Collings Eastside Deluxe LC

**Philco** · 01-20-2013, 02:50 AM

Originally Posted by myanocsk

Geez, i signed up here today and what do I find, you're all looking at my guitar.

Those are pretty nice studio shots. I never saw those.

So is this one yours?

Collings Eastside Deluxe LC-eastside-lc-jpg

**Jazz_175** · 01-20-2013, 05:18 AM

In my opinion it would be nice to have just three guitars + one and don't ask for some thing else.
Collings I35LC
Collings Eastside LC
Collings City Limits Jazz
+
a Telecaster.

One can cover all jazz-blues-rock with those.
Not counting the Tele that's only 3 guitars!!

Philco, congrats for the guitar

**myanocsk** · 01-20-2013, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by Philco

So is this one yours?

Collings Eastside Deluxe LC-eastside-lc-jpg

yes, i bought that from Steve this past summer. You'll see my initials in the ad- MY

**Philco** · 01-20-2013, 09:08 AM

Cool. I hope you don't mind us checking her out.
Are you happy with the playability and sound?

And if you don't mind me asking, how was the factory setup?

**myanocsk** · 01-20-2013, 10:44 AM

That's fine, but Steve told me a few weeks back that Bill had no desire to make anymore deluxe models, stating it was too much work and they'd gone to these over the CL Jazz to cut down on the labor. That said, looks like I can order another.

I have bought many Collings instruments, including mandolins and mandolas and have had not issues with factory set up or playability. This is a superb instrument, almost as nice as my AT16. I'd wanted another AT16, but they will take no new orders. The sound is just what you'd expect.

**shawntp** · 01-20-2013, 04:18 PM

myanocsk, I am curios as to what style you play and what amplifier you use with you Eastside LC. I think this forum has the largest group of Eastside players (3-4) that I have found yet. Another user here named Soco gigs with the Eastside and has posted some clips. I hope to do the same as soon as I get my recording rig back up and going.

At the moment I am playing my Eastside through a Henriksen 1x10" JazzAmp which sounds superb with this guitar. I am also contemplating ordering a 1x10" Mambo wedge to try out.

**shawntp** · 01-20-2013, 05:43 PM

I would *think* he intends to say that it sounds just like the non-Deluxe Eastside LC's as one would expect. The only variable would seem to be that optional maple neck (which looks to be a future offering). I've owned a standard Collings I-35 and a Deluxe I-35 and they sounded and played the same (phenomenally). It's really hard to discern between Collings instruments because their builds are so consistent.

I've owned a Collings Uke, Mandolin, solid body electric, a couple semi hollows, and currently have an acoustic and the Eastside. I think Collings all have their own unique voice. Even the I-35 LC is very different from a Gibson 335 that it emulates. I see a similar contrast between the Eastside LC and a Gibson ES-175. To me Gibson 335s/175s are warmer but also a bit muddier in comparison to Collings I-35 LCs/Eastside LCs. The Collings builds are very acoustic in nature (lots of acoustic body energy and overtone), clearer with much more articulation, and perhaps have a more focused tone. Every Collings I've played has felt fast and flawless up the neck. The I-35 is roughly 90% of the size of a 335 and the Eastside is ~1/2" shallower in depth than a 175. This seems to contribute to a focused sound with tight low end. I've read somewhere that in building the 2.5" deep Eastside models and comparing them to deeper body 3" Eastside prototypes, that Collings preferred the focus of the shallower bodies voicing. I would imagine deeper body gives more acoustic overtones and more air but i have not played any. The form factor seems to be pretty popular with both Benedetto and Sadowsky also offering similar 2.5" deep laminate models.

**myanocsk** · 01-20-2013, 06:57 PM

This is a true hollow-body, with the fat, warm tone. I have a Carr Mercury. I got a new 65 Deluxe RI just before xmas. Haven't tried it with that yet. Nice amp, and I was able to get the feedback our of the reverb (which everyone was complaining about). I've been playing a heavily modded early 90's Blues Jr. Very sweet. It's good to know an amp guy who owes you favors.

I emailed the Steve at AMW this afternoon and ordered another Eastside Deluxe. I was going to buy a Sadowsky, but I like this so much, I might as well get a backup. I wish I had done that with the AT16.

