Collings I35-LC Jet Black Top w/case I35LC262713

Serial: I35LC262713
Weight:7lb 10.5oz

The Collings I-35 LC Jet Black Top is a custom-appointed semi-hollow electric guitar that combines Collings' proprietary laminate construction with a carefully selected collection of premium components. Built in Austin, Texas, this particular instrument features a Jet Black top, custom inlays, a 1960s-style neck carve, ThroBak SLE-101 Plus MXV humbuckers, and a Bigsby tremolo. Its maple laminate body, maple/spruce center block, and Honduran mahogany neck provide the foundation for an exceptionally responsive instrument with the articulation, sustain, and acoustic character that define the I-35 LC series. Finished in high-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer and accompanied by a deluxe hardshell case, this custom-specification I-35 LC offers a distinctive interpretation of Collings' acclaimed semi-hollow design.

The I-35 LC's body construction is the result of a proprietary lamination process developed by Bill Collings and his research and development team. Rather than relying on conventional commercially produced laminate materials, Collings developed its own maple laminate construction to achieve specific acoustic and tonal characteristics. The top, back, and sides are crafted from this custom laminate, while a maple/spruce center block provides additional structural support, sustain, and feedback resistance. The result is a semi-hollow guitar designed to respond acoustically in harmony with its electronics, offering a balanced combination of warmth, clarity, and dynamic sensitivity. Unbound F-holes allow the body to resonate naturally, while non-grained ivoroid binding provides a refined contrast against the Jet Black finish.

This instrument features a Honduran mahogany neck with a custom 1960s-style carve, offering a slimmer, more streamlined playing feel than a traditional larger vintage neck profile. The extra-long mortise-and-tenon neck joint creates a substantial connection between the neck and body, contributing to the guitar's resonance and sustain. Its 24 7/8" scale length provides a comfortable balance of string tension and flexibility, while the rosewood fingerboard features a 12" radius and medium 18% nickel-silver frets. Custom fingerboard inlays distinguish this example from the standard I-35 LC configuration, and non-grained ivoroid fingerboard binding adds a traditional finishing detail. The headstock features an ebony veneer, mother-of-pearl Collings logo, and custom parallelogram inlay, providing another distinctive appointment exclusive to this instrument's configuration.

A pair of ThroBak SLE-101 Plus MXV humbuckers replaces the standard Lollar Low Wind Imperial pickups, giving this I-35 LC a distinctive vintage-inspired amplified voice. ThroBak's SLE-101 Plus MXV pickups are designed around the tonal characteristics of classic late-1950s PAF-style humbuckers, with an emphasis on harmonic complexity, articulation, and responsive dynamics. The bridge pickup provides a strong, focused attack with pronounced midrange character and singing sustain, while the neck pickup delivers a warm, open response with clear note separation. Together, they offer a versatile range of tones suited to blues, jazz, roots rock, and expressive lead playing. Traditional 1950s-style wiring, CTS 500K potentiometers, and Jupiter Vintage Yellow capacitors complete the electronics, providing familiar control behavior and a responsive tonal range.

The custom Bigsby tremolo is another defining feature of this particular I-35 LC. Replacing the standard fixed stop tailpiece arrangement, the Bigsby provides smooth, expressive pitch modulation suited to subtle vibrato, chord embellishments, and vintage-inspired playing techniques. A Kluson ABR-1 bridge with nickel-plated zinc construction and retaining wire provides adjustable intonation, while nickel Gotoh tuning machines with Collings logos offer precise tuning adjustments. The Bigsby complements the semi-hollow body's natural response, adding an expressive performance element without changing the instrument's traditional character. The hardware is paired with a custom .060" non-grained ivoroid pickguard binding treatment, creating an additional visual detail that distinguishes this guitar from a standard production model.

