Collings 360 LT M Special Edition

The 360 LT M versatile 360 offset body shape has lent itself to several different adaptations since its inception in 2009. In this latest incarnation, the folks at Collings are delighted to be working with their innovative friends at Mastery, makers of cutting edge hardware components for offset-style guitars. Collings has paired their remarkable offset bridge and vibrato with a solid alder body and a maple neck to gain a further tonal foothold in the offset guitar sonic pallet.

While firmly grounded in the iconic sounds of the offset guitar world, Collings has integrated a set neck and short scale length into the formula, delivering a resonance and feel that is distinctly Collings.

The 360 LT M Special Edition is now available in a limited run of special colors and appointments. Aged Burgundy Mist is the first in a limited series of custom colors that Collings will release throughout the year featuring painted headstocks and new custom metallic gold Collings headstock decals! In addition each special run 360 LT M will feature an alder body, bound fingerboard, and enlarged clay dot markers. This beautifully aged Burgundy Mist edition features Lollar Jazzmaster pickups for its classic tone and looks.

I have spent some very happy time playing this new 360 LT LTD since it arrived at the shop. I’m convinced that this guitar is a must have if you are looking to round out your sonic toolbox. In addition to being an outstandingly fine playing guitar (after all, it’s a Collings, so I expect nothing less) this Limited Edition is both visually stunning and simply an amazing sounding guitar.

How did they do it? Collings chose the perfect iconic woods to pair with Jason Lollar’s superb Jazzmaster-style pickups.

As Lollar describes them: "The Lollar Jazzmaster® style pickups have a tone that falls somewhere between a Strat's sparkle and chime and a Les Paul's midrange and bass. Its fat tone comes from the Jazzmaster's® large surface area as compared with a Strat pickup, which has a more focused, bell-like tone. The detailed treble the Jazzmaster® gets is partly due to its single-coil design and the way its rod magnets are used as individual pole pieces."

I couldn’t describe the sound of these pickups better myself. There is a definition, a kind of hi-fi presence from this guitar that is absolutely perfect if you want to elevate your tonal presence in a band or on a track. Yes, it is very much like a Jazzmaster; but what Collings did was harness this vintage sound and infuse it into a truly first rate, top notch, incredible guitar. It’s like a Jazzmaster on steroids - or with my tongue firmly in my cheek - a Jazzmaster for "grownups."

The Mastery tremolo is a huge improvement over a vintage Jazzmaster/Jaguar. It is so expressive and usable (it stays in tune) for any style of music.

The aged finish is sublime. In typical Collings fashion, they really nailed it. The color is warm and classic. I just love Burgundy Mist, it's one of those finishes you either get or you don't. I remember years ago when I was contemplating getting my first "Mist" James Tyler looked at me and said "you know, it takes a real man to stand behind a Burgundy Mist guitar." It particularly suits the 360's offset body.

So here I am standing behind this wonderful new guitar from Collings and giving it two big thumbs up. Go for it, you won’t be sorry!

If you'd like to find out more about this item, just call or e-mail me. It would be my pleasure to talk to you about it.

ABOUT COLLINGS GUITARS
Bill Collings moved from Ohio to Texas in the mid 1970’s. Spurred by a lack of interest in medical school, this move enabled him to combine lifelong interests in both guitars and tools into the challenge of stringed instrument building and repair. After a couple of years in Houston, several guitars and a few banjos later, he headed west to southern California. Making it only as far as Austin, where he shared shops with fellow luthiers Tom Ellis and Mike Stevens. From there, he set up his own small shop in a wooden "one car" garage. His reputation for outstanding quality and meticulous attention to detail quickly spread. In 1989, he rented a 1000 square foot space and hired two helpers. Fast forward to present day where Collings craftsmanship is respected by professional and amateur musicians alike…anyone on the quest for quality. Some of these include artists; Keith Richards, Lyle Lovett, Pete Townshend, Emmylou Harris, Andy Summers, David Crosby, Chris Hillman, Joni Mitchell, Don Felder, John Sebastian, Lou Reed, John Fogerty, Tim O'Brien, Pete Huttlinger, Kenny Smith, Brian May, Joan Baez, John Prine, Nigel Tufnel of Spinal Tap, and Steven Spielberg to name a few. You owe it to yourself to try one.