2011 Collings SJ – £3999

NEW ARRIVAL  Drawing inspiration from the small jumbo Gibson style body shape, the Collings SJ has a Sitka Spruce top with Indian Rosewood back and sides, and Pre-War scalloped X bracing. The fingerboard and bridge are Ebony, the fingerboard and headstock inlays are Collings’ own Modern Diamond, and the body, fingerboard and headstock binding are Koa. It really is a feast for the eyes. Tonally the lows are huge and warm, the midrange is supremely balanced, and the trebles makes this guitar so satisfying to dig into with a flatpick, as well as harmonically exciting and lively enough to be equally as engaging when played fingerstyle. The neck plays magnificently all the way through and coupled with low action and Collings notoriously brilliant fretwork, it really is effortless to play and coax out lush tones for hours on end. This is seriously one of the most impressive modern acoustics I’ve played. There’s a Fishman Matrix Infinity pickup fitted, and as always with Collings, it comes in a luxurious deluxe hard case.