With the I-30 LC, Collings takes the concept of a double cutaway, fully-hollow, P90-equipped guitar to a higher level. While it may look familiar, the I-30 LC offers musicality and resonance like never before. By developing new techniques and technology, Collings has produced one of the most acoustically responsive and versatile electric guitars we have seen.
The lightweight, "trestle" braced body of the I-30 LC was refined through extensive R&D. It is the extension of lessons learned from Collings' popular I-35 and their Statesman LC series. The trestle brace design directly couples the neck and tail block, creating exceptional strength and acoustical energy transference, while also allowing for a light, responsive feel that is touch sensitive and a joy to experience.
Playing the I-30 LC, you feel the acoustic energy travel through the symmetric arches and re-curves of the top and back. These plates have been custom laminated and voiced for tonality that is like an acoustic in its resonance and dynamic response, yet it remains focused and feedback resistant enough to be utilized in jazz, blues, rock n' roll and other electric settings. Collings' custom-designed trapeze tailpiece provides just the right amount of "give" for a relaxed string feel and effortless playability.
Collings finished this I-30 LC in December of 2023, and it features a full-body Aged Pelham Blue finish with Aged hardware. Although it is a used guitar, this I-30 LC looks to have been played sparingly, if at all. It is almost as clean as we expect a brand new Collings to be from the factory. The Pelham Blue finish is intense and has a stunning three-dimensional quality. Collings' approach to aging is subtle and classy, and the overall effect makes for a very elegant guitar that sounds exceptional plugged in.
While the I-30 LC comes standard with a 1-11/16" nut width, this one was ordered with a wider 1-3/4" nut. The extra room helps you stretch out on the fingerboard. For pickups, this one was ordered with upgraded ThroBak 55/56 Dogear P90s, which are a perfect match for the instrument's natural acoustic response. Plugged in, the Collings wiring harness delivers a wide palette of tones, and the balance between positions is remarkable. Every setting of the volume and tone controls is usable in its own way. Combined with a touch-sensitive, resonant hollowbody feel, the I-30 LC is a next level guitar experience.
- Construction: Fully hollow w/ parallel trestle brace
- Body: Maple laminate w/ highly-figured curly Maple veneer
- Top: Maple laminate w/ highly-figured curly Maple veneer
- Finish: Aged Pelham Blue
- Neck: Honduran Mahogany
- Body Binding: Non-grained Ivoroid
- Fingerboard Binding: Non-grained Ivoroid
- Bridge: Aged Kluson ABR-1 (nickel-plated zinc w/ retains wire)
- Tailpiece: Aged Collings original trapeze
- Fingerboard: Rosewood w/ Mother-of-Pearl 5 mm dots
- Fingerboard Radius: 12"
- Frets: Medium 18% nickel-silver
- Pickups: ThroBak 55/56 Dogear P90s w/ custom aged phenolic covers
- Pots/Caps: DiMarzio 500k / Jupiter Vintage Yellow
- Knobs: Aged Black top hat
- Wiring: '50s style
- Nut: Bone, 1-3/4"
- Scale Length: 24-7/8"
- Tuners: Aged Nickel Gotoh w/ Ivoroid buttons
- Case: Deluxe hardshell from Ameritage