NGD

West R. Lee got a horrible case of GAS for a Collings Mahogany and knowing he had a DV73, we struck up a conversation via PM and I asked him if he would consider parting with his DV73? Since he seldom played the DV73 because of his already owned Collings Rosewood and a DV72, said he probably would but would not be cheap. So, I asked him to tell me about the DV73 and at first, when I heard all his glowing praise I thought, "cannot be that nice." I thought, "he is peeing on my back and telling me it is raining." So I did a little research and another LTG member told me, "he's a straight shooter and guitar will be as he describes." My trust was maximized and West R. Lee (Jim is his name but you gotta like the username West er ly) and after a little "back and forth" I sent him the money on the 12th and yesterday, the 19th, the DV73 was in my living room, acclimating.
And it was not exactly as Jim described--it was better. I cannot find a "chigger bite" on it.

Wow, fantastic guitar! Congrats!

Congrats, and again, enjoy!

i hate you.

dreadnut said:

i hate you.

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I will take that as a compliment!!

Jim is, indeed, a straight-shooting great kinda guy. Wow, those are just so beautiful!! It takes my breath away!! Congrats, my friend!! What a score!!

Stuball48 said:

And it was not exactly as Jim described--it was better. I cannot find a "chigger bite" on it.

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Whoa, baby! Super major congrats! What a stunner!

West sold his DV-73. The end is near.

FNG said:

West sold his DV-73. The end is near.

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I've got visions of my dream guitar Effin. In fact, the order has been placed at an obscure guitar factory in Austin. With this one, for the first time in my life, I've been able to select every option. Selling the DV73 was really the only rational way to fund the dream guitar. I hated to see her go, but she was so rarely played here.....it just made sense. Sometime in March, a brand spanking new Collings D1A will be arriving here at the Lazy B, directly from Collings. She'll be a dread with Honduran mahogany back and sides and Adirondack top, Adirondack bracing and I've had them omit the tongue brace. I've also added a back strip. 1 11/16" string spacing at the nut, all dressed up in a Western sunburst.

The ONLY way to fund above guitar and stay out of hot water with Mrs. West was to part with a couple of them. I sold my JF30-12 last spring, banked the cash, then added what Shelby gave for the DV73. Add several hundred dollars to that, and you get ONE Collings dread. To be able to customize my new guitar to my specs has been both a challenge and a pleasure.

This deal has been very mutually beneficial in that it's fulfilling a dream for both Shelby and for myself. It's also great for Mrs. West because she's gotten rid of 2 guitars, gaining one, for a net loss of 1 guitar in the house.

In my old age I realize that old guitars are never really gone, they simply change caretakers.

West

West, I hope you'll share an NGD with us once that baby shows up at your place!! Collings makes some truly fantastic guitars!! I'm a tad envious!!

I will. You know Tom, before ordering this one, I realized that in 50 years or so of playing, and having been through maybe 25-30 guitars, at 64 years old, I haven't bought a NEW guitar in over 40 years. I've NEVER ordered a custom built guitar. At this stage of life, it's kind of now or never. Hope all is well with you my friend.

West

Hey West, the Collings sounds like a dream guitar. I'm looking forward to the NGD post!

I've always lusted over the slope shouldered Collings...hmmm....

FNG said:

Hey West, the Collings sounds like a dream guitar. I'm looking forward to the NGD post!

I've always lusted over the slope shouldered Collings...hmmm....

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Yes sir........give me 4 months, and I'll sure do it. As you can probably tell, I'm more excited that Shelby.

West

West R Lee said:

Yes sir........give me 4 months, and I'll sure do it. As you can probably tell, I'm more excited that Shelby.

West

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Debatable for sure

FNG said:

Hey West, the Collings sounds like a dream guitar. I'm looking forward to the NGD post!

I've always lusted over the slope shouldered Collings...hmmm....

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Oh, and Effin, you'll be wanting a Collings CJ. Fabulous guitars..........I've got the CJ with a German spruce top, also an incredible guitar.

West

This is what as known as a "win-win"!

Congrats to both of you!

walrus

FNG said:

Hey West, the Collings sounds like a dream guitar. I'm looking forward to the NGD post!

I've always lusted over the slope shouldered Collings...hmmm....

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Here's the CJ Effin.


West

At 71, I decided never to buy a new adi top. LOL. I'm not betting I'll be around to reap the reward for my patience. I'll never understand people who dump their new adi tops after six months, or worse yet, be around unable to play. It took a full three years for my mandolin build to mature, and it got played a lot.

Congratulations, Stuball (and West R. Lee)!

West R Lee said:

I've got visions of my dream guitar Effin. In fact, the order has been placed at an obscure guitar factory in Austin. With this one, for the first time in my life, I've been able to select every option. Selling the DV73 was really the only rational way to fund the dream guitar. I hated to see her go, but she was so rarely played here.....it just made sense. Sometime in March, a brand spanking new Collings D1A will be arriving here at the Lazy B, directly from Collings. She'll be a dread with Honduran mahogany back and sides and Adirondack top, Adirondack bracing and I've had them omit the tongue brace. I've also added a back strip. 1 11/16" string spacing at the nut, all dressed up in a Western sunburst.
West

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I'm only a bit surprised you went for 'hog instead of rosewood. Was it due to a more balanced voice?

Gotta admit it's been tough to admit to myself the D40's got my favorite voice of all 3, definitely better for recording than the other 2, I chalk it up to the flat back.