Collings

Extrapolating from what we know to be true of what we consider to be quintessential Collings SJ recipe (that being a Sitka spruce top combined with Maple back and sides), this showpiece SJ was designed to yield a tone that imparts a soupcon of Gibson flavor.  This is partly achieved by reducing the scale to 24 7/8”.  The reduced string length naturally creates a more relaxed feel, consistent with most Gibsons. More importantly, however, the associated reduction in string tension also produces a warmer and smoother edge to the note, thus producing a tone that is a little more reminiscent of a Gibson’s signature thump, without losing the carefully-crafted Collings clarity.       

Meanwhile, as a maple version of the model, this SJ definitely lives up to the builders’ claims of enhanced mid range presence, healthy bass response, and impressive volume.  And, while maple is known to be less saturated and less complex than other popular tonewoods, this inherent directness and punchy response is manifestly well-mated with an Old Growth Sitka top.  When compared to a conventional Sitka spruce, the Old Growth Sitka exhibits additional breadth of tone, a slightly faster response, and increased headroom—in many respects, Old Growth Sitka represents a blend of the attractive crispness and dynamic range of Adirondack/Red spruce and the openness and “played-in” feel of a torrefied top (or “baked” top in the parlance of Collings).  For these reasons, we’ve become big fans of the Old Growth Sitka option (which, incidentally, is fairly modest in cost) in recent years.

All of this translates to a physically comfortable guitar that is endowed with a presence that is commanding and candid, but also malleable and capable of generating as much nuance as the player chooses to extract.  To top it all off, these beautiful and inspiring sonic qualities are mirrored by this SJ’s striking aesthetic: a resplendent display of curly maple with a touch of aging toner that is softly accented by the caramel hues of tasteful curly Koa binding, with a final flare of sunburst.  Indeed, even among its Collings brethren, this SJ is a standout that makes visual and musical statement.

Condition

Overall, this guitar was very well-maintained, spending its time parked in a home studio. That said, it was actively used as a recording instrument and has picked up a few blemishes in its relatively short time on this earth.  While any and all points of wear are quite insignificant, we note the following: There is a string of shallow scuffs on the top at the treble side upper bout—the most detectable of these measures approximately ¼” x 1/32”, where those that extend towards the binding are almost faint enough to overlook. There are two pinhead-sized dings on the back, each measuring approximately 1/32” in diameter—one is somewhat centered in the bass-side lower bout, the other is roughly in the middle of the treble-side upper bout towards the binding. There is otherwise no other wear to note.  The guitar has otherwise been modified with a strap button and a K&K Pure Mini pickup.  EXCELLENT+ to NEAR MINT condition

• Small Jumbo Body
• Old Growth Sitka Spruce Top
• Pre-War Scalloped Top Bracing
• Adirondack Braces
• Flamed European Maple Back and Sides
• Koa Body Binding
• Black and White Top Purfling
• Checkered Back Strip
• 3-Ring Rosette with Koa Strip
• High Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer Body Finish
• Sunburst Top
• Flamed Maple Neck
• Mortise and Tenon Hybrid Neck Joint
• C-Shape Neck Carve
• Ebony Fingerboard with 14-26” Compound Radius
• Koa Fingerboard and Headstock Binding
• Grained Ivoroid Fingerboard and Headstock Purfling
• Mother of Pearl Modern Split Diamond Fingerboard Inlays
• Ebony Headstock Veneer
• Mother of Pearl Headstock Logo
• Mother of Pearl Modern Diamond Inlay
• High Gloss Neck Finish
• Ebony Belly Bridge
• Nickel Waverly Tuning Machines (16:1 Ratio)
• Bone Nut and Drop-In Saddle
• Ebony Bridge Pins and Endpin with Mother of Pearl Dots
• Faux Tortoiseshell Beveled Pickguard
• 1 ¾” Nut Width
• 2 3/16” String Spacing at the Bridge
• 24 7/8” Scale Length
• Nickel Strap Button Added
• K&K Pure Mini Pickup Added
• Original Arched Top Hard Case