Collings

“Drawing inspiration from the best instruments of the 1960s, our latest 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 ThroBak pickups, Luxe Bumblebee capacitors, and our proprietary aged finish and hardware process bring its open, acoustic response to life, expanding its versatility and proving that, although it looks every bit the part of a time-tested instrument, its appeal is more than just skin deep.

While the I-35LC and I-35LCV share the same body dimensions, they differ in some key respects:

The I-35 LC features our standard laminate construction and center block formulas, neck design, and electronics, including Lollar Low Wind Imperial humbuckers (standard), Jupiter Vintage Yellow capacitors, and non-aged finish and hardware (standard).  Non-“Vintage” I-35 and I-35 LC models are available with a wide variety of custom options.

The I-35 LC Vintage features unique laminate construction / center block formulas and redesigned neck, all designed to provide a looser, more vintage-inspired tone and response.  Adding to that character, it also features custom ThroBak ESG-102B humbuckers and Luxe Bumblebee capacitors, plus our aged finish and hardware treatment.  In keeping with the vision for this model, our I-35 LC Vintage is available with very limited custom options.”  - From the Collings website

As the statement from Collings above suggests, the I-35LCV has been a very exciting addition to their already tremendous electric guitar lineup. As advertised, the I-35LCV has a unique construction, with an emphasis on lighter tolerances. This is largely achieved by a combination of a novel maple/spruce laminate center block in concert with a unique lamination recipe for the body—Collings crafts all of their laminates in-house, enabling them to very specifically voice the material. This model is also entirely finished with nitrocellulose lacquer (Collings uses polyester neck finishes on many other models) that has been lightly aged by way of freeze-checking to create the aesthetic appeal of a “closet queen” vintage guitar. These lighter tolerances, along with to some extent the aging treatment, translates to an airier and more resonant quality of sound when played acoustically. This vintage acoustic airy openness is further enhanced by the innately chimey, borderline microphonic nature of the custom ThroBak humbuckers, which closely mirror the behavior of the famous Gibson P.A.F. humbuckers (which were bridghter and lower output by modern standards). In short, the I-35LCV represents a true marriage a vintage precedent and modern reinterpretations—it truly is a modern classic that could rival, if not outperform, some of the best vintage guitars one could throw into the mix. This particular blonde example was evidently one of the first produced; and, as used guitars go it is just what we look for: loved, but practically unused, in terms of condition. As such, it is a tremendous value.

Condition

This I-35LCV was clearly very well-maintained, as there are no structural issues or no cosmetic wear to note (other than the intended checking/aged treatment, of course!).  EXCEPTIONALLY FINE CONDITION.

• Double Cutaway 15” Semi-Hollow Body with Maple/Spruce Center Block
• Laminated Maple Top
• Laminated Honduran Mahogany Body
• Two Unbound F-Holes
• Non-Grained Ivoroid Body Binding
• Aged Blonde High Gloss Nitrocellulose Body Finish
• Honduran Mahogany Neck
• Extra-Long Mortise and Tenon Neck Joint
• Indian Rosewood Fingerboard
• Non-Grained Ivoroid Fingerboard Binding
• Mother of Pearl Dot Fingerboard Inlays
• 12” Fingerboard Radius
• “Haircut” Headstock
• Ebony Headstock Veneer
• Mother of Pearl Collings Logo
• Aged Blonde High Gloss Nitrocellulose Body Finish
• Black/Cream/BlackTruss Rod Cover
• Black/Cream/Black Pickguard
• Aged Nickel Kluson ABR-1 Bridge and Stop Tailpiece
• Aged Gotoh Tuners with Collings Logo and Ivoroid Buttons
• ThroBak ESG-102B Humbucking Pickups
• '50s Style Wiring
• 2 Volume and 2 Tone Controls
• CTS 500K Potentiometers and Luxe Bumblebee Capacitors
• Gold Bonnet Control Knobs with Foil Reflector Tops
• 3-Way Bone Nut
• 1 11/16” Nut Width
• 24-7/8” Scale Length
• 6.8 lbs
• Original Ameritage Hard Case