Is Brazilian Rosewood Worth It? Collings D2H Brazilian vs. Martin Custom Shop Authentic

[@AlamoMusic]

Hey y'all, happy new year. Just a heads up, the demo section lists the Collings as a D1, but it is in fact a D2H; sorry for the mixup, it was too late to fix it before the vid was dropping! But it is listed correctly at this link: www.alamomusic.com/products/pre-owned-1991-collings-d2h-acoustic-electric-guitar-adirondack-spruce-brazilian-rosewood-used

[@drcrankenstein]

I think I like the sound of the Martin better

[@beautifulguitars3158]

I'm using earphones, Collings incredible overtones. Incredible tone indeed 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@rodhier2516]

Could definitely hear the difference. Both sound great. Love the brazilian clarity, but the more blended tone of east indian rosewood also sounds great. I would be thrilled with either one. Great comparison video guys.

[@danielkerr7007]

I was hoping you guys were going to review that guitar. Having had the honor to play it, the tone from that Collings was insane. Maybe it was the fact that thing is 33 years old and the top has aged combined with the Brazilian, it was by far the most clean sounding of everything I played. Also, man I don’t know if someone played that thing. It was super clean. It was a serious consideration and I hated to walk away.

[@jerrychan1471]

The tone and ringing /sustain in the Collings were amazing to hear, right on the edge before being over-the-top. I've heard that a guitar opens up as it ages; now I understand what that means. Great comparison!

[@UltraPvnk]

Wow the collings is incredible

[@BlaisPianoGuitars]

Very good demo. Wondering what the strings are?

[@gair1944]

You guys cracked me up with the Bonus round and cheese talk. Yeah, Grilled Cheese MUST have a sharp longhorn and BUTTER and between these two guitars, that would be the Collings Brazilian. It sounded more inspiring and engaging through my Apple AirPod Max headphones which are great sounding headphones. Without comparing, that Martin sounds great. Even in comparison its a good sounding guitar but it didn't WOW me, I'd choose the Collings Brazilian D2H in a heartbeat. It would have been more fair to compare the Brazilian D2h with Adi to a Collings D2HA with Indian. Collings are traditionally a bit brighter voiced to begin with and we're probably also hearing the voice that Collings is known for. Additionally, the 26 year old Collings also sounds like a guitar that has opened up over many years. When I watch your videos and listen to your banter, I just wanna go have beers with you guys or invite you to any party I throw at my place. Love your content!

[@Shane_Jennings]

The Martin is a little muddy. The Collings is super articulate with a well balanced tone. That Collings is a cannon. Great sounding guitar. I can feel it vibrating just by hearing it.

[@johntepper2847]

They both sound great, but clearly different. What strings did you guys use? ...And, why would anyone trade in guitars like that?

[@texhaines9957]

Definitely different. I would take either one or both. I think the Collings would fit my voice better. That said, I have a Small Jumbo with a torrified Adirondack top and Brazilian back and sides. It sings well with finger style and higher key songs. It is also "pretty" to look at. East Indian Rosewood is a favorite, but walnut is moving in. Thanks, Chris and Cooper.

[@lefthandpath1587]

Thanks for doing this! The Brazilian seems to me to be far and away a better tone, but really hard to pin that down to just the wood,;given the age difference, the fact that Collings are exacting hand-builds versus Martin's hybrid mechanized / hand finishing process, the different bracing. So - yeah, heard the difference, but a 6X multiplier on the cost of the guitar - don't believe that's worth it, for the non-pro, non world class player, except to the stereotype doctor / lawyer with a collection of case queens.

[@peterballotta2215]

Gents, a great video today! Hits home with me as I am curious to know what my 1988 HD28P is constructed of. I’ll reach out to you with serial number and see if either you or Martin can answer my questions…I bought it new.

[@bluegryp]

Did exactly that with my Martin 1990 HD28BLE. I emailed Martin directly and they emailed me back with a complete spec sheet.

[@westcoastrey3679]

Well the Martin is new and the Collings is nearly 35 years older, I have to say I thought the Martin held its own and in some chords may have sounded better. If I were a younger man I'd go for the Martin and enjoy the next 35 years with it.

