Testimonials

"Michael's dedication to his craft, sheer artistry, and sincere desire to give his customer exactly what they want, make me proud of our long association. A joy to play ... a treasure to own ..." - Larry Robbins

"My Michael Collins CL-4 with its curly maple sides and back, red cedar top, ebony fingerboard, Spanish cedar neck, with elements of Brazilian rosewood, European spruce and Spanish cedar seems like a global effort to come up with a beautiful sounding, lightweight classical guitar. Visiting Mike up in Argyle to choose the woods and to create the design of the guitar was a delightful process - but first timers be warned. There are so many wonderful combinations of woods and details pssible that you might literally find yourself choosing only the first of what may be additional Michael Collins guitars.

I have two Michael Collins guitars. An older, smaller but heavier CL-1 and the newer CL-4. Both are a pleasure to play with clear, resonant sound. I can highly recommend working with Mike on the building of a guitar - from the design process right through the building and completion of the guitar. He knows how special the choice of a guitar is, is full of helpful information, recognizes how much of an investment is being made to purchase one and is very eager to make a guitar that you'll be very happy with for a long time. I very much enjoyed working with Mike and have been very pleased with both of my guitars."

Erica Sufrin
Voorheesville, NY

"When giving any kind of testimony about a man's work, I have to start with the man himself. His motives are the key to my personal testimony. I happen to know Mike personally. I met him back in 1975 when he worked at Hilton's in Saratoga. There was something about him that made you like him. I didn't know what that was back then, because I was only 16 years old. Now, at 48, I know that it was Mike's desire to share his love of music, as well as his knowledge. There are people that you meet along the way on your musical journey, that make a difference. Some take, and some give. Although I hadn't seen him in 25 years, I had the fortune of meeting up with Mike again a couple years ago. The only thing that changed about Mike, was that his "giving" character had become more defined. I've seen this in the way he makes guitars, and his repair work. He settles for nothing less than his best. From a salesman at the local music store, to a world class guitar maker, that says it all. He loves what he does, he cares about the client, and he trusts in himself to deliver the very best. I've been playing guitar for 43 years, and teaching for the last 6 years, so I know a little bit about the wonderful world of music. Thanks Mike!!! Your motive passed my test!!!"

Mike Flores
Fort Edward, New York

"Michael is not only a fabulous guitar builder, he can also make any guitar play better...  broken or not.  My first trip to his digs involved a nice vintage Martin D12-20 I've owned since the 1960's, which was suffering from the inevitable "pickguard curl" and needed a replacement.  Michael checked out the action and said, tongue in cheek, "How the heck can you play with the action this high?"  The short story is, after he finished installing a custom-cut pick guard and lowering the action, it played like butter.  Frankly, I didn't know it was possible to get a 12-string to fret almost as easily as a 6, but Michael did it.  Eat your heart out, Martin Guitars... I now have the best D12-20 you ever made....."

Tale 2:  "I got to hankering for an acoustic bass guitar just for grins, so I plunked down a whopping $150 online for a new Dean EAB from Musician's Friend.  As one might guess from the price, it buzzed horribly and no amount of cranking on the truss rod could make it work.  I took it to Michael, and within an hour he had shimmed the bridge, reshaped the string holes for firmer seating, installed half-round D'Addario light steel strings, adjusted the truss rod ( which now worked like it was intended) and smoothed the fret edges so you could slide your hand without drawing blood.  Now I have a really decent playing and sounding acoustic bass guitar that's the equal of any one costing hundreds of bucks more...."

Jim Peden
Shoreham, Vermont

I have known Mike Collins for a number of years now, and I highly recommend him to anyone interested in a new, custom built guitar, or the repair of existing guitars.

I have asked Mike to do a number of guitar repair projects for me. The most significant repair involved a very nice sounding Flamenco guitar I had purchased (sight-unseen) from a builder in Spain. After a few days of playing the new guitar, I was disappointed with the feel of the fretboard. I brought the guitar to Mike, and he immediately was able to determine what was bothering me. Within a few days, Mike had removed the frets, “adjusted” the neck, refretted the guitar, and even modified the bridge at my request (to 12-hole). I am very pleased with the result. Now, the guitar not only sounds great, but is also very easy and enjoyable to play.

Additionally, Mike is in the process of building me a third guitar… this one a small-body steel string. It has been a pleasure working with Mike to select the woods and features for this new guitar. Mike’s pleasant personality, his enthusiasm for his craft, as well as his attention to detail and many years of experience, all add up to making this an enjoyable and exciting experience.

Jose’
East Greenbush, New York

Michael the guitar you made for me is just the best I've ever played or heard! I love your rosettes!
Julian !

What a great guitar!!!!!!! Fantastic sound and playability PLUS the beautiful woods!!You are the best! Thank you so much!!!
Sharon

My recording engineer could not believe how incredible YOUR guitar sounded next to my old one!!! My new c.d. sounds so alive now!!! Thank you !!! I'll get another (of different woods)from you so I'll have a matching set soon!!
Manual B.!