**Soco** · 01-20-2013, 07:08 PM

Awesome, congrats!
I have seen a few deluxe prototypes, I think the first Eastside they made was a deluxe.
I am very happy with mine(standard). It is very versatile as well, has a very acoustic sound but works great with overdrive(no feedback issues)
Here is a clip from a gig going for a Scofield type of vibe with overdrive.
SoundClick artist: Jostein Gulbrandsen - page with MP3 music downloads
and here is the original little video I made not long after I got it.
Brilliant guitar. My friend who owns 30+ guitars and works for a guitar magazine was shocked to see how easy it was to play with 12's. Using Thomastik 12-50 roundounds, the action is now much lower than when I got it.

**Soco** · 01-20-2013, 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by Philco

Mahogany is standard, Maple is an extra $200.

What would you prefer? I thought I would go with Maple because that's what my L5 Wesmo has and I love everything about that guitar.
In my mind (because I can't demo the instrument) I'm trying to offset the perhaps stiffer laminate top (could be bright) and I thought Maple might not add any more "brightness".

But I'm just guessing.

I think the maple neck WOULD add brightness. I haven't tried the Deluxe model, but Craig from CR guitars who is an expert and a great guy had tried one and said he preferred the standard with mahogany neck.My guitar is already pretty bright and lively(yet warm), but it is has mellowed out a lot even after a couple of months.
It is nice to see that there are options for both mahogany and maple on this model.Seems like they made ebony standard for fretboard. Mine has a rosewood fretboard, but I tried an Eastside with ebony as well. Both really nice, personally rosewood is more familiar both in terms of feel and sound.
Keep in mind a maple neck on a solid wood guitar like the L5 is a pretty different thing than having a laminated guitar like the eastside with a maple neck.

**myanocsk** · 01-20-2013, 07:21 PM

The first Eastside that was made was labeled Sweet Sixteen, oooops! It was a sunburst one, and sold for over $7k, and not quite like the Eastsides I have played. I'm not even sure it had a maple neck. Check with Collings but there has only been one deluxe after the initial guitar that was shown at NAMM.

Now I see this the Deluxe is going into production, but you know what, if you want one, order it now. Things could change.

**Soco** · 01-20-2013, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by myanocsk

The first Eastside that was made was labeled Sweet Sixteen, oooops! It was a sunburst one, and sold for over $7k, and not quite like the Eastsides I have played. I'm not even sure it had a maple neck. Check with Collings but there has only been one deluxe after the initial guitar that was shown at NAMM.

Now I see this the Deluxe is going into production, but you know what, if you want one, order it now. Things could change.

I remember the sweet 16-lol!
I do remember the price being higher. I always though it looked deeper than the standard soco, but I am not sure.
There are 4 deep-bodied prototypes out there, the might not turn these into production.

**Philco** · 01-20-2013, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by myanocsk

The first Eastside that was made was labeled Sweet Sixteen, oooops! It was a sunburst one, and sold for over $7k, and not quite like the Eastsides I have played. I'm not even sure it had a maple neck. Check with Collings but there has only been one deluxe after the initial guitar that was shown at NAMM.

Now I see this the Deluxe is going into production, but you know what, if you want one, order it now. Things could change.

Glad I got my deposit down.

And thanks for all the info. Buying guitars without playing them can be a bit like Russian Roulette.
But I'm feeling good about this one.

Oh and myanocsk .....have you played a CL? If so any comments on the differences between it and the Eastside?

**myanocsk** · 01-20-2013, 11:35 PM

If you mean a City Limits (like an LP, yes). If you mean a City Limits Jazz no, but that was what I was looking for at the time, and they have stopped taking orders. This was the closest I could get to it or an AT16. I ended up ordering an L5 style guitar from Andrew Mowry. He has one at Carmel Music on consignment, but I am not all that keen on the cutaway, although I keep going back and looking at it....

I have two Socos......one is mahogany, all dog hair, P90's with a big headstock and MOTS overlay. The other has TV Jones pickups. I love these, but they don't have the same sound.

Who did you order through?

**Soco** · 01-20-2013, 11:54 PM

I tried the CL jazz, and incredible guitar. Small sized but sounds almost like a flat-top unplugged. Plugged in it has a great classic jazz sound. I think it would be hard to imagine doing anything with higher volume and some gain with this guitar, but the Eastside can handle it. The Eastside is more like a workhorse guitar(like a much nicer 175), the CL jazz is it's own thing, like a print sized archtop that sounds much bigger than you'd expect.
I have a soco also as my screen-name suggests, I love that guitar.

**shawntp** · 01-20-2013, 11:58 PM

Yeah, sounds like AT's and CL Jazz models will only be available on secondary market for a while. There are supposedly very few AT16s and AT17s out there so its interesting to see that a used AT16 is available and that John Stewart/MyJazzHome has two AT17s for sale.

