Collings 71 Aged Butterscotch Blonde

With the brilliant 71 model, Collings enters Fender-inspired territory, bringing their signature detail, tone, and craftsmanship to a guitar built for a lifetime of play.

When Collings first stepped into the electric guitar arena in the mid-2000s, their take on Gibson-inspired designs quickly raised the bar. From solidbody P90 rockers to elegant semi-hollows, they’ve earned a reputation for delivering heirloom-level builds with unmatched refinement.

But Fender fans, take note: the team in Austin hasn’t forgotten you.

The Collings 71, launched this year, finds the company stepping into Fender territory, but with that unmistakable Collings vibe. Built with an ash body and finished in a classic Butterscotch Blonde, this model tips its hat to California without compromising the attention to detail and elegance Collings is known for. At just 6lbs 6oz, this featherweight stunner feels like a guitar built by a team at the top of their game. From the Rutters bridge plate (yes, that’s a Tele-style bridge on a Collings!) to the single-ply black bakelite guard and Ron Ellis T-style pickups, every detail has been carefully selected for tone, playability, and performance.

The soft V maple/rosewood neck evokes a ‘Clapton Signature Strat’ feel, with effortless playability thanks to Collings’ flawless fretwork. But what really grabbed us is how alive this guitar feels unplugged - snappy, resonant, and slinky. The factory 10-46 gauge strings offer a looser, more relaxed tension than usual for a Collings, making this model a joy to play straight out of the case.

Plug it in, and it delivers the articulate, punchy tone you’d expect from a top-tier Tele-style guitar, but with a refined compression that keeps things musical and controlled - ie, it'll twang but not excessively. The Ron Ellis pickups are articulate and full, with both the bridge and neck delivering complex harmonics and fast response. A clever push/pull tone control adds fat, boosted tones without needing to step on a pedal.