COLLINS
CLASSICAL & FLAMENCO GUITARS

To make classical guitars with a clear and clean treble and rich bass is my passion!
I start with carefully selected woods from all over the world.
My climate controlled shop insures that all guitars built here are stable and will give many years of enjoyment without stress related ailments.
My goal is to help players get the guitar that is just right for their playing style or physical needs.

In 1977 I attended the Guitar research & design in South Strafford Vermont ran by Charles Fox and George Morris,the two most famous guitarmaking teachers. I've played guitar since the age of 15 and have been making and repairing for 30 years.

All of my classical guitars are built with a Spanish foot making a solid connection between neck and body.
With years of experience repairing and building,I have gained a insight as how to make great sounding guitars.


Careful attention is paid to the thickness of all parts.
Each top is selected to pair up with a back & side combination so as to make a perfect match.
All necks receive a non-adjustable epoxy-graphite rod to keep the neck straight and to help transfer vibrations to the top. Which makes the top work to its full potential.

Each guitar is assembled in the traditional Spanish way.
Top down on a solera workboard.
All wood trimings are used and are made in my shop.
The fingerboard of choice is Ebony; with a Rosewood option. A 2mm pearl dot at the 5th & 7th fret on the side of the fingerboard is standard.(this can be eliminated at the players request)A 17th fret dot(A note)is also available.
12 hole bridge.

All bridges are a lite in weight Rosewood and receive 12 holes to anchor the strings, this helps to put a good break-over angle on the saddle and to lessen the chance for a string ding in the top. I leave a small lip at the back of the bridge for the excess string to rest on.I use a bone 3mm.saddle that is shaped to make sure that the guitars intonation is the best it can be.

Classical guitars are my favorite to make. Over the years of repairing and restoring guitars I've managed to record all demensions and bracing patterns for some of the worlds great guitars. This has allowed me to incorporate some of the best features into my guitars.
I use my own body shape which is rounded and comfortable to hold and pleasing to the eye.

All backs are arched to a 30' radius.
All tops receive a 30' radius to help with strength, and allow me to fine tune the tone with careful graduations of the top and braces!
This doming also helps when a top or back
is subjected to a low humidity climate for a extended period of time by allowing the plate to contract without cracking.
The bridge is carefully contoured to fit this radius.

Fingerboards are given a slight radius to the 9th fret to help with barring. This radius is carefully extended into a compound radius for the rest of the board.

Neck widths at nut from 50mm to 55mm, 12th fret 59mm to 65mm are available.With a 52mm nut being the usual size.
Standard scale length is 650mm; with 660 and 644 also available. E to E bridge spacing is 57mm.

My "Flamenco" guitar with Cypress or a Negra with Rosewood is also a favorite to make. I strive for a traditional sound and feel with these guitars. A bracing pattern by one of the most famous Spanish makers is used and the tone is raspy with a quick response and great volume.

I make a fan braced top and a lattice brace top! The fan brace top has a traditional rich, earthy, tone!
The lattice which is all wood (no epoxy-graphite)has a bright, loud, and very clear tone.I make guitars with very good note to note balance and separation.
















The driving force that makes us love the guitar is very open to interpretation.
Volume, response, treble, bass and midrange notes make up the sound of a guitar. If any of these areas are lacking ....the guitar is not suitable to my personal standards.
Being able to achieve this has made my guitars the favorite with all the players that have them. Being able to achieve this goal is rewarding!

Guitar making is my vocation.Making guitars is all I think about and I continue to improve my designs.
These two models are ordered the most.
A Torres sized model known as CL-1, Demensions (36 cm. wide by 48.8 cm. long) and a more contemporary size called CL-4, Demensions (36.6cm wide by 49.2 cm.long)Both sizes offer world class sound and great playability.
But check out my Models & Options page for other available models.
A double arched case comes with all guitars.

Options such a cutaway, or Rogers tuners, Brazilian Rosewood add to the price.


Ambrosia Maple Rosette.


Ambrosia Maple Rose.

Call or mail me with any special needs or just to talk about the guitar you need.
I believe a guitar maker and the players should always be communicating as to help make better guitars.My love of classical guitar music and the tradition of Flamenco are the driving force in my quest to make only world class guitars!

Only high quality Sloan, Gotoh, or Gilbert tuners are used. The choice is up to you!

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Or call me at 518-638 6355.