My guitar Brand preferences

My thanks to Mauricio Castillo who asked me why I prefer Collings guitars to Martin, Santa Cruz, Bourgeois, Gibson, Taylor etc.
In this little video I attempt to answer, and to show that i do have a Martin, a Gibson and Santa Cruz.
It is largely about finding the ideal instrument for my ears and fingers.
I do mention Isaac Guillory's Martin D35-S and here is a link to a video about that exact instrument : • Isaac Guillory's 1969 ...

[@richardharding9975]

Recently came across your videos. Informative and enjoyable. Very nice . Thank you for making them.

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi Richard, I'm just about to make another - I try to do one a week, either songs from my rather large repertoire, seeing as I don't really gig any more, or songs that my Zoom one to one clients have asked me for, or to just natter about guitars, strings, picks etc. Please consider subbing, and looking at my other videos. I welcome comments, requests and questions, and I try to respond to all. Best, Ol' Andy

[@susanroycroft89]

Andy, that 12/ string Martin sounded absolutely beautiful, wow 😊😊😊

[@SillyMoustache]

I think so too!

[@glennjustice2760]

Sir, hope your well. Enjoy your videos so much. Thanks

[@SillyMoustache]

|Hi Glenn, thank you so much! Any ideas about future videos would be welcomed.

[@Oklatucky_Guitarman]

Looong forward to trying out a Collings 12 fret one of these days.

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi Adam, I warn you - there's no going back if you do! Thanks for watching.

[@susanroycroft89]

And you're Santa Cruz sound's great too, and just sharing my experience with a Gibson H/Bird I bought, my Son was getting a few Acoustic's from aliexpress which were easily the equal tone/wise to the H/Bird but had greater projection of sound, and That taught me something about the Chinese manufacturers, and they have my Respect 😊😊😊

[@SillyMoustache]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jcdpt74]

My first guitar was a 1967 Harmony 1270. It traveled all over the world with me when I was in the Navy and I still play it. My next guitar was a Martin D12-35.It has a12 fret 1 7/8 th neck and slotted headstock. A friend of mine brought a 1961 Martin D12 - 20 but made the mistake of having the action lowered on it, which he regrets, but he still plays the guitar. The difference between the 20 and the 35 was the 20 has Mahogany back and sides where the 35 has Rosewood. When I bought my Martin D - 45 in 1973, I had them put a 1 7/8th neck on its due to the size of my hands.( I wear a size 14 ring). Several years ago I got a Martin HD28V, which is a great guitar but it has a narrow neck and I have a slight problem with it because of the size of my hands. When the first came our Taylor's ( Whom Leo Kottke helped design) were referred to as a poor man's Martin. JimClark

[@andybowen1249]

Those Leo Kottke Taylor guitars are the ones I like as they’re very un Taylor like lol.

[@SillyMoustache]

A Harmony sovereign was my third guitar - I had to work up to a Harmony! You must have been richer than me!

[@anthonykelly5]

love to get my mitts on that collins.what an axe.

[@SillyMoustache]

It IS a vey nice guitar for someone (like me) who likes a wider fretboard. BTW, the brand is CollinGs. Thanks for watching.

[@sundownsigns]

Wonderful tale of guitar acquisition. When I moved into 000s I considered Collings and Santa Cruz. Ultimately I settled on Collings. Maybe the pyramid bridge was the deciding factor. Tradition! Along the way I had the pleasure of speaking with Richard Hoover (of Santa Cruz} in person and Bill Collings on the telephone. Great respect for these guys!

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi, I have one Santa Cruz my "RS" and I really like it, but my passion is really with Collings.

[@njuham]

Anyone else here seeing Molly Tuttle this coming Monday in Leeds? I recently subscribed to this channel and I've probably watched most of the videos. Lovely channel. I play a 1985 Takamine D-18 copy - it smells really old inside. I love it.

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi, not me sadly - was it good ? Who did she have backing her?

[@njuham]

@@SillyMoustache Hello! the gig was super, she had her band with her, violinist etc, there is a video on YT, I'll see if I can link it. Mostly her current songwriting material but also some guitar flatpicking. It was a very lovely experience. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpLUg6GCqbycqMk

[@klomax7750]

Hi Andy, Yet another good, entertaining video. Your Waterloo will be feeling sorry for itself as it didn't get mentioned in your "and I've also got a ..." guitar list at the end. Looking forward to the blues video: from what I've seen, you play blues quite well for somebody who doesn't regard themself as a blues player. Regards, Kev

[@SillyMoustache]

Oops! Probably missed out one or two others as well! I've recorded the blues video, but not sure it's good enough. I need to "review" it! Thanks, as aways, for watching.

