Description

The Collings D2HA-T is a remarkable example of craftsmanship, tone, and artistry—a guitar that seamlessly bridges vintage inspiration with modern precision. Part of Collings' esteemed Traditional Series, this instrument is a love letter to pre-war dreadnought designs, delivering a dynamic and deeply resonant voice that will captivate players and listeners alike.

At its core, the D2HA-T features an exceptional pairing of tonewoods. The top is crafted from Adirondack spruce, renowned for its strength, responsiveness, and wide dynamic range, making it ideal for both delicate fingerpicking and aggressive flatpicking. Complementing this top is a rare and highly sought-after set of Madagascar rosewood for the back and sides. Madagascar rosewood is cherished for its rich, complex overtones and tonal depth—qualities often compared to the finest Brazilian rosewood. Its striking grain and warm, chocolate hues further add to the guitar’s visual appeal, making this a standout in both sound and appearance. The use of Madagascar rosewood in a Traditional Series build is a rare treat, as Collings reserves these exceptional tonewoods for instruments of the highest caliber.

This Traditional model is meticulously voiced and constructed to honor the pre-war era's tonal characteristics, employing a custom Traditional Series pre-war scalloped X-brace pattern with Sitka spruce bracing. This bracing, free of a tongue brace, allows the top to move more freely, resulting in a more open, mature, and responsive tone. The ultra-thin high-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish on both the body and neck enhances resonance while offering a vintage-inspired aesthetic.

The neck is built from Honduran mahogany, shaped into a Traditional profile that provides a slightly more rounded, vintage feel. Paired with a compound fingerboard radius (14” to 26”), the result is exceptional playability across the entire fretboard, from delicate melodies to full, driving chords. The 1 3/4” bone nut and 2 5/16” ebony belly bridge spacing strike the perfect balance for fingerstyle players and flatpickers, ensuring comfort and precision.

Elegance abounds in this instrument’s appointments. The body is adorned with ivoroid binding, accented by small brown herringbone purfling, a subtle nod to vintage aesthetics. A custom wood rosette frames the soundhole, adding organic beauty to the Adirondack top, while the backstrip features a classic 2-style "zipper" design. The tortoise pickguard completes the vintage-inspired look, blending seamlessly with the warm tones of the top.

The headstock, finished with a stained exotic ebony veneer, features the iconic gold mother-of-pearl Collings logo, while Nickel Waverly tuners (16:1 ratio) ensure smooth and precise tuning. The bone saddle is cut-through for superior tonal transfer, highlighting Collings’ dedication to traditional design and performance.

This guitar is not merely an instrument but an experience—its sound is powerful and open, with a clarity and richness that will continue to blossom over time. Whether in a bluegrass jam, a recording studio, or a solo performance, the D2HA-T’s voice projects with authority while offering delicate nuance and tonal complexity.

In the realm of Traditional Series models, the use of Madagascar rosewood is particularly rare, elevating this guitar to an even higher level of prestige. It is a testament to Collings’ commitment to sourcing exceptional materials and delivering instruments that honor the past while exceeding the expectations of the present.

Other specifications include:

Top Adirondack spruce
Back & Sides Madagascar rosewood
Construction Traditional Series Build and Voicing
Neck Honduran mahogany
Body Binding Ivoroid with small brown herringbone purfling
Fingerboard Binding None
Peghead Binding None
Bridge Ebony belly-style with 2 5/16" spacing
Fingerboard Ebony with gold MOP long diamond & squares
Fingerboard Radius 14" - 26" compound
Bridge Pins/End Pin Ivoroid with black dot
Nut Bone, 1 3/4"
Saddle Bone, cut-through
Neck Profile Traditional
Peghead Profile Tapered square with volute
Neck Joint Mortise & tenon hybrid
Truss Rod Fully adjustable
Frets Medium 18% nickel-silver
Peghead Veneer Stained Exotic Ebony with gold MOP Collings Logo
Tuners Nickel Waverly (16:1 ratio)
Backstrip 2-style (Zipper)
Rosette Custom wood rosette
Scale Length 25 1/2"
Brace Material Sitka spruce
Brace Pattern Custom Traditional Series pre-war scalloped X-brace (no tongue brace)
Body Finish High-Gloss ultra-thin nitrocellulose lacquer
Neck Finish High-Gloss ultra-thin nitrocellulose lacquer
Pickguard Tortoise
Traditional Package
Strings D'Addario EJ-17 (.013"- .056")
Neck Profile Traditional (0.815" @ 1st Fret/1.018" @ 9th Fret)
Body Length 20"
Body Depth 4 7/8"
Lower Bout Width 15 5/8"
Total Length 40 1/4"
Case Deluxe hardshell case
4 lbs 10 oz