CR Guitars - hand selected

Collings CL Custom Standard Goldtop

Collings CL Custom Standard Goldtop

Price: $--SOLD

inquire - info@crguitars.com

call us -

hardshell case included

For this model, we took the Collings Standard CL, favored because of its simple appointments, wonderful feel, stellar tone—and less expensive price point and added just a couple details that wil bring you back to the 1950s guitars that inspired the model. Coined the “CL Custom Standard” we're very excited to have our second gold top collaboration in the shop.

  • Collings-cl-goldtop-02
  • Collings-cl-goldtop-01
  • Collings-cl-goldtop-03
  • Collings-cl-goldtop-03b
  • Collings-cl-goldtop-04
  • Collings-cl-goldtop-05
  • Collings-cl-goldtop-06
  • Collings-cl-goldtop-07
  • Collings-cl-goldtop-08
  • Collings-cl-goldtop-09
  • Collings-cl-goldtop-10
  • Collings-cl-goldtop-11
  • Collings-cl-goldtop-12
  • Collings-cl-goldtop-13
  • Collings-cl-goldtop-14
  • Collings-cl-goldtop-15
  • Collings-cl-goldtop-16
  • Collings-cl-goldtop-17
  • Collings-cl-goldtop-18
CRAIG'S POV

For this model, we took the Collings Standard CL, which I favor because of its simple appointments, wonderful feel, stellar tone—and less expensive price point and added just a couple details that bring me back to the 1950s guitars that inspired the model. Coined the “CL Custom Standard” I’m very excited to have our second gold top collaboration in the shop.

For the design, I added a bound neck — like the original LPs — which I find visually appealing. Second I had the fretboard edges slightly rolled, which gives the wonderful full C neck a real vintage feel, and the guitar is like an old friend right out of the case.

Collings makes his own bridges from raw alloy, which gives exacting control over what many luthiers consider the most important single element in an electric guitar’s tone. The specific placement of the bridge is also of paramount importance, and Collings is truly a master at this somewhat elusive task. When the right bridge is perfectly placed in a solid body guitar, the effect is like you’ve driven a connection into the heart of tone of the instrument, with nothing to impede the pure vibrations of the wood and strings. When you play this guitar, you can feel its vibrations in any part of your body that is close, and the electric tone is rich and woody with ample sustain.

Lollar P90s complete the full balanced sonic signature. I found the pickups very responsive to tone and volume knob changes, making them dynamic pickups that can cover a lot of musical ground. With slight adjustments to the guitar’s controls you can move the sound from the traditional P90 midrange focus to deeper or brighter timbres that sonically engage the spirit of humbuckers or traditional single coils. And, somehow, Lollars seem to capture the essence of vintage tone as well as any pickups I have heard.

As many of you know, I have been a professional guitarist for a long time, so my general preference is for guitars that are versatile, toneful and reliable. In fact, carrying such guitars has been the charter of CR Guitars since the start. The CL Standard-Deluxe gold top is a quintessential CR Guitars instrument because it does everything it is supposed to do eminently well. It sounds fantastic, has a simple but elegant aesthetic, feels great in your hands, and does the job of being a guitar as well as can be done. I’d happily take this guitar to any gig or studio situation, and if I close my eyes, it feels and sounds like an honest guitar with just the right touch of vintage vibe.

If you'd like to find out more about this item, just call or e-mail me. It would be my pleasure to talk to you about it.

ABOUT COLLINGS GUITARS
Bill Collings moved from Ohio to Texas in the mid 1970’s. Spurred by a lack of interest in medical school, this move enabled him to combine lifelong interests in both guitars and tools into the challenge of stringed instrument building and repair. After a couple of years in Houston, several guitars and a few banjos later, he headed west to southern California. Making it only as far as Austin, where he shared shops with fellow luthiers Tom Ellis and Mike Stevens. From there, he set up his own small shop in a wooden "one car" garage. His reputation for outstanding quality and meticulous attention to detail quickly spread. In 1989, he rented a 1000 square foot space and hired two helpers. Fast forward to present day where Collings craftsmanship is respected by professional and amateur musicians alike…anyone on the quest for quality. Some of these include artists; Keith Richards, Lyle Lovett, Pete Townshend, Emmylou Harris, Andy Summers, David Crosby, Chris Hillman, Joni Mitchell, Don Felder, John Sebastian, Lou Reed, John Fogerty, Tim O'Brien, Pete Huttlinger, Kenny Smith, Brian May, Joan Baez, John Prine, Nigel Tufnel of Spinal Tap, and Steven Spielberg to name a few. You owe it to yourself to try one.

Serial #CL15870
Topcarved premium flame maple
Bodysolid Honduran mahogany
Neckmahogany with rosewood fingerboard
Finishgoldtop
PickupsLollar P90s
Bindingscream ABS
Knobs and pickup ringsamber knobs/ cream PU rings
Inlaysdots
Scale length24 7/8"
But width1 11/16"
Body length17"
Body depth2"
Lower body width13 1/2"
Fretsmedium jumbo
BridgeCollings custom wraparound bridge
Neck shapemedium-full C
Weight7.8 lbs
CaseCollings hard shell
all site content copyright © 2011-2023 CR Guitars LLC // site design and creation - COLOR:GRAY

View the CR Guitars Terms of Use and Privacy Notice
join mailing listmailing list icon
follow us on:
  • CR Guitars on Facebook
  • CR Guitars on YouTube
  • CR Guitars on Instagram
Renee Snyder's CDRenee Snyder CD icon