A sort review of Comins GCS-1

[rickshapiro]

Since a few of you have been asking I thought I would provide a brief review of the Bill Comins GCS-1

Home | Comins Guitars.

I am doing a brief review only because I have had limited time with the guitar. A shop near me received three guitars. I played the guitars for a few hours though a vintage Princeton amp.

Appearance – The shape is really nice, you can see the picture on-line and make the comparison to other makes. The finish on all of them was really well-done, tangerine, natural and a sunburst. Really nice wood. The weight of the guitar surprised me, it was a little heavier then I thought it would be but is not overly heavy (way less than a LP) and it was very well balanced. It did not take me long to find a comfortable playing position. Cosmetically, quality is outstanding but not perfect on all three guitars. Issues were so minor that I’m not sure most would notice. This I believe is the first run of these guitars and really the quality is amazing. I’ve seen first runs that should never have left the factory. Bill and his crew have done an outstanding job on the build and QC.

Playability – All three guitars were expertly setup. I could not find anything I would change. Intonation was spot on. The Wilkinson tuners work great, very smooth. I am now thinking of changing to these on my other guitars. The neck width really falls into the not-to-wide not-to-narrow category. Smaller than my large jazz boxes and a bigger than the modern 335s. Playing chord solo’s I never felt cramped even high up on the neck. This is a fast guitar, not sure what makes it so but it is.

Sound – Versatility is the name of the game with this guitar. Between the two pickups, two tones controls, volumes, the push/pull single coil, three way selector there is an incredible abundance of useable tones. I started with my comfort setting; neck PU with tone turned way down, this produced a nice round, smooth jazz tone with decent clarity. I then started mixing the bridge PU in and messed with both tone controls and it got some amazing tones. I was able to get that smooth jazz tone but was also able to add some pick and sparkle. The bridge pickup on its own produces some great funk and blues sounds. The coil-tap produces a very nice sound, lower gain with a lot of clarity and spark, great for pop and rock. This is not going to sound like a Stratocaster however. The coil-tap does provide a little bit of hum but not much. While I was there two young men came and commented on how nice the guitar sounded. I handed it over to one of them and listened to him play. He was obviously into rockabilly and played very well, he adjusted the PU and it sounded great. He also played some early Beatles and some more modern stuff, all of it sounded great. Both guy were impressed.

I have not tried the guitar through a high gain amp at this point so I cannot offer an opinion. The PUs do seem to have a good amount of gain on-tap.

The last thing I should mention from a sound perspective is there is an amazing amount of natural sustain. I say natural because it is apparent when unplugged (and when plugged in). This guitar can really sing, if some of the weight is associated with the amount of sustain, good call Bill! This guitar is meant to be plugged in, not much volume acoustically, enough to practice with but not like a full hollowbody.

Final Thoughts – From a quality, value and usability perspective I think this guitar really stands out.

Caveat: All of this is my opinion and is not science so please take it for what it is worth.

[kamlapati]

I'd love to try one of these babies. What neighborhood is your shop?

[rickshapiro]

Originally Posted by kamlapati

I'd love to try one of these babies. What neighborhood is your shop?

Central NJ.

[kris]

Guitar is similar to Sadowsky semi-hollow.
but sound also similar?

[rickshapiro]

Originally Posted by kris

Guitar is similar to Sadowsky semi-hollow.
but sound also similar?

I have not played the Sadowsky.It would be interesting to get a comparison given the substantial price difference.

[kris]

Thanks for review.

[rickshapiro]

Originally Posted by kris

Guitar is similar to Sadowsky semi-hollow.
but sound also similar?

I did try a couple of Benedetto's and did not like anyone of them. Sounded good but could not deal with the neck.

[kris]

Originally Posted by rickshapiro

I did try a couple of Benedetto's and did not like anyone of them. Sounded good but could not deal with the neck.

I never played Benedetto guitars.

[Help!I'maRock!]

what would you call the neck shape. medium c? soft v?

[rickshapiro]

Originally Posted by Help!I'maRock!

what would you call the neck shape. medium c? soft v?

Medium C. It is very comfortable.

[Cobra]

Thanks for the in-depth review, Rick, as well as the quickie review in the other thread.

I'm quite interested in GCS-1...
Are these going to be sold through dealers, direct, or both?
Would you mind telling us what shop you played them at?
Did you happen to take any pix?