[@EugeneDavis-x8t]

Collings ...beautiful ..now where did I put my checkbook ...? dang time to make my tomato /carrot /ginger soup...I use Hooks Chedda and lots of it...I can dream....

[@Shilling_guitar885]

To be objective Test should be same model same manufacture, same year, same strings just different rosewoods.

[@texhaines9957]

Good luck finding that in Brazilian

[@johnn2326]

I agree with you..That Collings at least 34 years old.

[@frankw.1721]

I want both…anyway I have a d18 satin and a d16e rosewood…which are great…can’t go wrong with any of them…also have. Recording King series 11 dreadnaught…and it has become my go-to guitar…and plugged in it is a Bosendorfer grand…for $499.00.😎

[@gavenevans]

Gibson J-45 Studio Rosewood vs Walnut would be a killer way to compare this

[@jeffberdin]

Built in reverb! 😮wow

[@2505674809]

EST DEMO EVER..... The Collins is many times better for me

[@jDominiqueS]

As regards cheese, I'm afraid plain cheddar and American cheese belong to the realm of Amazon guitars... Although a good old British cheddar would already be a significant upgrade! But it's true you only talk burgers... :)

[@chivafanelrey]

First one here!! Thanks for all the videos guys!!!

[@jameswhite1450]

American cheese is what we call processed cheese up here in Canada. I use it in grilled cheese sandwiches and burgers. For Mac 'n cheese etc i use (real) regular cheese.

[@steveb9325]

Lol! I'm a Texan! 😂

[@frankie_CALB]

To my earholes, the Martin sounds a little nasally, whereas the Collings sounds full and open. I don’t know if it has to do so much with the tone woods as much as the time that said Collings has had to age. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ But what do I know? I’m just some schmuck.

[@stockholm1752]

You guys should talk about cheese more. Remember, fat content = meltiness.* * Yes, I made up that word just now.

[@lefthandpath1587]

Mahogany is American cheese? / Cooper needs to revisit the Yairi FYM66HD and then think that one through again 😀

[@briandillon8041]

When you say “this one“ in that one“ be great if y’all actually said, the name of the guitar, I noticed in other videos, too, but all of us watch the whole thing all the way through and I don’t know whether you’re talking about the callings or the Martin when you say something. I’m just sort of the point of the video.

[@B1B904]

I have no skin in the game in the past I've owned Santa Cruz dreadnoughts and other boutique guitars.. what I will tell you is that the overtones from the Martin are amazing and I think Collins is overrated and overpriced. I'm not saying they make bad guitars they make amazing guitars but Martin offers more for less money. You can't f*** with history and experience

[@steveb9325]

BRW is just an incredible BNS tone wood no doubt! And, who doesn't like BRW or want at least one guitar with BRW! EIR just as good sound and tone wise. With all that said, I'm a HOG guy! Just love Mahogany!!! Love your post! Love to look at BRW. 😂 hey if ine can afford it and you like the tone thats all that matters. Is it worth it? Well, thats subjective. I'll say this: in a blindfold test; you'll be wrong 50% of the time anyway 😂

[@dg111fu]

Definitely not. I heard a tone test side by side with exactly the same build and brand of guitar but one with Brazilian rosewood and one with east Indian rosewood. They were tonally identical. Any tone differences are coming from the build and bracing.

[@yetanotherflippinusername5174]

There are definitely good and bad guitars, and I can tell and appreciate a good one, or even a very good one - just like wines - but beyond a certain point and beyond a certain price point, the differences are imperceptible to me and I just don't get it I'm afraid...and that's not to take that away from those that do - fair play to them, but I had headphones on and struggled to hear a difference. My opinion is that no way are these guitars worth the extra cash over a new high-end acoustic like a Furch from their sound or materials (to me!), and it is purely down to the way they have been built up in reputation. Same with wines - once you start going on about them like Frasier and Niles Crane, sniffing, gargling, spitting out, saying you can taste a hint of this and a waft of that - sorry, I'd rather just think 'yes, this is really nice - now I jusy want to enjoy playing/drinking it!'.