Our Traditional Series or “T” guitars represent an exciting vintage-inspired variation on the distinctive Collings sound, designed and crafted to showcase the most desirable characteristics of coveted pre-war instruments. Bracing and tonewoods are adjusted for weight and thickness to create a voicing characterized by warm, rounded highs and a present low midrange, while retaining a quick attack and strong projection.

01 12-Fret T vs 02H 12-Fret T

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

• Our 1-style (01 12-Fret T) features Honduran mahogany back and sides with tortoise body binding and butt wedge, custom wood top purfling, a walnut backstrip, dot fingerboard inlays, and a simpler 1-style rosette.
• Our 2-style (02H 12-Fret 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.

Standard (01 12-Fret) vs Traditional (01 12-Fret T)

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

• Our standard series instruments (non-T) offer the classic Collings voice, which features shimmery highs, a punchy midrange, a tight and clean low end, and maximum headroom with a quick response.  The standard neck profile is our Modified V with 1 13/16″ nut width and 2 5/16″ string spacing.  Standard instruments also offer a wider range of custom options than Traditionals.
• Our Traditional series instruments (T) offer a slightly looser, more “broken in” feel and tone, featuring a rounder high end and fuller low midrange, along with our Traditional aesthetic appointments, such as gold MOP inlays and custom wood purflings and rosette.  Traditional models also feature an ultra-thin nitrocellulose lacquer body finish, no tongue brace, and a unique neck construction designed to complement the looser feel and voicing, along with our Traditional neck carve.  Due to the vintage-inspired vision for these guitars, Traditional instruments are offered with limited custom options.