Collings electric guitars may look like familiar recreations of iconic vintage templates, but somehow Collings finds a way to push classic designs lightyears into the future. With unparalleled attention to detail and an uncompromising commitment to quality, Collings takes the electric guitar to a new level.
The I-35 LC is the flagship model that features the custom laminated construction technique Bill Collings and his R&D team developed in pursuit of the best tonal qualities of the vintage semi-hollow guitar design. Bill determined that—when crafting electric instruments designed to be used at higher volumes—the resonant qualities of a guitar need a high degree of focus to achieve the classic semi-hollow guitar tones we all love from sought-after vintage examples. After years of refining the design, Collings is able to produce laminate instruments that respond acoustically in perfect harmony with their electronics. The specific laminate construction is customized for each model, and it allows Collings to optimize the voice of their instruments for superior response and tone.
The Collings I-35 LC is an articulate, dynamic—and impressively versatile—electric guitar. Despite the laminate construction, its semi-hollow design retains impressive natural acoustic resonance, which translates nicely into its electric tone. For pickups, Collings looks to Jason Lollar and is crew in Tacoma, Wa., for custom-wound humbuckers that fit the model perfectly. The I-35 LC uses low-wind Imperial Humbuckers with brighter tonality than standard, lending the guitar exceptional definition and touch response. These pickups communicate the guitar's natural harmonic content beautifully.
Because each Collings guitar is essentially a custom-made instrument (where we have the opportunity to pick, choose, and fuss over every single spec), we like to order Collings electrics inspired by some of our favorite vintage guitars. This I-35 LC pays homage to an incredible 1961 semi-hollow original we had a few years ago. It features a gorgeous Faded Cherry finish, which sets off with the subtle patina of the non-grained ivoroid binding. For hardware, it has a Bigsby vibrato tailpiece and a Kluson ABR-1 bridge. We also specified the '60s Neck carve option, which is slightly slimmer than the standard "Full C" profile. Make no mistake, it's still a substantial neck—not a toothpick—but it is comfortable and fast. If you're familiar with the old ones, it feels closer to the early '60s spec than the standard Collings profile.
- Construction: Semi-hollow w/ maple center block
- Body: Maple laminate
- Top: Maple laminate
- Neck: Honduran Mahogany
- Finish: Faded Cherry
- Body & Fingerboard Binding: Non-grained ivoroid
- Peghead binding: None
- Peghead Veneer: Stained Ebony w/ Mother-of-Pearl Collings logo
- Fingerboard: Solid Rosewood
- Fingerboard Inlays: 5mm Mother-of-Pearl dots
- Fingerboard Radius: 12"
- Frets: Medium 18% nickel-silver
- Neck Profile: '60s carve
- Scale Length: 24-7/8"
- Nut: Bone, 1-11/16"
- Bridge: Kluson ABR-1(nickel-plated zinc w/ retaining wire)
- Tailpiece: Bigsby B7
- Wiring: '50s Style
- Pickups: Lollar Low Wind Imperial Humbuckers
- Pots/Caps: DiMarzio 500K / Jupiter Vintage Yellow
- Knobs: Black top hat bell reflector knobs
- Pickup Rings: Black
- Pickguard: Black/Cream/Black
This Collings I-35 LC (serial #201464) is a next-level electric guitar designed for a musician who wants to take vintage tone to higher level. It is an inspiring guitar that will push you to be the player you've always wanted to be. It includes a deluxe hardshell case from Ameritage. Nobody does it like Collings!