If someone can’t sell a used Collings, there’s something’s wrong.
John
Yup, this is a limited run from I heard.The collings website doesn't show any ukuleles. Perhaps this is a limited run?
Correct me if I am wrong, but weren't the old Collings ukes made by Bill Collings? The old ukuleles are part of his legacy and will always be collectible, like old Collings Guitars. Perhaps not the same money, but still very collectible.
The Collings company making some more ukuleles would seem like a commercial no-brainer to me.
Yeah I doubt at the numbers that were made, all of them were hand made by Bill C but yes, these ukes are post Bill..All of the labels were all signed by Bill. Collings had a handful of different luthiers who built the instruments.
Building ukes for the likes of the UU membership is not very profitable. Many of us are content with overpriced Kalas and Ohanas. Makers of fine ukes find it hard to compete with a large merchandising company which puts its brand on batches of the headstocks of low cost and mediocre quality product made in Asia.
But if you look at the smattering of posts about fine ukes which start with a base model at $3000, there is a big market out there, which will be profitable to uke sellers who make the finest ukes. You wont find the market looking on UU.
The market for the Collings products is well beyond the price point of most UU members and it definitely exists and is profitable.
A new batch of Collings ukes will sell like hot cakes, for a fair and reasonable profit. It is definitely a commercial no-brainer.
Building ukes for the likes of the UU membership is not very profitable. Many of us are content with overpriced Kalas and Ohanas. Makers of fine ukes find it hard to compete with a large merchandising company which puts its brand on batches of the headstocks of low cost and mediocre quality product made in Asia.
But if you look at the smattering of posts about fine ukes which start with a base model at $3000, there is a big market out there, which will be profitable to uke sellers who make the finest ukes. You wont find the market looking on UU.
The market for the Collings products is well beyond the price point of most UU members and it definitely exists and is profitable.
A new batch of Collings ukes will sell like hot cakes, for a fair and reasonable profit. It is definitely a commercial no-brainer.
Very true.. look at the number of Collings sold here vs Reverb or eBay..Bill, I've noted that the non-UU uker crowd are mainly the ones that are satisfied with Ohanas and Kalas and Lanakais, and Cordobas, and even the occasional Gretsch, Fender, Cocobolo, or Martin.
This crowd is way more likely to pick up on something like a Collings.
Thanks for the links and info.All three of the Collings ukes that I have had came with a "knot bridge".
Have you seen this?: https://www.collingsguitars.com/img/faq/collings-ukulele-restringing-guide.pdf
Collings ukes are a little unique as to how you should install the strings on the bridge. There is a small hole inside the base of the larger entry hole on the bridge that the end of the string goes in.
When I purchased my new Collings it came with Aquila New Nylguts. I think that very early on that they came with Savarez strings (if I remember correctly).
I personally didn't care for the Aquilas so I'd recommend trying out different strings.
A few observations
1. The string tension seems perfect for the top, I tried a half step lower which was nice as well and quite different
2. The setup is perfect and the action is low.
3. The fret work is really good and playing the uke is easy
4. The uke rings up the neck and playing the highest A and lowest C sound quite good and the uke is balanced
5. The bridge is is a knot bridge similar to sopranos which is a first for me on a tenor, never observed it on earlier Collings I saw. Any one with a Collings care to chime in about the bridge?
6. The neck has a slimer profile than my other ukes and is quite comfortable
Overall very happy. Plan to try lower tension strings in the future for kicks.
Does any one know the string brand used by Collings?
Oh yeah, the case man they make a snug fitting case!!! It feels like a case for a concert or a soprano
Thanks for the links and info.
The current set seem to have fluorocarbon clears.