Handmade Electric Guitars - Artisan Guitars

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Collings City Limits Deluxe Flamed Maple With Iced Tea Sunburst Finish and Jason Lollar Humbuckers

Collings SoCo Deluxe Custom Vintage White

Collings City Limits Gold Top with Lollar Pickups and Wraparound Bridge

Collings Eastside Laminated Maple Construction

Collings 360 Electric Tobacco Sunburst with Jason Lollar Mini-Humbucker and P90

2010 Gibson ES-DS 335 Faded Cherry Satin Finish

National ResoLectric Sunburst Finish with Jason Lollar P90

Collings City Limits Custom Metalflake Candy Apple Finish with Lollar P90′s

Collings City Limits Deluxe Rootbeer Finish with Lollar Humbuckers

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Collings City Limits Deluxe Flamed Maple With Iced Tea Sunburst Finish and Jason Lollar Humbuckers

Scale: 24 7/8" | Nut Width: 1 11/16" | Top: Flamed Maple | Back: Mahogany

Bill Collings has been making some of the most highly regarded acoustic guitars in the world for quite some time, so when he decided to build electric guitars, musicians were chomping at the bit to see what would happen. The flawless construction, the incredible attention to detail, and the Collings quality are all here. Collings has redesigned a classic guitar with players in mind and the now famous meticulous construction, and attention to detail is nothing short of astonishing. This City Limits Deluxe with Flamed Maple top, is the ultimate Les Paul and with Lollar Humbuckers, this guitar was born for rock and roll!

From Collings' website: "Crafted with the finest seasoned maple and mahogany, the CL Deluxe is built for tone. Lightweight, resonant mahogany combined with a carefully hand-set mortise and tenon neck joint bring tonal complexity and sustain to the table in spades. Sleekly contoured for comfort and style, we've brought new life to an American classic." We, honestly, could not agree more. The CL Deluxe is clearly influenced by classic American solidbodies of the past, and to say they hit their mark is an understatement.

The body is cleverly designed with ergonomic contouring at both sides of the waist. This commonly overlooked feature is quite brilliant, making already effortless playability even more comfortable. Weighing in at a just over 8 lb., the CL Deluxe is easy to manage and perfectly balanced. Whether on the stage or in the studio, the CL Deluxe feels right at home. The neck profile is a well rounded C shape that is unique to the Collings lineup. The neck joint is angled toward the cutaway; following the body lines. This slight change fills your hand in a more natural way, easing the curse that other single cutaway guitars have. Playability is what we have come to expect from a Collings - effortless and untroubled up and down the fingerboard. Combine that with Collings reputation for intonation perfection - and you have a force to be reckoned with.

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Tags: city limits deluxe, collings, cutaway, electric, humbuckers, iced tea, les paul, lollar, maple, sunburst

Collings SoCo Deluxe Custom Vintage White

Scale: 24 7/8" | Nut Width: 1 11/16" | Top: Mahogany | Back: Mahogany

Named after Austin's funky and eclectic South Congress Avenue, the SoCo Deluxe is all about attitude. This model brings in elements from both the I-35 and CL models to create a unique hybrid that is all its own. Who says you can't have your cake and eat it too?

This custom Soco Dlx features a fully carved mahogany top with f-holes over a mahogany back and sides with an inset maple center block. The Mahogany top provides a darker, warmer tone than the maple tops will produce (see our City Limits comparisons).

The rich tone and resonance of this guitar is astonishing, even without being plugged in. Notes are effortlessly articulated, responding to your ever command. The unique hand set mortise and tenon neck joint reflects Bill Collings philosophy – ingenuity and functionality. The angled shape of the joint fits perfectly in your palm. Reaching for the 21st fret is effortless; unlike any electric we’ve played before.

This Custom Soco Deluxe features many custom appointments such as Parallelogram Inlays, a Flared Peghead, Bigsby Tremolo, Black/White Top Purfling, Ebony fretboard, and custom Ivoroid knobs and pickup rings.

