Description

"Every day we try to make a better guitar, every day. You're trying to reach for more, trying to do better, not trying to do the same. A lot of companies are trying to do the same, and that's okay - that's their deal. We're trying to stretch that. Our goal is a little more." - Bill Collings

Anyone that knows us knows we simply love ES-330s. While ES-335s are obviously amazing, the totally hollow ES-330 has an overall musicality that makes them so versatile. Players as diverse as Grant Green to John Lennon (who used the Epiphano Casino, which is essentially the same model) have called upon this model and for good reason - they're able to cover a surprisingly wide range of tones while being a blast to play. Quick footnote - these are really fun and rewarding guitars to play even without an amp. Perfect for couch sessions or late night playing. 

So...Lollar or Throbak P90s? What's the story here, I see they can be ordered with both?

To our ears, the Lollars have a slightly more neutral midrange which leads to a more open, clear, and some might say, "polite" sounding P90. They're not quite as biting as an old Gibson P90, and ultimately have an ever-so-slight modern quality to them. 

The Throbaks are 100% vintage - pushed midrange, more of that classic P90 bite, warmth. If you're going for "the best vintage sounding I-30" these might be for you. (Keep in mind we're looking at two of the best pickup makers out there, meaning, there really is no "wrong" choice.)

Like all Collings guitars, the build, fit-finish, setup, playability, and tones are perfect, quite literally. 

Seasoned electric players looking to expand their palette down to acoustic players looking for their first electric will find a lot to like with the I-30LC. Some might even say it's the perfect "cross-over" electric due to its hollow-body construction and feel, yet it sounds as good as any electric guitar out there. Try it out, you won't be disappointed (be sure to watch the ever-inspiring Duke Levine video demos this model). Priced with hardshell case. 

Specs

  • Fully hollow w/parallel trestle braces
  • Maple laminate body/top
  • Honduran mahogany neck w/rosewood fingerboard
  • Mother of pearl fretboard dots
  • Non-grained ivoroid body/fingerboard binding (no peghead binding)
  • Kluson ABR-1 bridge
  • Collings original tailpiece
  • Throbak Dog Ear P90s w/custom phenolic covers 
  • Dimarzio 500K/Jupiter Vintage Yellow
  • Amber top hat knobs
  • 1 11/16" nut
  • 24 7/8" Scale Length
  • Extra long mortise & tenon neck joint 
  • Medium 18% nickel-silver frets
  • Ebony headstock veneer w/MOP Collings Logo
  • Nickel Gotoh tuners (w/Collings logo)
  • 50s style wiring 
  • 12" radius
  • D'Addario NYXL .011-.049" strings 
  • Ameritage Deluxe hardshell case 
  • I30LC19255

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