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 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.
This Collings D1 T S (#31757) was made in 2021, and it features an upgraded Baked Sitka top and Vintage Satin finish. Baked Sitka gives a new guitar the seasoned, broken-in richness of a well-loved vintage relic. After the guitar has been played-in for a few years, that openness and richness develops further, and that's what we find on this lovely D1 T.
This 2021 D1 T Satin has been played and enjoyed, so it shows some wear. In particular, there is a some pick wear around the soundhole, and the bass side of the top is worn where your arm comes across. There are some minor bumps around the edges of the body and headstock, and we've done our best to capture the worst in the photos. The original owner installed a strap button on the neck heel, and at present, the setup is in a great spot—playable with .013-gauge strings to give it a big, powerful voice.
This 2021 Collings D1 T 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: Torrefied Sitka Spruce ("Baked")
- Back & Sides: Honduran Mahogany
- Construction: Traditional
- Glue: Animal Protein
- 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, Cutthrough
- Tuners: Relic Nickel Waverly (16:1 ratio)