Collings

“The pre-war era of American flattop guitar making has come to be known as “golden” for a reason. Lauded for its short but brilliant periods of construction innovation, the years from 1930-1942 were filled with new instrument runs that featured bracing, fret access, and body dimension changes that would define the features and sounds of the modern acoustic guitar. Emerging out of our fascination with this era of guitar making history, Collings is proud to offer the CJ35.

Featuring a mahogany back and slope-shouldered body, this variation of our CJ model incorporates a non-scalloped bracing configuration with three tone bars and a short 24 7/8″ scale length. This design provides the CJ35 with a focused voice and powerful, full-bodied highs, making it equally well-suited for a variety of playing styles.” – From the Collings Website

As stated above, the CJ 35 is Collings’ interpretation of the classic and yet somewhat obscure Gibson J-35 model, which was the precursor to the venerable J-45.  Throughout its relatively short stint in the Gibson line (approximately 5 ½ year), the J-35 was available in effectively four different bracing variations involving combinations of two or three tone bars  and scalloped vs. non-scalloped bracing. On a quick and very obscure aside, there was also a brief shift in the lower angle of the X brace that occurred with the transition to 2-tone bars around 1939, where the formerly wider angle of 102 degree was narrowed to 92 degrees. Presumably this shift in x brace angle was done to add additional support, given the reduction in tone bars, and this narrower angle remained in place until the beginning of the “Banner Era” in 1942.   

While Collings has not provided any measurement on the X-brace angle, it is safe to characterize the CJ-35 as a synthesis of various model years of the J-35. For example, the non-scalloped bracing pattern with three tone bars is more consistent with early J-35s (c. 1936-1937), whereas the beefy rounded C neck contour (introduced in 1939) is consistent with J-35s made between 1939 and 1942. Regardless, this particular bracing pattern generally produces a more direct and mid-range-focused quality of voice.  The resultant powerful and penetrating presence is very effective for flat picking and more aggressive fingerstyle patterns (by contrast, the later wider-braced J-35s generally exhibit a timbre that is more lush and warm). This particular CJ35 was custom-ordered with a baked/torrified Sitka spruce top (currently a $565 option), which imparts a distinctive played-in and powerful openness to the projection, a dry and direct note definition, and quick, well-defined response. Though less significant than the top, the use of Wenge for the fingerboard and bridge is pretty darn cool, as it has a unique visual appeal and also mimics the porosity and hardness of the Brazilian rosewood used by Gibson in the “Golden era.”  

Of course, at the end of the day, there is no Collings that can replicate the sound of an old Gibson—frankly, replication of history has never been the point or their intent.  However, the mere existence of the CJ-35 definitely reflects a strong respect on the part of Collings for the historical and, more importantly, tonal significance of the J-35 upon which it is based.  Even so, while the historical precedent of the J-35 is readily on display (both structurally and aesthetically), one strum of this stunning guitar instantly reveals the carefully considered design and tonal refinement that has consistently set Collings instruments apart. In this respect, the CJ35 is perhaps most accurately described as a very sophisticated and novel homage to a simple, somewhat primitive, American classic.  Along that line, this CJ35’s unique blend of torrefied Sitka, mid-‘30s Gibson mid-range emphasis, and Collings signature firm note foundation, excellent sustain, and beautiful balance translates to one heck of a slope-shouldered jumbo, and a truly rare find for any lefty!  And, as an extra enticing slathering of icing on this Collings cake, this CJ35 SB also includes an ultra-rare and highly collectible Collings-made case.

Condition

This 2018 CJ35SB LH has been lovingly maintained, and subsequently it has no major cosmetic wear or structural damage to report.  EXCEPTIONALLY FINE condition.

• Slope Shoulder Jumbo Body Size (Left-Handed)
• Baked Sitka Spruce Top
• Adirondack Spruce Pre-War Non-Scalloped X-Bracing with Three Tone Bars with Abbreviated Tongue Brace
• Honduran Mahogany Back and Sides
• Ivoroid Body Binding
• Simple Ivoroid Rosette with Black/White Purfling
• Tigerstripe Pickguard
• Style 1 Walnut Backstrip
• High Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer Body Finish
• Sunburst Top
• Honduran Mahogany Neck
• Mortise and Tenon Neck Joint
• Full “C” Neck Carve
• Wenge Fingerboard
• 14-26” Compound Fingerboard Radius
• MOP Long Dot Fingerboard Inlays
• Ebony Headstock Veneer
• “Haircut” Headstock Shape
• High Gloss Polyester Resin Neck Finish
• Wenge Rectangular Bridge
• Nickel Waverly Tuning Machines with Ivoroid Buttons
• Tortoise Pickguard
• Bone Nut
• Bone Through Saddle
• 1 ¾” Nut
• 2 5/16” String Spacing at Saddle
• 24 7/8” Scale Length
• Original Collings Hard Case