DS3

Overview

DS3This is the original 12-fret dreadnought shape, first designed as an oversized Hawaiian guitar almost a century ago. We've retained the shape and wide neck with slotted headstock from that bygone era, but our DS models are thoroughly modern guitars with a unique sound all their own. The longer body, with the bridge closer to the center of the lower bout, delivers an open, airy tone with smoothness and warmth not typically found in modern, 14-fret dreadnoughts. Whether flatpicked or played fingerstyle, these guitars have lots of headroom and the wide dynamic range invites everything from mellow accompaniment to biting leads.

Hand Voiced

From the starting point of the wood's density and rigidity, each acoustic guitar top is hand selected, evaluated, and graduated to its own unique thickness; maximizing the tonal potential of each top.

Premium Tonewoods

Each Collings acoustic guitar, from our most affordable model to the highest end, are built with the finest tonewoods available. Each wood is acquired, acclimated, and hand selected by master luthiers here at our shop who pick each component with the whole tonality of the end instrument in mind.

Playability

A combination of exacting PLEK machine leveling and hand fret dressing ensures consistently excellent playability and a silky fret feel.

Finish

By meticulously hand-sanding between coats, our nitrocellulose lacquer finishes measure between .005” and .007” in final thickness, maximizing acoustic response while providing excellent protection and aesthetics.

Precision Tuning

Premium Waverly open-gear tuners offer exceptional tuning stability and smooth reliable operation with a vintage aesthetic.

Appointments

A fully bound neck and peghead, as well as an abalone rosette and gold hardware make 3-style acoustics our most fully appointed base model.

Neck Profile

Our 12-fret slot headstock guitars feature a comfortable Modified V neck profile with a 1 13/16 inch nut width and 2 5/16 inch string spacing as standard, making them well suited to fingerstyle playing techniques.

Make It Your Own

With a wide variety of custom inlays, nut widths, neck profiles, and tone wood options; a Collings instrument can be configured to perfectly match your playing style and aesthetic preference.

TopSitka spruce
Back & SidesE. Indian rosewood
NeckHonduran mahogany
Body BindingIvoroid with b/w/b/w/b purfling
Fingerboard Binding.060" ivoroid
Peghead Binding.100" ivoroid with b/w purfling
BridgeEbony belly-style with 2 3/8" spacing
FingerboardEbony with no inlay
Fingerboard Radius14" - 26" compound
Bridge Pins/End PinEbony with abalone dot
NutBone, 1 13/16"
SaddleBone, drop-in
Neck ProfileModified V
Peghead ProfileTapered slotted square with volute
Neck JointMortise & tenon hybrid
Truss RodFully adjustable
FretsMedium 18% nickel-silver
Peghead VeneerStained Exotic Ebony with MOP Collings logo
TunersGold Waverly
Backstrip3-style (Chevron)
RosetteAbalone
Scale Length25 1/2"
Brace MaterialSitka spruce
Brace PatternPre-war scalloped X-brace
Body FinishHigh gloss nitrocellulose lacquer
Neck FinishHigh gloss polyester resin
PickguardTortoise
StringsD'Addario EJ-17 (.013"- .056")
CaseDeluxe hardshell case by TKL
Neck Profile Diagram

*Actual measurements may vary slightly due to hand-sanding and finishing variables.

Body Length20 7/8"
Body Depth4 7/8"
Lower Bout Width15 5/8"
Total Length40 1/8"

Custom Options

  • Honduran Mahogany

    Honduran mahogany is an exceptional tonewood that produces a punchy front-end attack and articulate nuanced tone. Compared to East Indian rosewood, which offers a deep, resonant sound, Honduran mahogany produces a dryer, more fundamental tone with a quick and accurate response.

  • Wenge
  • Walnut
  • European Maple

    European maple is a beautiful figured wood that offers excellent projection and focus, which made it the tonewood of choice for many luthiers before the days of amplification. It's still a very valid tonewood today, and despite the misconception that maple guitars are overly bright, properly selected maple sets can produce deep, full sound with excellent articulation and clarity.

  • Koa

    With its vibrant amber color and striking figure, Koa is a wonderful tonewood that has been used for stringed instruments for generations. Tonally, Koa finds a pleasing balance between warmth and clarity with a bright front-end attack and warm undertones, making it an ideal choice for fingerstyle and chord melodies.

  • Adirondack Braces
  • No Tongue Brace
  • Left-handed