Collings is a boutique guitar builder that has a reputation for building quality vintage style acoustic guitars, The 001 12 Fret is a great example of what they can do, showcasing their meticulous attention to detail that other production line guitars cannot offer.
Although slightly bigger, the Collings 00 12 Fret has all the makings of a true pre-war vintage parlor guitar, from the looks down to the sound. It comes in a “00” shape with an elongated upper bout and a neck that meets the body at the 12th fret. The dimensions are somewhat similar to a classical guitar, but the shape and steel strings ensure that it stays true to the parlor design.
Traditional tonewood combination is used for this model, having a solid sitka spruce top supported by mahogany back and sides. This configuration along with the pre-war scalloped bracing and 00 shape gives the guitar its crisp and articulate voicing. Aesthetic features on the body include a black/white wood nitrate strip rosette, Tortoise-style binding for the top and back, black/white wood purfling with 1-style walnut backstrip, and a Tortoise-style celluloid pickguard. The body is wrapped in high gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish to complete its vintage appeal.
The neck is crafted from mahogany and topped by an ebony fretboard with 20 nickel-silver Frets. It joins the body at the 12th fret and is carved into a modified V neck profile with a nut width of 1 13/16″ and a scale length of 24 7/8″. Mother of pearl dot inlays serve as fret markers, while a fully adjustable truss rod adds modern reliability to the guitar. The wide neck and shorter string scale makes the Collings 00 12 Fret very comfortable to play.
Other features of this guitar include a 15 degree angled headstock, vintage style square slotted headstock with volute, Nickel Waverly slot-head tuners with 16:1 ratio, ebony peghead overlay with inlaid Collings Logo, ebony pyramid-style bridge, and ebony bridge pins and end pin.
The Collings 001 12 Fret is currently retailing for $5900, visit Collings Guitar for more information.
