My I-35 finally arrived last Friday! What a beauty she is. From the moment I opened the case I was awe struck. I purchased this guitar from The Music Emporium, and as always, they were great to do business with. I had this guitar on order for quite some time, but it was worth the wait...

Congratulations!! She is a beauty. Are you happy with how it sounds and plays?

I have been very pleased with my 290. I would love to try a I-35 before I shell out the dollars, but have not been able to find one that stayed in the store long enough to play.

Come to think of it, I would have to say no, I hate the way it sounds and it plays like crap, but I'm brand loyal so I bought it for the headstock logo and so I would have something to post about here on the forum...

All kidding aside, I would bet that based on what you said about not being able to find one to try out, other people that have played them were as happy and impressed as I was and bought them on the spot. I have only played one other, which was not for sale (or I would have bought it on the spot) and I found it to be equally as impressive. I have mine strung up with 11's (and a wound .023 for the third string), and it plays as easy as my PRS with .010's on it, but it has much more fullness to the tone and a bark that makes you want to turn up the amp just a wee bit more to blow your ear drums out. My PRS simply gets "loud" when you turn it up, where as this Collings gets "SWEET". I'm sure you feel the same way about your 290, and I have yet to play a 290 because they never seem to stay in stock long enough to see one either.

She's a real beauty - congratulations! Amazing sunburst..

I was put off by the price, and was gonna send it right back. That was about five months ago. So much for that notion.

MikeD,

I saw you in ME with this guitar (I brought in the SWART amp).

Folks, In person this may have been the nicest top I have ever seen on a guitar.

Did not sound half bad either

I sometimes think of selling my CS-336 and my '59 ES-330 and getting an I-35

This guitar sounds and plays as good as it looks, and it's a stunner to look at. I planned on keeping my PRS for gigs and using the Collings for practice/jams, but to be honest with you, the PRS has not been plugged in since I took my first strum on the I-35. BTW Opdev, it sounds much better through my Carr Rambler than the amp I was testing it through at TME...

Oh, hello opdev! Were your ears burning last Friday? Joe and Ryan and I were talking about you. I sure am enjoying that orange 290!

But while we're on the subject of I-35s, let me congratulate MikeD publically on his lovely new guitar. Here are some shots of my own I-35:
http://images.lilypix.com/thumbnails.php?album=1832

Maybe those two I-35s, since they live so close to each other, should get together to play sometime.

Reality bites, and I cordially refer you to the newly posted I-35 deluxe for sale in the appropriate thread. Incredible guitars.

love the one piece back and flamey neck

This message has been edited. Last edited by: localplayer,

love the one piece back and flamey neck

One of the nicest looking guitars I have ever seen. Congrats.