Semi-hollows: Comins GCS-1 vs. D'Angelico Excel SS XT (or alternatives)

[cadehbryant]

I am looking for a semi-hollow guitar to replace my aging 10-year-old Godin Montreal Premiere that is capable of rich classic jazz tones in addition to being versatile enough for rock (fat overdriven humbucking tones as well as clean chimey single-coil tones). My Godin is not coil-tapped, so it's kind of a one-trick pony (great jazz tone, almost like a full-hollow archtop, but no coil taps and not great at rock). Furthermore, I'm constantly needing to adjust its truss rod due to NYC's humid climate and frequent temperature changes.

I've all but narrowed my choices to two outwardly similar models: the Comins GCS-1 or the D'Angelico Excel SS XT.

The two instruments are similarly-priced; they are both very well-built single-cut semi-hollows; they both have coil-tapped humbuckers which is a must for me; they are both made in Korea (same factory?), a country which today has a great reputation in terms of quality for the money. I had the chance to try out the Comins a while back. I found the build quality to be flawless, with smooth butter-like action/frets, a decent jazz tone in humbucker mode, and a lively chime in split mode; but I didn't love its rock humbucker tones.

I have not had a chance to play the D'Angelico, but I've seen videos in the instrument seemed to handle all three styles deftly.

What are your experiences with either/both instruments?

As an alternative, I've also considered checking out a used Yamaha AES-1500, which is coil-tapped. This model is no longer made, so used would be my only option. Yamaha has always had a sterling reputation with its made-in-Japan models, so I'm assuming quality wouldn't be an issue. However, I'm not sure how this model would handle high-gain rock (too much feedback, perhaps). Trying one in person would be impractical since the only used ones I see online are outside of my area. If money was not an issue, I would be tempted to get a Sadowsky or Collings semi-hollow and re-equip it with coil-tapped pickups/pots.

Thoughts, anyone?

[John A.]

I have an EX DC, have tried the regular EX SS (not the SS XT) and have also tried the Comins (and have tried a Montreal Premiere). They're all pretty similar. The D'As have come with a few different pickups over the years, so how warm vs bright they are depends on that. The one (possibly) significant difference is that the EX SS has a 25" scale length (vs 24.75" on the Comins, EX DC, and Montreal). Depending on how sensitive to that you are, it might take some getting used to (the difference was not noticeable to me, but this is a YMMV kind of thing). Appearance wise, even though I have a D'A and am happy with it, I don't love the bling and would probably opt for the Comins if appearance were the main consideration.

Regarding neck stability with seasonal change, I doubt the switch is going to make a difference. These are all thin-ish maple necks, and they're all going to move around with temp/humidity changes. I'm in NYC as well, and all my guitars require truss rod tweaks in fall and spring regardless of profile and wood species. I've learned to measure relief and do the adjustments myself (not hard, takes a few minutes). Regarding coil splitting -- maybe the Godin pickups have four conductor wires and a coil split switch can be added? If you love the guitar except for lack of splitting, either that or switching to split-able pickups is an alternative to replacing the guitar.

[rpjazzguitar]

I have the 2009 or so EXDC (designed, I've heard, by Bill Comins) and the GCS-1.

One difference is that the EXDC is bigger - which I find marginally less comfortable.

The EXDC sounds darker. I don't know why.

The GCS-1 is very well made and Bill Comins takes care of his customers. The one knock on it is that it doesn't stay in tune as well as my Yamaha Pacifica cheapie. I believe that's because the tuneamatic bridge sits a little loosely on the posts. I could be wrong about that. I've tried shimming them and probably need to do that again.

I live in an area that's humid in winter and bone dry in summer. I haven't had to adjust the truss rod in either guitar seasonally.

[GNAPPI]

I've played exactly one Comins and near the same time an EX-SS and I wound up with the EX-SS. I could have bought either but the SS was a bit more substantial feeling and I like that.