When Did Collings Stop Shipping With Custom Cases?

[TravH]

Hi,

I'm looking at a used 2019 D2HT. It's being sold as "all original" as bought brand new but has a TKL case not a Collings case.

Price is a little steep without the Collings case IMO so curious if it was swapped out.

I have the serial number but since not mine yet will refrain from posting here. So if someone knows via serial numbers sequence maybe that would help.

Thanks!

[Wood&Steel]

Following

[Greg Y]

Collings made the announcement about ceasing case production early in 2019.
https://www.banjostudio.com/en-ca/blogs ... ings-cases
so it's entirely feasible that guitars from later in the year were shipped in TKL cases.....

[Wood&Steel]

Can someone post a picture of these highly thought of Collings cases vs. the TKL’s that replaced them? I’ve looked at listings for older Collings guitars and they all show a TKL case.

[Greg Y]

I don't have a TKL, but here are some photos of one of Bill's cases.....including a photo side by side with a '30s case.

[Wood&Steel]

Thanks, Greg. I was curious because my 2019 D1 came with the TKL case and TBH, I can’t think of anything that would make it better. It’s got every facet of a great case I can think of.

[Wood&Steel]

With the prices the Collings cases are bringing, was there a higher list price when these cases were offered?

[Greg Y]

If i remember correctly the cases were $725 USD when they were in production....circa 2016.

[Tempotantrum]

I think I got one of the last OM cases available directly from the factory in early 2020 ($950.00). The weight, fit and finish are fantastic. They balance so well. I recently just purchased a OM1A JL and it came with one of the newer TKLs, and I can say they are much nicer than previous Collings cases. Not as svelte as the handmade collings, the fit is not as snug but the case now has a nice arch in the top and only 4 latches - which I appreciate. This is a Cadillac but the handmades are a Rolls-Royce for sure.

[pto]

the cases are fantastic. beyond fantastic. "a frame" deserved by the fabulous machines that bill collings made. although i have only one collings now, a d-45 that sits in one of the prototype cases bill himself made, i have mint cj, 0, Fmando, and D cases, as well as an almost-mint (i'm careful in grading) OM. The D case is one of the early D cases with the cool original-color interior. they only made about 70 for CJs i'm told by collings, and i'm told the Mando cases are also somewhat rare, whatever that means. i found it easier to part with the instruments when paring down than with the cases. anyway, hold onto that case! example of the dedication and vision that set Bill Collings apart from everyone.