Collings OM3 ◊ Austin, Texas

Posted on June 28, 2015

Definitely wanted is another trip to Acoustic Vibes Music to stock up on stories & photographs.  For now, we savor memories from their fantastic collection of American made acoustic instruments.  And our last folder of Kathryn Butler photographs.  We saved the best for last.

The Collings OM3 may have been the finest guitar I played on recent visits.  Maybe it was the best value, as a barely used 2014 model.  Regardless, this guitar certainly delivered the goods.

Never have I thought of a guitar as being cocky, but this Collings certainly was a rooster among Jeff’s offerings.  Loud and punchy, I wouldn’t have the nerve to play a ballad upon it.  A perfect neck which had a particularly solid feel turned me from novice to confident flatpicker. More accurately, the guitar is the extrovert, very sure of it’s ability to deliver confidence with every note.

Yes, I do play better on a short scale, and this OM3 SS suited my imagination perfectly.  But this is no “little guitar”.  Comparing the OM3 to two higher-priced acoustics, the Collings was louder and with better tone than the others.  Collings.  It’s not a name, it’s a sound.