Collings

“'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.”  – From the Collings Website

Indeed, as Collings suggests above, the Orchestra Model, or “OM,” is one of the most popular and versatile steel string guitars in existence.  Valued for its innate expressiveness, power, and overall breadth of tone, the OM can certainly be right at home in a wide variety of applications.  The Collings interpretation of the classic OM design is, of course, highly refined, both in terms of voicing and construction.  Of course, one would be challenged to find fault with any element of a Collings build.  Though perhaps skewing to the heavier side, the sturdy construction of a Collings immediately conveys long-term durability and reliability. Yet, it is clear by the tasteful and elegant end result that great care and consideration has been dedicated to the execution of every detail of the build.  In concert with their precise construction, the Collings approach to voicing is characterized by excellent balance, clearly defined and separated notes, outstanding sustain, impressive dynamic range, and effortless response.  Meanwhile, behind this highly articulate voicing is a dense and earthy note foundation that imparts a firm, resolute, and, dare we say, “traditional” foundation to the tone.  On a whole, it is this marriage of traditional note foundation with modern standards of clarity and responsiveness that defines the “Collings voice.”

In light of its long standing title of most popular model in the line, one could argue that the OM2H most embodies all that makes a Collings, well, a Collings.  The classic combination of Indian rosewood and Sitka spruce, yields a rich and harmonically complex body of sound that is clearly punctuated with singing sustain.  In the case of this 2021 example, the torrefied/baked Sitka top imparts a drier quality to the tone along with stronger fundamental sustain; and, though not always a given, the torrefaction process also seems to translate to enhanced breadth and depth of tone, compared to that of a non-baked top.  This broad, desiccated presence is, of course, more consistent with that of the great vintage guitars—though, as we are always quick to note, the captivating voice of the best-sounding vintage guitars is arguably more a result of exercise than age alone.  Subsequently, by virtue of its torrefied top and its pedigree, this OM2H is about as close as one can get to distilling the best of the old and new in a modern guitar.

Condition

This guitar was clearly well-maintained and exhibits few, if any, signs of use.  NEAR MINT condition

• 000/OM Body
• “Baked” Sitka Spruce Top
• Pre-War Scalloped X-Bracing
• Indian Rosewood Back and Sides
• Ivoroid/Faux Tortoise Rosette
• Ivoroid Body Binding
• Herringbone Purfling 
• High Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer Body Finish
• Honduran Mahogany Neck
• Modified V Neck Profile
• Ebony Fingerboard
• Abalone Short Diamond and Squares Fingerboard Inlay
• High Gloss Polyester Resin Neck Finish
• Faux Tortoiseshell Pickguard
• Ebony Belly-Style Bridge
• Nickel Waverly Open Gear Tuners
• Bone Nut
• 1 3/4” Nut
• 25.5” Scale Length
• Original Hardshell Case