This Collings Soco Deluxe features twin TV Jones Filter-tron Classic pickups, instead of the standard two humbuckers. TV Jones has been building such fine quality reproductions of Gretsch type pickups that they started using his creations in all of their high end guitars. These pickups reproduce the look, feel, and tone of the classic 50's Gretsch guitars heard on many a Nashville session recording. The bridge has "the" twang tone to put all others to shame. Rock-a-billy, country, swing, jazz, and the list can go on and on, this guitar just sounds as good as it feels & looks!

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Tags: collings, soco deluxe, sunburst, tiger eye

Collings City Limits Gold Top with Lollar Pickups and Wraparound Bridge

Scale: 24 7/8" | Nut Width: 1 11/16" | Top: Maple with Custom Gold Finish | Back: Mahogany

Hear This Instrument: Collings City Limits Gold Top with Lollar Pickups and Wraparound Bridge through a Carr Sportsman

Recorded In-House on a Sony PCM-D50 handheld recorder with no compression or eq.

Bill Collings has been making some of the most highly regarded acoustic guitars in the world for quite some time, so when he decided to build electric guitars, musicians were chomping at the bit to see what would happen. The flawless construction, the incredible attention to detail, and the Collings quality are all here. Collings has redesigned a classic guitar with players in mind and the now famous meticulous construction, and attention to detail is nothing short of astonishing. This custom City Limits with a Flamed Maple top, is the ultimate Les Paul and with Lollar Humbuckers, this guitar was born for rock and roll!

From Collings' website: "Crafted with the finest seasoned maple and Honduran mahogany, the CL is built for tone. Lightweight, resonant mahogany combined with a carefully hand-set mortise and tenon neck joint bring tonal complexity and sustain to the table in spades. Sleekly contoured for comfort and style, we've brought new life to an American classic." We, honestly, could not agree more. The CL is clearly influenced by classic American solidbodies of the past, and to say they hit their mark is an understatement.

The body is cleverly designed with ergonomic contouring at both sides of the waist. This commonly overlooked feature is quite brilliant, making already effortless playability even more comfortable. Weighing in at a just over 8 lb., the Collings City Limits is easy to manage and perfectly balanced. Whether on the stage or in the studio, the CL feels right at home. The neck profile is a well rounded C shape that is unique to the Collings lineup. The neck joint is angled toward the cutaway; following the body lines. This slight change fills your hand in a more natural way, easing the curse that other single cutaway guitars have. Playability is what we have come to expect from a Collings - effortless and untroubled up and down the fingerboard. Combine that with Collings reputation for intonation perfection - and you have a force to be reckoned with.

This guitar features a Custom Gold Top. The contour and shape of this guitar only add to the detail of this finish. Aesthetic balance is a bit of a passion for Mr. Bill Collings, and each of his electrics exhibit their own understated style - unique from model to model. The fit and finish of the Collings City Limits may be astonishing to some - but it is what we have come to expect from the folks at Collings. No detail is left incomplete, yet nothing is overdone or exploited. The body is bound with grained ivoroid, a refreshing change from blindingly stark white plastic. The truss rod cover, tuning buttons, and covers all share this same material - and its one of the many features that set Collings apart.

This Custom Collings City Limits has two select Jason Lollar P-90 pickups. The P-90 is a single coil electric guitar pickup first produced by Gibson in 1946. They were introduced to replace the "bar pickup" (aka the Charlie Christian pickup) in models like the ES-150. Towards the end of the 40's P90's were the main pickup used on all models, including the Les Paul introduced in 1952. The P-90, in general, will be brighter and more transparent than a humbucker. They feature a boosted mid-range and some of the twang of Fender single coil pickups yet with more output and fullness. Typically P90's are clean at low volumes and have plenty of bite when pushed. One downside to the P90 is the 50 Hz / 60 Hz cycle "hum" which can be caused by external electrical and magnetic fields... not a problem with P90 makers such as Lollar, who offers a reverse wound version of the pickup, which doesn't hum when the guitar is kept the middle position.

