The Complete Collings Guitar Price Guide 2026: Built from the Sound Up

Last updated: February 2026

Bill Collings left Ohio for Austin in the early 1970s with a simple goal: build guitars the right way. He started on his kitchen table—no factory, no investors, just hand tools and uncompromising standards. Every instrument was built "from the sound up," with tone as the first consideration and aesthetics following. By 1990, professional musicians were seeking out Collings guitars. By 2005, the operation had grown to a 27,000 square foot facility—yet every guitar still received the same meticulous attention. When Bill Collings passed away in 2017, his team didn't change a thing. They had been trained in his methods. They understood the philosophy. Today, Collings Guitars produces acoustics, electrics, mandolins, and ukuleles that remain the benchmark for boutique craftsmanship—played by Pete Townshend, Joni Mitchell, Brian May, and countless professionals who demand the finest instruments.

This guide breaks down Collings pricing across their entire lineup. Whether you're considering a CJ jumbo for bold projection, an I-35 semi-hollow for jazz and blues, or a City Limits solidbody for rock, understanding the market will help you make an informed decision.

Collings Guitar Market Overview 2026

Collings occupies the premium boutique segment—handcrafted American instruments with exceptional build quality and strong resale value.

Key Market Statistics:

• Average Used Collings Price: $3,500 (up 4% from 2025)
• Active Listings: Approximately 450 guitars currently for sale
• Monthly Sales Volume: Around 85 guitars sold per month
• Price Range: $2,000 (used electrics) to $12,000 (premium acoustics)

Collings guitars hold value exceptionally well. The combination of meticulous craftsmanship, finite production, and professional endorsement creates steady demand. Pre-2017 instruments (built during Bill Collings' lifetime) may command a modest premium among collectors, though post-2017 guitars maintain identical standards.

Understanding Collings' Philosophy

Built from the Sound Up

Bill Collings' approach was radical in its simplicity: start with tone. Every design decision—bracing pattern, top graduation, neck angle, fret size—serves the sound. Aesthetics follow. The result is instruments that look understated but sound extraordinary.

Core Principles:

1. Tone First: Every specification optimized for acoustic response
2. Precise Tolerances: Collings is known for exceptional fretwork and fit
3. Hide Glue Construction: Traditional adhesives that age differently than modern alternatives
4. No Compromise: Every instrument meets the same standards regardless of price tier

The Kitchen Table Legacy

From a single workbench in Austin to 27,000 square feet of manufacturing—Collings grew without sacrificing quality. The team that continues today was trained directly by Bill Collings. The same suppliers, the same methods, the same philosophy. The 2017 transition was seamless because the culture was already embedded.

Product Range

Acoustics: CJ (jumbo), D2H (dreadnought), OM (orchestra model)—the heart of Collings Electrics: I-35 semi-hollow, City Limits solidbody and semi-hollow Other: Mandolins (F-style, A-style), ukuleles (concert, tenor)

Acoustic Guitar Pricing: $4,500-$8,000

Handcrafted flat-top acoustics—the pinnacle of Collings' craft.

CJ (Jumbo) (~$5,000-$8,000)

Specifications:

• Body: Jumbo shape—bold low end, generous projection
• Top: Solid Sitka spruce or Adirondack spruce
• Back/Sides: Solid rosewood, mahogany, or maple
• Neck: Mahogany, dovetail joint
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Bracing: Hand-scalloped X-bracing
• Scale: 25.5"
• Nut Width: 1.75" or 1.6875"
• Finish: Nitrocellulose lacquer

Why the CJ: The jumbo body delivers commanding low end and volume. Ideal for strumming, flatpicking, and players who need to cut through a mix. The CJ is Collings' boldest acoustic voice.

D2H (Dreadnought) (~$5,000-$7,000)

Specifications:

• Body: Traditional dreadnought—classic punch and balance
• Top: Solid Sitka or Adirondack spruce
• Back/Sides: Solid rosewood or mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany, dovetail
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Bracing: Hand-scalloped
• Scale: 25.5"
• Nut Width: 1.75" or 1.6875"
• Finish: Nitrocellulose

Why the D2H: The dreadnought is the workhorse of acoustic guitar. Collings' D2H delivers the classic Martin-style punch with Collings' distinctive clarity and balance. The "2H" denotes two-piece back—premium construction.