[rickshapiro]

Originally Posted by Cobra

Thanks for the in-depth review, Rick, as well as the quickie review in the other thread.

I'm quite interested in GCS-1...
Are these going to be sold through dealers, direct, or both?
Would you mind telling us what shop you played them at?
Did you happen to take any pix?

Dealers only I believe.

Home | Golden Age Fretted Instruments

Ask for John Reynolds, let him know I sent you. He has two now, he did have three, no more.

Rick

[IanD]

Congratulations Rick, that is indeed a beautiful looking guitar, and such a great price.

How would you describe the neck of the GCS-1? I love the '59 chunky neck on my Gibson, (which I think is bigger than modern 335s) can't really bond with the thin (from back to front) neck of my Ibanez. Is it closer to a 59 neck?

Would you describe the sound as in the area of a Gibson/335 or does it have a sound of its own?

It's looking dangerously like my GAS may get the better of me here! Any one visiting Australia soon with a free hand to carry a guitar case?

Thanks
Ian

[jhchop]

Originally Posted by rickshapiro

Dealers only I believe.

Home | Golden Age Fretted Instruments

Ask for John Reynolds, let him know I sent you. He has two now, he did have three, no more.

Rick

Which one is gone, Rick?
I think one was a spruce top...how was that one?

[rickshapiro]

Originally Posted by jhchop

Which one is gone, Rick?
I think one was a spruce top...how was that one?

I grabbed the tangerine one. I did not hear a major difference from the spruce to maple. I believe the spruce had an ebony fretboard as well.

[rickshapiro]

Originally Posted by IanD

Congratulations Rick, that is indeed a beautiful looking guitar, and such a great price.

How would you describe the neck of the GCS-1? I love the '59 chunky neck on my Gibson, (which I think is bigger than modern 335s) can't really bond with the thin (from back to front) neck of my Ibanez. Is it closer to a 59 neck?

Would you describe the sound as in the area of a Gibson/335 or does it have a sound of its own?

It's looking dangerously like my GAS may get the better of me here! Any one visiting Australia soon with a free hand to carry a guitar case?

Thanks
Ian

I would have to play them side by side to tell you and I do not have my 335 any more. I played a d Angelica semi at the shop, and it was way smaller. The neck is in no way chunky but I would not consider it small by any measure.

Send me roundtrip airfair and I will hand carry it over.

[rs18041]

I just purchased a Comins GCS-1 three days ago and have put at least 12 hours on it. Those are 12 hours I didn't really have to spare but I can't put this guitar down. At the risk of duplicating other reviews I have seen in this forum let me add a few impressions...

When I auditioned it I had the luxury of playing through two amps - a newer, black face Fender Twin and an all tube Alessandro (single 12" I think?). I started with the neck PU, tone rolled off and was pleasantly surprised at how full and articulate it sounded. Working through the combination of both pickups and to the bridge-only, I could not find any place where the instrument sounded strange or unusable. The Neck PU tone control is a push-pull type that provides the single-coil function for both PUs. Do not expect these pickups in single-coil to sound like a Fender but it is a very pleasant foil to the richness of the humbucking sound and will definitely provide a very usable change up. I believe these pickups may be made by Kent Armstrong in collaboration with Bill Comins.

When I got the guitar home my neighbors were briefly treated to the bridge pickup and although they complained about the volume they liked the tone. So did I. The resonance that the body contributes is apparent in the lushness of the sound at low and moderate volumes. I did not detect any inclination for feedback in my brief >100 dB adventure.

The appearance of this guitar is stunning. I had a chance to see 5 of these instruments in various configurations and finishes - see
Home | Comins Guitars

I believe there are currently 2 variations offered: a maple top with rosewood fretboard and a spruce top with ebony board. In my opinion the spruce guitar was a little warmer sounding while the maple was generally a little brighter. In the end my ears chose a maple instrument (in Vintage Blond) for what I wanted, although my eyes wanted all of them. The burst finishes are all tastefully done. And both the rosewood and ebony fretboards were some of the nicest I've seen recently. In general, the quality and figuring of woods on these guitars was beyond my expectations.

Playability is as subjective as sound and tone but I found this guitar's neck geometry to be very comfortable. I have maybe slightly larger than average hands and have no trouble getting around the neck from nut to upper registers. The fretwire is a little taller than some of my other guitars but I'm finding that it actually helps me in orienting my placement if I'm not looking at the neck. The neck binding and fret finish is superb. One reviewer mentioned that this guitar has considerable weight, though it is light compared to a Les Paul. I think the mass of the construction is a real plus, adding to the clarity and remarkable sustain.

