Collings Eastside Deluxe LC

[Philco]

Here are some shots of a new model being offered by Collings.
I was negotiating with a US dealer about some custom options and found out that everything I requested was in this new model.
To quote Collings.....

""We are just getting ready to announce this as an official model, but I'll give you the info ahead of time.

The list price for the Eastside Deluxe LC will be $6200 plus an additional $200 for maple neck (optional). In addition to a bound neck and peghead, the guitar will also have bound s-holes, an ebony fingerboard and handmade ebony knobs. I've attached an few photos to give you an idea of the appointments.

As for the blonde finish, we are going with a more "aged" look rather than a natural blonde finish. The photo should provide a good reference of the color.

Given our current backlog for the Eastside model orders, my best estimate for delivery time for a new order is approximately 8 months."

I just ordered mine today so I guess this could be a NGD in 8 months thread!!

[PTChristopher]

The pics appear to be a maple neck, is mahogany standard?

[IanD]

So you have actually done it, congratulations, that is a stunningly beautiful guitar. The next 8 months will be the LONGEST of your life!

Ian

PS, still absolutely loving the Comins you sold me.

[Philco]

The pics appear to be a maple neck, is mahogany standard?

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.

[Philco]

So you have actually done it, congratulations, that is a stunningly beautiful guitar. The next 8 months will be the LONGEST of your life!

Ian

PS, still absolutely loving the Comins you sold me.

Yes I've finally sold enough gear to pull the trigger. Such a fluke that the specs I requested magically appeared in this prototype.

Glad you are digging the Comins. That surely has to have one of the most comfortable necks available.

[valriver40]

great looking guitar lucky man!!!

[Gramps]

Yup. That is too cool.

I've never played a Collings instrument that wasn't great.

[PTChristopher]

>>> Mahogany is standard, Maple is an extra $200.

>>> What would you prefer?

Maple is considerably denser than Honduran Mahogany, and many so-called African mahoganies (sapele and khaya often). But you can find some so called mahogany that is about as dense as maple.

"Mahogany" as a word is casually used to describe many other species in my opinion.

All in all, I like lighter necks and tuners. I just find them to sound a bit more resonant to me.

But if a neck is loaded up with a dual-action truss rod and some carbon fiber on either side, the practical difference can be limited.

I also have a data-free sense that a smaller guitar can benefit from the mahog' neck slight resonance while a larger one will sound just fine and woody with maple. Note the Sadowsky archtop neck material choices - which may only mean that they subscribe to the same prejudices.

Mahogany is notably weaker, which is a practical matter at the headstock joint. Of course not dropping the guitar (in or out of the case) sort of takes care of most of that.

You might ask Collings about their view on the sound difference and also ask about the mahogany neck on something like the CL Jazz, which has a very interesting spec. - with the fairly thick spruce and routed out mahog' body.

Or in short:

I'd get maple. It sounds great on a Sadowsky Hall or a Bendetto Bravo, and this guitar is very (very, very) similar to these 16 X 2 1/2" laminated maple fine guitars.

In my opinion.

Chris

[Philco]

Thanks for your input Chris. I'll leave the order as is with the maple.
Always a risk buying an instrument without playing it. I certainly lucked out with the Wesmo....having never laid hands on one in my life. I can't put the thing down.

I was originally looking for a gig worthy instrument. Something resistant to feedback (more so than the Wesmo) and sturdy.
But here I go again falling in lust with an expensive guitar. I'll probably be too scared to take it out of the house.
It's no fun thinking with your head!

[Jabberwocky]

Yeah, Acoustic Music Works sold a prototype seen here: Eastside Deluxe maple # 12033 . Antique Blonde is a nice colour.

I was talking to Jeff Molde of The Podium about it just last week. Jeff can get it specified with a Lollar Humbucker Charlie Christian. I wanted Ivoroid knobs and stuff but no-go; Collings won't go there so I am twiddling my thumbs because I LUURVES ME SOME IVOROID. Yeah, I also said I wanted no dot fretboard inlays and that was doable.

Dealers love guys like you, Phil, who act fast, and hate guys like me, lotsa questions, no lolly.

[PTChristopher]

>>> I was originally looking for a gig worthy instrument.

Well this is a very sturdy and gig-worthy guitar. I mean a maple laminate 16 X 2 1/2" is arguably the current standard for a superb amplified sound in the real world (vs. the living room).

In my opinion, affording such a fine guitar means also taking it out and playing it. Sure there are true "Telecaster Conditions" situations where only a battle axe will do, but I say hit the streets with it. It will not be a delicate flower in terms of humidity, and it can take a ding or two and still look great.

If you want an Epiphone Casino as your hazard box, then fine. But if you get fried in a Boeing lithium polymer fire (funny that other industries and hobbies already learned about this and how to deal with it) wouldn't you want to have played your "good" guitars?

