Collings I35LCV Faded Cherry, Ron Ellis P/Us

After several years in development and numerous prototype iterations, Collings is excited to introduce an I-35 as you've never experienced — the new I-35 LC Vintage.

Drawing inspiration from the best instruments of the 1960s, Collings' newest offering in the I-35 lineup provides an exceptionally loose and organic feel, achieved through a ground-up reworking of everything from its laminate and center block recipes to its neck construction. Custom Ron Ellis pickups and Bumblebee capacitors bring its open, acoustic response to life, expanding its versatility and proving that, although it looks every bit like a time-tested instrument, its appeal is more than just skin deep.

Collings has upped their game with their I35 LC Vintage model guitar. That's a challenging task when the company already has some of the finest ES-style semi-hollows on the market. Immersed in the culture of quality and inspiration that drove Bill Collings, they strive to draw from the very best in every Collings guitar. If there is magic to be found, they leave no stone unturned in their search. So it's no real surprise that I'm impressed after playing this inspired model. And I mean genuinely impressed. Besides being a joy to play (impeccable quality) and a pleasure to hold (ergonomic and lightweight), the sound captures the tone of a fine vintage guitar.

The addition of Ron Ellis Signature Humbuckers adds another layer of clear and articulate tone. Ron says, "The Signature set uses a unique recipe of materials to deliver the best of the best clear and articulate PAF sound and feel."

The builders found a way to capture that throaty, dry, woody, articulate vintage sonic palette right out of the box—no years of waiting. To improve the experience, they tweaked their neck profile and warmly aged the finish and hardware to elevate the vintage vibe. Sporting this warm faded Cherry finish, the I35LC Vintage is a guitar destined to be a classic.

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.