Collings 001-T Sitka Spruce & Honduran Mahogany

The Collings 001-T Sitka Spruce & Honduran Mahogany is a striking example of how tradition and innovation can coexist beautifully when guided by the uncompromising vision of a master builder. The late Bill Collings was more than a luthier — he was a relentless tinkerer, a perfectionist, and, above all, an artist devoted to elevating the craft of guitar making to new heights. His influence is felt in every meticulously carved brace, every perfectly set neck, and every warm, articulate note that rings from the body of a Collings guitar. Today, that legacy lives on in instruments like the 001-T — a guitar that captures the essence of vintage inspiration while embracing the refined standards of modern handcraftsmanship.

As part of the Collings Traditional Series, the 001-T embodies Bill’s pursuit of the pre-war ideal, reimagined through Collings’ distinctive lens of precision and consistency. At its heart is a carefully selected Sitka spruce top, prized for its responsiveness and clear, open voice. Paired with back and sides of rich Honduran mahogany, the result is a dry, woody tone with a sweet midrange focus — the kind of sound that fingerstyle players, blues pickers, and folk artists dream of. The custom Traditional Series pre-war scalloped X-bracing, built without a tongue brace, allows the top to breathe more freely, enhancing warmth and sustain while keeping the articulation crisp and defined.

Visually, the 001-T is understated elegance at its finest. The body is bound in warm tortoise with custom wood purflings that pay homage to vintage aesthetics without feeling fussy. The rosette is equally tasteful — a custom wood inlay that draws the eye in with organic subtlety. The pyramid-style ebony bridge, with its classic shape and 2 5/16" string spacing, sits atop the top plate like a nod to a bygone era of small-bodied guitars. Gold mother-of-pearl short dot inlays along the ebony fingerboard complement the gold MOP Collings logo on the tapered slotted square peghead, adding a touch of quiet sophistication.

In the player’s hands, the 001-T feels instantly familiar yet surprisingly alive. The Honduran mahogany neck is carved to a Traditional profile that strikes a perfect balance: comfortable and vintage-inspired, with soft shoulders and just enough depth to fill the palm without fatigue. The compound 14"–26" fingerboard radius allows for an effortless playing experience, from delicate chord voicings near the nut to articulate runs higher up the neck. Medium 18% nickel-silver frets promise durability and a glassy touch under the fingers, while the fully adjustable truss rod ensures lasting stability.

A high gloss, ultra-thin nitrocellulose lacquer finish on both the body and neck enhances resonance while giving the guitar a smooth, timeless sheen that will gracefully wear and open up with age. Nickel Waverly tuners with a 16:1 ratio make precise tuning a joy, and classic tortoise-style bridge pins and end pin complete the vintage vibe.

At just 3 lb 8 oz, the 001-T is remarkably light, making it an inspiring companion for long practice sessions, late-night writing, or passing songs around the campfire. Its compact size and 24 7/8" scale length make it intimate and immediate, yet it delivers a voice far bigger than its dimensions suggest — articulate, expressive, and brimming with the character that has made Collings guitars beloved by discerning players worldwide.

Bill Collings’ dedication to perfection lives on in every 001-T that leaves the shop — a guitar that honors tradition while remaining unmistakably Collings. It’s a testament to a man who changed the course of modern lutherie, leaving behind instruments that don’t just play music — they inspire it.

Other specifications include:

• Top Sitka spruce
• Back & Sides Honduran mahogany
• Construction Traditional Series Build and Voicing
• Neck Honduran mahogany
• Body Binding Tortoise with custom wood purflings
• Fingerboard Binding None
• Peghead Binding None
• Bridge Ebony pyramid-style with 2 5/16" spacing
• Fingerboard Radius 14" - 26" compound
• Fingerboard Ebony with gold MOP short dots
• Bridge Pins/End Pin Tortoise-style
• Nut Bone, 1 3/4"
• Saddle Bone, drop-in
• Neck Profile Traditional (0.862" @ 1st Fret / 1.032" @ 9th Fret)
• Peghead Profile Tapered slotted square with volute
• Neck Joint Mortise & tenon hybrid
• Truss Rod Fully adjustable
• Frets Medium 18% nickel-silver
• Peghead Veneer Ebony with gold MOP Collings Logo
• Tuners Nickel Waverly (16:1 ratio)
• Backstrip 1-style (Walnut)
• Rosette Custom wood rosette
• Scale Length 24 7/8"
• Brace Material Sitka spruce
• Brace Pattern Custom Traditional Series pre-war scalloped X-brace (no tongue brace)
• Body Finish High gloss ultra-thin nitrocellulose lacquer
• Neck Finish High gloss ultra-thin nitrocellulose lacquer
• Pickguard Tortoise
• Strings D'Addario EJ-16 (.012"- .053")
• Body Length 19 3/8"
• Body Depth 4"
• Lower Bout Width 14 1/4"
• Total Length 38"
• Case Deluxe hardshell case
• 3 lb 8 oz
• 35059

For more information about this Collings instrument, please contact us.

Product Images

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