Near-mint and lightly played Collings CJ-45 Traditional. If you can handle the full C carve on it, I can’t think of a better slope shoulder dread out there. With original hardshell case. Gorgeous guitar. Opened up and actually better than when it was brand new to my ears. Sounds like a piano.
Collings’ latest offering is a Traditional update on their terrific slope-shouldered CJ series. Very impressive guitar with some nice touches, including a gold mother of pearl Collings logo, a stout full C neck carve and typical Collings attention to detail. I’ll let them describe it:
“As with all of our Traditional Series guitars, when it came time to add a “T” designation to our slope-shoulder offerings, we didn’t simply tweak the original; the all-new Collings CJ-45 T is a fully re-imagined instrument that offers a distinct tonal variation when compared to our CJ and CJ-35 models. Strongly vintage-inspired, the body construction has been completely re-engineered, including new bracing carves and patterns. When combined with our latest T-Series neck design and new CJ-45 neck profile, the result showcases a tone that is exceptionally dry and fundamental with the growl and thump sought after in the great slope-shoulder dreads of the Wartime era.”
Bracing: Behind the scenes but foundational to an acoustic guitar’s tone is its bracing. While the CJ-45 T shares the same body shape as our other CJ models, its top and back Wartime X-bracing is entirely different in layout, profile, and carve, resulting in a dry and direct fundamental with quick decay that significantly expands the line’s tonal range.
Traditional Series Finish: As with every Collings Traditional instrument, the all-nitrocellulose finish on the CJ-45 T is ultra-thin, providing an unmatched response and resonance when paired with its lightweight T-Series build and materials.
Flat Back Design: The CJ-45 T incorporates an exceptionally flat back design compared to other Collings flat tops, a feature which enhances the instrument’s direct, forward tone, pronounced midrange, and strongly vintage-inspired voice.
Neck Profile: With its full C-shape, the new neck profile on our CJ-45 T is substantial in terms of both feel and its contributions to tone and response while also benefiting from the adjustable flat bar design and construction techniques of our most recent Traditional Series necks.
Rosewood Fingerboard: Hand-selected for tonal warmth and vintage vibe, every CJ-45 T features an Indian rosewood fingerboard with elegantly tapered mother-of-pearl long dot inlays.
Rosette: Unique to the CJ-45 T are its fully exposed rosette and shortened, 19-fret fingerboard, an aesthetic which makes it instantly recognizable among the Collings lineup.
Serial # 31730
Condition: Near mint; Top: Sitka spruce; Back and sides: Honduran mahogany; Neck: Mahogany, Full C profile, rosewood fingerboard; Nut: 1 3/4; Width: 16; Depth: 4 7/8; Scale: 24 7/8; Binding: Ivoroid; Rosette: b/w/b; Orientation: Lefthanded (of course)
