The long and narrow body shape of the new Collings Parlor is inspired by some of the earliest steel string guitar designs that form the roots of the modern acoustic guitar family tree. First popularized in the late 19th century, this diminutive guitar has often been overlooked in favor of its larger and louder descendants, but the parlor body style is once again finding its way into the hands of players who appreciate its exceptional tonal balance and responsiveness, as well as its portability and comfortable feel.

Named for what we now call the “living room”, this guitar comes from an era when friends would gather at home to make music before an evening’s entertainment could be readily broadcast, televised or streamed. While it may at first glance seem to be a relic of the past, today with music often being recorded in the living rooms of home studios, streamed from house concerts, and broadcast from tiny desks, perhaps this charismatic and beautiful sounding little guitar has once again found its moment to shine.

Parlor 1 T vs Parlor 2H T vs Parlor Deluxe T

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

• Our 1-style (Parlor 1 T) features Honduran mahogany back and sides with tortoise body binding and ebony butt wedge, custom wood top purfling, a walnut backstrip, dot fingerboard inlays, and a simpler 1-style rosette.
• Our 2-style (Parlor 2H T) features East Indian rosewood back and sides with ivoroid body binding and butt wedge, small brown herringbone top purfling, a “zipper” backstrip, diamonds and squares fingerboard inlays, and a more intricate 2-style rosette.
• Our Deluxe (Parlor Deluxe T) features East Indian rosewood back and sides with ivoroid body, fingerboard, and peghead binding, multi-color wood mosaic purfling, rosette, and backstrip, and no fingerboard inlays.