OM (Orchestra Model) (~$4,500-$6,500)

Specifications:

• Body: Orchestra model—balanced mids, fingerstyle clarity
• Top: Solid spruce or cedar
• Back/Sides: Solid rosewood or mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany, dovetail
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Scale: 25.4"
• Nut Width: 1.75" or 1.6875"
• Body: Smaller than dreadnought, larger than 000

Why the OM: The orchestra model offers the sweet spot for many players—balanced tone, excellent string separation, comfortable size. Ideal for fingerstyle, light strumming, and recording. Many professionals choose OM over dreadnought for its versatility.

Used Acoustic Values: $3,500-$6,000 (excellent condition)

Electric Guitar Pricing: $3,000-$5,000

Collings electrics bring the same precision to semi-hollow and solidbody instruments.

I-35 Semi-Hollow (~$3,000-$4,500)

Specifications:

• Body: Semi-hollow, ES-335-style
• Top/Back: Maple
• Center Block: Maple
• Neck: Mahogany, set-neck
• Fingerboard: Ebony or rosewood
• Pickups: Lollar Imperial or similar
• Bridge: TOM with stopbar
• Scale: 24.75"
• Nut Width: 1.6875"
• Finish: Nitrocellulose

Why the I-35: The I-35 delivers ES-335 versatility with Collings' meticulous build quality. Jazz, blues, rock—the semi-hollow design handles it all. Exceptional fretwork and hardware. Pete Townshend and Brian May have played Collings electrics.

City Limits (~$3,500-$5,000)

Specifications:

• Body: Solidbody or semi-hollow options
• Woods: Mahogany, maple, ash
• Neck: Mahogany or maple, set-neck
• Fingerboard: Ebony or rosewood
• Pickups: Lollar, Seymour Duncan, or custom
• Bridge: TOM, vibrato, or hardtail options
• Scale: 24.75" or 25.5"
• Finish: Nitrocellulose

Why City Limits: The City Limits series offers Collings quality in solidbody and semi-hollow configurations. Expect exceptional fretwork, premium hardware, and the clarity professionals demand. More versatile than the I-35 for players who want solidbody punch.

Used Electric Values: $2,500-$3,800 (excellent condition)

Mandolins and Ukuleles

Collings also produces handcrafted mandolins and ukuleles with the same standards.

Mandolins: F-style and A-style, $4,000-$8,000+ Ukuleles: Concert and tenor, $1,500-$3,000+

Where to Buy Collings Guitars: Platform Comparison

Online Marketplace Analysis

Reverb (Average Price: $3,650)

• Best selection of used Collings
• Knowledgeable boutique community
• 4.5% price appreciation year-over-year
• Best for: Acoustics, I-35, rare models

Sweetwater (Average Price: $7,200)

• New Collings inventory
• Professional setup
• 3.0% appreciation
• Best for: New purchases with warranty

eBay (Average Price: $3,200)

• Occasional deals
• 5.0% price trend
• Best for: Budget finds, less common models

Guitar Center (Average Price: $3,400)

• Physical inspection available
• Limited used selection
• 4.0% growth
• Best for: Try-before-buy

Tips for Buying Used Collings

1. Inspect Dovetail Joints: Collings uses hide glue. Check for seam separation at the neck joint
2. Original Case: Collings ships with premium cases. Original case adds value
3. Pre-2017 Premium: Some collectors pay modest premium for Bill Collings-era instruments
4. Fret Condition: Collings fretwork is exceptional—verify no wear or divots
5. Top Integrity: On acoustics, inspect for cracks along the grain—especially around the bridge
6. Electronics: On electrics, test all pickups and controls

Collings vs. Competitors

How Collings compares at the boutique acoustic and electric level:

Collings Advantage: Exceptional build quality, precise tolerances, professional endorsement. The "built from the sound up" philosophy delivers consistent excellence.

When Others Win: Martin for classic dreadnought heritage. Taylor for cutaway and electronics at lower price. Santa Cruz for alternative boutique voice.

Famous Collings Players

Artists who choose Collings guitars:

• Pete Townshend (The Who): Collings electrics and acoustics
• Joni Mitchell: Collings acoustics
• Brian May (Queen): Collings electrics
• Lyle Lovett: Collings acoustics
• Jason Isbell: Collings electrics
• Keith Richards: Collings acoustics
• Countless session musicians: Studio standard for tone and reliability

Investment Potential: Which Collings Hold Value?

