The D3 is distinguished from the D1 and D2 by its abalone soundhole ring and inlay-less ebony fingerboard.

Like all Collings models, it has a mortise-and-tenon neck joint rather than the dovetail design of a Martin or Gibson. Although that represents an uncharacteristic break with tradition, it was designed to make the inevitable resettling of the neck less traumatic for the repairman as well as for the guitar.