{"id":122363,"date":"2021-04-09T07:20:00","date_gmt":"2021-04-09T14:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/?p=122363"},"modified":"2023-05-31T20:08:44","modified_gmt":"2023-06-01T03:08:44","slug":"great-acoustics-2020-collings-om3-alaskan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/great-acoustics-2020-collings-om3-alaskan\/","title":{"rendered":"Great Acoustics: 2020 Collings OM3 Alaskan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Guitars are often playable art objects used to tell stories. And sometimes when an instrument is built using unique materials, it comes with a backstory built deep into its woodgrain. Take the new Collings OM3 Alaskan seen here. It\u2019s one of six guitars made for the shop\u2019s premier dealers using a combination of unusually colored Sitka spruce, curly mahogany, and special appointments. (The other models include dreadnought, 000 12-fret, 14-fret 0, and 12- and 14-fret 00 versions.)&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"Collings OM3 custom acoustic guitar\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-122327\" data-id=\"122327\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-2.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-2.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-2.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-2.jpg?resize=400%2C600&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-2.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"Collings OM3 custom acoustic guitar\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-122332\" data-id=\"122332\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-7.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-7.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-7.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-7.jpg?resize=400%2C600&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-7.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"Collings OM3 custom acoustic guitar\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-122328\" data-id=\"122328\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-3.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-3.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-3.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-3.jpg?resize=400%2C600&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-3.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"Collings OM3 custom acoustic guitar\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-122329\" data-id=\"122329\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-4.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-4.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-4.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-4.jpg?resize=400%2C600&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-4.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"Collings OM3 custom acoustic guitar\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-122330\" data-id=\"122330\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-5.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-5.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-5.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-5.jpg?resize=400%2C600&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-5.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"Closeup of a Collings OM3 custom acoustic guitar soundhole\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-122331\" data-id=\"122331\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-6.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-6.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-6.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-6.jpg?resize=400%2C600&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-6.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"Closeup of a Collings OM3 custom acoustic guitar fretboard markers\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-122334\" data-id=\"122334\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-9.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-9.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-9.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-9.jpg?resize=400%2C600&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-9.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"Closeup of a Collings OM3 custom acoustic guitar fretboard markers\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-122318\" data-id=\"122318\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-10.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-10.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-10.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-10.jpg?resize=400%2C600&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-10.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"Collings OM3 custom acoustic guitar back and sides\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-122325\" data-id=\"122325\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-17.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-17.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-17.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-17.jpg?resize=400%2C600&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-17.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"Collings OM3 custom acoustic guitar back and sides\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-122324\" data-id=\"122324\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-16.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-16.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-16.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-16.jpg?resize=400%2C600&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-16.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"Collings OM3 custom acoustic guitar back\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-122323\" data-id=\"122323\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-15.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-15.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-15.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-15.jpg?resize=400%2C600&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-15.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"Collings OM3 custom acoustic guitar lower back\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-122322\" data-id=\"122322\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-14.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-14.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-14.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-14.jpg?resize=400%2C600&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-14.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"Collings OM3 custom acoustic guitar neck and heel joing\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-122321\" data-id=\"122321\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-13.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-13.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-13.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-13.jpg?resize=400%2C600&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-13.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"Collings OM3 custom acoustic guitar tuners\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-122320\" data-id=\"122320\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-12.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-12.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-12.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-12.jpg?resize=400%2C600&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-12.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"Collings OM3 custom acoustic guitar headstock\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-122319\" data-id=\"122319\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-11.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&#038;ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-11.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-11.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-11.jpg?resize=400%2C600&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-11.jpg?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The top is made from reclaimed old-growth Sitka that spent much of the 20th century as part of a floating structure that served as a camp for loggers and fishers. During the decades the logs floated in the cold, nutrient-rich waters of southeast Alaska, the spruce took on a dark bluish-gray color that highlights its bearclaw figuring. When the camps were disassembled and sold off for homes and lumber, a supplier contacted Collings\u2019 master luthier, Bruce VanWart, about these unique logs. Knowing a good story when he hears it, he wanted to check them out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"1290\" height=\"726\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wbOzNt1NsHA?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>While the visual effect is powerful, VanWart says the real benefit of this wood is that it has seasoned for a very long time. \u201cWorking with reclaimed wood can have the advantage of it being seasoned so much longer, which tends to make for ideal tonal characteristics for acoustic instruments,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s similar to other reclaimed spruce I\u2019ve used in the past\u2014they are lighter and a little stiffer than some Sitka, which means voicing them a little differently.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Clearly, plain wood wasn\u2019t going to cut it for the back and sides, so VanWart chose elegant curly mahogany. While it provides a striking contrast to the top, it also has the physical and tonal characteristics VanWart looks for when selecting tonewoods. This unique set needed something beyond the abalone rosette and full binding of the company\u2019s Style 3, so Collings commissioned a set of masterfully engraved fretboard inlays inspired by those on vintage banjos. The result is a guitar that has stories to tell before its first strum. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr>\n<div style=\"display: inline-block; padding: 20px 0px 0px 0px; margin: 0px 5%; 0px 5%\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/store.acousticguitar.com\/collections\/back-issues\/products\/no-328-may-june-2021\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/001_328_Cover_150px.jpg?w=1290&#038;ssl=1\" style=\"width: 150px; height:198px; margin: 0px 20px 10px 0px;\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"><\/a>\n\n<p style=\"font-family: sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 15px 0px;\">\nThis article originally appeared in the <a href=\"https:\/\/store.acousticguitar.com\/collections\/back-issues\/products\/no-328-may-june-2021\">May\/June 2021<\/a> issue of <em>Acoustic Guitar<\/em> magazine.<\/p><\/div>\n<hr>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A visually striking custom OM made from reclaimed old-growth Sitka that spent much of the 20th century floating in Alaskan waters.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":122332,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"A visually striking custom OM made from reclaimed old-growth Sitka that spent much of the 20th century floating in Alaskan waters.","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[1146],"tags":[125,524,1304],"ppma_author":[1556],"blocksy_meta":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/collings-om3-custom-7.jpg?fit=750%2C1125&ssl=1","authors":[{"term_id":1556,"user_id":12,"is_guest":0,"slug":"greg-olwellstringletter-com","display_name":"Greg Olwell","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5e8dada80c5c5ebffe48b5a4cfd35f33?s=96&d=mm&r=g","user_url":"","last_name":"Olwell","first_name":"Greg","description":"Greg Olwell is <i>Acoustic Guitar<\/i>'s editor-at-large. He plays upright bass in several bands in the San Francisco Bay Area and also enjoys playing ukulele and guitar."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122363"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=122363"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122363\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":139492,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122363\/revisions\/139492"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/122332"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=122363"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=122363"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=122363"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acousticguitar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=122363"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}