Overview :- Does perfection exist ? – Within the topics of tonal character, playability, or aesthetics then maybe not – To the point that different guitars possess different attributes, rather than been better or worse – ie compare a Strat to a Les Paul – Guitar players are more than happy to talk about such qualities and preferences on a regular basis – However, I can easily say that this used Collings i35LC Vintage, from 2022, is one of the finest guitars I’ve ever played – Certainly when I consider its tonal character and playability along side other 335 based guitars that I’ve owned and sold over the last 50 years or so – Collings have always been amongst the finest when we talk about build quality and attention to detail, so a tour of the nitro, lightly aged, tobacco sunburst gloss finish will reveal this i35LC Vintage certainly supports their well earned reputation – For me, the 15″ body width makes it easier to handle compared to the more conventional 16″ body width of most 335 based guitars – So please read on to find out more this used i35LC Vintage : –
Collings i35LC Vintage – used from 2022
- Click here to visit the Collings web site page
- Click here to read a review of the i35LC Vintage courtesy of Vintage Guitar Magazine
- Complete with deluxe Ameritage case and appropriate tags
- Whole guitar weighs 6lbs and 13oz
- Traditional lam body – revisted formula plus maple centre block
- Non grained Ivoroid body + fingerboard binding – yellowed for old school mojo
- Thin nitro gloss finish – lightly aged – fairly subtle lacquer checking and fade to add old school character but not abused
- One piece Honduras mahogany neck + 12″ radius rosewood fingerboard with mother of pearl dot inlays
- 1 11/16″ traditional nut width
- 24 7/8″ scale length
- Comfortable depth to a C neck profile – measures .850″ at the top nut end and fattens out to .990″ at the 12th fret
- Medium size frets with nibs over the binding
- Vintage style Kluson ABR-1 bridge + Kluson tail piece – nickel plated zinc
- Modern Gotoh enclosed machine heads with ‘ivoroid’ cream tuning buttons
- Custom wound Throbak 102 humbuckers with nickel covers – both measure around 7.32K
- Condition wise :- as per the day it left Austin Texas – looks like it has barely been played
- Re-strung with 10-46 gauge strings and set-up with a slinky easy action that responds to a light touch
I love this quote that I borrowed from the Collings Guitars web site ‘There are lots of products created with no greater aspiration than to be sold to a consumer, but as consumers of expensive musical instruments, many of us value the subtle signs that tell us the builder cared more than he had to – That careful thought, superior materials and skilled hands have all contrived to create an instrument that transcends the ordinary and defines the extraordinary – This is the best reason, in our opinion, to consider buying a superior instrument like this Collings i35LC in the first place – If you simply need a guitar, you can buy one that is reasonably playable and creates a reasonably good sound these days for under £200, but you won’t be buying an instrument that has been artfully crafted from the best materials, or one that is capable of producing an extraordinary playing experience’
Aesthetics and Tribute :- There is no mistaking the influence behind the Collings i35LC Vintage, so as against trying to re-invent the wheel, the Collings approach is to simply add a few very effective yet subtle tweaks, select the finest ingredients, coupled with impeccable workmanship and attention to detail, to ensure the i35LC Vintage delivers the ultimate playing experience – The Collings method is to build one guitar at a time, hence all woods, pots, capacitors and pick-ups are hand picked to ensure that all components work in harmony – Appraise the i35LC, then you’ll fully appreciate that the knowledge, evaluation, and attention to detail that Collings possesses pays dividends in the end – The i35LC Vintage utilises a laminate maple approach for the body, in the same manner as a Gibson ES335, albeit with a slightly smaller body, at 15″ width, on the lower bout – The Collings i35LC is not a ‘Plain Jane’ guitar, yet its simplicity is its appeal
Tonal character :- First of all I need to point out that the i35 is more than happy to be played with its controls wide open on 10, or with the pots ‘rolled off’ – Played with the pots ‘rolled off’ does not harm the guitars expressive character one little bit, but it does deliver a softer voice, that is silky and smooth, yet still retains its excellent articulation – So for chilled out jazz and blues based players, or rock players wanting a more subtle option, then the ‘rolled off’ approach is the best route, with the volume pots around 6 or 7 – Trim the tone pot as required, with levels below five delivering some ‘woody’ jazz tones, that are dark without sounding mushy – For silky licks and seductive blues/jazz chords this approach works so well and delivers all the tone, emotion and soul that you’ll ever need – The neck pick-up is fat, smooth and warm with incredible string separation, plus full, tight and clear lows, plus soft sparkling highs – The bridge pick-up has enough bite to cut and add plenty of attack, coupled with enough mids to add body, with again enough bass to add depth – One of the best options is to leave the selector switch in the middle position, then just fade in/out the 2 volume controls as required to offer subtle, yet effective tonal variations – From the fat blues tones of BB or Freddie King, to the slick and silky tones of Larry Carlton and Robben Ford, this a 335 semi based guitar at its absolute best – All this time I’ve still talked about the i35LC with the pots ‘rolled off’, so now let’s take them back up to 10, to give you that wide open boost option, that many rock players may require – Plenty of attack and dynamics but still so musically warm – Very open tone, so even with hi-gain amp settings, you can still hear the guitars tonal qualities and expression – No shortage of natural sustain, so when hooked up to your amp it will wailllllll as long as required – Overall the i35LC is a very infectious guitar, that is loaded with soul, character and expression and they are indeed great assets to be found in such a wonderful instrument
A large portion of the overall tone comes from the wood and in particular the neck – Fat neck, fat tone, thin neck thin tone, so like many fine 335 based instruments, the Collings i35LC Vintage has a medium to full neck profile, with a flavour taken from the late 50’s Gibson golden era – Hence enough girth to enrich the tone, sustain and stability, but not to the point that it impedes the playing experience – The Collings may not exactly play itself, but you try and put it down and stop playing it
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Guitars4You is not another corporate high street guitar store - My selection of premium grade guitars is about quality not quantity. Every guitar has been selected, inspected and approved by me, with particular attention to the set-up and playing performance. Every sale, phone call, email and mail order transaction is handled by me. A journey that is now over 50 years old, has fuelled my knowledge, experience, love, devotion and passion for exceptionally fine guitars.