I-30 LC

Overview

I-30 LCOur goal for the I-30 LC was to take the concept of a double cutaway, fully-hollow, P90 equipped guitar and refine it to the extent that it offers something truly new for today's players. The result is one of the most acoustically responsive and versatile electric guitars we have ever offered.

The lightweight, "trestle" braced body of the I-30 LC has been refined through extensive R&D, and is the distillation of knowledge gleaned from our popular I-35 and Statesman LC series. The trestle brace design directly couples the neck and tail block, creating exceptional strength and acoustical energy transference, while also allowing for a lightness and responsiveness that is both a tactile and musical joy to experience.

Playing the I-30 LC, you can easily feel the acoustic energy travel through the symmetric arches and re-curves of the top and back. These plates have been custom laminated and voiced for a tonality that is acoustic guitar-like in its resonance and dynamic response, but focused and feedback resistant enough to be utilized in jazz, blues, rock n' roll and many other styles. Our new custom designed trapeze tailpiece provides just the right amount of "give" for a relaxed string feel and effortless playability.

Lollar Dog Ear P90s are perfectly matched to the instrument's acoustic response and offer a wide palette of tones from rich jazzy warmth to 1960's British Invasion style chime. Drawing its inspiration from both classic electric designs and our own previous models, the I-30 LC is an exciting step forward and an intriguing new Collings sound.

*This particular example is shown with the custom Plain Maple Laminate option.

Laminate Construction

Through extensive R&D and critical listening, we developed a special combination of wood laminates, grain orientation, and ply thicknesses that achieves the optimal balance of overall weight, acoustic response and feedback resistance.

Trestle Bracing

The I-30 LC utilizes a unique trestle bracing design to support the top of this otherwise fully-hollow instrument. The trestles also provide added tonal structure and definition by bridging the gap between the instrument's neck block and tail block.

Lollar Dog Ear P90s

Lollar P90s fitted with our custom in-house made phenolic “dog ear” covers offer an impressive range of tonal versatility, and are the perfect complement to the sustain and resonance of the fully-hollow construction.

Trapeze Tailpiece

A Collings original trapeze-style tailpiece serves to minimize any restriction of vibration in the top, and also brings an air of vintage charm and elegance to the I-30 LC's aesthetic.

Ultra-thin 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.

Fingerboard

Each I-30 LC model features a finely grained rosewood fingerboard with 5mm Mother-of-pearl dot inlays and ungrained ivoroid binding for a classic aesthetic.

Pickguard

A floating 3-ply pickguard sits precisely fitted around the Lollar Dog Ear P90s, supported by an adjustable post secured at the f-hole.

Precision Tuning

Custom engraved Gotoh SG-301 tuners offer precise tuning and reliable closed-back operation with a smooth 1:18 gear ratio.

ConstructionFully hollow w/ parallel trestle braces
Body Maple laminate
TopMaple laminate
NeckHonduran mahogany
Body BindingNon-grained ivoroid
Fingerboard BindingNon-grained ivoroid
Peghead BindingNone
BridgeKluson ABR-1(nickel-plated zinc w/ retaining wire)
TailpieceCollings original trapeze tailpiece
FingerboardRosewood w/ MOP long dots (5mm non-tapered)
Fingerboard Radius12"
SoundholeF-holes (unbound)
PickupsLollar Dog Ear P90s w/ custom phenolic covers
Pots/CapsDiMarzio 500K / Jupiter Vintage Yellow
KnobsAmber or black top hat
Nut1 11/16"
Scale Length24 7/8"
Neck JointExtra long mortise & tenon
FretsMedium 18% nickel-silver
Peghead VeneerEbony w/ MOP Collings logo
Peghead ProfileHaircut
TunersNickel Gotoh w/ Collings logo
Wiring 50s style
Guitar FinishHigh gloss nitrocellulose lacquer
PickguardBlack/Cream/Black
Truss Rod CoverBlack/Cream/Black
StringsD'Addario NYXL1149 (.011" - .049")
CaseDeluxe hardshell case by Ameritage
Neck Profile Diagram

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

Body Length17 5/8"
Body Depth1 5/8"
Lower Bout Width15"
Total Length40"

Custom Options

  • Faded Cherry
  • Tobacco Sunburst
  • Blonde
  • Iced Tea Sunburst
  • Walnut
  • Dark Cherry Sunburst
  • Merlot
  • Brock Burst
  • Oxblood
  • Trans Orange
  • Caramel
  • Root Beer
  • Lemon Burst
  • Scarlet Sunburst
  • Acid Wash Charcoal Burst
  • Jet Black
  • Olive Drab
  • Seafoam Green
  • Tiger Eye Sunburst
  • Crimson
  • Mermaid Blue
  • Olympic White
  • Shell Pink
  • TV Yellow (Mahogany top)
  • 1959 Faded Crimson (Mahogany top)
  • Doghair
  • Nicky Burst
  • Sapphire Blue
  • Sonic Blue
  • Vintage White (Mahogany top)
  • Candy Apple Red
  • Sherwood Green
  • Charcoal Frost
  • Custom Finishes
  • Burgundy Mist
  • Pelham Blue
  • 60s Neck Profile
  • Left-handed
  • No Fingerboard Inlay