The rarest Collings guitar ever? (Alaskan Blue Spruce)

This is an 0M2 Collings with cocobolo back and sides, and is part of a collection of six guitars built using reclaimed Sitka spruce from floating logging camps in Southeast Alaska. These camps were used to support the area’s fish trapping and logging industries for much of the 20th century. Along with being waterlogged, the wood holds quite a story, and an affect of the minerals in the water some of these tops tell the tale in their dark blue/grey hues.
This guitar was in for some minor adjustments, and I decided to compare this old workhardened top, to an old workhorse guitar. How do you think the tone compares?
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[@johnjackson1270]

I own two of the six Collings with reclaimed Alaskan blue spruce tops and I have to say, I am surprised at the one you are showing. Mine are absolutely flawless... built to perfection.

[@kostringworks]

That’s good to know! Yeah I wonder what happened with that nut, but other than that it was pretty damn incredible!

[@rogertinker1813]

I think the parlor more than held it's own against the high end Collins I love the dryer thump of the parlor it sounds a lot like my old Regal parlor, Jmo . Thanks

[@kostringworks]

I love to hear that. Definitely the underdog in the fight that’s for sure!

[@andrewbowen6875]

Oh my now you really spoiling us pal. I love the dry wooden sound that your vintage 12 fret sound like and that is hard to reproduce with a new build imo

[@archtopeddy]

Love them both, but prefer the old parlor. Not because it sounds "better", but because it speaks to me with an old voice that's lived a long life and has stories to tell. Stories that old ears like mine seem best suited to hear. Beautiful, simple song at the end. Thanks for the comparison.

[@kostringworks]

Thanks Eddy! Yeah hard to beat an oldie, but the Collings puts up a pretty amazing fight. Would love to hear it in 100 years!

[@scottkidwell3601]

Collings makes great guitars. I think my next 6-string acoustic will be a Collings. The vintage guitar has its own voice, mainly because its been played and seasoned. It has some songs in it 😉 I can appreciate both, and would enjoy playing either. Thank you for the enjoyable video. I kinda got lost in the music and playing and had to listen again to catch the differences

[@kostringworks]

Yeah man if I were to get a new guitar they would absolutely be in the running too. Just had a mando in the shop and it was unreal how balanced it played across the neck. Thanks for watching!!

[@billallen1594]

Thank you Kyle, like others I prefer the old one. Except for the bass of course, due to the body size, shape, bracing etc. Both sound excellent though to my ears. Wonder how the Collings will sound when it’s played and aged a little. I hope it is played…

[@kostringworks]

Right!?! I think that thing will age amazingly. It still has that new guitar smell, and I don’t think it’s even a fair shake until that smells gets played off.

[@danebroome3402]

You make both of those guitars sound amazing, Kyle! Love watching your videos. Told a friend of mine about your shop. He recently moved to Duluth. I think he’s going to bring in an old German Stradavari copy for you to look at / set up for him. Hope you’re well, amigo!

[@kostringworks]

Thanks Dane! Glad to hear from ya. Sounds good about your bud, I’m not typically doing violin repairs BUT I’m happy to take a peak and if I can’t help him I definitely know where to send him. Hope yr well!

[@bradleymoore2353]

Great to see the old timber put to use . What was that nice little tune you played ?

[@kostringworks]

Thanks bud! Yeah I’m super down with the reclaim-game too. Regarding the nice little tune! It’s one of my own. Sneaking them into these reviews is a nice way to workshop them! Glad ya like it!

[@bradleymoore2353]

@@kostringworks cool , nice work !

[@ensignofindustry1033]

Dude’s got it on Reverb

[@kostringworks]

Nice! I'd buy it.

[@rabbisandra]

Great video. Thank you

[@kostringworks]

😊 thanks dude!!

[@samuelhatman8995]

I really enjoy your play and the subtle warm bemusement and humor in the moment. I will wonder what the discordance was next door. I hope they settled their beef amicably. Speaking of beef! I love them both, but prefer the old parlor. I agree @archtopeddy! My old Gibson does this a little, Like fine steak, or wine, and 15 year old cheddar cheeses... they are mellowed in voice with a warmth and vibrance of sweet spirit that lingers in the memory just, um, longer than Fresh Steak, New Wine or a really good Cold Pack Cheese, no matter how good the sourced ingredients, or who prepared them, the impact is there to appreciate. I've played the snot out of my newer Taylor to deepen it's character 5+ years and still use old strings to get the warmth my 64's Gibson serves up even with fresh Pearson's lights. Ain't it wonderful to have great instruments to sing under your fingers? Yeah... I know. It's just the best.

[@kostringworks]

Hey man, I appreciate the heck out that! And yeah, LOTS of scrabbles in the part of town I’m in, but yeah know, rents cheap! Keep beating the snot outta that Taylor’s. I like the sound of those things, nice to work on too.

[@andrewbowen6875]

I know Vince Gill who knows a thing a two about vintage Martins ect does think that the sinker wood thing is a “thing”. My thanks for your introduction to Todd Albright

[@kostringworks]

Dude you’re welcome! So glad you’re listen to Todd’s stuff. I just heard a few mixes from the stuff we recorded and it’s freaking amazing. Can’t wait til it’s out.

[@andrewbowen6875]

@@kostringworks You get the old time feeling with him like Roy Bookbinder another guy who had an even greater link to past legends. Yeah I’m well into him and I hope he comes to the U.K.

[@andrewbowen6875]

Wow as I suspected that dry wood box sound that your vintage guitar has, just isn’t there in the new build imo. Poor Gibson lol I can tell you that I played over fifty new Gibson Dreadnoughts before finally finding a second hand 2018 J35 that is just unbelievable. I played a 1936 Gibson brand new style guitar in a shop with a price tag of over £4000 and honestly it sounded like cardboard and had glue marks

[@kostringworks]

Yeah, that old guitar has a pretty unfair advantage 😂. One of the best sounding I’ve ever heard! Yeah I like to give Gibson a hard time. They really cover the gamut. Some of the best guitars, and some of the worst too.

[@andrewbowen6875]

@@kostringworks yeah I have been lambasted for saying those Everly Brothers J200s with the large pick guard sounded like cardboard but I honestly think that was the intention with a kind of percussive sound. yeah you truly struck gold with that slotted headstock beauty