The Collings I-35 Deluxe - Jet Black Top & Doghair Back is a masterwork of boutique guitar craftsmanship, blending vintage tone with contemporary precision. Built in Austin, Texas, where attention to detail is a culture rather than a catchphrase, this semi-hollow electric is a stunning expression of elegance and sonic depth. Its unique aesthetic—featuring a Jet Black top over a Doghair-finished Honduran mahogany back—radiates sophistication with a subtle rebellious edge. This guitar is as visually arresting as it is tonally inspiring, bridging the classic and the modern with a voice that’s warm, articulate, and unmistakably Collings.

At the core of the I-35 Deluxe is its semi-hollow construction with a solid maple center block, striking the perfect balance between resonance and sustain. The body and neck are both made from Honduran mahogany, known for its rich, mid-forward tonal character, while the top is carved from premium flamed maple, adding brightness and articulation. The result is a guitar that sings with harmonic complexity and touch sensitivity, equally at home in smoky jazz clubs and roaring rock venues.

One of Collings’ signature touches is the use of grained ivoroid binding throughout the guitar—on the body, fingerboard, and peghead—which adds a luxurious visual frame to its elegant lines. The 12" fingerboard radius and 24 7/8" scale length provide a vintage feel, with a neck that sports a comfortable C-shaped profile (.865" at the first fret and .967" at the ninth), offering substance without bulk. The rosewood fingerboard, adorned with medium 18% nickel-silver frets, provides a smooth, glassy playability, while the 1 11/16" nut width allows for clean fingerstyle passages and wide bends alike.

Sonically, the I-35 Deluxe is equipped with a pair of Lollar Low Wind Imperial Humbuckers, which offer clear, open tone with a slightly scooped midrange—ideal for players seeking articulation without sacrificing warmth. These pickups are wired with DiMarzio 500K pots and Jupiter Vintage Yellow capacitors in a traditional '50s-style wiring scheme, ensuring dynamic response and tonal richness even when rolling back the volume. The custom grained ivoroid top hat knobs and pickup rings complete the guitar's visual harmony while staying true to its artisanal roots.

The hardware is both tasteful and functional: a Kluson ABR-1 bridge and Kluson stop tailpiece, both nickel-plated zinc, anchor the strings with vintage accuracy and modern reliability. Tuning stability is provided by Gotoh tuners, subtly adorned with the Collings logo, and the guitar ships strung with D’Addario NYXL1149 strings (.011"–.049"), ideal for expressive bending and rock-solid intonation.

From top to tail, this guitar exudes meticulous craftsmanship. The ebony peghead veneer features a mother-of-pearl Collings logo, and the Haircut peghead profile is instantly recognizable and uniquely refined. The extra-long mortise & tenon neck joint ensures structural integrity and superior resonance transfer between neck and body. Finished in an aged nitrocellulose lacquer, the I-35 Deluxe feels broken in, with a silky worn-in glow that enhances the wood’s acoustic properties over time.

Measuring 40" in total length, 17 5/8" in body length, 15" across the lower bout, and 1 5/8" deep, this guitar sits comfortably against the body, weighing in at a manageable 7 lbs 2 oz. It comes housed in a deluxe hardshell case, the final touch of a package that reflects Collings’ obsessive dedication to quality.

The I-35 Deluxe isn’t just an instrument—it’s a statement. It’s for players who demand more than mass production, who crave refinement without compromise. Whether you’re exploring jazz, blues, rock, or ambient textures, this guitar offers a palette that is as broad as it is deep. It’s not just built to impress. It’s built to inspire.

Other specifications include:

• Construction Semi hollow w/ maple center block
• Body Honduran mahogany
• Top Premium flamed maple
• Neck Honduran mahogany
• Body Binding Grained ivoroid
• Fingerboard Binding Grained ivoroid
• Peghead Binding Grained ivoroid
• Bridge Kluson ABR-1(nickel-plated zinc w/ retaining wire)
• Tailpiece Kluson Stop Tailpiece (nickel-plated zinc, steel studs)
• Fingerboard Rosewood
• Soundhole F-holes (unbound)
• Pickups Lollar Low Wind Imperial Humbuckers
• Pots/Caps DiMarzio 500K / Jupiter Vintage Yellow
• Knobs Custom grained ivoroid top hat
• Pickup Rings Custom grained ivoroid
• Nut 1 11/16"
• Scale Length 24 7/8"
• Neck Joint Extra long mortise & tenon
• Frets Medium 18% nickel-silver
• Peghead Veneer Ebony w/ MOP Collings logo
• Peghead Profile Haircut
• Tuners Nickel Gotoh w/ Collings logo
• Wiring  50s style
• Fingerboard Radius 12"
• Guitar Finish Aged nitrocellulose lacquer
• Pickguard None
• Truss Rod Cover Grained ivoroid
• Strings D'Addario NYXL1149 (.011" - .049")
• Body Length 17 5/8"
• Body Depth 1 5/8"
• Lower Bout Width 15"
• Total Length 40"
• Neck Profile C Shape (.865 @ 1st Fret/.967 @ 9th Fret)
• Case Deluxe Hardshell case
• 7 lbs 2 oz
• #251265

For more information on the Collings I-35 Deluxe guitar, please contact us.