Collings is renowned for their nitro finishes on acoustic guitars - and the story remains the same here. The finish on the CL is nothing short of perfect - incredibly thin and flat as can be. The thin nitro finish allows this guitar to breathe and resonate like the aged vintage pieces of old. The unplugged acoustic qualities the CL exhibits are simply remarkable. It's the little considerations like this that will satisfy even the most discerning of vintage fans.

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Tags: city limits deluxe, collings, cutaway, electric, gold top, humbuckers, les paul, lollar p90, maple, mp3 included

Collings Eastside Laminated Maple Construction

Scale: 25 1/2" | Nut Width: 1 11/16" | Top: Laminated Maple | Back: Laminated Maple

Since Collings moved into the electric arena in 2006, we suspect Bill Collings has always had an interest in the role that laminate woods play in the tone of classic semi-hollow electrics and jazz guitars, vs. their solid wood brethren. It was only a matter of time before he delved into a new variation. Thin, light, and simply exquisite, the Eastside LC commands attention. Featuring stylized components of their highly coveted 16" archtops, the Eastside is the consummate jazz artist's guitar with more gain, less feedback, warm fat tones and classic esthetics - world renowned Collings quality, all at a more affordable price. Built with laminate Maple top and back and sides, this sleek thin-bodied lightweight archtop is made for jazz. Introduced at this year's NAMM show in Anaheim, we are excited to see one of these grace our walls.

The flared peghead adds just the right amount of class, while the gorgeous sunburst top compliments the Flamed maple top perfectly. When plugged in, the Eastside deluxe still retains a warm, jazz tone. You don't even have to roll off the tone control to achieve a perfect Grant Green tone. As it is a laminate top, the Eastside is more resistant to feedback at higher volumes. As with all Collings, the playability, set-up, fit and finish are all flawless. The comfortable "C" shaped neck is a joy to play, and chord solos, single note lines, and Wes style octaves leap out of it!

Compared with solid wood construction, the Eastside LC sends more focused information to the pickups, Collings to use higher output electronics. The Lollar Humbucker creates tone that is evenly balanced with the smooth response that many players look for in arched top electric guitars. The Collings laminate guitars offer a differing sonic spectrum to that of their solid wood equivalent. They should be viewed as two different styles of guitars, offering different & unique tools for your toolbox!

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Tags: collings, eastside, laminate, lc

Pre-Owned: 1996 Gibson 57 Reissue Black Beauty

Scale: 24 3/4" | Nut Width: 1 11/16" | Top: Carved Maple | Back: Mahogany

The Gibson Les Paul Custom is faithfully replicated from the original 1957 model - but with a few modern twists. Despite its journey through the years, the Les Paul Custom has managed to keep up with the times without a hitch. This Les Paul is not quite the "Fretless Wonder" but does have incredibly low frets that feel like you are gliding over the neck with no frets on it at all!

This Gibson Les Paul Black Beauty features a one-piece mahogany neck, carved maple top and warm-toned mahogany body. An ebony fingerboard with pearl block inlays gives it a bright attack. The original Gibson Pickups have been replaced by the DiMarzio PAF Classic Humbuckers, this pickups deliver warm rhythm and hot, solid lead sounds. Gibson also includes a bound body, neck, and head with gold hardware. This Gibson has been reissued to satisfy the needs of any Les Paul fanatic.

This 1996 Gibson Black Beauty also features the optional Bigsby Vibrato Tailpiece. This classic appointment not only adds an incredible amount of versatility to this instrument it adds to create a very vintage and authentic vibe of Gibson's very iconic Les Paul tone and design.

This 1996 Gibson is in very good condition although there is some buckle rash on the back of the guitar as well as scratches to the top, none of which are through the finish. There are also a few scratches to the headstock as well as a ding on the back of the headstock. Original Gibson USA hardshell case included.

