Collings I35 LC Custom w/ Throbak - Preowned

The newest addition to the Collings I-35 Series features high quality laminate construction (LC) that faithfully reproduces the vintage semi-hollow tone and response desired by professional working musicians. Built alongside their solid wood counterparts with the same meticulous attention to detail, the new LCs offer a unique tone that expands upon the sonic palette of the Collings electric line.

I’m willing to say this right up front. This is one of those holy grail guitars. Really. If you’re a fan of early '60s 335s I do not think you will find a better guitar out there. Even a vintage 335. And I’m convinced this is far beyond anything the Gibson Custom Shop could make on their best day.

Take it and play it alongside anything. You’ll be as jazzed as I am.

I’m a real fan of '60s 335s. There are two things I really love: One is the neck shape. The other is the faded cherry finish that Gibson nailed during that era.

First, you should know, that like a 335, it’s a laminated top. But what you probably don’t know (and should) is that Collings matches laminates to particular instruments. An I-35 LC doesn’t get the same laminate as Collings’ other models. It’s specified exactly for this instrument.

I asked Collings to for a slabby grain laminate maple to match with a vintage 335. They did.

I asked Collings to match the color of Clapton’s and Andy Summers’ 335s. They did. Perfectly.

I asked if they could do a custom neck carve, a sort of a '63 style with (C shape .85-.95) and take a little off the shoulders please. They did.

I even asked them to put the strap button on the heel (which is vintage correct). They did.

And finally, I requested that the pickups be upgraded to Throbaks. Just superb humbuckers with soul, character and individuality.

This is lightest I’ve played. Incredibly, it’s less than seven pounds and unbelievably resonant.

That great '63 Cream sound is all there. All that rich, resonant midrange, but at the same time, it’s just explosive. And it really sings through distortion. You know that sound, right? This will just do it.

From my point of view, great guitars sound great. Really great ones, holy grails, are great across their entire range.

I have to thank the folks at Collings for their dedication and enthusiasm building this amazing guitar. It’s just an outstanding, remarkable playing and sounding guitar with plenty of '60s vibe to bond with any vintage enthusiast.

It is that good. It’s a guitar that I really look forward to saying hello to every time I come into the shop.

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.