I don't know. I am an abysmal "collector". I throw away stuff all the time, and turn the page with no hesitation. Sure I wish I had still that cool pic of me playing soccer at the Rheinstadion, or the one with Deb AND Michelle in Chicago, or any of the guitars (some good, some way-not-good) I made in my 20's. But crap, gotta live with the best of here and now.

Play the sucker. It s the pinnacle of guitars meant to be actually TAKEN OUT TO MAKE GUITAR SOUNDS. Baby something else.

In my opinion.

No but shit, come on - play the thing, in and out.

Still my opinion.

Chris

[Jabberwocky]

Chris, Benedetto has something similar in price and form, the Bravo Deluxe. That one has a laminated spruce top though. Hazard a guess at tonal differences vis a vis the Collings Eastside LC Deluxe?

In this price bracket, there is also the Steve Andersen Vanguard Laminate with a Maple-Nomex-Maple 5-ply top.

Choices, choices.

[PTChristopher]

The Benedetto Bravo and Bravo deluxe are really maple tops with the top layer of the laminate being spruce.

I think this has been described as a nod to the tradition of Benedetto guitars. It certainly looks and sounds great.

I know that there are several differences between the Bravo (and Deluxe) and the Sadow-Hall, and in my opinion they are actually slightly different beasts. The Hall is the most absurdly even-tempered guitar that still has a huge woody sound - just superb balance over the whole FB. It even deals with my ham-fisted fake-o chord subs that are really just really the same old chord played in a different place with whatever bass note my finger can mange to reach by accident - it still sounds reliably great.

But I bought a Bravo. It is a little quirkier. Maybe a little too thin in the neck (wide enough, but could do with a bit more depth). But this thing sings. I suppose that it trades the extreme predictability of the Hall, for more acoustic archtop character.

Is this because of the sliver of spruce on top? I suspect it is more a combination of small things. Sure a slightly lighter top, maybe the lighter neck (simply less wood and maybe some carbon fiber in there too), maybe a slightly lighter lacquer finish (but I am skeptical of this making a difference). Or maybe just that I react to one differently and play it differently and convince myself that it must be the guitar.

Anyway, I played a few of each before deciding. Both types were very consistent from one to the next. I went for the touch more character vs. the touch more even, predictable, bankable sound.

All in my opinion, with nothing close to objectivity involved here.

EDIT: But one of these years I'll make a 16" carved spruce, X-braced over a routed solid mahogany body with some ergo shaping to the back. Maybe more of a tarted-up decor. And maybe so-called "Alaskan Yellow Cedar" (probably really a cypress) as the top instead of sitka. Then the Bravo may not get played as much - who knows.

Anyway, back to 8 months of heckling Philco over what will certainly be a superbly built guitar. (In my opinion, Collings has the most scary-great workmanship of any team-built guitars ever.)

Hey, is it there yet? Taken it out yet? Come on!

Chris

[Jabberwocky]

Thanks, Chris. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

[Philco]

The Benedetto Bravo and Bravo deluxe are really maple tops with the top layer of the laminate being spruce.

I think this has been described as a nod to the tradition of Benedetto guitars. It certainly looks and sounds great.

I know that there are several differences between the Bravo (and Deluxe) and the Sadow-Hall, and in my opinion they are actually slightly different beasts. The Hall is the most absurdly even-tempered guitar that still has a huge woody sound - just superb balance over the whole FB. It even deals with my ham-fisted fake-o chord subs that are really just really the same old chord played in a different place with whatever bass note my finger can mange to reach by accident - it still sounds reliably great.

But I bought a Bravo. It is a little quirkier. Maybe a little too thin in the neck (wide enough, but could do with a bit more depth). But this thing sings. I suppose that it trades the extreme predictability of the Hall, for more acoustic archtop character.

Is this because of the sliver of spruce on top? I suspect it is more a combination of small things. Sure a slightly lighter top, maybe the lighter neck (simply less wood and maybe some carbon fiber in there too), maybe a slightly lighter lacquer finish (but I am skeptical of this making a difference). Or maybe just that I react to one differently and play it differently and convince myself that it must be the guitar.

Anyway, I played a few of each before deciding. Both types were very consistent from one to the next. I went for the touch more character vs. the touch more even, predictable, bankable sound.

All in my opinion, with nothing close to objectivity involved here.

EDIT: But one of these years I'll make a 16" carved spruce, X-braced over a routed solid mahogany body with some ergo shaping to the back. Maybe more of a tarted-up decor. And maybe so-called "Alaskan Yellow Cedar" (probably really a cypress) as the top instead of sitka. Then the Bravo may not get played as much - who knows.

