Collings D2H Q-Top 1 11/16

The square-shouldered 14-fret dreadnought is the most popular steel-string acoustic guitar body shape in the world. While Collings is far from the only company to build them, we bring a new tonal clarity to the depth and warmth usually associated with such a large, deep-bodied instrument. Although its bass response makes the dreadnought ideal for vocal accompaniment, Collings versions are also often employed by bluegrass flatpickers who must compete with inherently louder instruments, such as banjos and fiddles. The wide range of woods and neck sizes offered allow dreadnought fans to find a Collings model ideally suited to their playing style and tonal preference.

Our 2-style (D2H) features East Indian rosewood back and sides with ivoroid body binding and butt wedge, herringbone top purfling, a “zipper” backstrip, diamonds and squares fingerboard inlays, and a more intricate 2-style rosette.

Our standard series instruments (non-T) offer the classic Collings voice, which features shimmery highs, a punchy midrange, a tight and clean low end, and maximum headroom with a quick response. The standard neck profile is our Modified V with 1 11/16″ nut width and 2 3/16″ string spacing. Standard instruments also offer a wider range of custom options than Traditionals.

Q-Top

There are several benefits of Q Spruce from a player and collector perspective, including resonance, responsiveness, sustain, volume, and consistency. Since high-Q wood does not “swallow” the vibration of the strings, the guitar is more responsive to a light touch and more powerful when driven hard.

The process also provides our head luthier, Steve Nall, with even more information for wood selection and voicing of individual instruments.

Finally, as Q-graded tops are increasingly recognized as premium offerings, knowing a guitar was built with “High Q” spruce also provides a technical pedigree that complements the aesthetic beauty of our instruments.