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Barely any pressure is required rom barrechords and retting, thus allowing crystal-clear note defnition to ring out

In their pursuit oimproving on an historicalclassic, Collings haveemployed the gamut o

their characteristic constructionmethods and selection processes,resulting in this small-bodiedguitar.

Immediately identifable byits visual cues, possessing a

smaller waist than a traditionalorchestral model, displaying agrain-flled fnish and pearloidscratchplate and headstock, theC10 is a showmans guitar whichembodies a fghting spirit. ismodel is inspired by the pre-warOM model body designs, andexhibited here are a number opersonal attributes which goto make up this unique guitarspersonality. It has narrowerupper bouts than a regular OM,an increased depth to the body,and an enlarged soundhole

design.Just how did they produce

that fnish? Initially the guitar issprayed black, and then whitegrain fller is applied. Timing iscritical as the fller dries veryquickly and excess must beremoved while it is still wet.

Sanding is out o the questionas this would remove the blackcoat. It is lacquered usingpolyurethane or the base coatand then nitrocellulose or thelatter layers.

Much thought has beenpoured into how this guitarsconstruction will ultimatelyrelease optimal playability.

Looking briey at the neck wouldnot in itsel reveal the secretswithin its design. Externally youcan enjoy the perect playabilityo the slim neck profle romlow to high registers, and barelyany pressure is required rombarre chords and retting, thusallowing crystal-clear notedefnition to ring out. is trulyis one o the easiest guitars youcould play; it is quite exceptional.

Further to this, the neck is alsohome to more sonic secrets. eheel cap houses a birch dowel

which runs along its lengthand is hal an inch in diameter.is serves to strengthen itsconnection to the two fxingbolts used to join the body to theneck. is way the connectionis not solely dependent on thefxing bolts connecting to the

end grain o the neck itsweakest point. Rather, there is astronger than usual joint. Also,as a bolt-on neck, Collings haveoreseen the ease with whichyou can later remove and resetthis when the time arrives. etongue o the fngerboard is theonly part that is physically gluedto the top, and is readily removed

by steam should this or any otherCollings require such attention.Within the neck itsel also

lives Collings very own truss rod

design. is twin pair system,comprising our thin steel bars,has been born rom Bill Collingsresearch o early pre-warinstruments. Typical o that timeperiod, many guitars had just theone single reinorcing rod andno truss rod per se. As such, thiscontributed to maintaining aneven response, and so ater much

urther experimentation the newdesign now promotes a guitarree o dead spots.

In addition to this acilitating

Des ths sma-bded gutar puch abve ts

weght cass? Eter the area t fd ut

CollinC10 CustmDghar Fsh

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GEAR:Cllng C10 C Dgha Fnh

The distinctive nish that gives the guitar its name

8/7/2019 Collings C10 Doghair

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October 09 Acoustic 67

8/7/2019 Collings C10 Doghair

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GEAR:Cllng C10 C Dgha Fnh

maximum vibration, the endblock is specif cally only gluedto the back and sides o theguitar to prevent the top beingdampened unnecessarily. is isa simple stroke o practical guitardesign which results in yet morevibration.

When sat playing this guitar,you are welcomed by itsintimacy, and I am conf dentyou would likewise easily orgea new riendship with it. Its anamalgamation o cute looks andkiller tones which are a thoroughpleasure to release rom itsdistinctive body. is is primarilybecause its so responsive,punchy, and loud or its size, andis also very ocused in its noteclarity and projection.

is compact sonic cannon

speaks rom its f nely cratedguts. Beore I even started toplay the guitar, when it was atrest I noticed how sensitiveto vibration the top o thisinstrument was. As I coughed,the top sympathised by echoingand sustaining with surprisingvolume. Much o this is down tothe top having been hand-chosenand tap-tuned, with the guitarbeing built around this specif cpiece o wood a procedurewhich has been entrustedto the same man at Collings

guitars or more than 20 years. is attention to detail is soappreciated when endeavouringto maintain volume and presencerom a small instrument. Keepingvibration alive or as long as

possible has been achievedthanks to (the otherwise hiddenquality) a convex hand graduatedtop aff ords. is slightly convexshape runs in parallel with thestrings and promotes strength inconstruction along with allowingor a thinner perimeter.

is Doghair is actually onedark horse ull o surprises.

Stiking pearloid facing draws the eye - but might not be to everyones taste

is could easily become mansnext best riend. Its got theaithul integrity o beautiultones and a modern soul oclinical precision in f nish. Ateryou play it you will hear voicessaying, Daddy, can I take thisone home, please?Russell Welton

BUILD QUALITY

SOUND QUALITY

VALUE FOR MONEY

www.acousticmagazine.comfor reviews

CollingsC10 Custom Doir Fiis

Ratingout of five

Technicalspecifictio

Manufacturer: Collings Guitars

Model: C10 Custom Doghair nish

Price: 3,600

Made In: Austin, Texas, USATop: Solid Honduran mahogany

Back & Sides: Solid Honduran

mahogany

Neck: Solid Honduran mahogany

Fingerboard: East Indian Rosewood

Frets: 20 nickel silver

Tuners: Min Schaller

Nut Width: 1 11/16

Scale Length: 25

Onboard Electronics: No

Strings Fitted: DAddario EJ16

Phosphor Bronze, 012 top

Left Handers: Yes 300

Gig Bag/Case Included: Hardshell

case

Contactdetis

Guitar XS Ltd

Tel: 01227 832558

collingsguitars@guitarxs.com

Whatwe tik

Pros: E ortless playabil ity and small

heel. Regular C10 at 2,899.

Cons: Aesthetics may be an acquired

taste for some players.

Overall: Expensive, yes. Carries thetorch in premium quality.

Our Ratings Explained5 Stars: uperb, amost futess.4 Stars: Exceet, hrd to bet.3 Stars: good, covers bses we.2 or 1 Stars: Beow vere, poor.

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T is attention to detail is so appreciatedwhen endeavouring to maintain volume andpresence rom a small instrument