Collings 360 ST

Featuring three Blackface pickups from Jason Lollar under custom contoured Bakelite covers, a Gotoh tremolo bridge and a choice of ash or alder body woods, the 360 ST explores the tonal potential of this classic configuration.

The 360 ST pairs the comfortable offset contours and set neck of Collings' 360 model with a new vintage inspired soft V neck profile. The Gotoh tremolo bridge pivots on a two point fulcrum and a new Delrin nut material enables controlled, tuning-stable string bends. A new control layout brings the volume control and 5-position switch up within easy reach for volume swells and quick pickup-position changes. Its long 25.5" scale length creates a snappy string attack that when combined with the chiming musicality of single coils, makes for a beautifully dynamic and responsive instrument with ringing sustain.

Being the strat lover I am, I feel very qualified in my assessment of Collings new model, the 360 ST. I’ve lovingly titled this guitar “A Strat For Grownups.” The set neck, rather than a bolt on, gives this guitar a very “mature” feel, perfect for the player who hasn’t ventured deeply into the typical S style guitar. But truth is, it’s also perfect for the hardcore S-style player, like myself, who wants something a bit more than one would traditionally expect from a 3 single coil guitar. The build quality is superb with one of the best neck profiles I’ve played from Collings.

Super comfy with a vintage-like soft V shape, the 360 ST reminds me a bit of my ’56 Stratocaster neck. Jason Lollar did an outstanding job with his custom pickups. There is nothing tonally lacking here.  All the chime, transparency and tremolo goodness you want from this style guitar but done with the care and build quality that you’d expect with a Collings.

When Bill Collings does something he does it right. He has surpassed my expectations with the new 360 ST.

A very special thanks to the great guitarist Jostein Gulbrandsen for the great demo videos

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.