Collings Eastside LC Dark Cherry FBS

With fully-hollow laminate construction, a single Lollar Charlie Christian and archtop style tailipiece/bridge, the Eastside LC has been designed with vintage tone in mind for the professional jazz player.

This is a guitar I have been eagerly waiting for. I had played a prototype of the Eastside at the 2011 NAMM show and was really impressed. It's a Collings so I wasn't at all surprised that its playability was beyond great. And the fit and finish was impeccable, as always. But what really got my guitar juices going was that it had all the vibe and sensibility of a classic '50s jazz box.

I have a wonderful '52 Gibson 175 that my father bought for me when I was a kid. Over the years I have replaced the P90 with and had the neck carved to more of a '59 feel. I know that this is sacrilegious to vintage aficionados/aficionadas, but hey, I'm a professional player. A guitar has to WORK for me. It has to be just right or I won't bond with it. And most of all, it has to be an "elegant tool" that can get the job done. The Eastside that is being offered here reminds me of my 175, post revisions. Great feeling '59 style neck, very light and resonant laminate construction that acoustically is quite impressive. It sings when plugged in. Collings has recently updated this model with a Lollar Charlie Christian specifically voiced for this model. The result is truly impressive! It does everything I expect from a jazz guitar. From Wes to Pat it bleeds all the great tones. Back off on the tone control and it sweetens up even more. The playability is Collings all the way. It has a modern look to it yet it has that vintage DNA built-in. None of this surprises me. Bill Collings is a master luthier who makes some of the finest string instruments available today. He knows what this guitar is meant to be. The Collings Eastside is a winner!

As a note: One of the distinguishing features on this guitar is the dark cherry finish done in an optional full body burst. It's an upgrade that adds to adds a bit of elegance. Nice touch Mr. Collings!

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.