Collings Ladybird

[Boudoir Guitar]

Ladybird | Electric Guitar | Collings Guitars

collingsguitars.com

I realize this is of zero interest to most here, but, here we are. I've been drooling everytime they've shown this as a prototype on facebook, etc., but not so sure now that I see the full spec.

Poplar seems like a very questionable choice for neck wood, but they have had the prototypes around for years and seem to be fine, so maybe that's just my bias.

24 1/8" scale... I like the idea of owning a guitar with that scale length. But not a "Oooooo, I found a bargain used one for $5k!" guitar.

Still love the look and I bet they do sound great. But a little less excited today than I was last week. About a guitar that I was never likely to own anyway.

 

[Eagle]

It will be worth the money, every Collings I see is just about as perfect as it’s possible to be from a build standpoint.

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

It will be worth the money, every Collings I see is just about as perfect as it’s possible to be from a build standpoint.

It will be worth the money for those that are interested in an extremely well built 24 1/8" scale length hollowbody guitar. I love the look. But on that kind of oddball, I'm waaaaaay more likely to spend ~$1k on an early 60's Silvertone Jupiter than Collings premium price for Collings premium build. The Collings prices have crept up to the point that they are now a "once in a lifetime, if the retirement account is performing a little better than expected" guitar for me where for a long time they were squarely in the "yeah, special occasion; special instrument; I'd splurge".

 

[la szum]

It will be worth the money, every Collings I see is just about as perfect as it’s possible to be from a build standpoint.

Collings is one brand that I have never laid my hands on and would love to try. They seem
like one of the most resoundingly positive brands out there when it comes to users/players
perspectives.

 

[AFKAEjay(retired)]

Short scale is really a different flavor …I own a Byrdland, which is 23.5, love that guitar to death, “never sell in my life category”.

But not many short scale around afaik, and most of them with price tags starting around 8k. Gibson 350t and the Epiphone Byrdland are the only others I can think of.
That Epiphone is maybe something to watch for…rarely on the market, and if I’m correct 2 to 3k.

Twice a year I visit a shop with a wall full of Collings, all are expensive, all are good guitars, however, not all felt/sounded “10k special” to me.
There’s has been one I went back for with intention to possibly buy, cause I loved it…fortunately for my bank account it was already sold

That ladybird looks a bit like the Eastman Romeo btw

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

Short scale is really a different flavor …I own a Byrdland, which is 23.5, love that guitar to death, “never sell in my life category”.

But not many short scale around afaik, and most of them with price tags starting around 8k. Gibson 350t and the Epiphone Byrdland are the only others I can think of.
That Epiphone is maybe something to watch for…rarely on the market, and if I’m correct 2 to 3k.

Twice a year I visit a shop with a wall full of Collings, all are expensive, all are good guitars, however, not all felt/sounded “10k special” to me.
There’s has been one I went back for with intention to possibly buy, cause I loved it…fortunately for my bank account it was already sold

That ladybird looks a bit like the Eastman Romeo btw

Yeah -- the hollowbody version of the Romeo is a great guitar, and currently "next on my list". Until something else comes along that distracts me from the list...

 

[AFKAEjay(retired)]

Yeah -- the hollowbody version of the Romeo is a great guitar, and currently "next on my list". Until something else comes along that distracts me from the list...

I can highly recommend it! Are you going for the solid top or the laminated version?

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

I can highly recommend it! Are you going for the solid top or the laminated version?

I’ve played the solid top and loved it. I THINK all the laminate top ones actually have some sort of center block? There is a black laminate one with tremolo at my local shop that is definitely semi hollow. I like it, but not as much as the full hollow.

 

[AFKAEjay(retired)]

I’ve played the solid top and loved it. I THINK all the laminate top ones actually have some sort of center block? There is a black laminate one with tremolo at my local shop that is definitely semi hollow. I like it, but not as much as the full hollow.

Not sure…but maybe the California is full hollow with laminated top, and the NYC have centerblocks?
I’ve never had my hands on any other than my own (solid top version), so no clue how they compare.
A centerblock will definitely be a different vibe then a hollow imo..

 

[HomespunEffects]

It will be worth the money, every Collings I see is just about as perfect as it’s possible to be from a build standpoint.

I’ve played three examples and they were absolutely perfect. They are a 290 with Lollar gold foils, a 470JL and an I-35 with Throbaks. Each one has zero flaws and were set up perfectly. Gibson, take note.

