This is patently silly. Different makers (builders specs "the same down to a T" LOL, hardly) , entirely different finishes (ie lacquer vs poly on the H&D) , ridiculous and erroneous assumption that one can make an accurate blanket statement about the sound qualities of a species of wood. Tonewood is very variable even WITHIN the same species. If you lined up 3 Huss and Daltons all made with the same specs/species, every single one would sound a little different. Same is true with the Collings and every other builder. I'm sorry but this is not useful.
Helpful insight! All, please disregard the video demo as there is nothing of interest or use that might result from comparing guitars against each other.
Agree with Tim... albeit differences even between exact same guitars, your criticism extracts all value from comparing? What is left... nothing but a silly troll lost in his technical obsession.
@@joshrepp5876 and THIS is why these are silly; they are meant for guys like yourself who may have more money than sense but really aren't bright enough to understand this is pissing in the wind
I currently do not own a Huss and Dalton... I've always wanted one... this one I borrowed from a friend for about a month and I'm constantly searching for a good deal on one but just haven't found one yet
Thanks for this video. I don't have access to Adirondack so it has helped me determine that I prefer the sound of Sitka. You make these two boutique guitars sound great.
Love this comparison. Your playing is beautiful to listen to. I'm no expert on these things but the Huss and Dalton sounds nicer to my ears. Both are beautiful guitars though.
Auditioned with : Mac / Metric Halo ULN2 / Focal Clear Hd Ph. > H&D Sitka : Round, warmer, more balanced sound. Collings Adirondack : Brighter, edgy, sterile clear harder sounding attack. > The H&D Sitka to my ear has more of a traditional D-28 character. The Collings Adirondack possibly has more presence in a *live* mix but at the expense of balance. This difference in sound seems to be more relevant with flat picking than with bare finger picking. I would always chose an acoustic guitar that presents a rich character as opposed to a sound of clarity. THAT'S where my money is well spent. I truly feel there's more to it than JUST the top in your shootout. Be well & keep safe.
Listening to both without looking, I have a slight preference for what I perceive as a warmer sound from the H&D. The differences between the two seem more attributable to the differences in the signature tone print of each company rather than the tops. I feel that H&D's lean a little more towards the Martin sound, while retaining more clarity than many Martins, whereas Collings tend to have a tighter, brighter sound that is powerful and can cut through the mix. However, both sound great, and I can see how the Collings would be preferable to many players. And, I always love the playability and tuning stability of Collings guitars. Thanks for a great site!
It is a bit of a problem comparing two utterly different variables at once. What would be far more useful is to compare two Collings, one with Sitka and the other Adirondack. another video could compare two Huss and Daltons, one with each top as well, assuming both are an option on H and D's. I know they are both options on Collings. One thing I learned from other videos is that Adirondack tops are not only generally louder, they also tend to have more clarity than Sitka. Listening here, you wouldn't perceive that to be the case, because the H and D has construction qualities reduce that clarity, whereas the Collings build enhances it. This could easily mislead someone trying to compare the two woods to think they are doing that, while they are much more comparing the tonal differences of two different guitars. The good thing is that the East Indian Rosewood back and sides on both guitars were a constant.
Those both look like relatively new guitars, and Adirondack tops are known to need time to “break in” and open up. Sitka is more ready to go right out of the box, so I’d be curious to hear what these guitars sound like a few years down the line. Most the the prized “holy grail” Pre-war Martins had Adirondack tops and they ring like a bell (they’ve also had the benefit of decades to open up)
A couple of doozies right there! Amazing guitars. If Collings built a tweed case around their green liner I think it would be impossible to choose any other guitar.... haha but honestly they are both dreamy. Also great playing, I especially love the piece you start to play at 2:40. Really shows off the power and grace of a dread.
I have owned both .. 2 Collings and a Huss. The Huss was a dread and seemed to be more alive than the collings d2ha. The Huss had a Sitka and the collings had a Adirondack. I think there is more hype than anything with Adirondack and the increased price. Th beat it all, the one that blowed them both away was my collings om2h “small body”. Not just my opinion. Everyone that played it was wowed. It could hang right with any loud dread. It boils down to the individual guitar. I do think hand rubbed varnish sounds more alive. My next one will most likely be a Collings D1A varnish
Colling’s addy tops are not very forgiving. Some days the guitar sounds perfect and other times just hits you right in the face. Depends on your mode. I think a 10-20 year played or even baked Sitka is hard to beat.
I own both Collings and Huss and Dalton guitars currently. And, I also own a Collings OM2H. You are right! It’s amazing how loud and clear that little guitar is. Also extremely easy to play. But they all play differently and sound differently and are good to have around so you can play varied guitar sounds against each other. These guitars brands complement each other extremely well!
@@BradTeena I think for me, the Collings guitars with addy tops are not very forgiving. They require you to bring your A game. If you do, they sound and feel like no other. In fact most boutique brands with brand new, stiff addy Tops and braces are a little unforgiving but When they open up they are beautiful. The Red tops are very quick and responsive which means that you can play very articulate notes with a light touch and you can dig in and add some dynamics and emotion. I like the baked Adirondack best for a big prewar style dread but the baked Sitka is hard to beat. New Adirondack is like a slap in the face sometimes.
Great comparison. Both very nice of course though I would lean towards H&D with dreadnoughts and Collings for smaller bodies. Over the years I just cannot seem to go back to Spruce after having mainly Adirondack top guitars. If I must have spruce, definitely must have rosewood body to open up the tone. You can tell the difference especially in less expensive guitars. Adi tops always sound more open, dynamic and loud. It's a much harder spruce than sitka so the top can be thinner resulting in greater vibration (sound).
They both sound spectacular but I’m hearing more of the overall difference in tones of the builders more so than top woods. The H&D reminds me of a really good modern Martin. It’s loud and thuddy. The Collings has more warmth and more of that high-fi, almost Taylor like sound. As far as the tops go the Adi H&D does seem to be louder and have a higher tonal ceiling. Both sound fantastic. To my surprise my preference would be the Collings.
All Gibsons sound and feel different from each other. However, I’ve yet to play a Gibson that’s sounds and feels anything like a Martin, H&D, Collings etc…. Just because you have variations within a builder Does not mean that great builders do not have very specific Categories That are completely different from other builders. Furthermore, To say that there is not a consistent category of difference between Sitka, Adirondack, cedar, European, spruce, or redwood, mahogany, Brazilian, and Indian Rosewood, walnut, Koa, maple, etc… Just means that you haven’t played very many guitars or can’t play them very well or you just have no clue what you’re talking about. My guess is it’s all three. Tim awesome video please do more like this because many people enjoy this type of comparison.
Agree. They are more balanced and have a nice springboard type of response. Collings are freakishly perfect for consistency and F&F though. I think the H&D are more musical and inspiring.
Both sound great and so hard to say definitively what is better because I can see sometimes enjoying one over the other depending on mood. However, I will say that I think the Collings has a slight edge in terms of bass. The lower end shines through more to my ears.
Different voicing and construction. Both sound great. Imo the collins is more punchy and plays and sounds more like a collins and the h and d sounds and plays like an HD. Not as loud but really sparkles
The Collins had a little more punch and the H & D had a longer ring. So It’s up to personal I prefer the H & D. But I don’t think one was better than the other, just preference for certain nuances preferable to the ear💖🇦🇺
Collings- more high mids but not shrill at all, great note separation HD- more Sustain of open strings while picking bass notes which don’t overpower the higher frequencies,even across all frequencies Both incredible. How different do the necks feel?
@@TimGuitarLessons very nice! Have you done any tutorials on these. Really enjoy the 2nd tune which I believe is in drop D also the Fingerpicking you finish with!
Nice comparison. To be honest I would have expected the H&D to fare a little better in this side to side considering the adi top but the Collings has more resolution overall.
I've got a Huss & Dalton TD-R that sounds amazing but it kills my fingers to play for extended amounts of time. I can't figure out why. The high e string also rolls off the neck. Unfortunately, I find myself playing my D-41 more because of it.
I like the sound of both of them. I was, however, surprised that the Collings was the louder of the two guitars. The H&D has a more traditional sound and was at home with the more blue grassy number. The Collings had a bell like, original sounding tone and incredible sustain. At one point it was almost piano like in tone and sustain. Thanks for the demo! They are both nice guitars. I wouldn't turn down either one of them. :)
Both sound superb. The Sitka seemed to take less effort to sound loud versus the Adirondack. Also I think the Sitka sounded slightly warmer than the Adirondack which maybe sounded more clear. I’ve a custom Martin HD28 ordered with an Adirondack top (no vts) and I’m slightly worried about the Adirondack top as I quite like the warm sound from Sitka and I’m not a big heavy strummer. Be interesting when it arrives. Hope it’s good
@@TimGuitarLessons They both really do sound great! But after listening to the video a few times. I would have to go with the sound of the Collings if it where my choice.
To me the Collings seemed a little more balanced and defined, but honestly anyone would be truly blessed to have either one of those jewels. I love love love the burst on that Collings. Was that a special order guitar? If not what is that burst called? It is drop dead gorgeous! Does Collings have a name for it? I’d love to have one just like it.
Both great. With that said. I've got a Collings and it sounds indistinguishable from my Gibson Southern Jumbo, but cost a couple grand more. (Edited for spelling error...thanks auto correct.)
I prefer the Collings in this comparison. However because Adirondack is a stiffer wood and depending on the grade, age and play on the Huss and Dalton. My preference for the tone of your Collings may not always be the case? Certainly as a player/owner of both Sitka and high quality Adirondack topped guitars, Adirondack outperforms Sitka.
I have a collings OM2HT, which is amazing, but my search for the lifer dread is leading me either to H&D or Bourgeois. I want a little more thump than the house Collings sound provides.
I have a Collings, SSJ, and a Huss n dalton tdr custom, that Huss n dalton is a monster, it’s just really awesome, the ssj is cool too, but for me Huss n dalton tdr,
The collings has more note definition in the midrange and a more musical sound but the huss & dalton has a more open and deep sound that lets you hear the low notes well, it just depends on what you like, personally I like the woody sound of a gibson
Using headphones, I like the voice of the Adirondack Spruce on the Huss & Dalton with the fuller bass. I can sing with it better. Now, get me a short scale, large sound hole with a thin neck profile and 1 11/16 inch nut and I'd be good.
whose builder makes guitar is more important than which tonewood makes guitar. Collings's sitka is more punch and loud, opened sound than Eastman's adirondack spruce.
I can't say a preference of one sound over the other just because I want a Sitka sound sometimes and sometimes the airy punchier adi sound is what I want. Sometimes I want mahogany boom. Having said that, I've whittled down to only using my HD-28 and a custom tele style I had a luthier build so I guess I've decided Sitka works for me. My HD-28 is quite punchy though.
Hey Chirstopher! These were recorded with a mic, but they both have a K&K pickup in them. Check out the links in the video description for the mic/strings/pick/recording interface I use!
I am prejudiced toward Adi BUT the Collings IMO: perfectly balanced, 'happier'. H&D has better overtones. Also the A and D strings wow. whats the score about collings 10 h&d 8.
I've never played one of those "baked" top guitars, but I've always wanted to try one. Is it in a local shop that you've played before, or is it one online that you've been looking at?
Tim The guitar is on reverb, I haven’t found a shop in Charlotte that has any Huss and dalton guitars. So I am going to buy one, then decide if I like it more than my hd-28.
To my ears the sound was so close though initially there was more with the Sitka. I heard Adi tops need years to break-in. Come into their own. Even up to a decade. So unless the Adi top is torrified....or you have an Adi top guitar that's around 10 years old. The comparison might not be fair. What we're hearing is that new guitars with Adi tops will sound "young"...maybe a little less warm than they will be given time.
To me they are both obviously top notch guitars but the Adirondack has bigger sound but this does not mean better!! The Collings sounds nice and compressed so with soloing the notes will sound a tad bit more precise and clear not loud with a slightly muddier with the Huss & Dalton.
It's funny how quickly our tastes in music and sound can change. I thought I preferred the sound of a mahogany backed/sided guitar. Watch a video with Dana Bourgious tapping tone woods. Mentions he thinks there is more mids and lows in a rosewood guitaar. I listen to a vew demos (on RUclips/Sennheiser headphoens) and I hear the mids and lows I somehow missed before. Now I prefer guitars with a rosewood side/back. :)) But as for tops...I dont't think I could j justify t he premium we pay for an Adi top guitar...a roughly $8000-10000 option. Or was it a $6000 option at Martin Custom Shop? For what is just a "different" sound. For a "recreational player" (not a performer...play for myself)...
Using an iphone speaker, they both seemed good in their own way (H&D better for vocal accompaniment and maybe Collings better for instrumental and leads); rewatched with my good headphones and it's not even a competition, H&D is way better to my ears.
I’d go with Collings. I honestly don’t hear any difference or they both sound great in their own way that my mind just doesn’t distinguish. Yeah, Collings for me for no reason. Lol
Nah..I don't really love acoustic guitars even though I have an H & D Brazilian Rosewood and 3 other good ones cause I don't like playing thick strings 012-.054 (or even .011-.052 Elixir Nano as I now have on mine.) If there was something softer I would be much happier. Till then I would so much rather play the 1957 Les Paul Junior with .009-.036 Strings thru the Mesa Boogie MkIV. Both of these acoustics sound nice with a minor differences.
I won't lie, I was really impressed with how this Collings build with a sitka spruce top sounded against an Adirondack spruce... I was expecting more "night and day" distinction between the two, but there's not much...
Great playing and comparison. Both sound fantastic. Tough call, but would take the Collings. That Adi though was noticeable or could be builder and string causing differences. Either one and owner should be estatic. I went with a custom HD-28 with Adi top. Gives that little extra punch and clarity. Love the Martin sound. Both of these beautiful guitars were on the short list along with the Bourgeois banjo killer. Was leaning towards the Bourgeois, but couldn't pass up a deal signifigantly cheaper than all of them on the list.
This is patently silly. Different makers (builders specs "the same down to a T" LOL, hardly) , entirely different finishes (ie lacquer vs poly on the H&D) , ridiculous and erroneous assumption that one can make an accurate blanket statement about the sound qualities of a species of wood. Tonewood is very variable even WITHIN the same species. If you lined up 3 Huss and Daltons all made with the same specs/species, every single one would sound a little different. Same is true with the Collings and every other builder. I'm sorry but this is not useful.
Helpful insight! All, please disregard the video demo as there is nothing of interest or use that might result from comparing guitars against each other.
Agree with Tim... albeit differences even between exact same guitars, your criticism extracts all value from comparing? What is left... nothing but a silly troll lost in his technical obsession.
Of course every guitar sounds different. Thats why people make comparison videos. Dumbass.
@@joshrepp5876 and THIS is why these are silly; they are meant for guys like yourself who may have more money than sense but really aren't bright enough to understand this is pissing in the wind
@@traverseaa679 I see. So a dissenting opinion = troll status. Pathetic.
Two of my favorite guitar builders! Both guitars sound great!
They are both such great guitars of impeccable build... happy to be playing this TDR Custom as a loaner some this weekend.
@@TimGuitarLessons The H&D standard case is pretty cool but nothing tops a custom Collings case.
What's that Collings in your picture there? OM3?
@@TimGuitarLessons OM42MRASB aka "The Bucket"
Dang... nice... yours I'm assuming?
Both so great! Even the Martin HD-35 on your other comparison vid. The Huss and Dalton is the winner for me. Great playing! 👍🏽 Keep posting more!!
Thanks for the feedback!
Definitely the Huss & Dalton to me.
Luv dat sound !
Thanks for the comment!
Now I'm fall in love with Hust and Dalton Company ❤️❤️👍🥳🥳🥳🥳 Sounds peaceful 🤗
I currently do not own a Huss and Dalton... I've always wanted one... this one I borrowed from a friend for about a month and I'm constantly searching for a good deal on one but just haven't found one yet
Thanks for this video. I don't have access to Adirondack so it has helped me determine that I prefer the sound of Sitka. You make these two boutique guitars sound great.
Thanks so much Jackson!
Both lovely, but the Collings just does it for me. Richer sound!
Thanks for watching and for the comment Bob!
Love this comparison. Your playing is beautiful to listen to. I'm no expert on these things but the Huss and Dalton sounds nicer to my ears. Both are beautiful guitars though.
Thanks for the comment Chris!
Tim, they both sound great! Which was louder in the room? Is there a difference in feel?
Huss and Dalton is a bit louder. The feel is very comparable to me... thank for the comment!
