NAMM 2021: New Collings 470 JL electric model for Julian Lage
The Jazz musician gets a new Collings signature guitar
Jazz guitarist Julian Lage has been working with Collings on a new electric model. The result, the Collings 470 JL Julian Lage Signature Electric model, is a beautiful looking premium guitar, with bags of tones to match its stunning looks.
Collings 470 JL Julian Lage Signature Electric
Julian Lage has already worked with Collings on signature acoustic models, so when the idea formulated in his mind for an electric guitar, he went back to the company to help with his vision. What we got from this partnership was the new 470 JL Julian Lage Signature Electric model and, I must say, it looks absolutely wonderful.
Hollow Body
The guitar is fully hollow with just a trestle block for more stability. The body is solid Honduran mahogany paired with a maple laminate top. It then has a Honduran mahogany neck with a custom 24.875″ scale length, and a profile that combines C and V shapes. The fingerboard is ebony with a 12″ radius and 22 frets. You also have an extra long mortise and tenon neck joint and, of course, the lovely high gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish with a tortoiseshell pickguard.
The Devil is in the Details
With all these very subtle tweaks, this model clearly feels like a labour of love. It isn’t often you see such precise scale-length variations and specific neck profile combinations. I’m certain this guitar will be a dream to play.
Ron Ellis Ellisonics
You get two Dynasonic type single-coil pickups, wound by Ron Ellis Ellisonics. Julian chose these pickups specifically for their vintage inspired tones. These are then wired via a master volume and two tone controls. I would recommend you watch the video below, as they sound glorious and very articulate, with great note definition.
Bigsby B3
Hardware includes a Tune-O-Matic type bridge which is set into a pinned ebony base and a Bigsby B3 vibrato for when you want to add some shimmer to your chords. Overall, I find the styling on the 470 JL to be very understated and classy, it truly is a joy to look at. Then, when you hear it in the demo video, it clearly has the tones to match.
What a great sounding guitar! I am seriously impressed by this new signature model. Collings have done a fantastic job with this instrument and really knocked it out of the park. The 470 JL is available in Antique Blonde, Antique Black and Antique Sunburst finishes, all of which look really good.
You can hear Julian talk about the instrument in the official video below.
More Information
Video
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