Given the thoughtful design, the quality of the build, top notch hardware and the fit and finish I could not be more pleased with this instrument. A semi-hollow guitar is a compromise by design but this guitar seems to incorporate most of the best elements from both worlds. The sound ranges from lush to crush and always articulate. This is a beautiful, well made and versatile guitar. I have not seen anything in its price range that I liked as well.

[rickshapiro]

Originally Posted by rs18041

I just purchased a Comins GCS-1 three days ago and have put at least 12 hours on it. Those are 12 hours I didn't really have to spare but I can't put this guitar down. At the risk of duplicating other reviews I have seen in this forum let me add a few impressions...

When I auditioned it I had the luxury of playing through two amps - a newer, black face Fender Twin and an all tube Alessandro (single 12" I think?). I started with the neck PU, tone rolled off and was pleasantly surprised at how full and articulate it sounded. Working through the combination of both pickups and to the bridge-only, I could not find any place where the instrument sounded strange or unusable. The Neck PU tone control is a push-pull type that provides the single-coil function for both PUs. Do not expect these pickups in single-coil to sound like a Fender but it is a very pleasant foil to the richness of the humbucking sound and will definitely provide a very usable change up. I believe these pickups may be made by Kent Armstrong in collaboration with Bill Comins.

When I got the guitar home my neighbors were briefly treated to the bridge pickup and although they complained about the volume they liked the tone. So did I. The resonance that the body contributes is apparent in the lushness of the sound at low and moderate volumes. I did not detect any inclination for feedback in my brief >100 dB adventure.

The appearance of this guitar is stunning. I had a chance to see 5 of these instruments in various configurations and finishes - see
Home | Comins Guitars

I believe there are currently 2 variations offered: a maple top with rosewood fretboard and a spruce top with ebony board. In my opinion the spruce guitar was a little warmer sounding while the maple was generally a little brighter. In the end my ears chose a maple instrument (in Vintage Blond) for what I wanted, although my eyes wanted all of them. The burst finishes are all tastefully done. And both the rosewood and ebony fretboards were some of the nicest I've seen recently. In general, the quality and figuring of woods on these guitars was beyond my expectations.

Playability is as subjective as sound and tone but I found this guitar's neck geometry to be very comfortable. I have maybe slightly larger than average hands and have no trouble getting around the neck from nut to upper registers. The fretwire is a little taller than some of my other guitars but I'm finding that it actually helps me in orienting my placement if I'm not looking at the neck. The neck binding and fret finish is superb. One reviewer mentioned that this guitar has considerable weight, though it is light compared to a Les Paul. I think the mass of the construction is a real plus, adding to the clarity and remarkable sustain.

Given the thoughtful design, the quality of the build, top notch hardware and the fit and finish I could not be more pleased with this instrument. A semi-hollow guitar is a compromise by design but this guitar seems to incorporate most of the best elements from both worlds. The sound ranges from lush to crush and always articulate. This is a beautiful, well made and versatile guitar. I have not seen anything in its price range that I liked as well.

Glad you like it. I am very much enjoying mine. I am considering flatwounds on this.

[rickshapiro]

I figure I would do a follow-up review. Two months latter and I am even more enthralled with this guitar. I still have not brought this guitar to one of my gigs I am doing rock at this point and have not reached the comfort point of switching out my strat. Also do not want to put the first mark into this guitar.

At home this is becoming by favorite practice and recording guitar. There are so many usable sounds. The single-coil tap really provides that flexibility. For clean I've been playing through my Cube 80X. For a more rock sound I've been playing through my TC Electronics Nova System though a Sans AMP GT2 into my Tech 21 Power Engine. Using the overdrive and distortion on the Nova System with this guitar is incredible. I get so many authentic classic sounds. Never in my life have I really heard such succulent overtones from a distortion/guitar combo. I just love hitting one chord or a single note and letting the overtones develop. I have not had tried a hard rock or metal

I've going through a couple different sets of stings including some starting at 10s and 13s. I finally settled on 12 flatwound.

