Hello all -

New forum member here, just having discovered Collings electrics.

Looking for a semi-hollow for jazz tone, and I was directed to the I-35. I played both that and a SoCo, and thought I'd give a quick impression. I haven't bought anything yet.

First, I like both instruments a lot. They felt and sounded great, and my sense is that they would just open up over time.

The I-35 has a smaller, tighter sound that I liked. The SoCo had a more open sound, perhaps woodier. I'm inclined to think that the pickups were hotter on the SoCo, but they may have just been the relative volume of the boxes - think that I've read that they use the same PUs.

I couldn't tell which instrument I liked more. If I was forced to make a decision now, I'd go with an I-35, but the SoCo has its own sound - I think with a modified setup I could be very happy with it. Both felt good in a sitting position.

The necks were a little more beefy than I would like, but that's soon forgotten, and I'm nit-picking.

Hi Todd,

I'm in MA too. Did you play them at the Music Emporium in Lexington? Do you think you might pick one up for yourself?

I purchased an I-35 from Cotten Music in Nashville earlier this month (see other I-35 thread) and absolutely love it. I'm calling it my swiss-army-knife of tone. It seems to be able to do anything from smooth jazz to hard rock. It is a keeper for life, for sure.

I did play it at the Emporium. I don't know if I can get one - it may be beyond my reach. But a very nice guitar.

The pups are exactly the same on the Soco and I-35, but you can special order the JL pups used on the CL to be installed by Collings on either SHB.

There's a beauty for sale on the gear page emporium.