http://cgi.ebay.com/2006-COLLINGS-290-LES-PAUL-SPECIAL-...QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

When i was looking for a 290 there were ads everywhere stating that there was a one year wait. i found no less than 5 290's (one of which i purchased) that were available immediately.

but when i asked a friend of mine who is a dealer what the wait period for one of these fine looking instruments was he contacted collings and was told 4 months. where this seller got his info i don't know. and for anyone interested in a crimson 290 there is one at the pickin parlor in colorado. there is also an orange perloid at gryphon and i'm sure if i looked harder i could find a few more.

sometimes i just hate ebay.

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

There seems to be a fair number of 290s and City limits out there if you are persistant. The I-35s are rare. I've had one on order since November and the owner of the shop told me that they are delayed because only one guy is doing the finish work and Bill changed the way he is attaching the neck and put a band saw through a bunch already in production that had the prior neck style. I may be starting a completely unfounded rumor but this is what I was told.

I have a CL, I-35, and my 290 will arrive on Monday. I talked to Alex at Collings today about the neck issue you brought up on the I-35's. He said the first 5 or 6 I-35's built Bill wasn't satisfied with the neck joint and cut them up. Wasn't anything really wrong with them just Bill is very particular. (That's a good thnig ) There is absolutely no issue with any of the I-35 necks I was told.
These guitars are just bench marks of how a guitar should, play, sound, and look. Can you tell I love them! lol