[@simentemplar00]

Lovely, lovely stuff! We have exactly the same taste in guitars, Taylor don't call me either:-)....is it possible that you are my father? lol. cheers and i am looking forward to the next video. Best wishes from norway.

[@SillyMoustache]

Hei Håkon, og takk for at du så på! Er jeg din far? Ikke med mindre moren din var svensk! (på 70-tallet!) og fortalte meg ikke noe! Bestefaren min var opprinnelig fra Gotland! Jeg vedder på at Google ranslates til boksmal?

[@billallen1594]

Great to see you back Andy, and thanks for another interesting video

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi Bill, thanks for watching - I'm afraid I can't put up videos as frequently or as consstently as I'd wish, but I hope that you keep an eye for them when they do pop up, and also, let me know if there is something you'd like me to discuss. Regards

[@MitchellBuchanan]

Thank You for the run down on your guitars. We have very similar tastes (12 fret, big body, wide nut). I'm an amateur Luthier and am trying to decide my next build. With your help I have now decided on building a 12 fret J45 Gibson style. Well, I said that wrong. I have already started it but was thinking of changing to a Gibson L-00 but thanks to you I will continue with the J45 style.

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi Mitchell, why not make it more in the image of a Martin original Dreadnought style? Then you could make it a standard scale ?

[@MitchellBuchanan]

Silly Moustache Ihave already made a Martin 000 style but 14 fret. So you think the longer scale is better?

[@SillyMoustache]

@@MitchellBuchanan Hi, well a dreadnought would be 25.4 and a jumbo design would be 24.75" Of course those are standards and not rules. For a larger body guitar I prefer std scale and medium strings but that's just me!

[@texhaines9957]

I did a list of my favorite brands. Bourgeois is number 1 so far. Thanks

[@SillyMoustache]

Thanks for sharing!

[@USNAVDC]

Michael Watts is a killer guitarist! I've followed him for years. Another nice, interesting video! Thanks! While all those guitars sound really nice, one strum on the Santa Cruz really grabbed by attention. The Gibson has an especially great sound for an archtop too. I saw a remark about Taylor guitars that was described how I always felt about Taylors....it's seems that all of the sound comes from the strings instead of the wood. Your guitars all look stunning!

[@SillyMoustache]

Thanks for watching, and yes I've known Michael Watts for some years.

[@birdsongman]

I found this informative, useful and entertaining. Thanks Andy!

[@SillyMoustache]

Then my work is done! Thanks,

[@angiesiddall9563]

With all the specs on guitars and the knowing exactly what you like, as far as the neck width, frets and string width etc, did you ever consider having a custom guitar made for yourself. Did you ever think about building yourself one? The knowledge you have about guitars and their sizes and dimensions etc. I bet you could have built some nice toned instruments. Thanks for sharing your collection and history for each of your guitars, and why you prefer Collings.

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi Angie, Yes I did. When I lived in London ('70-'75) I became close friends with struggling luthier, and he made, I think, three for me, but I didn't know exactly what I wanted until the late '90s. I still have the British made 0028 that my wife had built for me for my 50h birthday. Thanks for watching as always. (didn't realise the way my shirt was hanging - looks like a onesie!)

[@angiesiddall9563]

@@SillyMoustache I remember you had mentioned your wife bought you a guitar for your 50th, I didn't realize she had it custom made for You. That makes it even more special of a gift she got you. Hindsight is always 20-20 Andy, without the knowledge you have today, how could you know what you wanted in style and size of purchasing a guitar, or having one custom built to suit you to a"T". You coordinated your jeans and shirt quite well, with the dark blue in both articles, so there's nothing wrong with how your clothes look or fit.

[@SillyMoustache]

Yes, Jane spent every penny she had saved up to buy me that guitar and, yes it was a very special thing, and the one guitar that I could never sell. it sounds great.

[@fourocker]

Your comment on the Gibson J50 struck a chord with me (pardon the pun 😅) I absolutely adore the slope shoulder dreadnought body shape but never came across a Gibson J body acoustic that resonated properly or enough, long story short recently I stumbled across an Eastman E6SS-TC in a guitar shop that's incredible, the resonance is out of control, so much so I'm having to adjust my playing style to suit it, after years of playing very average dead sounding acoustics that I had to drive hard to get anything out of them this one is a cannon. It has the appearance of a J35 or J50 complete with the 24 and 3/4 scale but sounds very Mahogany rich and projective like a D18, I keep it tuned down a half step with a set of Daddario nickel bronze 13's on it and it sounds massive, because of the slope shoulder shape it still responds very well to finger style and lighter touch. I enjoyed your guitar journey story too.

