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COLLINGS ELECTRIC GUITARS

marshall1987

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 30, 2005
Messages
3,278
I have a nice Collings I-35-LC that is a great example of what a premium semi-hollowbody electric guitar can be. There is just one minor annoyance with this Collings that bugs me occasionally; i.e., the 24 7/8" scale length.

I measured the individual string lengths on my I-35-LC and the only string that is 24 7/8" is the high E string. The other strings are all longer, with the low E string measuring 25.0" long.

I'm not sure why Collings specified the 24 7/8" scale length for his electric guitars. In practice the scale length is actually closer to 25.0", as is the case with the low E string. PRS guitars spec a 25.0" scale length for many of his electrics guitars, with one or two exceptions.

I have never really bonded with the 25.0" scale length. I prefer the Gibson scale length for electric guitars like Les Pauls, ES, Flying V, etc. I believe Gibson specs a 24.625" scale length. The difference between these two scales lengths requires I make a conscious adjustment when playing to compensate for the disparity, especially open string chords near the nut.

My experience with Collings electrics is the scale length is actually very close to being 25.0". I think Bill Collings intentionally specified a 24 7/8" scale length in order to successfully market their guitars to players desiring an alternative to Gibson Les Pauls and ES-335s (Colling's most popular models). Otherwise he could have just called it a 25.0" scale length.

Nonetheless, I still love my Collings I-35-LC in natural. :)



 

jb_abides

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
5,274
Someday I'd like to spec out a So Cal Deluxe, but need to do some herd thinning to justify the financing... :salude
 

xtrunk

New member
Joined
Nov 15, 2019
Messages
4
I just got my first Collings City Limits. Totally love it. Was looking for ages for a Plenham Blue LP, never found one. So I bought this. Quickly becoming one of my favorites.


Anyone else have a CL?


QmEMgYTReJl-TP1VCH3MyLigLCvQzSMtmAwQx2fNcei_wT-CPDiV-IakgNFAw2J-dAE9_y8y1sdn3yPUhHHAAlmCJb2r9qIwy-B8tAufYxMkBpMq-VYvpOP0p-FtBPGnN7RXa-0cTq9A-IwfX6opvUM35CKZ-2E5A4RxagRM4Gzxyt0G2dwQZXp_ZBFqkzWR__65-vvuYC_Q3ff1q1sRTmbYUksGhqm5GBVCZ7lGijDCwG7hEKNQy2BtEDItR9nOCouvEPDc2gMIgXsAI7ipj_9fogLXtQ8tWWuhHypstvOoyrmisdmtfIqTugUSEFWtgrJiKr6tNMZekukprhxs53RUpBxVzZsrE2wVVh4gmQ8YOe-3s62dPwk3wnM2fUEY55IO-ZLiFljHu_ygJDFtraNotFLIguKh5WosidEJSTkvUxSgLh_588X-xzpbYvaM0IGEV7FRLh5nJBVpUcRLWnn0EI8RC98B_4X3CoYdHUKUJrxxXAbUx9dRIDgv-h1xEC26Rkgx5utTwyu_cJtRsVNqZzkHWmiJTsVX6IlEzW89qLWyxjDZ1Pjngojak_jBqg54dzX-ZhRZ4jCJnT7osn8N-wHML0csxF73zGFCQZ2Jd5H53d8uvbvVPRSPLECeE9ChY3AO-Ar-2FfYDNo5t5J7QSYFeiby18sPLC3D3_KL6RLF7ehl=w690-h920-no
 
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renderit

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,951
Thank you. They do incredible work.

Marshall1987's I-35 is awesome. I know what you mean on the scale. Yours have the Lollars?
 

xtrunk

New member
Joined
Nov 15, 2019
Messages
4
Thank you. They do incredible work.

Marshall1987's I-35 is awesome. I know what you mean on the scale. Yours have the Lollars?


My Plenham Blue has Haeussel pickups, I have ordered a Custom Tiger Eye Quilt top CL with Lollars Though, should get it in 6 months they say.
 

marshall1987

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 30, 2005
Messages
3,278
Thank you. They do incredible work.

Marshall1987's I-35 is awesome. I know what you mean on the scale. Yours have the Lollars?

Yep...mine has Lollar Imperial regular-wind, .....not the low-wind (low output) that you see often.
 

renderit

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,951
That was my only complaint on my I-35. The Lollar Imperials were just TOO clean. And the nickel covers started scratching up something terrible.
I went with Thrōbaks to add a little life there.
Have not played it enough yet to say that's what stays but I like it better.
Mines also the small bout (as yours appears to be). They make a 16" (I think) that is closer to a 335 in size, but I like the smaller one.

35687650534_26c8ce6772_3k.jpg

35687674724_6199969da8_3k.jpg
 

zoommutt

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 15, 2003
Messages
1,448
I am looking for an I-35 after enjoying my I-30 for a few months now.I love my Gibson’s,but I’m liking the smaller size and weight of Collings. Like the Throbaks too.
 

zoommutt

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 15, 2003
Messages
1,448
That is a nice one render it. My I-30 is almost like yours in Iced tea. I just not loving those knobs.
 
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