Collings D1 G

Collings D1 mahogany dreadnought with optional German top and 1-3/4" nut.

Dreadnought Body Size

Since its inception in 1916, the square-shouldered 14-fret dreadnought has become the most popular steel-string acoustic guitar body shape in the world.

While Collings is certainly not the first to build them, they've brought a new tonal clarity to the depth and warmth usually associated with such a large, deep-bodied guitar.

Although its bass response makes the dreadnought ideal for vocal accompaniment, Collings versions are also often employed by bluegrass flatpickers who must compete with inherently louder instruments such as banjos and fiddles.

European (German) Spruce Top

This species of spruce is lighter in complexion than Adirondack or Sitka. It has long been popular among classical guitar builders, but it's also an excellent choice for steel stringed instruments.

Like Adirondack, German spruce is relatively light and stiff, giving it good projection and clarity. However, it's a bit softer than Sitka or Adirondack, which tends to result in a slightly warmer, sweeter tone.

It's a great choice for strummers who want a slightly mellower sound or fingerstyle players who desire a little extra volume.

Mahogany Back & Sides

Mahogany is known for its prominent mid-range and woody tonal qualities. It's a great all-around option for any player, but its direct, punchy voice makes it especially popular for styles requiring lots of projection and clarity. 

Modified V Neck Profile

Designed for versatility and comfort, the Modified V is Collings' standard neck profile and is used on the majority of their guitars.

Most players find the Modified V to be perfect for a wide variety of styles. It's full enough to remain comfortable during long play sessions, but slim enough to be fast and precise when the situation demands it. 

The Modified V does have a noticeable "V" shape, but it's relatively soft and subtle.

Compared to the low-profile necks found on most Martin and Taylor guitars, the Modified V has a similar depth but is a bit more angular. Most Martin and Taylor players will feel right at home on a Modified V neck.

Collings Traditional Case

Introduced in 2016, Collings' Traditional cases were designed to recreate the lightweight, durable, perfectly fitted instrument cases of the 1930s. Designed by Bill Collings and handcrafted in his Austin factory, the Collings cases are as beautiful as they are functional.

The new Collings cases are about 30% lighter than the deluxe TKL models. They're also far less bulky and easier to carry thanks to their improved balance.

Click here to learn more about the Traditional cases at CollingsGuitars.com.

Founded by Bill Collings in 1973, Collings Guitars has grown to become one of the most respected names in acoustic music.

Avenue Guitars is proud to be a Collings Premier Dealer. This status is only given to the top 10 dealers out of nearly 150 Collings distributors worldwide

Craftsmanship

There are few builders who can match Collings when it comes to fit and finish.

Their instruments have clean, sharp lines and mirror-like finishes. Even small details like the meticulously polished saddle and the crisp inlay work demonstrate Collings' uncompromising devotion to quality.

This fanatical attention to detail results in instruments that look as beautiful they sound.

Wood Selection

Every Collings acoustic guitar, from their most affordable model to the highest end, are built with the finest tonewoods available. Each wood is acquired, acclimated, and hand-picked by Collings' master luthiers who choose each component with the whole tonality of the end instrument in mind.

Hand-Voiced Top

Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, Collings hand-voices each acoustic guitar top by sanding and carving it to the optimal thickness. This means that the character of the wood is shaped by a human ear and not an arbitrary number on a drum sander.

Tone

While tone is a subjective topic, we feel Collings instruments tend to have a complex, focused voice with excellent clarity and single note definition. 

They're extremely responsive, so you don't need to work very hard to produce great tone. That said, when you dig in you'll find that Collings guitars are some of the loudest, most powerful acoustic instruments around.

Every instrument naturally has its own unique personality depending on body size and tonewoods, but Collings' meticulous voicing and exacting construction techniques ensure that each guitar sounds as good as it possibly can.

Playability

Collings guitars and mandolins play exceptionally well right out of the box thanks to a combination of PLEK machine fret leveling and the skilled work of a Collings setup tech. 

Most players love the factory setup, but we're always happy to set up your new instrument to your exact preferences. The precision engineering of a Collings product means that we can work at tighter tolerances and make your guitar play EXACTLY the way you want.

Finish

One aspect of a Collings instrument that is difficult to capture in photos is the flat, glassy quality of their finish. It really has to be seen to be appreciated!

Collings' standard nitrocellulose lacquer finishes measure between .005" and .007" in thickness, maximizing acoustical response while providing excellent protection and aesthetics.

Consistency

With the exception of certain hardware items, Collings makes nearly all components in house. Even simple parts like bridge pins and pickguards are fabricated in the Colling shop.

Collings also takes advantage of the latest technology in CNC and laser cutting to eliminate variance and ensure that each instrument meets Bill's incredibly high standards

This tight control over every facet of production means that Collings instruments are incredibly consistent in terms of build quality, playability, and tone.

Small Production

The big guys are making amazing instruments, but Collings' lower production levels mean that each guitar or mandolin gets a level of personal care and attention that's just not possible on a large production scale.

A few numbers to put things in perspective: Over the last several years, Collings produced around about 1,500 flat top guitars a year, or roughly four a day. The major US-based brands build 400 to 500 guitars a day.

Warranty

Collings instruments have a lifetime warranty to the original owner.

In the 10+ years we've been a Collings dealers we can count the number of warranty issues we've had on one hand, but it's nice to know the protection is there if you need.

View the full Collings warranty.