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Tags: 57' les paul, black beauty, gibson, les paul

Pre-Owned: 1961 Gibson ES-125T Laminated Maple

Scale: 24 3/4" | Nut Width: 1-11/16" | Top: Laminated Maple

The Gibson ES-125T was introduced in in 1956 as an alternate thinline version of the Gibson ES-125. Originally at the introductory Gibson price point this guitar was largely considered a student or beginner guitar at the time. After 13 years of moderate success and popularity Gibson ultimately discontinued the ES-125T in 1969.

With a 16 3/4" Laminated Maple Body topped with Gibson's classic Tobacco Sunburst this guitar bares a very familiar and vintage look. The classic vintage look of this instrument is only icing on the cake for this guitar, the Laminated Maple allows for an incredible tone before it is even plugged in. The Laminated Maple construction produces a very focused tone creating a more accurate and controlled tone for the P90 pickup and vintage electronics and wiring to really shine. The Body also features white binding, but after 50 years the white binding has aged into a beautiful buttery cream color that only enhances the vintage look of this instrument.

Although considered a "Student" Model this guitar features fine appointments such as a Brazilian Rosewood Fretboard, Pearl Dot Inlays, Mahogany Neck, Nickel Plated Tail Piece, Kluson Deluxe tuners with white oval plastic buttons, height adjustable Brazilian Rosewood bridge, Tortoise Pickguard, and a black plastic covered single coil, "dogear" P-90.

The P90 in the neck position on this Gibson ES-125T is an incredibly warm and vintage tone. The Metal Capped Yellow Bonnet Shaped Tone and Volume Knob still feel great and allow a surprisingly versatile control of tone for this guitar.

This 1961 Gibson is in excellent condition with normal wear and lacquer checking that you would expect from a 50+ year old instrument. This Instrument is all original, with the exception of a replacement truss rod cover and a replacement tailpiece. Non-Original Hardshell case Included.

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Tags: es125, gibson

Collings 360 Electric Tobacco Sunburst with Jason Lollar Mini-Humbucker and P90

Scale: 24 7/8" | Nut Width: 1 11/16" | Top: Mahogany | Back: Mahogany

Hear This Instrument: Collings 360 Electric Tobacco Sunburst with Jason Lollar Mini-Humbucker and P90

Recorded In-House on a Sony PCM-D50 handheld recorder with no compression or eq.

Bill Collings has been making some of the most highly regarded acoustic guitars in the world for quite some time, so when he decided to build electric guitars, musicians were chomping at the bit to see what would happen. The flawless construction, the incredible attention to detail, and the Collings quality are all here. Collings has redesigned a classic guitar with players in mind and while it has an affordable price tag, the meticulous construction is nothing short of astonishing.

The body shape resembles a Les Paul, but stretched in the lower bout. It also happens to be a bit thinner than a traditional Paul, which your shoulders and back will thank you for at the end of the last set on a long night.The Mahogany back has an ergonomic angle cut into it, so it rests comfortably against your chest whether sitting or standing. The bridge is a Tone Pro's locking bridge, so you can now change all your strings on the stop tailpiece with out the bridge falling off! The neck joins at the 16th fret on the bass side, however, the redesign of the angled neck joint allows the treble side to join at the 19th fret. This makes for an unencumbered visit to the higher frets an effortless process.

The knobs are traditional "top hat" type, but in typical Collings detail, the knobs are recessed into the body, giving an even greater sense of class. Underneath those knobs is 50's style wiring leading to Jason Lollar mini humbucker and Lollar P90. From Collings, " The 50's wiring refers to the fact that we attach the tone circuit to the wiper, or output, of the volume pot instead of the input side, where the pickup comes in. This makes the tone circuit less sensitive, so it doesn't get muddy when the volume decreases. It helps maintain clarity by not bleeding off the highs as the volume decreases."

