‘OM’ stands for “Orchestra Model,” but 80 years after this body shape was first designed it has become the most popular 14-fret model with fingerstyle guitar soloists who choose to play on steel strings. Yet flatpickers also find it appealing, and when the graceful cutaway is added these OMs are often used by lead players who routinely explore all 20 frets much as they would on an electric guitar. The compact shape makes the Collings OM equally easy to handle onstage or when sitting on the couch, and the relatively shallow body – barely over 4 inches deep – results in a balanced tone and immediate response.

OM1 vs OM2H vs OM3

While all three models share the same body dimensions, key differences are outlined below.

• Our 1-style (OM1) features Honduran mahogany back and sides with tortoise body binding and butt wedge, b/w/b/w top purfling, a walnut backstrip, dot fingerboard inlays, and a simpler 1-style rosette.
• Our 2-style (OM2H) features East Indian rosewood back and sides with ivoroid body binding and butt wedge, herringbone top purfling, a “zipper” backstrip, diamonds and squares fingerboard inlays, and a more intricate 2-style rosette.
• Our 3-style (OM3) features East Indian rosewood back and sides with ivoroid body/fingerboard/peghead binding and butt wedge, no herringbone top purfling, a “chevron” backstrip, no fingerboard inlays, and an abalone rosette.