Collings 470 JL - Antiqued Black Top #26835

The Collings 470 JL - Antiqued Black Top is a striking example of refined electric guitar design, where vintage inspiration and modern precision are fused into a deeply expressive instrument.

Its fully hollow construction with a trestle block delivers a resonant, airy voice while maintaining focused feedback control and clarity. The body is crafted from solid Honduran mahogany, paired with a maple laminate top that adds both structural integrity and a subtle brightness to the instrument’s tonal character. The Honduran mahogany neck continues this warm, musical foundation, giving the guitar a rich and responsive feel across every register.

The aesthetic is understated yet sophisticated. Non-grained ivoroid body binding frames the silhouette with classic elegance, while ebony fingerboard binding and a clean peghead design keep the visual presentation refined and uncluttered. The ebony fingerboard features graduated pearl dot inlays that provide both beauty and functional clarity along its 12 inch radius.

At the core of its voice are Ron Ellis Ellisonics pickups, custom adjustable for height, offering a dynamic and articulate response that captures both subtle nuance and powerful attack. The electronics are carefully voiced through a thoughtful 470 wiring scheme, featuring a master volume and two tone controls, supported by high quality DiMarzio 500K pots, Jupiter Vintage Yellow capacitors, Orange Drop treble bleed components, and refined tonal shaping options that reward expressive playing.

Hardware appointments emphasize both reliability and vintage character. A pinned ebony bridge base with a Tune-o-matic style saddle system and nylon saddles pairs beautifully with a Bigsby B3 vibrato tailpiece, delivering smooth, musical pitch modulation. Relic nickel Waverly tuners with vintage oval buttons and a 16:1 ratio ensure precise tuning stability while reinforcing the instrument’s classic aesthetic. Black phenolic pickup rings and optional reflector top knobs in black and silver or black and gold complete the restrained visual palette.

The neck profile, known as the 470 JL carve, is shaped for comfort and fluidity, with a 1st fret depth of 0.850 inches and a 9th fret depth of 0.955 inches. Combined with a 24 7/8 inch scale length, medium 18 percent nickel silver frets, a 1 11/16 inch Delrin nut, and an extra long mortise and tenon neck joint, the guitar feels stable, responsive, and effortlessly playable.

Finished in high gloss nitrocellulose lacquer and fitted with either acrylic tortoise or parchment pickguard options, the instrument carries a refined vintage aura. The ebony peghead veneer with mother of pearl Collings script logo adds a final touch of elegance, while the carefully contoured body dimensions contribute to a balanced and comfortable playing experience.

Weighing just 5 pounds 15 ounces and housed in a deluxe hardshell case, this guitar offers a rare combination of acoustic richness, electric versatility, and artisanal detail. It is an instrument built for players who value nuance, touch sensitivity, and timeless design executed with absolute precision.

Other specifications include:

• Construction Fully hollow w/ trestle block
• Body Solid Honduran mahogany
• Top Maple laminate
• Neck Honduran mahogany
• Body Binding Non-grained ivoroid
• Fingerboard Binding Ebony
• Peghead Binding None
• Bridge Pinned ebony base w/ tune-o-matic saddle top (nylon saddles)
• Tailpiece Bigsby vibrato B3
• Fingerboard Ebony w/ graduated pearl dots
• Fingerboard Radius 12"
• Pickups Ron Ellis Ellisonics (custom adjustable height)
• Pots/Caps DiMarzio 500K / Jupiter Vintage Yellow / Orange Drop Treble Bleed
• Knobs Black/Silver or Black/Gold Reflector Top
• Pickup Rings Black Phenolic
• Nut 1 11/16" Delrin
• Scale Length 24 7/8"
• Neck Joint Extra long mortise & tenon
• Frets Medium 18% nickel-silver
• Peghead Veneer Ebony w/ MOP Collings Script logo
• Peghead Profile 470 JL Haircut
• Tuners Relic nickel Waverly with vintage oval buttons (16:1 ratio)
• Wiring  470 Wiring (master volume, two tones)
• Guitar Finish High gloss nitrocellulose lacquer
• Pickguard Acrylic Tortoise (1-ply) or Parchment (3-Ply)
• Truss Rod Cover Black/Cream/Black
• Strings D'Addario NYXL1149 (.011" - .049")
• Neck Profile 470 JL (1st Fret 0.850" / 9th Fret 0.955")
• Body Length 17 ⅜”
• Body Depth 1 13/16”
• Lower Bout Width 13 1/2”
• Total Length 38 3/4”
• Case Deluxe hardshell case
• 5 lbs 15 oz
• 26835

For more information on the Collings Instrument, please contact us.

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