The song I'm playing in this demo is "Mountains of Illinois", written by Chet Atkins and Pat Bergeson.. This is not a sponsored video, - I have no contact with Collings, but I just wanted to share this demo (from The Fellowship of Acoustics in The Netherlands) because I really thought this was an amazing instrument.. apparently, the "blue sitka" spruce top is reclaimed from floating Alaskan logs.. These logs were used throughout the 20th century for floating structures that supported the fishing and logging industry. The wood had been in salt water for decades, and when processed it turned out to have taken on a gray to bluish color. The wood is aged through this process, lighter in weight and also stiffer in structure.. which gives the guitar a unique sound.. pretty cool!! :)

Nine thousand dollar guitar or not, that was nine million dollar playing. Incredible!!

This guy is pure joy to listen too, his talent is at a masterclass level.

Doesn’t matter the make of guitar, Emil will always *make* it sound priceless.

The Collings OM2HC has been my workhorse since about 1998/99. It constantly exceeds my expectations and does more than I ask. The guitar makes every performance just a pure joy. Although I have many guitars and have performed with quite a few, It is the Collings that draws the most attention and has so many asking me "What Kind of Guitar is that?' Looking forward to the D1!

It was a pleasure to have you in front of my camera and record this Emil! 🙏

The first thing that strikes you (besides the skill of the player) is the even tone, the projection of each string is balanced. No annoying "B" out of place. No heavy-toned low E. It's all even.

Most beautiful cover of this song I’ve seen on the guitar. Your touch, dynamic range, and time feel is so soulful.

Wow, this guitar was made for you! When you pair an incomparable instrument with a true guitar virtuoso, the result is astounding. You are an amazingly talented musician. Thanks for posting this video. And keep them coming!

One of the most sublime 1 minute and 45 seconds of acoustic playing I have heard in years.

What a gorgeous sounding guitar! Well played! 💜🇺🇸

That was truly amazing. Both a musical and an auditory delight. Thank you so much.

Beautiful, masterful playing Emil. Plus that Collings, like all Collings guitars, is stunning. Thank you!

If anyone "deserves" an instrument of that quality and sound, it would be you. Fine playing indeed.

Mannnn, you're guitar playing and harmonic game is so next level. Absolutely love watching/listening to you play

Beautiful playing. Someone who actually understand the dynamics of acoustic playing.

Collings are incredible guitars. I tried a dreadnought a couple of years ago, and I can't forget it. It was like a... bubble made of wood. Light, resonant, a waterfall of harmonics

Beautiful playing man -- wow. Soulful rendering.

Sounds beautiful! Fantastic playing!

You make that sound so great! Bravo! You can tell by your smile that the guitar really speaks to you.

Dang dude that some sweet sounding skills you have there! What a blessing. Such great finger style

Incredible. Loved the harmonics at the end sent shivers down my spine.

Absolutely lovely! Fantastic playing -- a real treat to hear this!

Beautiful sound and beautiful playing Emil 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🇬🇧

Great sound and great playing - most soulful and truly musical.

Known as the best sounding acoustics out there, you did it justice nice work

This guitar sounds absolutely beautiful in your hands. The clarity and tone is second to none. I look forward to your posts. I agree they should give you this one guitar.

Extraordinarily beautiful piece. Well played.

You got the gift, my man. Great playing.

Thanks Emil I’m a decent player, but when, you get to this level, as you know, it’s how to phrase properly. You just absolutely kill it…. So well done

Fantastic! The bottom end is unreal!! Great example of a beautiful guitar and a beautiful touch by the player!!

Wow, beautiful tones and guitar work. Thanks!

Wow! Incredible sounding instrument played supremely well, with such feel 👏👏👏👏👏

Awesome guitar. Great balance in the registers. Nice song choice.

Mate, that was some beautiful playing... sublime, thanks.

Collings should give you a free guitar

Only a few can get that sound from that guitar. Well done my friend!

Wow, love your gentle and controlled playing! And that guitar sounds *Amazing* 💙

Wonderful playing! Great sounding guitar. Thanks Emil!

That was exquisite! Beautiful instrument in a master's hands. Years ago I was noodling around with several guitars at First Quality Music in Louisville, Ky. As I sat and played, there was a noticeable sympathetic resonance coming from one of the many guitars on the walls in the room. I walked around the room to determine where it was coming from and it was a Collings just singing along on its own.

This dude has music in his soul.

Your playing, along with the sound is just so so good. Thank you

I am always amazed when I hear and see you play !