Unplugged this guitar is resonant and lively, but plugging it in takes it to another level. The Mini Humbucker has a similar tone to the P90 with a reamy midrange and airiness, but the Mini Humbucker has the punch and power of a humbucker. Beautiful overdriven tones leap out of this guitar, simply back off the knobs and a world of clean tones are at your fingertips. Combined with the P90 in the bridge position this Guitar is very versatile and is able to replicate twanging country licks, warm jazz chords, in your face rock attitude, and anything else you might need. This may be the closest thing to a "Swiss Army Knife" guitar!

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Tags: 360, collings, cutaway, electric, lollar, mini-humbucker, mp3 included

Pre-Owned: 2010 Gibson ES-DS 335 Faded Cherry Satin Finish

Scale: 24 3/4" | Nut Width: 1 11/16" | Top: Maple | Back: Maple

Here is what Gibson themselves has to say about the venerable ES-335 - "History speaks for itself. The ES-335 is one of the most important guitars of all time. Right from its introduction in 1958 as the world’s first semi-hollowbody electric guitar it has been a mainstay of players eager to balance the gorgeous, round, mellow tones perfect for jazz and blues with the edge and sustain of a full-blooded solidbody.

Today the Gibson Custom Shop creates exacting duplicates of the ES-335 as it first left the Kalamazoo plant in 1958. That year just 267 were built, but the original vintage 335s grew steadily in popularity, peaking in 1967 thanks largely to Eric Clapton’s high-profile use of a cherry ES-335 in the band Cream. " From Gibson.com

This 2010 ES-335 features a beautiful Faded Cherry Satin Finish and with a single-ply bound maple body this guitar does bare a familiar vintage look. Some of the fine appointments on this Gibson Custom Shop ES-335 are a Rosewood fretboard, vintage tulip shaped tuners, 57 Classic humbucking pickups, two volume pots, two tone pots, and a three-way pickup selector switch.

This 2010 ES-335 is in excellent condition, there are just a few minor pressure cracks next to the bridge, pickup, and volume and tone knobs that are common with a satin finish, these cracks are not through the body. There is also a minor 2mm ding on the back as seen in the photographs below.

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Tags: ESDS, gibson 335, gibson es 335

Pre-Owned: 1961 Fender Jazzmaster

Scale: 25 1/2" | Nut Width: 1.650" | Top: Alder | Back: Alder

With a name like Jazzmaster Fender didn't expect what would happen in the early to mid 60's when the Jazzmaster found an unexpected appreciation among the surf scene with players such as Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys and the instrumental band The Ventures.

The Jazzmaster was first introduced in 1958 at the NAMM Show and remained fairly popular until the 1970's with the rise of the humbucker tone and the Gibson Les Paul specifically. Production of the Jazzmaster ceased in 1980, but with players like Elvis Costello and Tom Verlaine as well as many players in the Indie music scene, the Jazzmaster has always enjoyed a cult like following. Because of its huge following and many players looking for some of the early Jazzmaster models, the value of these instruments began increasing in value in the early 90's. Fender has now decided to re-issue period correct models, as the popularity has never really waned from it's inception!

The Jazzmaster Pickups were designed with a brand new tone circuit specifically by Fender to produce a deeper mellower tone to differ from the popular, and iconic, Stratocaster and Telecaster models. With separate pickup tone and volume controls as well as a 3-way pickup selector the versatility of tone on the Jazzmaster is unprecedented. Just below the pickups is the, at the time, new "floating tremolo" as well as the adjustable floating bridge with six individual two-way saddles that allow for precision string intonation.

With some new features the Jazzmaster also featured well-known standard Fender appointments such as a truss-rod reinforced fast action neck with a "slab" Rosewood Fretboard, Clay dots and Chrome Hardware.

This 1961 Fender Jazzmaster is in excellent condition with normal wear and lacquer checking that you would expect from a 50+ year old instrument. This instrument has had the original early sunburst refinished by Fender in the late 60's, with a late 60's 3 Color burst. This has been confirmed by George Gruhn at Gruhn Guitars, and as seen in the report below. This guitar was also refretted and Plek'd, and set up for maximum playability at Glaser instruments here in Nashville, Tn.