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

Short scale is really a different flavor …I own a Byrdland, which is 23.5, love that guitar to death, “never sell in my life category”.

But not many short scale around afaik, and most of them with price tags starting around 8k. Gibson 350t and the Epiphone Byrdland are the only others I can think of.
That Epiphone is maybe something to watch for…rarely on the market, and if I’m correct 2 to 3k.

Twice a year I visit a shop with a wall full of Collings, all are expensive, all are good guitars, however, not all felt/sounded “10k special” to me.
There’s has been one I went back for with intention to possibly buy, cause I loved it…fortunately for my bank account it was already sold

That ladybird looks a bit like the Eastman Romeo btw

There’s this weird Midtown Kalamazoo. It’s like a Byrdland and a thin line tele had a baby. Played one recently. Heavy as a brick, about as much semi-hollow mojo as a thin line tele (which is to say, very little) and just wonky with the flattop. Sounded pretty meh. Super slinky though for sure!

https://reverb.com/item/86591591-gibson-midtown-kalamazoo-2013-2015-vintage-sunburst?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=86591591

 

[AFKAEjay(retired)]

There’s this weird Midtown Kalamazoo. It’s like a Byrdland and a thin line tele had a baby. Played one recently. Heavy as a brick, about as much semi-hollow mojo as a thin line tele (which is to say, very little) and just wonky with the flattop. Sounded pretty meh. Super slinky though for sure!

https://reverb.com/item/86591591-gibson-midtown-kalamazoo-2013-2015-vintage-sunburst?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=86591591

Ahh…never knew these where shortscale. Couple of years ago these went well under 2k in the EU, probably the most affordable “hollow” with Gibson on the headstock. Never triggered on it cause of the flat top.

 

[Jynx]

I love the black version.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Have you checked out Eastman? They’re doing some interesting stuff at not outer orbit prices. Not that scale length though.

EDIT

NVM, could have sworn they did one with a similar vibe, but I must have been thinking of something else.

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

Have you checked out Eastman? They’re doing some interesting stuff at not outer orbit prices. Not that scale length though.

EDIT

NVM, could have sworn they did one with a similar vibe, but I must have been thinking of something else.

They do -- the solid-top Romeo is preeeeetty similar, but with Lollar humbuckers. It's a pretty great guitar, honestly, but to be fair it is also up around $2.3k new so not exactly "budget". https://www.eastmanguitars.com/romeo

I recently acquired a used Eastman T-64 trapeze varnish finished with Lollar P-90s which, together with the '56 Gibson ES-225, has me so sweetly covered in the thinline hollowbody world that it's gonna be a while before I can justify another guitar in this area, honestly.

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

Ahhh, they also have a new solid wood, carved, maple center block semi hollow. Calling it the 620. Actually looks like the maple center block may be more of a Gretsch trestle situation, as it appears to be "inspired by" the 6120. 25" scale length.

 

[metropolis_4]

but to be fair it is also up around $2.3k new so not exactly "budget". https://www.eastmanguitars.com/romeo

I bet you could get 2 or 3 of them for the price of the Collings though

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

I bet you could get 2 or 3 of them for the price of the Collings though

4 or 5. As long as we are talking about the generic, theoretical “you” and not me personally.

 

[metropolis_4]

4 or 5. As long as we are talking about the generic, theoretical “you” and not me personally.

Yep, theoretical “you” intended.

When it starts to get into these sort of prices I feel these aren’t instruments for musicians anymore, they are more like pieces of art for collectors to admire and appreciate.

It’s like owning a Cord Phaeton. You don’t buy it because it’s a practical daily commuter

 

[paisleywookiee]

They do -- the solid-top Romeo is preeeeetty similar, but with Lollar humbuckers. It's a pretty great guitar, honestly, but to be fair it is also up around $2.3k new so not exactly "budget". https://www.eastmanguitars.com/romeo

I recently acquired a used Eastman T-64 trapeze varnish finished with Lollar P-90s which, together with the '56 Gibson ES-225, has me so sweetly covered in the thinline hollowbody world that it's gonna be a while before I can justify another guitar in this area, honestly.

I SO love that guitar. I’m a friggin’ hack of a prog rock guy, so it’s completely the wrong guitar. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting one