The Traditional Series (or "T-Series”) reflects Bill Collings' return to his guitar making roots, and these models offer a different tonal variation on the distinctive Collings sound. Each T-Series guitar is built using a prewar-inspired approach and a very thin, all-nitrocellulose lacquer finish. The goal is to produce exceptionally dynamic and responsive instruments—a modern approach to the Old World templates. Bracing and tone woods are adjusted for weight and thickness to create a voicing characterized by warm, rounded highs and present low midrange, while retaining quick attack and strong projection.
Collings built this OM1A T (#28996) in 2018, and it features an upgraded Adirondack Spruce top. In the prewar era, Adirondack Spruce was the primary top wood available to American guitarbuilders. These days, Adirondack is considered critical for producing the authentic sound. Typically harder and stronger than other varieties of spruce, Adirondack produces more volume, power, and clarity.
This 2018 OM1A T was made when Collings still used Animal Protein on the Traditional Series. It has developed a balanced tone with strong, but responsive projection and plenty of bass presence. Trebles sparkle with nuance, the midrange sounds woody and rich, and everything cuts like it should.
This 2018 OM1A T has been played, so it shows play wear in most of the obvious areas. The worst are two small dings on the top upper bout, a few inches to the bass side of the fingerboard extension, and there are also some scuffs and wear around the edge of the treble side (see photos). The saddle has been lowered, and the current setup plays nicely with low and inviting action. The previous owner installed a K&K Pure Mini under the hood, so this Collings is ready for the stage. Interestingly, the neck heel has been left pristine and there is not a strap button installed. If you'd prefer one, we're happy to install it free of charge, but it's nice to see a late-model Collings that has been spared from the power drill (or worse, some kind of bizarre placement....)
This OM1A T includes one of the Collings Traditional cases that were manufactured in Austin, Texas, in the same shop as the guitars. At the time, every Traditional model came with the Collings-made case, but soon after this case was made, Collings stopped manufacturing cases altogether. In all fairness, the Collings Traditional cases might be the finest cases ever made.
- Body: 14-Fret Orchestra Model
- Top: Adirondack Spruce
- Back & Sides: Honduran Mahogany
- Construction: Traditional
- Glue: Animal Protein
- Body Finish: Gloss ultra-thin nitrocellulose lacquer
- Braces: Sitka Spruce
- Brace Pattern: Custom Traditional Series pre-war scalloped X-brace (no tongue brace)
- Binding: Tortoise w/ custom wood purfling
- Rosette: Custom wood rosette
- Backstrip: 1-style (Walnut)
- Neck: Honduran Mahogany
- Fingerboard: Ebony with Gold Mother-of-Pearl Dot Inlay
- Fingerboard Radius: 14"-26" compound
- Frets: Medium 18% nickel-silver
- Nut: Bone, 1-3/4"
- Neck Profile: Traditional
- Scale Length: 25-1/2"
- Bridge: Ebony belly-style with 2-5/16" spacing
- Saddle: Bone, Cutthrough
- Tuners: Relic Nickel Waverly (16:1 ratio)