The square-shouldered 14-fret dreadnought is easily the most popular acoustic guitar design in the world, yet somehow Collings brings this iconic template to a totally new level. With tonal clarity to match the warmth and depth of the dreadnought, the Collings D2H is cutting, robust, and powerful, but it also remains sweet and subtle when you want it to be. In many ways, the D2H is a guitar that seems to do everything well.
Baked Sitka has become one our favorite upgrades with Collings because it gives a new guitar that seasoned, broken-in richness. And as you put it through the paces for years and years, it'll only sound better and more refined. But compared to other wood upgrades, Baked Sitka only adds $300 to the price.
We ordered this D2H (serial #31715) with an upgraded Baked Sitka Top, and it features the standard East Indian Rosewood back and sides. This tried-and-true wood complement produces a balanced, articulate sound. Thanks to its dreadnought body and Collings' prewar-inspired bracing, this D2H has a powerful voice that is rich in complexity and top-end shimmer.
Since we knew it would be such a fantastic-sounding instrument, we had to dress it up a bit, too. A gorgeous 2-Style Sunburst top finish sets off the mellow Baked Sitka hues, and Ivoroid binding around the peghead and fingerboard add a touch of class to the Honduran Mahogany neck and exotic stained Ebony peghead overlay. On the Ebony fingerboard, stunning 42-Style Snowflake abalone inlays provide a roadmap for the player (and of course a little bling for the audience, too).
As for playability, the only customization was to specify a 1-3/4" nut width. That extra sixteenth of an inch may not seem like much, but we find it gives you just enough extra room to stretch out. It's a great fit for a guitar like this, especially with the prewar-inspired Modified V neck profile.
- Top: Baked Sitka Spruce
- Top Finish: 2-Style Sunburst
- Back & Sides: East Indian Rosewood
- Brace Pattern: Pre-War Scalloped X
- Neck: Honduran Mahogany
- Neck Profile: Modified V
- Scale Length: 25-1/2"
- Nut: Bone, 1-3/4"
- Body Binding: Ivoroid with Herringbone Purfling
- Fingerboard Binding: Ivoroid
- Peghead Binding: Ivoroid
- Bridge: Ebony Belly
- Saddle: Drop-In Bone, 2-3/16" string spacing
- Fingerboard: Ebony
- Fingerboard Inlay: 42-Style Snowflakes
- Fingerboard Radius: 14" - 26" Compound
- Case: Deluxe Hardshell by TKL