Strong Value Retention

All Collings Models:

• 65-80% retention for excellent condition
• 4% annual appreciation typical
• Finite production supports demand
• Professional endorsement maintains visibility

Premium Acoustics (CJ, D2H, OM):

• All-solid construction ages well
• Wood combinations affect value (rosewood often commands premium)
• Adirondack spruce tops may appreciate faster

I-35 and City Limits:

• Electric market smaller but steady
• Semi-hollow versatility maintains demand
• Pro endorsements support values

Factors That Enhance Value

• Original hard case
• Pre-2017 build (Bill Collings era)
• Rare wood combinations
• Mint condition
• Documentation and provenance

Buying Guide: Choosing the Right Collings

For Serious Acoustic Players ($4,000-$8,000)

Recommended Models:

• OM: Most versatile—fingerstyle to light strumming at ~$4,500-$6,500
• D2H: Classic dreadnought punch at ~$5,000-$7,000
• CJ: Bold projection for strumming at ~$5,000-$8,000

What to Prioritize:

• Body shape for your playing style
• Wood combination (spruce/rosewood vs. spruce/mahogany)
• Nut width (1.75" vs. 1.6875")

For Electric Players ($3,000-$5,000)

Recommended Models:

• I-35: Semi-hollow versatility at ~$3,000-$4,500
• City Limits: Solidbody or semi-hollow at ~$3,500-$5,000

What to Prioritize:

• Semi-hollow vs. solidbody
• Pickup configuration
• Scale length preference

For Budget-Conscious Buyers

Strategy: Buy used. Collings used market offers 25-35% off new. With 4% annual appreciation, used Collings are sound investments. Expect $2,500-$4,500 for excellent used electrics, $3,500-$6,000 for acoustics.

The Collings Sound: What You're Buying

Acoustic Character:

• Clarity and balance over boomy low end
• Exceptional string separation
• Quick response and articulate attack
• Refined, not raw—professional tone

Electric Character:

• I-35: Warm, woody semi-hollow—jazz to blues to rock
• City Limits: Versatile—clean to driven, depending on configuration

Who Should Consider Collings:

• Players who prioritize tone over aesthetics
• Professionals who need reliability and consistency
• Those seeking boutique quality without custom-shop wait times
• Collectors who value American craftsmanship

Who Might Prefer Others:

• Budget-conscious players (Collings is premium)
• Those wanting flashy aesthetics (Collings is understated)
• Players who prefer warmer, less articulate tone

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where are Collings guitars made? A: All Collings guitars are made in Austin, Texas, USA. The 27,000 square foot facility continues the methods established by Bill Collings. Every instrument is handcrafted with the same standards.

Q: Did Collings quality change after Bill Collings died in 2017? A: No. The team was trained by Bill Collings and continues his methods. Construction, materials, and standards are identical. Some collectors prefer pre-2017 instruments for sentimental reasons, but there's no quality difference.

Q: How does Collings compare to Martin and Taylor? A: Collings occupies the boutique tier above Martin and Taylor's production lines. At similar prices, Collings offers handcrafted construction with exceptional fretwork and fit. Martin and Taylor offer excellent instruments at various price points—Collings is for those seeking the highest level of craftsmanship.

Q: Are Collings guitars good investments? A: Collings guitars hold value well—typically 65-80% retention for excellent condition, with 4% annual appreciation. They're instruments for playing first, but the used market is strong. Not speculative investments—steady value retention.

Q: What's the difference between CJ, D2H, and OM? A: CJ is jumbo—bold low end, maximum projection. D2H is dreadnought—classic punch and balance. OM is orchestra model—smaller body, balanced mids, excellent for fingerstyle. Choose by playing style and body size preference.

Q: Should I buy new or used Collings? A: Used Collings offer 25-35% savings with minimal downside. The build quality means used instruments in excellent condition perform like new. Buy used unless you want specific new options or warranty.

Conclusion

Bill Collings built guitars from the sound up—tone first, everything else second. From his kitchen table in Austin to a 27,000 square foot facility, that philosophy never changed. When he passed in 2017, his team honored it. Today, Collings remains the benchmark for boutique American guitar building.

The CJ, D2H, and OM acoustics at $4,500-$8,000 deliver handcrafted excellence that rivals or exceeds anything at the price. The I-35 at $3,000-$4,500 brings ES-335 versatility with Collings precision. The City Limits series offers solidbody and semi-hollow options for players who want electric Collings quality.

For the player who demands the finest—who values tone over marketing, craftsmanship over shortcuts—Collings delivers. Built from the sound up. Played by the world's best.

For the most current pricing and availability, check authorized Collings dealers or the official Collings website. Prices fluctuate based on wood availability and model configuration.

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