Both are great..I’ve owned several Collings so I’m partial to them I guess..thx for nice video.🎵🎵🎵
Thanks for the comment Chris!
Auditioned with : Mac / Metric Halo ULN2 / Focal Clear Hd Ph. > H&D Sitka : Round, warmer, more balanced sound. Collings Adirondack : Brighter, edgy, sterile clear harder sounding attack. > The H&D Sitka to my ear has more of a traditional D-28 character. The Collings Adirondack possibly has more presence in a *live* mix but at the expense of balance. This difference in sound seems to be more relevant with flat picking than with bare finger picking. I would always chose an acoustic guitar that presents a rich character as opposed to a sound of clarity. THAT'S where my money is well spent. I truly feel there's more to it than JUST the top in your shootout. Be well & keep safe.
Listening to both without looking, I have a slight preference for what I perceive as a warmer sound from the H&D. The differences between the two seem more attributable to the differences in the signature tone print of each company rather than the tops. I feel that H&D's lean a little more towards the Martin sound, while retaining more clarity than many Martins, whereas Collings tend to have a tighter, brighter sound that is powerful and can cut through the mix. However, both sound great, and I can see how the Collings would be preferable to many players. And, I always love the playability and tuning stability of Collings guitars. Thanks for a great site!
Thanks Matt! I appreciate the comment
It is a bit of a problem comparing two utterly different variables at once. What would be far more useful is to compare two Collings, one with Sitka and the other Adirondack. another video could compare two Huss and Daltons, one with each top as well, assuming both are an option on H and D's. I know they are both options on Collings. One thing I learned from other videos is that Adirondack tops are not only generally louder, they also tend to have more clarity than Sitka. Listening here, you wouldn't perceive that to be the case, because the H and D has construction qualities reduce that clarity, whereas the Collings build enhances it. This could easily mislead someone trying to compare the two woods to think they are doing that, while they are much more comparing the tonal differences of two different guitars. The good thing is that the East Indian Rosewood back and sides on both guitars were a constant.
I watch these just to hear you play Tim!
Thanks Adam! I know we always say this when we see each other, but we really should get together and play... It's been too long
Those both look like relatively new guitars, and Adirondack tops are known to need time to “break in” and open up. Sitka is more ready to go right out of the box, so I’d be curious to hear what these guitars sound like a few years down the line.
Most the the prized “holy grail” Pre-war Martins had Adirondack tops and they ring like a bell (they’ve also had the benefit of decades to open up)
A couple of doozies right there! Amazing guitars. If Collings built a tweed case around their green liner I think it would be impossible to choose any other guitar.... haha but honestly they are both dreamy. Also great playing, I especially love the piece you start to play at 2:40. Really shows off the power and grace of a dread.
I have owned both .. 2 Collings and a Huss. The Huss was a dread and seemed to be more alive than the collings d2ha. The Huss had a Sitka and the collings had a Adirondack. I think there is more hype than anything with Adirondack and the increased price. Th beat it all, the one that blowed them both away was my collings om2h “small body”. Not just my opinion. Everyone that played it was wowed. It could hang right with any loud dread. It boils down to the individual guitar. I do think hand rubbed varnish sounds more alive. My next one will most likely be a Collings D1A varnish
Colling’s addy tops are not very forgiving. Some days the guitar sounds perfect and other times just hits you right in the face. Depends on your mode. I think a 10-20 year played or even baked Sitka is hard to beat.
I own both Collings and Huss and Dalton guitars currently. And, I also own a Collings OM2H. You are right! It’s amazing how loud and clear that little guitar is. Also extremely easy to play. But they all play differently and sound differently and are good to have around so you can play varied guitar sounds against each other. These guitars brands complement each other extremely well!
@@BradTeena I think for me, the Collings guitars with addy tops are not very forgiving. They require you to bring your A game. If you do, they sound and feel like no other. In fact most boutique brands with brand new, stiff addy Tops and braces are a little unforgiving but When they open up they are beautiful. The Red tops are very quick and responsive which means that you can play very articulate notes with a light touch and you can dig in and add some dynamics and emotion. I like the baked Adirondack best for a big prewar style dread but the baked Sitka is hard to beat. New Adirondack is like a slap in the face sometimes.
