The TME Lexingtone Series focuses on our endless pursuit and passion to bring some of our favorite guitar designs from the Golden Era and beyond into the modern world.

The first in an ever-growing series of uniquely spec'ed instruments is this incredible Collings 290. Taking some inspiration from progressive late 50s electrics, it sheds some of the "what if" notions in favor of "why not" in an elegant yet accessible take on an otherwise traditionally styled guitar.

The first thing that probably jumps out is the use of Ron Ellis Bette humbuckers with exposed zebra bobbins. It's the first time Collings has used these fantastic handwound pickups in this configuration, and we frankly can't get enough of it. With the 3-ply parchment guard and black knobs playing off of the pickups, the aged gold hardware adds another layer of dimension to the pseudo-prototype vibe of this 290. The aesthetic is as alluring as its tone, no doubt.

This 290 also features another first for a Collings build - a Music City Bridge Savvy wraparound tailpiece! We took the liberty of doing some aging to the gold-plated bridge in-house here before sending it down to Austin, giving it the look of someone who parked the backside of their palm against the bridge for decades, leaving only traces of gold throughout. Combined with the aged Natural finish, it celebrates the idea of a long-treasured instrument that still saw plenty of play time in its life.

If our love for all things guitar has proven anything, it's that there's still room in life for more of 'em! We're excited to work with builders like Collings in creating fresh, unique, and specialized custom instruments that we'd all welcome in our own collections.