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.”  

Our Hill Country series (“HC”) introduces an acoustic option that has been pushed to the far end of the tonal spectrum with a strong fundamental voice that is both warm and woody.  These guitars have a dry character and full low end that bluegrass players, in particular, will find familiar and right at home in any jam, although their responsiveness and warmth make them highly versatile and appealing for a wide range of styles.”  – 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. Historically, what are now Standard Collings models (e.g., a stock OM2H) skew to the heavier side, in terms of construction. This heavier build yields not only a durable instrument, but also what we might characterize as a more modernized on the golden-era (i.e., 1920-1940ish) Martin voicing that is likewise built upon avery firm, earthy note foundation. In contrast, the Collings voice is generally more focused, more balanced, brighter, and overall more articulate; whereas, Martins often skew warmer, darker, and earthier, with a bias towards enhanced bass response and low mid-range presence.   

While one would be challenged to find fault with any element of a Collings build, we have observed that, upon seeing classic Martin or Gibson influence in Collings designs, many folks immediately form an expectation of vintage Martin or Gibson tone.  Invariably, despite the obvious logical fallacy inherent in the such an expectation (i.e., only Martin builds a Martin!), these folks are puzzled or flat out disappointed when they don’t hear a Martin or Gibson in a Collings box!  Perhaps in response to this, Collings has turned their attention in recent years to offering models that incorporate more of a vintage vibe. Beginning with Traditional series, there has been a shift towards lighter build tolerances, as well as a drier, broader, and more fundamental-driven vocal quality. The most recent development in this trend are the Hill Country models, like this satin-finished OM2HA HC, which represent the most dramatic shift towards marrying the old with the new.

As advertised, this Hill Country OM2HA delivers a much warmer and more powerful bass presence than one would ever encounter in a Standard OM2H, or even a Traditional OM2H.  And, while Collings guitars are all endowed with impressive dynamic range and powerful projection as a rule, the overall openness and effortless response exhibited in this Adirondack-topped Hill Country OM are frankly jaw-dropping.  Despite the deliberate effort to significantly push their conventional voicing boundaries here, Collings has still managed to retain the outstanding separation, sustain, and clarity for which they are known. Meanwhile, the Hill Country models are also distinguished by their unique appointments, including beautiful hand-poured pickguards and rosette materials, relic’d tuners, and, our favorite touch, the blank headstock with the embossed Collings logo on the rear (a la early Martin guitars).

In short, Collings has hit it out of the park with the Hill Country models!  Whether you are new to the Collings brand, or a Collings enthusiast looking for some counterpoint in your collection, we can assure you that playing this Hill Country OM2HA is an immensely satisfying experience; and, given the extremely limited production of Hill Country guitars, a used example such as this one is a rare opportunity indeed.  

Condition

Apart from some light pick scuffs on the pickguard, this guitar exhibits no play wear to note. EXCEPTIONALLY FINE Condition

• OM Body Style
• Adirondack Spruce Top
• Hill Country Scalloped X-Bracing with Abbreviated Tongue Brace
• East Indian Rosewood Back & Sides
• Ivoroid Body Binding
• 4-Ply Top Purfling
• 3-Ring Rosette with Hand-Poured Tortoiseshell Center Ring
• Hand-Poured Faux Tortoise Pickguard
• Hand-Poured Faux Tortoiseshell Heelcap and Wedge
• Zipper Backstrip
• Satin Ultra-Thin Nitrocellulose Lacquer Body Finish
• Honduran Mahogany Neck
• Comfortable C – Modified V Neck Carve (.088” at 1^st, 1.080” at 9^th)
• Hybrid Mortise and Tenon Neck Joint
• Ebony Fingerboard
• Gold Mother of Pearl Short Pattern Diamond and Square Fingerboard Inlays
• Ebony Headstock Veneer
• Stamped/Embossed Collings Logo on Rear of Headstock
• Satin Ultra-Thin Nitrocellulose Lacquer Neck Finish
• Ebony Belly Bridge
• Relic Nickel Waverly Tuners
• Aged Bone Nut and Through  Saddle
• 1 3/4” Nut Width
• 2 5/16” String Spacing at Bridge
• 14”-26” Compound Fingerboard Radius
• 25.4” Scale Length
• Original Hardshell Case