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Tags: 1961 fender, fender, jazzmaster, used fender, vintage

National ResoLectric Sunburst Finish with Jason Lollar P90

Scale: 25 21/32" | Nut Width: 1.73" | Top: Figured Maple | Back: Mahogany

Hear This Instrument: National ResoLectric Sunburst Finish Jason Lollar P90 through Carr Rambler. 1-Highlander 2-both P/u

Recorded In-House on a Sony PCM-D50 handheld recorder with no compression or eq. -20dB pad on

The National ResoLectric has gone through a few changes in its 19 years of production. The current model uses an audiophile-quality Highlander preamp to mix both the magnetic and piezoelectric pickups. A Jason Lollar P-90 pickup sits in the neck position, and a Highlander piezo transducer is fitted under the saddle. The output of each pickup is controlled by independent volume knobs, with a master volume knob to control the instruments overall output level. A 3-way toggle switch selects which pickups are active. The solid mahogany body is capped with a figured maple top bound in ivoroid. The figured maple neck clears 14 frets to the body, highlighted with a diamond inlaid, rosewood fretboard.

The Lollar P90 in the neck has a fat, singing lead voice that is perfectly suited for slide players looking for the ultimate in classic Electric blues tones. The Piezo sounds like an acoustic national, only perfectly amplified. You have a myriad of tones at your fingertips, which makes it easy to switch between a preset rhythm and lead sounds. I do believe I'll dust my broom!

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Tags: lollar p90, mp3 included, national, resolectric

Collings City Limits Custom Metalflake Candy Apple Finish with Lollar P90′s

Scale: 24 7/8" | Nut Width: 1 11/16" | Top: Carved Solid Flame Maple | Back: Mahogany

Hear This Instrument: Collings City Limits Custom Metalflake Candy Apple Finish with Lollar P90

Recorded In-House on a Sony PCM-D50 handheld recorder with no compression or eq using a Carr Mercury set flat at 2 watts, Volume at 9 O

Bill Collings has been making some of the most highly regarded acoustic guitars in the world for quite some time, so when he decided to build electric guitars, musicians were chomping at the bit to see what would happen. The flawless construction, the incredible attention to detail, and the Collings quality are all here. Collings has redesigned a classic guitar with players in mind and the now famous meticulous construction, and attention to detail is nothing short of astonishing. This custom City Limits with a Flamed Maple top, is the ultimate Les Paul Special and with Lollar P-90's, this guitar was born for rock and roll!

The body is cleverly designed with ergonomic contouring at both sides of the waist. This commonly overlooked feature is quite brilliant, making already effortless playability even more comfortable. Weighing in at a just over 8 lb., the Collings City Limits is easy to manage and perfectly balanced. Whether on the stage or in the studio, the CL feels right at home. The neck profile is a well rounded C shape that is unique to the Collings lineup. The neck joint is angled toward the cutaway; following the body lines. This slight change fills your hand in a more natural way, easing the curse that other single cutaway guitars have. Playability is what we have come to expect from a Collings - effortless and untroubled up and down the fingerboard. Combine that with Collings reputation for intonation perfection - and you have a force to be reckoned with.

The beautiful flamed maple top is complimented by a Custom Metalflake Candy Apple Red Finish that is the first of it's kind. The finish on this guitar changes from an elegant Candy Apple Red to a beatiful deep and dark red depending on the angle you are looking from, the contour and shape of this guitar only add to the detail of this finish. Aesthetic balance is a bit of a passion for Mr. Bill Collings, and each of his electrics exhibit their own understated style - unique from model to model. The fit and finish of the Collings City Limits may be astonishing to some - but it is what we have come to expect from the folks at Collings. No detail is left incomplete, yet nothing is overdone or exploited. The body is bound with grained ivoroid, a refreshing change from blindingly stark white plastic. The truss rod cover, tuning buttons, and covers all share this same material - and its one of the many features that set Collings apart.

