Hello everyone,

I'm new to this forum. I've become enamored with the I35 and the City Limits, having seen them featured on The Twelfth Fret's (a cool guitar store in Toronto) web site. My big question, as has been asked by others on the forum, is which one? I'm a relative novice, been playing a wonderful Godin Montreal and LG Signature for a couple of years, but I'm looking for a "lifer" guitar. My passion is the blues, classic rock n' roll, maybe even a little swing, and I hope to get good enough someday to entertain myself morning till night. I'm leaning to the I35. It's near impossible to find one in a store to test drive. Does it have good sustain? Is it very different from the CL? How does it feel with the 11s? Any thoughts to help make me make the leap would be most appreciated.

Regards,

Confessing a conflict of interest because I'm attempting to sell my I-35 deluxe, but for classic rock (Chuck Berry, anyone) or swing, or blues, or jazz, I have never played its equal. And I've owned several Pauls from "back in the day", and none came close. A City Limits might, but it's more a straight up rock style guitar, inherently. Sustain in gobs, and the 11's feel like 10's or lighter, just instinctive action: you think it, it's there.

Thank you kindly for your insights on the I35. Looks like it's what I want. As for the one you're selling, I'd be willing but I'm afraid I'd be hit with hefty customs charges and the exchange. In Canada, we are fortunate because guitars often sell at par with the US. The I35 Deluxe is going for CAD $6,000 in Toronto, and because I live in Montreal, I wouldn't have to pay provincial sales tax. I'm sure you'll find a buyer in no time however.

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

Well, Gregory, so far "no time" has been about three weeks. All talk, no walk, but I hear ya about customs. I bought a German guitar and a a quarter of the price was duties. Ouch. If you lived in Vancouver, we could meet half way, in Oregon maybe. But the gas to get to Montreal....ouch again. Thanks anyway. tom

Tom, I wish you the best of luck in finding a buyer. Part of the problem, no doubt, is that the I-35 is an expensive guitar and yet is so hard to find in a music store to try. There aren't even any reviews on Harmony Central (not that anyone should rely too much on those, but that's another story). If I take the plunge, I'll have to order from Toronto and have it shipped to Montreal. Having been surprised by the big variation in build quality, tone, and feel of various Gibsons I've tried, buying sight unseen goes against my philosphy that you must try before you buy because if it doesn't feel right, it ain't worth it no matter what the price. Taking test drives resulted in me buying a Godin Montreal and an LG Signature over an LP and a Strat with no regrets.

Can I ask you another question about the Deluxe? Is it sturdy? I've read that it's under seven pounds. My Montreal is eight and a half, and the support people at Gibson tell me that ES 335s are in the neighbourhood of ten. So, the Deluxe is very light in comparison. Other than less fatigue, is being light a good thing or not such a good thing.

Regards,

Gregory

Not to restate the obvious, but it's built like all the other Collings, and made to play. It's not a delicate instrument, physically, and I've gigged with it just like I would with a strat- but more carefully. If it doesn't sell, it's going back into the clubs with me. I don't do museum pieces; I play 'em.
"The guitar's all well and good, John, but you'll never make any money with it." (Lennon's mother, early sixties).

Thanks, Tom. That's what I needed to know.

Gregory

quote:

I realize that this is the Collings forum, but I think that it is madness to invest in a $4000+ electric guitar in order to explore playing electric blues.

I have to agree with Dmargo1045. Even if you've got lots of disposable income, to rush out and buy a Collings I-35 without knowing that the 335 style electric was going to be a good fit, strikes me as a bit impulsive.

Have you spent any time playing the Gibson short scale (24 3/4")? Are humbuckers really going to give you the sound you want? Is the semi-hollow body really your best choice?

Even if an I-35 were not available to play, I would spend some time with a similar style guitar (a lot of time) before taking the plunge--especially if you've got to sell a vintage Gibson acoustic to make the purchase.

Even though the I-35 was modeled after the 335, it is a VERY different instrument. I never really found a 335 that I liked, yet I love my I-35. If Gregory is interested in an I-35, great... he should use the dealer's 48 hour approval process to see if the guitar is a fit for him and all he'll have committed to is shipping, which will be a lot less than the 10 - 12 hour round trip from Montreal to Toronto + hotel and expenses for the night. Gregory, if you don't end up pulling the trigger by mid July, let me know and I'll bring my I-35 and CL up to Montreal on my business trip and you can check each of them out and see if either (or both) are a fit for your playing style.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeD:
Even though the I-35 was modeled after the 335, it is a VERY different instrument. I never really found a 335 that I liked, yet I love my I-35. If Gregory is interested in an I-35, great... he should use the dealer's 48 hour approval process to see if the guitar is a fit for him and all he'll have committed to is shipping, which will be a lot less than the 10 - 12 hour round trip from Montreal to Toronto + hotel and expenses for the night. Gregory, if you don't end up pulling the trigger by mid July, let me know and I'll bring my I-35 and CL up to Montreal on my business trip and you can check each of them out and see if either (or both) are a fit for your playing style.

I agree, Mike. I've tried a number of ES 335s in guitar shops; some sounded good and some not so good; some looked fine and others had flaws. That kind of variability concerned me. I think playing a guitar in a guitar shop, although imperfect, is probably the easiest way to determine what you don't like, especially since you can pit one against others. But with all the distractions and pressure in a store, it is not the best way to find your personal treasure. That happens at home, or wherever you play most, through your own amps, where you can experiment. So the cost of shipping and possible return is a sunk cost, but I think well worth it if you're looking for a "lifer" guitar.

And Mike, thank you for your gracious offer for a test drive! I take from your gesture, in addition to your comments, that you truly are pleased with the I-35. At this point, I'm pretty sure I will pull the trigger, and I'll let you know how it goes.

Regards,

Gregory

Well, I can only say this: I had two brand new City Limits sent to me, and I immediately sent them back. However, I receieved an I-35 a week ago, and my other electric guitars haven't been touched since. I honestly believe it is the best electric guitar being made today.

And maybe ever (sorry, Les, sorry, Leo). Sir Hak, your other guitars will be the same place mine were during my brief, but blissful, ownership: in the closet, resting.