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.

At just 7lbs, this lightweight 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 Hand Poured Tortoise 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.