I am getting used to what seems to be to be higher frets. I never measured them but I can just feel them more then any other guitar I have, it is not a hindrance but is noticeable. Intonation is great and I love the feel of the machine heads, very smooth and accurate. The guitar really stays in tune.

Although I've owned 135s and 335s I cannot say this sound like any one of them. I just cannot compare the sound to anything else I've have or had.

The sustain is excellent, love holding notes while playing other notes. It is good for chords solos. It is not as acoustic sounding as my larger archtops but is still rich.

The guitar is comfortable to hold although usually I'm using a strap.

I know this all sounds too good and there must be some cons, but frankly I cannot really find anything other then the guitar is a little heavy.

The finish looks great, the saple on the back is beautiful.

Needless to say, I am very pleased with this guitar.

[bmw2002]

Count me as another satisfied Comins GSC-1 customer. I purchased mine a few weeks ago at Rudy's Music Store in SOHO, NYC and had them fit the guitar with flat wound .11's. I bought the autumn burst spruce top/ebony board version ... warm jazz sound, particularly through my SF Princeton. I had actually gone there with the idea of perhaps buying a Gibson ES-339, and test drove both, but ended up with the Comins. As I think I mentioned in another post, Bill Comins told me the next shipment is due to arrive in June. The spruce/ebony ones seem in particular seem to be in short supply. I'd look at these perhaps as a more affordable alternative to the Sadowsky semi-hollowbody or the Benedetto Benny. Anyway, definitely worth checking out in my humble view.

[rickshapiro]

Originally Posted by bmw2002

Count me as another satisfied Comins GSC-1 customer. I purchased mine a few weeks ago at Rudy's Music Store in SOHO, NYC and had them fit the guitar with flat wound .11's. I bought the autumn burst spruce top/ebony board version ... warm jazz sound, particularly through my SF Princeton. I had actually gone there with the idea of perhaps buying a Gibson ES-339, and test drove both, but ended up with the Comins. As I think I mentioned in another post, Bill Comins told me the next shipment is due to arrive in June. The spruce/ebony ones seem in particular seem to be in short supply. I'd look at these perhaps as a more affordable alternative to the Sadowsky semi-hollowbody or the Benedetto Benny. Anyway, definitely worth checking out in my humble view.

I was considering a new Sadowsky or Benedetto. I still have not played a Sadowski but did play some used Benedettos and still went with the GSC-1. I also played some new 335s and 339s and they did not hit me. I've owned 335s in the past. With the GCS I do not feel wanting in any way and was happy to spend a couple of thousand less.

I hope more folks have the opportunity to try these guitars. I am not sure at what scale Bill is going to ramp up production. Mine was in one of the first runs and it seemed like a small run. It is nice to see quality guitars in this price range.

[TSP]

I've got a Comins GCS-1 blond on the way. Should arrive mid next week. Did a lot of shopping for a smaller than a 335 semi-hollow that i can use for both straight ahead 60's blue note sound and a more modern sound. Hoping this one will do the trick. From everything everyone tells me, (including the posts here - thank you) the quality is terrific and the stated goal of this guitar is spot on for what i want. Like bmw2002 (post above) i tried the Gibson 339 and liked it, but seems like the Comins is more jazz oriented. Looking forward to playing it.

[TSP]

Mine arrived last Thursday. A beautiful and very well made guitar. Arched top and back, but slim. Slightly larger than a Les Paul. Fit and finish are outstanding. woods are beautiful, especially the flame top. playability is excellent. neck is a D shape with a contour. it is a little wider than a 60's Gibson neck, but pretty flat/slim, so very easy to get around. Tone is pretty close to a G 335 or Heritage 535, but maybe a little warmer. Lot's of tonal range, from Grant Green to more contemporary fusion or blues/rock options. It doesn't quite get to a true bigger hollow body archtop sound like an L5 or Super 400, but does just about everything else from Gibson 335, 330, 175 range. Closest comparison i can think of is Grant Green. My band is all electric, and this guitar cuts through the mix better than my solid wood archtop. As you can tell, so far i really like it.

[TSP]

After playing it for a couple of weeks and a number of gigs and jam sessions, I have to say that my respect for this instrument continues to grow. Highly playable, very versatile and toneful, and build quality is outstanding. My band insists that I bring this guitar to gigs and I am constantly getting complimented on its looks and tone.

It has a strong voice. Cuts through the mix exceptionally.

[kris]

GCS1 ES - anybody played this model?