Collings 003 Acoustic Guitar with Old Growth Sitka Spruce & Figured Koa

Case Card for Collings 003 Acoustic Guitar with Old Growth Sitka Spruce & Figured Koa

Case for Collings 003 Acoustic Guitar with Old Growth Sitka Spruce & Figured Koa

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There is a quiet authority in every instrument that comes from Bill Collings’ workshop legacy, and the Collings Guitars 003 – Old Growth Sitka Spruce & Figured Koa carries that influence with unmistakable grace. Bill Collings built his reputation on an uncompromising pursuit of precision, tone, and structural elegance, and decades later his philosophy still guides every guitar that leaves the Austin shop. The 003 embodies that spirit perfectly: refined, balanced, and crafted with the meticulous attention to detail that defined Collings from the very beginning.

At the heart of the instrument lies an exceptional Old Growth Sitka Spruce top, a soundboard prized for its clarity, headroom, and dynamic responsiveness. Paired with striking Figured Koa back and sides, the guitar produces a voice that is both articulate and warmly expressive. Koa contributes a shimmering midrange and focused low end, while the Sitka top offers immediate responsiveness and blooming harmonic complexity. The result is a remarkably balanced small-body voice that excels at fingerstyle, yet carries surprising authority when driven with a flatpick.

Supporting this tonal architecture are Adirondack Spruce pre-war scalloped braces, carefully voiced to maximize responsiveness and resonance. This classic bracing approach enhances projection while preserving the delicate sensitivity players expect from the 00 body size. A Honduran Mahogany neck joins the body via Collings’ Mortise & Tenon hybrid neck joint, delivering exceptional structural integrity and long-term stability.

Visually, the instrument is every bit as refined as its voice. Ivoroid bindings trace the body, fingerboard, and headstock with vintage elegance, while an abalone rosette adds a subtle flash of color around the soundhole. The exotic ebony headstock veneer and ebony fingerboard lead to a graceful pyramid ebony bridge, accented by ebony bridge pins with abalone dots. Along the back, a traditional 3-style chevron backstrip reinforces the instrument’s classic aesthetic lineage.

Playability is equally considered. The Modified V neck profile measures .870" at the first fret and .952" at the ninth, offering a comfortable blend of vintage character and modern ergonomics. A compound fingerboard radius from 14" to 26" ensures effortless fretting across the entire scale, while medium nickel-silver frets and a bone drop-in saddle contribute to precise intonation and clear articulation. Gold Waverly tuning machines complete the headstock with smooth, reliable performance.

Finished in high-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer on the body and a high-gloss polyester resin finish on the neck, the guitar presents a luminous depth that highlights the dramatic figuring of the koa. At just 3 lbs 13 oz, it feels incredibly alive in the hands, resonating with the kind of immediacy that has become synonymous with the Collings name.

With its 24 7/8" scale length, 1 3/4" nut width, and 2 3/16" bridge spacing, the Collings 003 delivers a refined and responsive playing experience wrapped in timeless craftsmanship. More than simply a beautifully built instrument, it stands as a continuation of Bill Collings’ enduring vision: guitars that combine old-world tradition with uncompromising modern precision, built to inspire musicians for generations to come.

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