Great comparison. Both very nice of course though I would lean towards H&D with dreadnoughts and Collings for smaller bodies. Over the years I just cannot seem to go back to Spruce after having mainly Adirondack top guitars. If I must have spruce, definitely must have rosewood body to open up the tone. You can tell the difference especially in less expensive guitars. Adi tops always sound more open, dynamic and loud. It's a much harder spruce than sitka so the top can be thinner resulting in greater vibration (sound).
Solid analysis. Thanks for the comment!
Addy is spruce. Either I agree, Addy is special imo
They both sound spectacular but I’m hearing more of the overall difference in tones of the builders more so than top woods. The H&D reminds me of a really good modern Martin. It’s loud and thuddy. The Collings has more warmth and more of that high-fi, almost Taylor like sound. As far as the tops go the Adi H&D does seem to be louder and have a higher tonal ceiling. Both sound fantastic. To my surprise my preference would be the Collings.
Thanks for the response Joshua!
Exactly
All Gibsons sound and feel different from each other. However, I’ve yet to play a Gibson that’s sounds and feels anything like a Martin, H&D, Collings etc…. Just because you have variations within a builder Does not mean that great builders do not have very specific Categories That are completely different from other builders. Furthermore, To say that there is not a consistent category of difference between Sitka, Adirondack, cedar, European, spruce, or redwood, mahogany, Brazilian, and Indian Rosewood, walnut, Koa, maple, etc… Just means that you haven’t played very many guitars or can’t play them very well or you just have no clue what you’re talking about. My guess is it’s all three. Tim awesome video please do more like this because many people enjoy this type of comparison.
I feel like collings gets more hype, but H&D’s are more pleasant guitars.
Huss and Dalton make absolutely amazing guitars for sure... thanks for the comment David!
Agree. They are more balanced and have a nice springboard type of response. Collings are freakishly perfect for consistency and F&F though. I think the H&D are more musical and inspiring.
Both sound great and so hard to say definitively what is better because I can see sometimes enjoying one over the other depending on mood. However, I will say that I think the Collings has a slight edge in terms of bass. The lower end shines through more to my ears.
Nice... I definitely always like your perspective on how guitars sound!
Different voicing and construction. Both sound great. Imo the collins is more punchy and plays and sounds more like a collins and the h and d sounds and plays like an HD. Not as loud but really sparkles
H&D slightly mellower but both incredible
The Collins had a little more punch and the H & D had a longer ring. So It’s up to personal I prefer the H & D. But I don’t think one was better than the other, just preference for certain nuances preferable to the ear💖🇦🇺
Thanks for the comment!
They are both great ,but the H & D
sounded better to me.
Collings- more high mids but not shrill at all, great note separation
HD- more Sustain of open strings while picking bass notes which don’t overpower the higher frequencies,even across all frequencies
Both incredible. How different do the necks feel?
What are the names of the songs played for this demo …
Hey Tadd, everything I'm playing here are little things I wrote
@@TimGuitarLessons very nice! Have you done any tutorials on these. Really enjoy the 2nd tune which I believe is in drop D also the Fingerpicking you finish with!
Nice comparison. To be honest I would have expected the H&D to fare a little better in this side to side considering the adi top but the Collings has more resolution overall.
I've got a Huss & Dalton TD-R that sounds amazing but it kills my fingers to play for extended amounts of time. I can't figure out why. The high e string also rolls off the neck. Unfortunately, I find myself playing my D-41 more because of it.
I like the sound of both of them. I was, however, surprised that the Collings was the louder of the two guitars. The H&D has a more traditional sound and was at home with the more blue grassy number. The Collings had a bell like, original sounding tone and incredible sustain. At one point it was almost piano like in tone and sustain. Thanks for the demo! They are both nice guitars. I wouldn't turn down either one of them. :)
Thanks for the thoughts! Glad you liked the demo!
Both sound superb. The Sitka seemed to take less effort to sound loud versus the Adirondack. Also I think the Sitka sounded slightly warmer than the Adirondack which maybe sounded more clear. I’ve a custom Martin HD28 ordered with an Adirondack top (no vts) and I’m slightly worried about the Adirondack top as I quite like the warm sound from Sitka and I’m not a big heavy strummer. Be interesting when it arrives. Hope it’s good
I would be greatful to have either one to pluck on!
