Collings Traditional OM/000 14-fret Hardshell Case, Purple Crushed Velvet Interior
This is a gently used, but still in mint condition hardshell case for an acoustic OM or 14-fret “000”, made by Collings at their factory in Texas. This is a vintage replica case, almost exactly like an original Lifton case but upgraded with modern materials to be sturdier and better protect your guitar. Collings stopped making cases in 2019.
Collings handmade cases were built to the same impeccable standards of craftsmanship as their instruments, and were designed as a custom fit. The late founder of the company, Bill Collings, set out to make a case that incorporated the lightweight, custom fit quality of 1930s era cases with added strength and durability, eliminating all the common inconveniences and failure points of most modern cases. He added some vintage inspired aesthetic touches: a purple crushed velvet interior, custom imprinted and vintage-styled Collings hardware, and stylized outer arches/bevels that hint at the form of the inner instrument.
Key Features
- Construction consists of a 3-ply poplar veneer, laminated in the Collings shop with alternating grain orientations for strength and shaped in custom presses for precise dimensions. The outer covering is a heavy-duty 22oz vinyl with no stitching around the lid, eliminating the common failure point of frayed or broken thread.
- Incredibly lightweight and easy to handle, the Collings case materials and handle location were designed for a perfectly horizontal balance when carried. The grained leather handle incorporates heavy duty metal straps and welded “D” attachment rings, attached to custom radiused anchors for superior longevity.
- Injection molded padding is made from a custom foam mixture that was developed in-house to achieve an ideal balance of shock absorption and mass. Padding includes a neck rest and fingerboard cushion, placed to make the instrument perfectly level and stable, eliminating any stress points.
- Latching hardware reduced to four latches; this was made possible by the precision fit and strength of the case lid. Latches were designed to Collings spec based on vintage latches that are no longer made. Custom spring tension allows for a comfortable yet solid feel that tightly snaps shut and won’t weaken over time.
- The case interior lining is made of rayon with a crushed velvet texture that Collings re-crushed, washed and dried for exceptional softness and protection. Just like the wood, binding and purfling grain orientations of Collings instruments, the grain of the interior fabric is fastened to uniformly run in the same direction throughout the case.
- Hinges are made of strong nickel plated steel with very little “play” in the rotation, keeping them from loosening with time. Side and bottom feet are constructed of durable steel. The custom case bumper at the base of the case features a unique nickel-plated steel and hard rubber design. The rubber is molded in-house and was chosen for its balance of shock absorption properties and durability.