In the mid-'90s, Collings started building a modified version of their standard dreadnought that featured options commonly requested by flatpicking specialists. Named after the well-loved Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas, the Collings Winfield was offered as the prize for the National Flatpicking Contest at the festival. Commonly known as the CW, this large-soundhole dreadnought is a bluegrass powerhouse. Its stiff Adirondack Spruce top is supported by a top bracing pattern based on the earliest 14-fret dreadnoughts. Everything about this model is designed to provide plenty of headroom and projection for aggressive playing, but not at the expense of good tone.

This Collings CW Mh A (serial #36907) is a cannon of a dreadnought. Mahogany back and sides deliver a woody mid-range and strong fundamental tone. Its stiff Adirondack Spruce top is supported by a top bracing pattern based on the earliest 14-fret dreadnoughts. Everything about this model is designed to provide headroom and projection for aggressive playing, but nothing at the expense of good tone. 25.5" scale, 1-23/32" nut width, cutthrough saddle with 2-1/4" spacing—all the right details to elevate your flatpicking to the next level!

This CW Mh A produces a strong voice with bright treble content that will cut through any mix. When you play solo, there is warmth and bass presence aplenty. But as with many good Mahogany dreadnoughts, the bass dissipates so this guitar will never be muddy in the band setting. The bracing pattern and abbreviated soundboard graft (tongue brace) lend a voicing that feels natural and open. For a brand new guitar, the response is impressive. Just imagine what this Collings will sound like in 50 years!

Designed as a prize-winner guitar for a prestigious festival, the Collings CW Mh A is tastefully styled out. Tortoise binding around the fingerboard matches the top and back binding. The Dalmation pickguard stands out, but looks appropriate for the aesthetic. Elegance, nothing over the top. No fingerboard inlays, but you'll love how the side markers flash with the tortoise binding pattern. Deluxe hardshell case included!

• Top: Adirondack Spruce
• Back & Sides: Honduran Mahogany
• Neck: Honduran Mahogany
• Body Binding: Tortoise with B/W/B/W Top Purfling
• Fingerboard Binding: .100" Tortoise with B/W Purfling
• Peghead Binding: None
• Bridge: Ebony Belly-Style with 2 1/4" String Spacing
• Fingerboard: Ebony (No Inlays)
• Fingerboard Radius: 14"–26" Compound
• Bridge Pins/End Pin: Ebony with Mother-of-Pearl Dots
• Nut: Bone, 1 23/32"
• Saddle: Bone, Cutthrough
• Neck Profile: Modified V
• Peghead Profile: Square
• Neck Joint: Mortise & Tenon Hybrid
• Truss Rod: Fully Adjustable
• Frets: Medium 18% Nickel-Silver
• Peghead Veneer: Ebony with Mother-of-Pearl Collings Logo
• Tuners: Nickel Waverly
• Backstrip: 1-Style (Walnut)
• Rosette: Black/White Purfling
• Soundhole: Enlarged
• Scale Length: 25 1/2"
• Brace Material: Adirondack Spruce
• Brace Pattern: Pre-War Scalloped X-Brace with Abbreviated Soundboard Graft (Tongue Brace)
• Body Finish: High-Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Neck Finish: High-Gloss Polyester Resin
• Pickguard: Dalmatian