They both really are amazing guitars
@@TimGuitarLessons They both really do sound great! But after listening to the video a few times. I would have to go with the sound of the Collings if it where my choice.
To me the Collings seemed a little more balanced and defined, but honestly anyone would be truly blessed to have either one of those jewels. I love love love the burst on that Collings. Was that a special order guitar? If not what is that burst called? It is drop dead gorgeous! Does Collings have a name for it? I’d love to have one just like it.
Thanks for the comment Roger! This Collings D2H just has their standard sunburst on it to my knowledge
@@TimGuitarLessons Thanks Tim
Sure thing!
Two great sounding guitars but the H&D sings a bit more, the Collings is a bit more boomy and mellow to my ears.
Thanks for the comment Dirk!
They both sound great but I think I would choose the collings
Both great. With that said. I've got a Collings and it sounds indistinguishable from my Gibson Southern Jumbo, but cost a couple grand more. (Edited for spelling error...thanks auto correct.)
Nice, which Collings do you have?
@@TimGuitarLessons D1T. Great guitar.
Awesome
I prefer the Collings in this comparison. However because Adirondack is a stiffer wood and depending on the grade, age and play on the Huss and Dalton. My preference for the tone of your Collings may not always be the case? Certainly as a player/owner of both Sitka and high quality Adirondack topped guitars, Adirondack outperforms Sitka.
I have a collings OM2HT, which is amazing, but my search for the lifer dread is leading me either to H&D or Bourgeois. I want a little more thump than the house Collings sound provides.
I have a Collings, SSJ, and a Huss n dalton tdr custom, that Huss n dalton is a monster, it’s just really awesome, the ssj is cool too, but for me Huss n dalton tdr,
Nice! Thanks for the comment!
Wanted to love the HD but I'm warming up to yours. Is the drop d composition yours or is that a song I can pursue? Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the comment! And that drop d tune is one I wrote, I’m glad you liked it!
The collings has more note definition in the midrange and a more musical sound but the huss & dalton has a more open and deep sound that lets you hear the low notes well, it just depends on what you like, personally I like the woody sound of a gibson
H&D had a lil warmer tone the Collins had more of a rich punch to it. Loved them both. It's a draw.
Thanks for the comment Ron!
Using headphones, I like the voice of the Adirondack Spruce on the Huss & Dalton with the fuller bass. I can sing with it better. Now, get me a short scale, large sound hole with a thin neck profile and 1 11/16 inch nut and I'd be good.
whose builder makes guitar is more important than which tonewood makes guitar. Collings's sitka is more punch and loud, opened sound than Eastman's adirondack spruce.
Are to assume the strings are exactly the same, type, age, etc?
Hey Chris! Yes, both had just been restrung with D'Addario Phosphor Bronze Light Gauge XT strings
I can't say a preference of one sound over the other just because I want a Sitka sound sometimes and sometimes the airy punchier adi sound is what I want. Sometimes I want mahogany boom. Having said that, I've whittled down to only using my HD-28 and a custom tele style I had a luthier build so I guess I've decided Sitka works for me. My HD-28 is quite punchy though.
Airy punch is a good description of what Adirondack sounds like to me... I like it.
Huss and Dalton for the win!!!
pick up or mic ???
Hey Chirstopher! These were recorded with a mic, but they both have a K&K pickup in them. Check out the links in the video description for the mic/strings/pick/recording interface I use!
In this video I prefer the H&D... in a different comparison I got to hear Collings vs H&D with like tops, and there I preferred the Collings.
Thanks for the comment!
I am prejudiced toward Adi BUT the Collings IMO: perfectly balanced, 'happier'. H&D has better overtones. Also the A and D strings wow. whats the score about collings 10 h&d 8.
Thanks for the comment!
The collings sounds better with your light picking style. Hit that Huss and Dalton with a heavy hand, and a heavy pick. Then see what you get
Damn I was just looking at a Huss and Dalton. Guess I have to buy it now lol awesome video btw
Thanks Jackson! What model Huss & Dalton were you looking at?
TDM with the thermo cured top, I don’t know how much of a difference the cured top makes but the used one I want has it.