The Jet Black top provides a striking contrast against the instrument's non-grained ivoroid binding and nickel hardware. Collings' high-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish emphasizes the clean lines and elegant proportions of the I-35 LC body, while the custom fingerboard and parallelogram headstock inlays give the instrument a personalized appearance. The combination of the 1960s neck carve, ThroBak pickups, Bigsby tremolo, and custom appointments makes this example particularly distinctive within the I-35 LC lineup. Built with the attention to detail and precise craftsmanship associated with Collings, this guitar offers a sophisticated semi-hollow platform for players seeking exceptional feel, responsive electronics, and a unique visual identity. A deluxe Collings hardshell case is included.

Highlights

• Custom Collings I-35 LC with proprietary maple laminate body, maple/spruce center block, and Jet Black top

• Honduran mahogany neck with custom 1960s carve, extra-long mortise-and-tenon joint, and bound rosewood fingerboard

• ThroBak SLE-101 Plus MXV neck and bridge humbuckers with 1950s-style wiring

• Custom Bigsby tremolo, Kluson ABR-1 bridge, and nickel Gotoh tuners

• Custom fingerboard inlays, parallelogram headstock inlay, .060" ivoroid pickguard binding, and deluxe hardshell case

Specifications

Body

• Brand: Collings

• Model: I-35 LC

• Body Style: Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitar

• Body Construction: Proprietary Maple Laminate

• Top Material: Maple Laminate

• Back Material: Maple Laminate

• Side Material: Maple Laminate

• Center Block: Maple/Spruce

• Body Binding: Non-Grained Ivoroid

• Soundholes: Dual Unbound F-Holes

• Top Finish Color: Jet Black

• Body Finish: High-Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer

• Construction: Semi-Hollow with Center Block

Neck

• Neck Material: Honduran Mahogany

• Neck Profile: Custom 1960s Carve

• Neck Joint: Extra-Long Mortise and Tenon

• Fingerboard Material: Rosewood

• Fingerboard Radius: 12"

• Fingerboard Binding: Non-Grained Ivoroid

• Fingerboard Inlays: Custom Inlays

• Fret Material: 18% Nickel-Silver

• Fret Size: Medium

• Scale Length: 24 7/8"

• Nut Width: 1 11/16"

• Peghead Profile: Collings Haircut

• Peghead Veneer: Ebony

• Peghead Logo: Mother-of-Pearl Collings Logo

• Peghead Inlay: Custom Parallelogram

• Peghead Binding: None

Hardware

• Bridge: Kluson ABR-1

• Bridge Material: Nickel-Plated Zinc

• Bridge Retaining Wire: Yes

• Tremolo: Bigsby

• Tailpiece Configuration: Bigsby Tremolo

• Tuning Machines: Nickel Gotoh with Collings Logo

• Hardware Finish: Nickel

• Pickguard: Black/Cream/Black

• Pickguard Binding: Custom .060" Non-Grained Ivoroid

• Truss Rod Cover: Black/Cream/Black

• Strings: D'Addario NYXL1149 (.011–.049)

Electronics

• Neck Pickup: ThroBak SLE-101 Plus MXV Humbucker

• Bridge Pickup: ThroBak SLE-101 Plus MXV Humbucker

• Pickup Configuration: HH

• Pickup Type: Passive Humbuckers

• Wiring: 1950s-Style

• Potentiometers: CTS 500K

• Tone Capacitors: Jupiter Vintage Yellow

• Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone

• Pickup Selector: 3-Way Toggle

Miscellaneous

• Serial Number: I35LC262713

• Manufacturer: Collings Guitars

• Model: I-35 LC

• Custom Configuration: Yes

• Top Finish: Jet Black

• Neck Profile: Custom 1960s Carve

• Custom Fingerboard Inlays: Yes

• Custom Peghead Inlay: Parallelogram

• Custom Pickguard Binding: .060" Non-Grained Ivoroid

• Custom Pickups: ThroBak SLE-101 Plus MXV

• Custom Tremolo: Bigsby

• Finish Type: High-Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer

• Country of Origin: United States

• Manufacturing Location: Austin, Texas

• Included Case: Collings Deluxe Hardshell Case

Why Buy from Tone Shop Guitars?

Tone Shop Guitars is an independent Collings dealer with locations in Addison, Southlake and Fort Worth, Texas. We offer free nationwide shipping on new instruments and multiple financing options.