That’s an incredible piece played brilliantly and a homage to Chet and Lady Collings who breathed the music

Well, the thing I noticed about the 3k guitars is you play a G chord and it's amazing, in tune, balanced, the b string is not muted, the B and D sound great. I don't have the ability to to distinguish anything more expensive that that, unfortunately.

love my OM2HT - great guitar for any style of playing... beautiful playing Email - as always!

Pure artistry. Props to the guitar playing and the guitar as well 👍👍👍

Man, what a truly gifted guitarist. Beautifully done.✝️🙏🏻

So beautiful, amazing talent, the song and the playing connect emotionally with the listener right away. It is music that soothes your soul. Thank-you for sharing.

Such beautiful playing. Bravo!

Such clean tone and articulation. thanks for sharing

That guitar needs a player of Emil's calibre. About as good as it gets.

Oh man.. that was SO beautiful. The song, and the performance. Really glad I clicked on this video. What an excellent player

Staggeringly good! Especially the harmonics at the end and well, everything else!

So beautiful I got lost in it. Thanks for sharing that with us. What a pleasant treat! The really great guitars are just in a different league all their own and have unique sounds all their own. But, I'd sure pay $9,000 in a heartbeat to be able to play half as great as that. You are indeed blessed.

I don't follow many guitar channels. But you Tommy Emmanuel and the amazing young Player Antoine Boyer and another called Marcin are always a pleasure to listen to.

Emil, that was beautiful playing! The guitar matches your talent!

I'm so glad that this appeared on my YT feed and that I took the time to view/listen...that was an awe inspiring performance...thank you for sharing it!

Beautiful in every aspect! Thank you.

I think this guy could make just about any guitar sound fantastic. That said, it's a great instrument. Would've liked to have heard it strummed too.

you would make a 90 dollar guitar sound great 🙂

What a beautiful piece of music played so very well on a superb sounding instrument. Thank you.

Absolutely beautiful playing and beautiful instrument!

Not my normal style of music, but that was jaw-droppingly beautiful. You have a true gift, good sir. [EDIT]: Is there sheet music available for this version?

$9000 guitar sounded just like a guitar. The artist sounded priceless!

Amazingly well done...thanks for sharing!

Beautifully played & presented. What a stunning instrument. "Blue sitka"? Wow! Combined with cocobolo - can't get much more exotic than that. Worth every penny.

Unbelievable sound! Fantastic!

Gorgeous arrangement, perfectly executed, thank you for sharing!

Outstanding! I’ll keep practicing and you keep inspiring people to play better.

absolutely amazing. truly inspiring!

Great tune... few of us would know it but for Tommy. Amazing playing and that sound is perfect!

Damn dude. First time hearing you play and that was an instant subscribe. Looking forward to checking out more!

Gorgeous guitar, wonderful playing, Emil.

Nice rendition of the song! Well done!

Such a beautiful song. Loved what you did. To be sure, Collings makes gorgeous looking and sounding guitars, but I would think with your skills you could make any high-quality guitar sound fabulous.

wow...simply a magical sound....beautiful.

Played with tremendous feel and skill!

Awesome picking! I picked up a D1A Torefied Shade Top about 4 months ago from an old touring buddy. I cant seem to stop playing it. When I do, I like to put it where I can see it. I’m really blown away by this particular dreadnought. Amazing tone and response.

I'm stunned by the beauty of that guitar, but even more by your playing. That was mesmerising.

Wow, that was amazing! Bravo!

Beautifully played. Great tune. The finger-squeaks only added to the performance.

What a beautiful sound. It’s so clear and mellow.

Sounds beautiful and full ❤

beautifully played!

WOW, legendary tune, performance, and guitar...

Wonderful playing on a wonderful guitar. Beautiful piece of music.

Beautiful playing, and the guitar sounds pretty awesome too!

Reminds me of Pete Huttlinger and his Collings. The gold standard for steel string acoustic tone. Excellent playing. Thank you for posting.

Excellent’ thank you. Beautiful instrument

What a beautiful piece!

Beautiful! Going to subscribe and hopefully hear more!

wow what I would give to be able to play like this! I just picked it up and boy is it difficult. So much respect.

Gorgeous tone and playing!

Nicely played Emil. I'm sure Chet is smilin' some place. Well done.

Great arrangement and playing!

Beautiful playing !

Beautiful playing - really enjoyed that.

Beautiful touch!

Great playing, Respect !