Our Hill Country series (“HC”) introduces an acoustic option that has been pushed to the far end of the tonal spectrum with a strong fundamental voice that is both warm and woody.  These guitars have a dry character and full low end that bluegrass players, in particular, will find familiar and right at home in any jam, although their responsiveness and warmth make them highly versatile and appealing for a wide range of styles.

All Hill Country models include an Adirondack spruce top, a hand-poured pickguard, wedge, and rosette ring, and a stamped logo on the back of the peghead with no logo on the front, among other unique features.

1-Style vs 2-Style

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

• Our 1-style (OM1 A HC) features Honduran mahogany back and sides with tortoise body binding, a walnut backstrip, dot fingerboard inlays, and a simpler 1-style rosette.
• Our 2-style (OM2 A HC) features East Indian rosewood back and sides with ivoroid body binding, a “zipper” backstrip, diamonds and squares fingerboard inlays, and a more intricate 2-style rosette.

Standard vs Traditional (T) vs Hill Country (HC)

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

• Our standard series instruments 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 than our standard series with 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, plus our Traditional neck carve.  Traditional instruments are offered with limited custom options.
• Our Hill Country series shifts the tonal palette to the far end of the spectrum with a strong fundamental voice that is both warm and full, along with unique appointments, such as our matching, hand-poured pickguard, rosette ring, wedge, and heel cap, plus the Collings logo stamped on the back of the peghead. Hill Country instruments also require additional voicing and build stages and are offered with limited custom options.

*Shown with optional sunburst top and satin finish