The square-shouldered 14-fret dreadnought is the most popular steel-string acoustic guitar body shape in the world. While Collings is far from the only company to build them, we bring a new tonal clarity to the depth and warmth usually associated with such a large, deep-bodied instrument. Although its bass response makes the dreadnought ideal for vocal accompaniment, Collings versions are also often employed by bluegrass flatpickers who must compete with inherently louder instruments, such as banjos and fiddles. The wide range of woods and neck sizes offered allow dreadnought fans to find a Collings model ideally suited to their playing style and tonal preference.

D1 vs D2H vs D3

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

• Our 1-style (D1) 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 (D2H) 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 (D3) 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.

Standard (D1) vs Traditional (D1 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 11/16″ nut width and 2 3/16″ 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.