This was a rare Collings collaboration of a custom OM T Traditional model between the brilliant jazz guitarist Julian Lage and the late Bill Collings. A new guitar with an old soul, The OM1 JL is a Sitka Spruce sunburst top and Mahogany back and sided long scale build modeled after Lage’s cherished 1939 Martin 000-18. This one features a great set of upgraded Old Growth Sitka Spruce- naturally cured old wood perfect for the vintage vibe of this signature build.
The 000-18’s neck—which was of course originally hand-shaped and sanded has a distinctive taper altered by decades of wear. For Lage, this particular neck had come to feel like home. Through careful analysis and digitization of its unique dimensions, the folks at Collings were able to precisely recreate it’s worn in, asymmetric feel on his signature model. While maintaining the narrow 1 11/16″ nut of the 000-18’s neck, the fretboard was extended to the standard 25 1/2″ scale length for slightly greater presence and note definition.
Lage has an affinity both tonally and aesthetically for vintage guitars whose finishes have mellowed after years of playing. To recreate this effect and achieve the ideal combination of a thin finish application and a vintage aesthetic, Collings landed on a custom satin lacquer. This finish offering not only feels and looks vintage, it has the same inherent openness of tone that is present in the best pre-war instruments.
Lage’s signature model incorporates a script peghead logo not seen on a new Collings instrument in decades. This is the inlay that Bill hand-cut some 30 years ago when he started out in a tiny shop in Austin, Texas. This is as a loving tribute to the late leader, who in his final project was able to realize the perfect new steel-string for one of today’s most exacting guitarists.
Includes hardshell case and Lifetime Warranty.
Free shipping in the continental United States.
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