Collings 290 V Custom TV Yellow, 2023

Condition: near mint, with light signs of use. The artist had Waverly open-back tuners installed.

This one-off custom Collings 290 was specially commissioned for an artist, featuring appointments inspired by the I35 LC Vintage model. Special specifications include aged finish and hardware, vintage-thin rosewood fingerboard with ungrained ivoroid binding, and premium Luxe Bumblebee capacitors.

This custom 290 was built at my request using specs from the I35 LC Vintage model. It combines the straightforward Collings 290 platform with vintage-inspired details that elevate it beyond the standard model. The TV Yellow finish with aged nitrocellulose lacquer captures that classic vintage vibe perfectly with its warm, creamy tone and authentic, slightly worn-in feel.

The ThroBak KZ90 pickups are the real standout here. They deliver serious power and sustain while keeping things clear and articulate. Whether you're playing clean or driving an amp hard, these pickups respond beautifully and give you plenty of tonal range.

The 1959-style neck carve feels just right - it has that vintage profile with rolled shoulders that's comfortable for extended playing. The thinner fingerboard is another I35 LC spec I requested, and it makes a noticeable difference in playability. The lightweight mahogany body resonates well and won't wear you out during long sessions.

The aftermarket open-back Waverly tuners provide the highest, smoothest, and most reliable tuning. Combined with the premium Luxe Bumblebee capacitors and CTS pots, every component on this guitar is top-shelf.

This 290 proves that sometimes the best approach is to keep things simple but do everything right. The result is a guitar that sounds great, plays beautifully, and has that classic look that never gets old. It's everything you want in a high-end electric guitar without any unnecessary complications.

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.