Although Bill Collings' built his company and its reputation off of top-notch acoustics, Collings shocked the industry when they started tinkering with electric designs in 2006. By 2007, Collings had an impressive lineup of electric guitars, including the solid-body 290.
Named for the scenic 290 highway that winds past the Collings shop though the Texas Hill Country, the 290 is a modern-day tribute to the original working man's rock 'n roll guitar. The 290 is simple and effective.
This 290 (#7294) was made in 2007, and it's a great example of an early Collings electric guitar. It features a solid Mahogany body and a TV Yellow finish that—after 17 years—is starting to fade and mellow like a fine vintage guitar. Even though this is an early Collings electric, the specs haven't really changed much, but the price tag has ha! C-shaped neck, two Lollar P90s, '50s-style wiring—sometimes simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
One change since 2007: Collings originally used Sperzl tuners on all electric models, but they have since switched to Gotoh. The reason for the change was that the Sperzl buttons tended to crack and deteriorate over time, and that happened on this one. The buttons have been replaced, so it's good to go, just like the new ones.
As far as condition, there is some superficial play wear here and there, but this one is pretty clean! Some fret ends have sprouted through the finish along the edge of the fingerboard, and there's a small ding on the back of the cutaway. The setup is excellent, and the frets have plenty of life left in them. This 290 includes its original Collings-branded TKL hardshell case.
- Body: Solid Honduran Mahogany
- Neck: Solid Honduran Mahogany
- Bridge: Kluson ABR-1 (Nickel-plated Zinc)
- Tailpiece: Kluson Stop Tailpiece (Nickel-plated Zinc, steel studs)
- Fingerboard: Rosewood w/ 5mm Ivoroid dots
- FIngarbod Radius: 12"
- Frets: Medium 18% nickel-silver
- Pickup: Lollar P90 set
- Wiring: '50s Style
- Knobs: Black top hat
- Pickguard: 3-Ply Black
- Truss Rod Cover: 3-Ply Black
- Nut: Bone, 1-11/16"
- Scale Length: 24-7/8"
- Tuners: Nickel Sperzl w/ replaced buttons
- Case: Deluxe Hardshell from TKL