I've never played one of those "baked" top guitars, but I've always wanted to try one. Is it in a local shop that you've played before, or is it one online that you've been looking at?
Tim The guitar is on reverb, I haven’t found a shop in Charlotte that has any Huss and dalton guitars. So I am going to buy one, then decide if I like it more than my hd-28.
Sounds like a good plan
To my ears the sound was so close though initially there was more with the Sitka. I heard Adi tops need years to break-in. Come into their own. Even up to a decade. So unless the Adi top is torrified....or you have an Adi top guitar that's around 10 years old. The comparison might not be fair. What we're hearing is that new guitars with Adi tops will sound "young"...maybe a little less warm than they will be given time.
To me they are both obviously top notch guitars but the Adirondack has bigger sound but this does not mean better!! The Collings sounds nice and compressed so with soloing the notes will sound a tad bit more precise and clear not loud with a slightly muddier with the Huss & Dalton.
Thanks for the thoughts! I'm glad you liked the comparison!
Always play the Sitka first
Following on the Adirondack, everything sounds flat and closed
Thanks for the comment!
It's funny how quickly our tastes in music and sound can change. I thought I preferred the sound of a mahogany backed/sided guitar. Watch a video with Dana Bourgious tapping tone woods. Mentions he thinks there is more mids and lows in a rosewood guitaar. I listen to a vew demos (on RUclips/Sennheiser headphoens) and I hear the mids and lows I somehow missed before. Now I prefer guitars with a rosewood side/back. :))
But as for tops...I dont't think I could j justify t he premium we pay for an Adi top guitar...a roughly $8000-10000 option. Or was it a $6000 option at Martin Custom Shop? For what is just a "different" sound. For a "recreational player" (not a performer...play for myself)...
Using an iphone speaker, they both seemed good in their own way (H&D better for vocal accompaniment and maybe Collings better for instrumental and leads); rewatched with my good headphones and it's not even a competition, H&D is way better to my ears.
Thanks for the comment!
At the end of the day it all comes down to which flavor you like after actually playing these guitars. There isn’t a winner or a loser here.
Thanks for commenting Steve!
I’d go with Collings. I honestly don’t hear any difference or they both sound great in their own way that my mind just doesn’t distinguish.
Yeah, Collings for me for no reason. Lol
Nah..I don't really love acoustic guitars even though I have an H & D Brazilian Rosewood and 3 other good ones cause I don't like playing thick strings 012-.054 (or even .011-.052 Elixir Nano as I now have on mine.) If there was something softer I would be much happier. Till then I would so much rather play the 1957 Les Paul Junior with .009-.036 Strings thru the Mesa Boogie MkIV.
Both of these acoustics sound nice with a minor differences.
H&D sounds better to me, the sound is more out front, of course the action I couldn’t speak of, both are fantastic instruments
The Collings!
Thanks for the comment Derek!
The Adirondak gives you a loud sounds but not as "bassy/warm" as the sitka. Overall really amazing guitars! can see why the cost that much hah
Thanks for the comment!
I'll take the Collings. Richer tone IMHO
I won't lie, I was really impressed with how this Collings build with a sitka spruce top sounded against an Adirondack spruce... I was expecting more "night and day" distinction between the two, but there's not much...
Collings seem a bit louder
Great playing and comparison. Both sound fantastic. Tough call, but would take the Collings. That Adi though was noticeable or could be builder and string causing differences. Either one and owner should be estatic. I went with a custom HD-28 with Adi top. Gives that little extra punch and clarity. Love the Martin sound. Both of these beautiful guitars were on the short list along with the Bourgeois banjo killer. Was leaning towards the Bourgeois, but couldn't pass up a deal signifigantly cheaper than all of them on the list.
Thanks for the comment! I’ve always wanted a Custom Shop Martin... and a Bourgeois for that matter...
Huss & Dalton for me
Very nice all
Thanks!
I prefer the warmth of the H&D.
Thanks for the comment Scott!
2 wonderful guitars. Collings for me
Thanks for the comment Mike!
I would take the Gibson J-45
Vintage or reissue?
ADIRONDACK IS GENERAL!
This is dumb to me, it's like the kit car of guitars. Why cant these companies comeup with their own designs instead of another Martin copy??
h and d much warm
Definitely very warm