[@SillyMoustache]

Thanks for your comments, and I checked out your Eastman model.Looks and sounds really good. Gibson must be worried!

[@fourocker]

@@SillyMoustache As well they should be, it almost appears as though many guitar builders are doing a better job than Gibson do on their own creation ha ha, thanks for the reply and happy picking or strumming.

[@andybowen1249]

Only tonight I was told about a story on the radio on Mark Radcliffe folk show.Apparently he had some folk guy on and asked how he came by his 1957 epiphone acoustic and he said he bought it recently and it came over from Liverpool in 1957 and settled only a few miles away with one owner who then changed to electric and put the Epiphone into storage.Those are valuable guitars and I believe Wizz Jones plays one? I was wondering if these quality guitars have always been valued like they are now,where a collector is just as likely to buy one as a pro musician would?

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi Andy, yes I've seen Wizz jones playing that old Epiphone Texan a few times over many years. Ridiculously thin neck for me but never held Wizz back! Tom Rush seems to have gone toMartins now - I believe he lost most of hi older guitars in a house fire some years ago. Like old Gibson j-50s, I never saw the attraction myself.

[@edfulginiti8798]

I own 3 Taylor's...have had 4...and think you oughta have one, too. They are a fine instrument...you may enjoy one! Or two......

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi Ed, nothing against Tatyloers - just not my thing, anyway, I've probably got enough guitars! Thanks for watching!

[@tenzinla1]

I'll be a nosy body so feel free to ignore, guess, or just make up an answer! ;) How many guitars have you owned? If you had to choose one that you either sold, or didn't purchase, which was the biggest regret?

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi Jeffrey. I can remember my first four or five guitars , but i can't even remember when I first started playing guitar, and forsaking my drum kit. My first guitar cost £10 new, my second, £32, and my third (A Harmony H1265) was £64. That Harmony was only made for two years ('67-'68, so I probably started about '64/'65. From 1970 (to '75) I moved into London and went through Gibson J50, Guild D40, Epiphone Frontier, Gibson SJ200, and finally got my first Martin Dreadnought. I bought the ones that others avoided (no-one did neck resets back then) and bought and sold rapidly, sometimes every week. I got my 1973 D35 in 1975/6, after selling everything, to pay the mortgage payments on my first flat. I had and it stayed with me until 1996. I have long ago lost count of the stuff that i had, but I remember certain things every now and then. 1999 was when i got my first Collings, then I found myself "accumulating" rather than buying and selling. Thanks for your interest.

[@SibeDad]

Very interesting information. Have you ever heard or played a Boucher? A small Canadian luthier, comparable to Collings, Huss & Dalton or Preston Thompson. I have a 000 12 fret on order, hoping for completion in August 2021. Just sitting here playing my newly acquired 1970 Martin D12-35, loving her! I shall spare you my rant about Taylor guitars!

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi, No experience of a Boucher, or, indeed a Preston Thompson. Such smaller organisations rarely get a distributor deal for the UK. D12-35 can be great if they've recovered the maintenance work usually necessary. Taylor Rant ? Surely not!

[@SibeDad]

@@SillyMoustache I see on Boucher's website, they have several dealers in Europe, however none in the UK, pity! For more information, look up a Canadian musician, J.P. Cormier, he is very fond of their work. My Martin had a neck reset and fret dressing just prior to my purchase and will eventually need a re-fret, I have a light touch, so she works for me as she is for now. My main issue with Taylor is the company's connections to the Cult of Scientology, something most consumers are not aware of, enough said! Being an older retired fellow, just getting back in touch with my love of music and playing, I enjoy your chats.

[@jamesmcallister5494]

Love the collings,,but that L 4 touched my heart.

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi James, I'm afraid I don't do the L4 justice. Thanks for watching.

[@nathannhantran]

Your experience is a gift. I also think to get one if the collings OM. What is your thought about this and other famous OM model such as : Martin, Bourgieos ,and Santa Cruz, etc.. thanks

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi Nathan, as you will see from my videos I only use 12 fret designed guitars - mainly for the wider necks. I have two frinds who have Collings OMs - one has an OM3 which sends me to heaven when he plays, and the other one has a cutaway version, and might just be selling it shortly, and the neck is a tad too thin for him. Martins invetend them, and their standard and above series ar very fine guitars. I have played a couple of bourgeois and owned a DS260 back in the ast - they are excellent instruments, probably more Martin like than Collings, but Collings get it every time ..for me. . You shouldn't discount Sata Cruz either. Thanks for watching.

[@nathannhantran]

@@SillyMoustache thanks for your kind reply.

