Collings 290 Solidbody Pelham Blue, 2018

While the source of the name given to this Collings 290 may seem obvious as it’s got two P90 pickups, it’s really a reference to the road outside the Collings shop. Drawing from a few traditional solidbody models, the 290 was launched in 2006 at the NAMM show, and has been in production since.

Built during 2018 in Austin Texas, this Pelham Blue Collings 290 has some differences from current production. As always, the body and neck are Honduran Mahogany and the fingerboard is Indian Rosewood, but this one uses an adjustable stop-tail combination bridge rather than an ABR – Stop Tailpiece combination. Current spec calls for a black/white/black pickguard and truss rod cover set – on this example they are faux tortoise, the truss rod cover with the 290 logo. For electronics, the 290 has a pair of Lollar soapbar P90s and 50’s style wiring; an effect of this is that with the switch in the middle position, turning one volume down silences the output.

The original owner preferred the feel of oiled wood rather than the otherwise excellent Collings lacquer finish, and had the finish shaved off the neck. This was well done and it does feel good.

Overall, this guitar is in good shape and has been used as intended. There is some wear to the finish and a few small dings and dents on the top and back. However the frets are in great shape, and appear to have been recently cleaned up. The Lollar P90s sound great.

Sold with the original hard shell case.

Here’s the builder on the Collings 290:

“Named for the scenic 290 highway that winds past the Collings shop though the Texas Hill Country, the Collings 290® is a modern day tribute to the original working man’s rock’n roll guitar. A solid mahogany body and neck are complimented by two Lollar Soap Bar P90 pickups for a tone that shows off the amazing harmonic range and dynamics of this often underrated configuration.”