Also interesting is that the used prices on AT's are the same as the new prices at the moment.

**Jazz_175** · 01-21-2013, 01:24 AM

Why is Collings stopping production of those expensive models (at least for some time as I undestand)?

**Philco** · 01-21-2013, 02:27 AM

Originally Posted by myanocsk

If you mean a City Limits (like an LP, yes). If you mean a City Limits Jazz no, but that was what I was looking for at the time, and they have stopped taking orders. This was the closest I could get to it or an AT16. I ended up ordering an L5 style guitar from Andrew Mowry. He has one at Carmel Music on consignment, but I am not all that keen on the cutaway, although I keep going back and looking at it....

I have two Socos......one is mahogany, all dog hair, P90's with a big headstock and MOTS overlay. The other has TV Jones pickups. I love these, but they don't have the same sound.

Who did you order through?

I ordered through Sound Pure.

**Philco** · 01-21-2013, 02:28 AM

Originally Posted by shawntp

Yeah, sounds like AT's and CL Jazz models will only be available on secondary market for a while. There are supposedly very few AT16s and AT17s out there so its interesting to see that a used AT16 is available and that John Stewart/MyJazzHome has two AT17s for sale.

Also interesting is that the used prices on AT's are the same as the new prices at the moment.

They have a Eastside LC Prototype used for $4860

Collings Eastside LC Guitar For Sale

**shawntp** · 01-21-2013, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by Jazz_175

Why is Collings stopping production of those expensive models (at least for some time as I undestand)?

I've heard that orders on these labor intense carved archtop models got backed up to where they were back logged for a couple years out. They decided to stop taking orders from dealers on several models i believe at some point earlier last year until they could catch up. I would imagine this is a similar reason as to why they didn't want to do too many special order deluxe Eastsides.

When I bought a Uke a year ago they said the wait list on orders was getting up to a year and that Collings was having trouble keeping up - their $2k+ Ukes were literally selling the same week they his shops from customer call lists.

**Bluedawg** · 01-21-2013, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by Jazz_175

Why is Collings stopping production of those expensive models (at least for some time as I undestand)?

It's probably not a stop on production ... but as Shawntp says ... it's a stop on taking orders

they are trying to fill their backlog before taking more orders

Thsi is good news for Collings fans ..... it means their business is doing well

**Soco** · 01-22-2013, 12:56 AM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

Collings has a ten-year backlog of AT-16 orders extant. The workshop makes four per annum; it has 38 orders on the order book. The order book is closed for now for the workshop to catch up. It will re-open in the future.

I am glad business is going well for Collings and I would much rather the order book be closed for now than to see the company rapidly expand with the concomitant drop in quality a la Big G.

I agree, they are doing things right. They always put quality first. If they feel something is not 100%, they won't do it.
Mark from Collings told me there was an incredible amount of research and development going into developing the Eastside(as well as the models).

**Jazz_175** · 01-22-2013, 02:58 AM

The strange thing about Collings electrics is that they are not so well known in Italy, and probably also Europe.
I sent an e-mail to the most important Gibson shop in my country. They say they are second in Europe.
They are also Collings dealers and asked them if they could order an Eastside LC.
The reply was that, of course they could, with a 4-6 months wait, but why should I go for such an "improbable" product
when they have ready, in stock, about 150 Gibson Es, Cs, Archtop pieces like 330, 335, 339, 356,...175...etc

**kris** · 01-22-2013, 04:01 AM

Originally Posted by Jazz_175

The strange thing about Collings electrics is that they are not so well known in Italy, and probably also Europe.
I sent an e-mail to the most important Gibson shop in my country. They say they are second in Europe.
They are also Collings dealers and asked them if they could order an Eastside LC.
The reply was that, of course they could, with a 4-6 months wait, but why should I go for such an "improbable" product
when they have ready, in stock, about 150 Gibson Es, Cs, Archtop pieces like 330, 335, 339, 356,...175...etc

Big name guitar players do not play Collings...may be this is a key?

**shawntp** · 01-22-2013, 08:40 AM

There are a few that have been spotted with Collings or who regularly gig with them: Guitarist from Maroon 5, Mumford and Sons, Zachary Brown Band, and Pete Townsend.

I see a lot in Bluegrass circles (acoustics and mandolins). Electrics sort of popped on the scene in the mid-2000's so the models are still evolving. Like anything, the more you look for them the more you see them. When my jazz instructor saw I got an Eastside it took a few weeks for news to make its way around and now I have fellow students wanting to come in to check out.