could hear a difference between them but couldn't go "ah...that's German spruce".

TimmyO · May 2018

When I saw it had sold I knew it was you :-)

Congrats

jellyroll · May 2018

Lewy said:

jellyroll said:

Congrats. Do you think the “A” makes a noticeable difference?

Definitely. Not necessarily better for all players/styles, but absolutely noticeable.

With all other things being equal (which of course they never are) the stiffer Adirondack has more headroom and punch so for bluegrassers/flatpickers who prize true acoustic projection, there is a distinct advantage. But it wouldn't be my choice for a guitar that I wanted to do a lot of delicate fingerstyle with, or one I wanted to put light strings on.

In terms of species of spruce for tops, for me Adirondack is out on its own....again in terms of sound and response, not necessarily quality/merit. I've found the differences between the other commonly used spruce species(sitka, german, engelman) to be noticeable to the extent that I could hear a difference between them but couldn't go "ah...that's German spruce".

Thanks @Lewy. I’ve learned something.

CloudNine · May 2018

Lewy said
Definitely. Not necessarily better for all players/styles, but absolutely noticeable.

With all other things being equal (which of course they never are) the stiffer Adirondack has more headroom and punch so for bluegrassers/flatpickers who prize true acoustic projection, there is a distinct advantage. But it wouldn't be my choice for a guitar that I wanted to do a lot of delicate fingerstyle with, or one I wanted to put light strings on.

Definitely my favourite top wood. Have owned a boat load of acoustics, and there has been a definite trend of the best ones having Adi. And I don't just mean for dreads. Although I am not a great finger style player, I think it is absolutely a great wood for that style of guitar, with light strings etc, if the builder knows what the are doing.

I personally think it is the best all rounder.

earwighoney · May 2018

Lewy said:

Definitely. Not necessarily better for all players/styles, but absolutely noticeable.

With all other things being equal (which of course they never are) the stiffer Adirondack has more headroom and punch so for bluegrassers/flatpickers who prize true acoustic projection, there is a distinct advantage. But it wouldn't be my choice for a guitar that I wanted to do a lot of delicate fingerstyle with, or one I wanted to put light strings on.

In terms of species of spruce for tops, for me Adirondack is out on its own....again in terms of sound and response, not necessarily quality/merit. I've found the differences between the other commonly used spruce species(sitka, german, engelman) to be noticeable to the extent that I could hear a difference between them but couldn't go "ah...that's German spruce".

A very nice pair of Collings, IMO they seem to be the pick of contemporary USA acoustic factory guitar makers.

When it comes to Red Spruce/Adirondack it's usually is heavier than the other spruces used for making guitars (Englemann, Sitka & European) and is seen to be stiffer as well. In addition to 'headroom and punch' I'd say something associated with it as well as volume and clarity and a lack of compression.

One issue with Red Spruce is again something of an opinion but many do observe it takes a while longer than the other spruces to 'break in', but this is something to be a divisive subject at best.

FelineGuitars · May 2018

very tasty!

Phil_aka_Pip · June 2018

nice looking guitars but I couldn't play on 13s

Lewy · June 2018

Got round to recording a quick clip ....

https://youtu.be/pcndPN2RPkQ

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