Howard Roberts fusion III or Comins GCS 1-ES

[SOLR]

I have the choice between these 2 , Gibson is a '97apparently in decent shape (it did have a refret and nut replacement), Comins is new but dealer would give me old list price(+ tax). In the end they would each cost the same around $1900US.

Other than the fact I've never tried the HRF, I'm thinking Gibson would be better long term value ??!!

Any thing else to consider aside from personal comfort and sound preference ?

It would be my "back up" guitar.

Thx

S

[Gitfiddler]

Hopefully you'll have an opportunity to play each of these guitars. I've owned each and found the HR Fusion III to be a very nicely conceived and highly versatile semi-hollow. I used it mostly for live performances with an RnB band and it was able to handle that as well as many other musical genres. Even after selling the HR, I still considered buying another.

I owned the Comins for only about six months. It is a beautifully built, small-bodied semi-hollow. I never played gigs with it, but it held its own at band practice and at home. As much as I dug the guitar, it just was not the best one for me. It felt a bit cold or soul-less. That is not to say it didn't play and feel great...just not a good fit for me.

Good hunting!

[rpjazzguitar]

I have the GCS-1. It's my main guitar. I think it plays and sounds great, but it doesn't sound hollow, because it's not. There's a block under the bridge. It does sound similar to the GCS-1-ES, or so I think.

It's not the same type of guitar as the HRF. The Comins has a stop tailpiece, the HRF has a trapeze. I believe that changes the feel and I tend to prefer trapeze even though I don't currently play one.

The other main difference may be a block inside under the bridge. I'm not clear on whether the HRF is fully hollow or has a block. Or which. There are three different models of HRF. It makes a difference in tone and feedback propensity.

[palindrome]

I'm not clear on whether the HRF is fully hollow or has a block. Or which. There are three different models of HRF. It makes a difference in tone and feedback propensity.

If I remember correctly, MkI was actually more of an LP style guitar, MkII a short-lived version similar to the first one, and MKIII very similar to an ES-135, notably in terms of body depth and with the same balsa (or "chromyte") centerblock, although with better appointments overall.

[SOLR]

FWIW I've bought the HRF III,
It was well played by previous owners and is my first Gibson in 45 yrs (sold the last 2 decades ago)
It Plays rather well and sound pretty good too.

Happy so far with this purchase:



Super low action with new TI Js 112 , clean pups..Tuners are great. It almost feels like my old 72 ES 150 TD if I can actually remember what that felt like. The larger size of the HRF compare to my small archtop allows it to rest more comfortably on my lap so I'm not supporting the entire weight (7.5lbs) Also the fretboard's ebony is definitely the smoothest and darkest I've ever seen or felt.

My only worry is this possible "delamination" or hair line cracking near the binding in the cutaway on the back of the guitar.

How worrisome is this?

Solr

[SOLR]

Liking it more and more
The action (based on my picks under the strings!).88 mm on low end and .60 on High E (I do have a soft picking hand, trying to model Pasquale G.) I don't dare go any lower..... It now rivals my Schecter (shredder axe) solo II custom ..and sounds way nicer. (It has the original 490s on the neck and bridge)....Love the finger tailpiece, It allows one to balance the volume between strings to near perfect before adjusting the pup's screw magnets.
I do use a different pick for the HRF (.70 fender medium) and the Solo II (1.5 d'addario nitra) same strings.
An ambiguity is that the flat painted neck of the Schecter is never sticky nor are the strings but on the now almost worn out now mat neck finish of the HRF in 20 minutes of playing it gets sluggish. Its like my skin is reacting to something on the guitar . I've experienced that with many nitros, but I've yet to figure out why or what..

Anyways if you're on the market for a new (older) guitar these are unbelievable .

Sol

[arnie65]

IMO, hands down the Howard Roberts Fusion, it's money in the bank, as an investment is money in the bank which will accrue value; as far as value, it is a far more expensive guitar than the Comins ( and I'm a Comins fan), and as far as tone, the HRF has a big round tone like a 335. You can't go wrong with it...




Cheers,
Arnie..