Collings I35 Deluxe Iced Tea

Following Bill Collings' habit of naming his guitars after the roads near his shop in Austin, Texas, the I-35 is named after the interstate that runs through Austin. The "35" is no coincidence, as its general shape will be immediately familiar to any who has played an electric guitar.

I am simply astonished at how predictably amazing every Collings guitar that arrives at our shop, is. The quality of their build, by any standard of measure, is simply astonishing.

This wonderful guitar is an I-35 Deluxe. This iced tea finished monster started out as an "artists" special custom build. A Private Reserve tight flamed maple top was hand selected as was a choice Madagascar fingerboard. The neck profile was all hand craved to a very seductive '63 medium C profile (think Clapton's 335). This killer I35 was also upgraded with Throbak SLE101 Plus pickups, which by the way, is the pickup of choice in my Gustavsson Bluesmaster Semis. By a stroke of luck, I was able to grab this guitar in mid-build and steer it's way to the shop. I'm absolutely thrilled that's it here.

This is just a superb guitar, one that I'm finding hard to put down. As always with a Collings, the fit and the finish are just perfect. The fine electric tones are truly representative of one of the finest semi-hollow guitars available. The body's carved wood speaks volumes through any amp, adding a certain nuance that that only comes with the use of premium solid woods. Bottom line… this fantastically versatile Collings I35 comes with my highest recommendation. It's stellar!

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.