This 2015 Collings OM2 MR E SS is a cool and somewhat uncommon take on their short-scale OM model. The “MR” stands for Madagascar rosewood, and this set has nice color and figuring, with that deep reddish-brown hue. Paired with an Engelmann spruce top, it has a sweet, open tone with a quick response and just a touch of warmth that smooths out the rosewood’s natural clarity. The short 24 7/8" scale and 1 11/16" nut width make it really comfortable to play, especially for fingerstyle or more complex chords. It skips the usual herringbone trim, which lets the quality of the woods stand out a bit more, and the cream binding gives it a classic look, like a 000 from the ‘50s. This one also has scalloped braces, which help the top move a little more and give the guitar a lively, resonant sound with excellent balance. It’s responsive to a light touch but still has plenty of projection when you dig in. Includes the original hardshell case.
