000 12-Fret Comparison: Collings 000-2H, Martin 000-28VS

Both beautiful guitars no doubt. I'd do with the Collings just the paint brush for me. Love the colors. Beautiful colors❤

the OO/OOO-12 fret are hands down The Best designed and sounding steel string guitars on the planet !! Yes Martin and Collings does build them the best too ! a collector of sorts over the past 40+ years ; I have owned both these builder's models in both OO & OOO 12-frets ; I cannot say which I prefer more as they are so good a guitar ; but the Martin is silky smooth and a traditional piece of eye candy , and the Collings is clear as a bell and immaculately well finished !! Open headstock is a must for these traditional beauties. These two are absolutely must haves in the arsenal of the collector and player of vintage acoustic designs and tones ❣❣

These are dandies for sure. I am fortunate to own a Martin 000-40 and a Collings 00Mh (hog). Both are glorious to behold and delightful to play. Collings makes incredible instruments as does Martin, but Collings make the the greatest mahogany top guitars on earth in my opinion.

Collings. No question in my mind. I love the warmth of the Martin, but that Collings cut right through and delivered way better note separation. Maybe that's not what everyone wants, I'm just saying my ears perked up when you switched to that Collings. I can say that Martin is a winner. Can't go wrong with either.

Well, I feel quite at home here! I stumbled on this video after reading some comments on my video about my Collings DS2h and 0002h. I was a Martin man for a long time until I discovered that the standard thin "rhythm" style 14 frt necks were holding back my style. I searched long and hard for a Martin D18/28/35-S but simply couldn't find one. The HD28VS was a fine guitar but ad a 1 & 3/4 nut which was still too small for me, then, in 1999 I discovered a Collings DS2h, and discovered nor only an ideal fretboard/neck geometry for my purposes, but discovered other advantages of the pre 1934 Martin designs. Being something of a Jimmie Rodgers fan gave me an excuse to seek out a 000, and again it was the Collings 0002h which I found first in 2005. By then , of course, I had become sensitised (?) to the Collings balanced sound as compared to the bass biased Martin sound that, lets face it, we all appreciate. The 0002h with a near identical neck to the dread, but with a slightly thinner string spacing was, I found, a very delicate instrument. With such resonance, I had to learn not to overplay it as it had power in abundance. Many describe the Collings sound as Bright, in comparison to an equivalent Martin, but I prefer the term clarity from the open bass E to the octave on the top e - clean, clear rounded notes. I still respect Martin truly believe that in their 12 fret flat-top line from the 0 model in 1895, to the 00 of 1898, the 000 of 1902, and the ditson 111 that would in effect become the Dreadnought in 1931 their research and development was second to none. The now much loved OM was, at the time (1929-1933) not that popular,but it as aimed at a market that Gibson had owned with their archtops. The flat top battle for the folk music market started in 1934 with the 14 fret dreadnought and Gibson jumbo, which sold in far greater numbers than the 12 fret Martins, however the 12 fret designs are still in my opinion superior. I find it very sad that Martin have now discontinued all of them, and thankfully Collings continues to carry the banner of these excellent designs.

Very good comparison. Makes me want to buy both! The Collings voice is very interesting, beautiful strong and clear trebles and to my ear brighter sounding, but never thin or boring. The Martin is more bass dominant and sounds darker. It is not about which is better, both are great in different ways.

I’ve been a Martin fan for years. I recall the first time I saw a Collings guitar in person years ago I was amazed at the fit and finish of the Collings. Very noticeable craftsmanship. Just beautiful guitars. On this video, I’ll have to favor the Martin for its warmth of tone. The Collings is right up there and I would love to be able to own one someday. Great playing, great comparison.

Loved the brightness of the Collings vs the Martin. The Collings seems to be a cross between a Martin and a Taylor. Nice low and mid-range of the Martin and brightness of a Taylor, but not as bright as a Taylor... which, to me is a very good thing. Thanks for the comparison Lindsay.

That Collings has a truly sweet sound. They are both indeed outstanding guitars, as noted. The playing is also outstanding.

I've owned examples of both of these instruments. Of the two, the Collings was, in my opinion, a better sounding guitar.I really like 12 fretters. My favorite is my 12 fret slot-head Martin HD 28 S

Two brilliant instruments

Very nice video and playing Lindsay!

I love the Martin VS Series. I own the Martin and it is a Jewel. But the Collins is the Dream. There both beautiful instruments.

Good, straightforward comparison. Each guitar has its own characteristics, there is no right or wrong choice, just the player's preference (would be the Collings for me). The on-screen specs show the Martin as having a 1 13/16" nut (correctly shown as this for the Collings) but I think it is 1 7/8".

Collings similar bright tone to my Eastman. Martin, typical warm tone it's known for.

I own a Collings 02h and a Parlor model. They are excellent instruments and I essentially stopped buying guitars after acquiring them, but that little Martin ain't no slouch. It's very nice with a slight total difference. I love them both.

You did a very nice job with those demos. Thank you.

Great comparison video and playing by Lindsay! Both of the guitars sound amazing. I have Collings OM1, OM2 and Martin OM18, OM28 guitars - all with Adirondack tops and cutaways. I can’t say that I prefer one over the other. There are advantages to each guitar. I really like the Collings neck! The Martin guitars have a deeper sound that shimmers. The Collings guitars have a brighter / more balanced sound. I’d love to have a 12 fret Collings or Martin someday.

Excellent presentation, many thanks!

I'd say the Collings but the Martin also sounds fantastic