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Tags: candy apple finish, city limits, collings, cutaway, electric, lollar, mahogany, maple, mp3 included, p90

Collings City Limits Deluxe Rootbeer Finish with Lollar Humbuckers

Scale: 24 7/8" | Nut Width: 1 11/16" | Top: Flamed Maple | Back: Mahogany

Hear This Instrument: Collings City Limits Deluxe - Maple Cap

Recorded In-House on a Sony PCM-D50 handheld recorder with no compression or eq using a Carr Mercury set flat at 2 watts, Volume at 9 O

Bill Collings has been making some of the most highly regarded acoustic guitars in the world for quite some time, so when he decided to build electric guitars, musicians were chomping at the bit to see what would happen. The flawless construction, the incredible attention to detail, and the Collings quality are all here. Collings has redesigned a classic guitar with players in mind and the now famous meticulous construction, and attention to detail is nothing short of astonishing. This custom City Limits Deluxe with Flamed Maple top, is the ultimate Les Paul and with Lollar Humbuckers, this guitar was born for rock and roll!

The body is cleverly designed with ergonomic contouring at both sides of the waist. This commonly overlooked feature is quite brilliant, making already effortless playability even more comfortable. Weighing in at a just over 8 lb., the Collings City Limits Deluxe is easy to manage and perfectly balanced. Whether on the stage or in the studio, the CL Deluxe feels right at home. The neck profile is a well rounded C shape that is unique to the Collings lineup. The neck joint is angled toward the cutaway; following the body lines. This slight change fills your hand in a more natural way, easing the curse that other single cutaway guitars have. Playability is what we have come to expect from a Collings - effortless and untroubled up and down the fingerboard. Combine that with Collings reputation for intonation perfection - and you have a force to be reckoned with.

Collings has collaborated with Jason Lollar for all their pickups. While the particular pickups they use are specially wound for Collings, they are darn close to his standard Imperial Humbuckers. Lollar manages to capture the airy top end, tight lows, balanced midrange, and complex overtones of the best original PAF pickups. In reviews they are consistently given high marks for their balanced frequency response. Unbalanced coils keep the bottom end tight for the amount of fullness the pickups have, overtones build after each note is played. Alnico 5 magnets are de-gaussed to specific levels, unique to the neck and bridge positions. The sound Collings has developed with these pickups can certainly be described as mature. The neck position pushes out a lovely warmth and depth - ideal for jazz chording or chunky blues. None of the pesky midrange honkiness that can be found with bridge humbuckers is present. The bridge pickup is certainly hotter and more aggressive, but maintains full-bodied presence without any harshness. Use of the individual volume and tone knobs to balance and pair the two pickups against one another yields a practically endless variety of voices and tones.

Collings is renowned for their nitro finishes on acoustic guitars - and the story remains the same here. The finish on the CL Deluxe is nothing short of perfect - incredibly thin and flat as can be. The thin nitro finish allows this guitar to breathe and resonate like the aged vintage pieces of old. The unplugged acoustic qualities the CL Deluxe exhibits are simply remarkable. It's the little considerations like this that will satisfy even the most discerning of vintage fans. The beautiful flamed maple top is complimented by a Rootbeer Finish. Aesthetic balance is a bit of a passion for Mr. Bill Collings, and each of his electrics exhibit their own understated style - unique from model to model. The fit and finish of the CL Deluxe may be astonishing to some - but it is what we have come to expect from the folks at Collings. No detail is left incomplete, yet nothing is overdone or exploited. The body is bound with grained ivoroid, a refreshing change from blindingly stark white plastic, and also features a black and white top purfle. The truss rod cover, tuning buttons, pickup knobs and covers all share this same material - and its one of the many features that set Collings apart.

Update: Hear a comparison of Maple vs. Mahogany Capped City Limits Deluxe Models