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 animal protein glue 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 (#27516) in 2017, and it features an upgraded Adirondack Spruce top. In the prewar era, Adirondack Spruce was the primary top wood avialble to American guitarbuilders. These days, Adirondack is considered critical for producing the authentic sound. Rypically harder and stronger than other varieties of spruce,Adirondack produces more volume, power, and clarity.
This 2017 OM1A T has been played and enjoyed, so cosmetically this Collings feels like a worn-in, well-loved used guitar. There is playing wear all around the pickguard and soundhole, and there are a few scuffs and scratches on the top (the worst is on the bass side of the soundhole, see photos). There is some buckle rash on the back that is worth mentioning, and the edges of the headstock show wear and tear from string changes. The previous owner installed an LR Baggs Lyric pickup and a strap button on the heel.
On this 2017 OM1A T, the action is nice and low, so the playability is excellent. Despite the cosmetic wear, the original frets are still in excellent shape, too. Although it is only 7 years old, this Collings has opened up nicely, and it is already developing the nuances and character we love about vintage guitars. Its tone is nicely balanced and steeped in mahogany richness.
This OM1A T includes one of the Collings cases that was manufactured in Austin, Texas, in the same shop as the guitar. At the time, every Traditional model came with the Collings-made case, but a few years after this case was made, Collings stopped manufacturing cases altogether. In all fairness, the Collings 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)