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. The different soundhole purflings and top purfling on 1 Series models 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 of the structural changes and the additional fine-tuning 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, and the listener.