The Traditional Series (or "T-Series”) reflects Bill Collings' return to his guitar making roots, and these models offer a new tonal variation on the distinctive Collings sound. Each T-Series guitar is built using '30s-inspired designs 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.
This Collings D1A T S (#33440) was made in 2023, and it features an upgraded Adirondack Spruce and Vintage Satin finish. Adirondack Spruce was the preferred top wood in the 1930s, and it is a stiffer, more resonant tonewood with greater headroom, allowing for stronger note articulation and a livelier, more complex sound. Combined with the Traditional package and extra-thin Vintage Satin Finish, the Adirondack Top is starting to open up, developing richer tonal depth and warmth the more it is put through the paces.
This 2023 D1A T Satin has been played, but it is in nice shape all around, showing only minimal play wear. The setup is in a great spot—very playable with .013-gauge strings to give it a big, powerful voice. Although most T Series Collings come with a cutthrough saddle, this one was ordered with a modern drop-in, which allows for greater flexibility with setup adjustments down the road. It also opens up what pickups you can install, but no pickup or strap button is installed yet, so that's your call!
This 2023 Collings D1A T S is a proper mahogany dreadnought that produces a robust tone that cuts through the mix. The trebles sing, the mid-range is woody and detailed, and low-end depth balances out the tone. Most guitars that sound like this are substantially older, but this gently-used Collings not only sounds fantastic, it also plays perfectly thanks to modern-day precision. It includes its original TKL hardshell case.
- Body: 14-Fret Dreadnought
- Top: Adirondack
- Back & Sides: Honduran Mahogany
- Construction: Traditional
- Body Finish: Satin 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, Drop-In
- Tuners: Relic Nickel Waverly (16:1 ratio)