This is why I sold that beautiful Bluesbird ...

[mad dog]

Collings 290, a sorta but not quite Les Paul Special:

This is one of the early ones, from 2007. Unplayed, has been part of a collection. I could not resist. Played a couple of these years ago, and couldn't get them out of my mind. The body is shaped and tapered a bit differently than the LP Special. Scale slightly longer at 24 7/8. Underwound P-90s from Jason Lollar. Adds up to a most versatile, toneful guitar.

I already miss the red Bluesbird, but having this wonderful Collings 290 is keeping my mind off it just fine.
MD

 

[Alan_M]

Nice looking machine! I had an LP special in that color and I loved it. I wish I hadn't sold it :-(

 

[Sal]

Cool mad dog. I googled Collings to see the headstock. These are fine guitars!

 

[chazmo]

Didn't know Collings made 'leccies!

Very cool!

 

[Thunderface]

Su-wheet! Score one for the Mad Dog!

 

[mad dog]

Thank you gentlemen. This 290 is actually the first electric Bill Collings came up with. They now sell three other models I think. Just like his acoustics, these electrics are about as high quality and well thought out as you can get. It's a treat to just pick one up.

I've been on such a P-90 tear lately. Playing the hell out of two Peerless made Epiphones, a casino and an ES-295. Which had me thinking about P-90s in solidbodies. And I've never heard better than the 290 for that, though I've been mightily tempted to try the Guild Bluesbird with P-90s. That's probably the BB I should have had to start with.

MD

 

[Thunderface]

Can't go wrong with P90s. That Collings reminds me of a '93 Hamer Special I had, similiar in color and in quality of construction, only with the double-cutaway shape.

 

[RussB]

Nice Collings!

(that Hamer is schweet too!)

 

[mad dog]

Yes, that Hamer is quite a nice looking instrument. I was actually trying hard to get one of these years ago. The deal fell through, which is when I found my first LP Special, an Orville. I'm still curious about the Hamer Special, but not too likely to act on that with the Collings 290 in the house. (It's one of those dominant guitars, says "pick me up and play!" and you do.)
MD

 

[Thunderface]

I got that Hamer for about $475 with original case. Great instrument. The build quality was amazing. I only sold it because I came down with a serious case of Guilditis. Those were the reissues they made starting in 1992 or 1993 in Arlington Heights, Ill. You can still find them relatively cheap, although not as cheap as they once were.