[@riclrk9947]

I have A Taylor ga,its a wonderful sounding amazing guitar.I tried various Martins in the store as i always wanted one but I liked the Taylor.Funny thing is its not my favourite acoustic.My favourite is a Faith natural series Saturn(dreadnought),no where near the price of the Taylor at just over 400 pounds but ive never stopped playing it since i got it around 10 years ago and just sounds right for me,where as I only play the Taylor occassionaly

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi Ric, it isn't always about the cost is it! Thanks or watching my vids.

[@genegambardella6393]

Andy, love your videos, how many guitars do you have? If you don’t mind my asking.

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi Gene, thank you! I don't know why, but I feel funny about seeming to "boast" about the quantity of my collection, rather than the quality and purpose. If you look at some of the videos starting with "my" you'll see that I've done a video on all of my instruments. Tell you what, have a look and you tell me!

[@robertkrykant4591]

Thanks Andy, I think you’re missing a trick with Taylor. I have Bourgeois Country Boy Deluxe, Martin 00028 EC, Collings CJ RW and a Taylor GS RW (not a mini). I’ve played all four to various groups and every one without exception goes for the Taylor, I then replay the Collings, Bourgeois etc saying but what about this and the answer is the same Taylor to the audience. I like all four so the audience reaction was enlightening, the other thing about them is that they play extremely comfortably, I’m not sure I like the new ones though with modern bracing stuff still, that’s guitars for you there’s always something else ‘calling’ 👍😎

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi Robert, thank you for this. I've looked through the Taylor website and could find no 12 fret guitars with nut widths of 1 & 13/16" my minimum requirement. As I said in the video, I don't dispute that they can make a good instrument, but they simply don't appeal to me. I have made my choices over many years and found what works for me. However, thank you for your interest, and wish you joy with your guitars.

[@robertkrykant4591]

Silly Moustache joy and good health to you Andy 🎸

[@SillyMoustache]

@@robertkrykant4591 And the same to you sir.

[@mharri3677]

Enjoyed the post. Any thoughts on Larrivee guitars?

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi, yes, one. I ordered a custom built Huss & Dalton for my 60th birthday. It was a total dog - unplayable, and lots of other problems. I spent a lot of money trying to make it workable (which in retrospect was a bad decision) Eventually the dealer (who had also tried really hard) took it back and gave a Larrivee SD50 TSB. It wasn't what I'd wanted but it was a perfectly good guitar. compared quite well with my Collings 12 fretters, but didn't use it much. Eventually sold it to a friend who loves it (and plays it) to bits. Here's me playing it : kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoPFXnaQr7uVqpY

[@nickfletcher4132]

I wish I'd have got a Collins instead of some other things I've had.

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi Nick, It took me a long time to even work out what was right for me. For many years, it didn't even occur to me that you could have a choice of neck widths and profiles. If standard necks suited me the way they seem to suit most folk, I'd possible still be playing my D35 (and somewhat more in the bank!)

[@nickfletcher4132]

@@SillyMoustache Yes Andy, There are definite guitars that are right (better for the individual) and wrong.

[@danmcnicholas3357]

That Gibson sounds the best of all

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi Dan, I guess it should do really - somewhat older than the others and somewhat more costly,but each one has its merits. The Gibson sounds and looks REALLY like the original item, the Harmony was a great and popular archtop in its days - available to to all for a reasonable price. The Eastman is a beaut, but - it has a far more modern sound and feel -in fact it almost sounds like a flattop in some ways.

[@dawnkirkbride6466]

What a small world it is lol.I know what you mean about Taylor guitars I'm sure they play nice but they don't do it for me.Off the top of my head Ron Thompson would be up there in high end guitars? Collins have some great names who play their guitars.I'm bowled over by Julian Lange who has a signature model I can listen to his playing for half n hour and never is it boring.

[@SillyMoustache]

Yes, and many bluegrass guitarists too. BTW it is CollinGs. Nice to hear from you again.

[@andybowen1249]

Yes I know I’m gonna have to use my iPad instead of the Kindle that likes to try and correct everything I write.Have to say I’m surprised you sold your second oldest I presume?at least you have others that sound amazing.The Martin twelve string is a great story as your hunch payed off.I was drawn into a come buy me est a few days ago on a custom Gibson made by REN Ferguson the other day.Even with commission the buyer got a fair deal imo.

[@SillyMoustache]

Hi Andy, actually, I sold my oldesy Collings the '98. I was having some troubles with it - which I now suspect was simply letting it get too cold when I was ill. I had just had a small operation on my right hand and been told that I had Dupuytrens contracture which will sooner or later cripple my hands, so I was a bit depressed. I asked the Tech/dealer to hang it on the wall not really thinking it would sell very quickly - it sold in a week! Bit disappointed but there we go. Seems that now it will go towards paying for a new tooth and a new pair of specs!