The Collings 12-fret 002H was a very traditional steel-string when first introduced, but now that "Traditional" is a series of Collings models the 002H has been tweaked even further to capture that late-1920s/early '30s vibe (see below). This is a guitar you'll love to play but even just holding it and enjoying the details is satisfying for anyone who loves fine guitars. Thanks to very light top bracing this Collings sounds bigger than it looks so don't let the Grand Concert size fool you. While its immediate response allows it to fill the Parlor guitar role, it will also hold up under a more firm picking hand and can hold its own when compared to OM and 000 size models. Below is a list of what's different on a Traditional Series Collings model:

While the new Collings "Traditional Series" acoustics don't look very different from their standard flattops, there are a number of differences. The changes that affect the sound and feel include: *Constructed using animal protein glue. *Thinner, all-nitrocellulose lacquer finish (no UV-cure undercoats). *Lighter top bracing, no "tongue brace" under the fingerboard. *Neck shape with more rounded fingerboard edges and vintage-like profile and taper.

The following cosmetic differences on Collings "Traditional Series" guitars include: *Herringbone on 2H models is brown & light tan, instead of black & white. Different soundhole purflings also have more subtle contrasts. *Gold mother-of-pearl headstock logo *Through-cut bone saddle

The woods are selected and matched for both weight and stiffness. The end result is a Collings flattop with a warmer, somewhat more "rounded" and smoother overall tone. While these guitars are not "distressed" or artificially worn to make them appear like an older instrument, both the sound and the feel of these Traditional Series Collings models achieve a more "broken-in" impression for the player.