The Traditional Series (or “T-Series”) reflects Bill Collings’ return to his guitar-making roots, offering a distinct tonal variation on the signature Collings sound. Each T-Series model features a very thin, all-nitrocellulose lacquer finish, and its bracing pattern is more faithful to iconic ’30s-era guitars than the standard Collings line. The result is an exceptionally dynamic and responsive instrument—a modern interpretation of prewar templates. Bracing and tonewoods are carefully adjusted for weight and thickness to create a voicing characterized by warm, rounded highs, a present low midrange, quick attack, and strong projection. A recent addition to the lineup, the 001 14-Fret T is a compact 00-size body built to the Traditional Series specifications. This 001 14-Fret T (serial #36333) features an upgraded Baked Sitka top. Baked Sitka is one of our favorite top woods because it gives a new guitar the seasoned, broken-in richness of a well-loved vintage relic. As you put a baked (torrefied) top through the paces for years and years, it'll only sound better and more refined. This 001 14-Fret T packs a crisp, woody sound with impressive volume and balance for small body. The trebles are beautiful, and there are mahogany overtones aplenty. We describe this guitar as a small OM—the short scale works with the lighter Traditional bracing, so you get a similar sense of response and balance with the smaller body. The Traditional neck feels substantial in your hands, but it's nowhere near the "baseball bat" end of the spectrum. So with perfect, low action and a 1-3/4" nut width, this 001 14-Fret T plays effortlessly. With a wide dynamic range, it rewards an expressive touch. We ordered this 001 14-Fret T with a Vintage Satin finish. The understated Traditional appointments look elegantnt with the thin satin lacquer. The Baked Sitka top shows some book-matched dark grain lines that look especially good underneath the satin finish, too. Like every Collings, the attention to detail shines through. This is a well-constructed guitar delivered on a high level. With such a comfortable size—and such a nuanced sound—this Collings is an easy favorite around the shop. Top: Baked Sitka Spruce Back & Sides: Honduran mahogany Construction: Traditional Series Build and Voicing Neck: Honduran mahogany Body Binding: Tortoise with custom wood purflings Bridge: Ebony belly-style with 2 5/16" spacing Fingerboard Radius: 14"–26" compound Fingerboard: Ebony with gold MOP short dots Bridge Pins/End Pin: Tortoise-style Nut: Bone, 1 3/4" Saddle: Bone, cutthrough Neck Profile: Traditional Peghead Profile: Square Neck Joint: Mortise & tenon hybrid Truss Rod: Fully adjustable Frets: Medium 18% nickel-silver Peghead Veneer: Ebony with gold MOP Collings logo Tuners: Relic Nickel Waverly Backstrip: 1-style (walnut) Rosette: Custom wood rosette Scale Length: 24-7/8" Brace Material: Sitka spruce Brace Pattern: Custom Traditional Series pre-war scalloped X-brace (abbreviated soundboard graft/tongue brace) Body Finish: Vintage Satin ultra-thin nitrocellulose lacquer Neck Finish: High gloss polyester resin Pickguard: Tortoise Case: Deluxe hardshell case from TKL
