The new Collings 71 is a sleek, stripped-down tone machine that channels the vibe of slab-body electric guitars of the '50s. While its aesthetic shows sincere vintage influence, the 71 delivers a wider range than just retro vibes. Modern day precision allows for unmatched playability, usability, and lightweight comfort. Collings' next level craftsmanship delivers a fresh take on a familiar form—the 71 is designed from the ground up to be a serious player’s guitar.

The Collings 71 starts with a solid Ash body and set-neck construction, which maximizes acoustic resonance and sustain. The precise headstock tilt creates an ideal break angle without any need for a string tree, ensuring rock-solid tuning stability and even resonance across the fretboard. The best electric guitars actually produce rich, balanced sound when you play them unplugged, and Collings embraces that concept wholeheartedly with this model. When you combine the natural acoustic qualities of the guitar itself with a straightforward T-style pickup arrangement, the 71 delivers assertive sonic clarity and touch-sensitive responsiveness.

This 71 (serial #7126114) features an Antiqued Watson Green finish with Collings' hand-poured pickguard, which is made in-house in Austin, Texas. This is an eye-catching guitar, built to perform at the highest level. We ordered this 71 with upgraded ThroBak Nocaster pickups, and the three-way switch, volume, and tone control give you a lot to work with. The tone knob is also a push/pull switch that puts the pickups into series for a humbucker-like boost. Regardless of where the three-way switch is set, the push/pull sends it directly to the pickups in series setting. True to the Collings reputation, every setting of the volume/tone knobs is a usable, workable sound, and the output volume stays balanced through all three positions of the switch.

Like every Collings, the 71 is also optimized for playability and maximum utility. At its core, an instrument has a job to do, and the Collings 71 proves to be a formidable tool. The unique contoured body is comfortable on your lap and on a strap. The weight is nice, too—this one clocks in under 7 lbs. The neck has a Soft V shape that fits your hand and feels easy to hang onto. The nut measures 1-11/16", and the 10"-radius fingerboard sports Narrow Tall frets, which make it effortless to commit to a note. Bends and vibrato feel seamless, and notes ring out clear and true in every position. The double-cutaway body provides unique access to the end of the fingerboard. All of this combines for a next-level playing experience. 

• Construction: Solid body
• Neck Joint: Set Mortise and tenon
• Body: Ash
• Neck: Hard maple slab sawn
• Neck Profile: Soft V
• Bridge: Rutters w/ Collings Stamp
• Fingerboard: Rosewood (5mm non-tapered pearl dots)
• Fingerboard Radius: 10"
• Pickups: ThroBak Nocaster A3 Classic
• Pots/Caps: 250K / Jupiter Vintage Yellow
• Knobs: Davies Radio
• Nut: 1-11/16"
• Scale Length: 25-1/2"
• Frets: Narrow-tall 18% nickel-silver
• Peghead Veneer: Ebony w/ MOP Collings logo
• Peghead Profile: Collings 6-in-line
• Tuners: Kluson Supreme
• Wiring: 3-way blade, volume/tone, series/parallel
• Guitar Finish: Antiqued nitrocellulose lacquer - Watson Green
• Pickguard: Collings custom hand-poured
• Truss Rod Cover: Collings custom hand-poured