Anyway, back to 8 months of heckling Philco over what will certainly be a superbly built guitar. (In my opinion, Collings has the most scary-great workmanship of any team-built guitars ever.)

Hey, is it there yet? Taken it out yet? Come on!

Chris

Chris I like where you're coming from. You would have been a road worthy companion on the endless road trips from one outback town to another in my band days. I mean......I think you're as bent as me and seem to like living in a certain area of the brain. But I'm guessing that you can't drive band members insane by insisting on speaking in Old English for hours on end like I can.......... although you probably can work up something else.

Enough of this Tom foolery.....the guitar......oh yes.
I am one of those who can now switch off the longing and just forget about it.
In fact I kind of like knowing that it's being built and will one day arrive. Something to look forward too.

The great thing about this deal is that I can make payments along the way so the final sum won't kill me.

The other great thing is that this guitar looks like my P 16 Painter so my wife will fall for the old "I've had this for over a year now.....jeeez you really don't pay attention do you"


Yeah I will probably take this one out and give it a good beating. (the guitar....not my wife!)

[Philco]

The Benedetto Bravo looks and sounds great.......this is one yes?

[Bluedawg]

There is an Eastside LC at a store in Tucson ...

It has a great acoustic sound .. better than some of the solid carved archtops I've played

And also great through an amp ...


I guess the Deluxe gets you a bound fingerboard, bound F-Holes, and a few more goodies?




Hope this works out as well as the one I've played

[Jabberwocky]

...
I guess the Deluxe gets you a bound fingerboard, bound F-Holes, and a few more goodies?
.....

Ebony fingerboard, black and white purfling, bound F-holes, headstock, fingerboard, pickguard, ebony knobs, option of maple neck. It is a $900 surcharge on the standard, street price.

[Philco]

There is an Eastside LC at a store in Tucson ...

It has a great acoustic sound .. better than some of the solid carved archtops I've played

And also great through an amp ...


I guess the Deluxe gets you a bound fingerboard, bound F-Holes, and a few more goodies?




Hope this works out as well as the one I've played

One of the reasons I decided on the Collings is because I keep hearing great things about the acoustic properties.
I'm betting that if it's loud and fat acoustically then it will follow that I will get some depth to the electric sound.

I'm a Flat Wound user so I'm going to lose a bit of the volume but that's fine with me. Just give me that nice "thunk" when I hit the string!

The other reason I chose Collings was all the raves about the finish and set up. Especially coming from PT Christopher and others.
A great set up means a lot to me.
I wonder if it's plausible for me to send Collings a set of my strings so they can cut the nut correctly and really get the setup right?
Makes sense to me.
I use TI Swing .012 set but replace the 1st and 2nd with a .014 and .018 and the .20W with a .021W.
Easy for me to mail them a set when they get toward the finish time.
Crazy idea?

[Jabberwocky]

.....
A great set up means a lot to me.
I wonder if it's plausible for me to send Collings a set of my strings so they can cut the nut correctly and really get the setup right?
Makes sense to me.
I use TI Swing .012 set but replace the 1st and 2nd with a .014 and .018 and the .20W with a .021W.
Easy for me to mail them a set when they get toward the finish time.
Crazy idea?

Not crazy. That is something your dealer should at least be doing for you. Collings uses D'Addario Chromes on its guitars shipped from the workshop. And while Collings does a good standard set-up, your dealer should do the final set-up for you as part of its service.

If you pay for the custom TI Swing set, I am sure your dealer can get his local tech to cut the nut and set it up for you. He may even pay for the TI Swing set.

[PTChristopher]

>>> The Benedetto Bravo looks and sounds great.......this is one yes?

That looks like a Bravo Deluxe in the vid. The Bravo Deluxe has enhanced cosmetics via binding and nicer looking maple. It may also have the B6 vs. A6 PU. Both are quite fat HBs, the B6 is slightly fatter sounding.

I have tried both, and like the the A6 - which can sound like the B6 with a slight turn of a tone knob.

Chris

[Cobra]

Love the look of the Eastside Deluxe LC!!!

[shawntp]

Love it. I have an Eastside LC and I must say I am envious of the deluxe treatments (would probably want to go all the way with parallelogram inlays).

I have owned and I-35 deluxe and an I-35 standard - something always bugged me about having a 4K+ guitar without a bound neck on the standard.

With the Eastside there was never anything to compare to since they almost all were standard. Though the Eastside seems to be geared as a gigging/players instrument. Thats a considerable gap for appointments but if you ever see the Collings Grained Ivoroid binding work you know why.

I will probably be green with envy when these hit the street (if I don't stumble across an AT17 firesale first!!)

[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.

[shawntp]

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

At least you didn't find us sharing pictures of your girlfriend! FWIW I currently own Eastside LC #002 and I still see studio shots of it all over the forums.