With their new Ladybird model, Collings takes the idea of a classic catalog-style guitar and pushes it into entirely new territory.

The Ladybird features a fully hollow body with a flat top and back - but - that’s where the similarities to old catalog guitars end. A fresh laminate formula, trestle bracing, and traditional f-holes give it a voice all its own: bright, lively, and more focused on the fundamental than on lingering sustain. It’s a welcome shift, offering a fresh tonal perspective that naturally nudges you into new musical territory.

The custom-wound Righteous Sound Cathedral pickups are a truly original design, blending elements of Charlie Christian, Teisco, and Hofner pickups into a bright, transparent single-coil with its own voice. A row of adjustable pole pieces lets you fine-tune the top end - raise them for more bite, lower them for a smoother response - while custom-designed magnets, bobbins, and blades deliver exceptional clarity and character.

Straight from the factory, the Ladybird comes strung with D’Addario flatwounds, further shaping its identity. The result? Smooth feel, clear articulation, and note definition that encourages a lyrical, expressive approach. Of course, swapping to roundwounds opens other doors, but the Ladybird feels especially at home in this refined, nuanced space.

We’ve been smitten with this guitar from the start, and we have no doubt it will add to Collings’ already rich legacy of instruments defined by exceptional build quality, inspired design, and a willingness to chart new paths.