Unboxing Collings Eastside Deluxe

**Soco** · 10-24-2013, 12:28 AM

I got Thomastik roundwounds, 12-50's on mine, love them.

**oldane** · 10-24-2013, 12:30 AM

Originally Posted by Philco

Hi oldane, as you know I have a Painter P16 so I can be quite accurate with the comparison. To be fair to Tom I have to point out the difference in price for the 2 instruments. $3500 as compared to very close to $6000.

I always thought of the TP as a mid priced guitar with the advantage of being custom built. You yourself have commented on the acoustic tone of the Painter and I concur. It's a very stiff top and very bright. I think it's primarily designed as an electric and does well in that context.

In comparison the Collings is virtually an acoustic guitar. Not quite a flat top but extremely loud. But more than that.......it's a great SOUNDING acoustic...........

Hi again Phil,

I have never played a Collings so I can't compare. But from all I have read, they are vere, very good instruments. Your photos clearly show the high attention to details. I'm sure it's an instrument I could love too.

OT: As for my reduced depth plywood Painter, it will never compare acousticaly with a full depth carved spruce top archtop but the sound has opened up quite a bit since I got it. The fact that the plywood was actually freshly made when the guitar was new may play a role. So it no longer sounds acoustically like 'a monkey farting in a tin can', like I wrote when it was new. Now it sounds like 'a monkey singing through a concrete tube' - if you get the subtle difference :-). I find the Painters shape, 17'' size, neck shape and reduced depth (2.5'') very confortable for my particular anatomy, and I have bonded with it the same way one bonds with a pair of good and well worn slippers. To my surprise, I haven't had any GAS bursts after getting it - which is a good thing now that I see your beautiful Collings.

**fritz jones** · 10-24-2013, 12:52 AM

This thread is like congratulations for having a baby or winning the nobel prize.

**oldane** · 10-24-2013, 01:09 AM

Originally Posted by fritz jones

This thread is like congratulations for having a baby or winning the nobel prize.

Then you should see watch fora when a new watch model is introduced. :-)

**Philco** · 10-24-2013, 04:44 AM

Originally Posted by Soco

I got Thomastik roundwounds, 12-50's on mine, love them.

Are they the "BeBop" set?

**Jabberwocky** · 10-24-2013, 05:10 AM

Can't wait to hear your new acquisition, Phil. Please post a few videos. Anything, just so to cop a feel of its tone. You could play arpeggios or scalar runs. Plugged and unplugged.

Not putting any kinda pressure on you but man, curious ears want to know.

**Jazz_175** · 10-24-2013, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by Soco

I got Thomastik roundwounds, 12-50's on mine, love them.

I tried those strings, the Bebop ones and liked them (except for the plain G string that I replaced with a wound one). I also like the D'Addario EJ21 (12-52) which are the strings recommended by Collings. I was just tired of the noise that fingers make when playing unplugged with roundwounds.
On my 175 (2010, not as old as yours, Philco) I put roundwounds, but the guitar is much more silent acoustically,
so the noise is irrelevant (to my ears).
I'll probably stay for a few months with flatwounds, maybe even trying the Thomastik Swing and I'll go back to roundwounds later.

**willschmid97** · 10-24-2013, 09:02 AM

Wow! Wow! Wowww! So great, I'm saving up for my dream Collings myself. Enjoy, that is an incredible instrument

**Patrick2** · 10-24-2013, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by Philco

The Wesmo was a stunning guitar. Just beautiful. I had to own one to understand something about arch tops. To put things in perspective. I was learning about size, materials and the history of players.

I think I'm more comfortable with a 16' very light instrument. I can get closer to the sound I love with that style of guitar.
I just couldn't get what I wanted out of the Wesmo. I could get the Wes sound if I used my thumb and sure, that's a beautiful sound but not really for me.

The only guy I've heard getting a "good" sound from an L5 style guitar (electric sound that is) is the Italian player.....from that thread..."is this guy any good" or something like that (yes he is bloody good).
But even so I don't "love" that sound. It's not quite what I'm after.

As soon as I got the old 175 with the P90 I was right in the ball park of what I was chasing. Then the Collings went one step closer.....with the added bonus of being much nicer to play.

So the Wesmo was everything it was meant to be but not what I was looking for. I miss looking at it though!
I didn't lose a cent on it which meant I could buy the Collings and have some money left over.

I can certainly understand that rationale. I can't relate to it (lol) but, I do understand it. When I first got my Wesmo, I was a little taken aback by the acoustic tone . . or, lack there of. Thought I'd bought a total turd. Then, I plugged it in to my Pro Reverb. Wow! I decided that even though the acoustic tone wasn't a "to die for" tone, the electric tone was so warm and beautiful that I would keep the guitar. I thought it might rival my single inset pup Heritage archies . . or at least that it would sound quite a bit better acoustically than my L5CES given that it had only a single inste pup. It wasn't even close. Although, the L5CES is probably the single biggest exception to the rule I've ever come across as it relates to acoustic tone from a Gibson dual pup spruce top arch top guitar. The CES literally sings acoustically.

But, the Wesmo has really opened up beautifully now. It still isn't the acoustic equivalent to the CES . . and it's no where even close to any of my Heritage single inset pup arch tops. But, it's really a different guitar than when I first got it brand new a few years ago.

**Philco** · 10-24-2013, 05:56 PM

Indeed my Wesmo may have improved over time but I think it was just too heavy and stiff to ever have a loud acoustic voice......and perhaps it wasn't the makers intention in the first place.

How wonderful it would be to be able to play many different L5's before buying but I've never even seen an L5 or a Wesmo in a store over here.
I'm sure they all differ.

**Cobra** · 10-24-2013, 07:41 PM

Congrats Philco, on a beautiful Eastside. It's basically my grail guitar, & I hope to own one someday. Since there aren't many Eastsides out there in the wild, & even fewer Eastside Deluxes, it's pretty hard to suss out the tone & feel differences between the mahogany/rosewood necks, & the maple/ebony necks. Best case would be to have both within reach & do a comparo on the spot. I like the cosmetics of the deluxe, but my best guess is I'd like the tone of the mahogany/rosewood better.

**Soco** · 10-24-2013, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by Philco

Are they the "BeBop" set?

Yes!

**Soco** · 10-24-2013, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by Jazz_175

I tried those strings, the Bebop ones and liked them (except for the plain G string that I replaced with a wound one). I also like the D'Addario EJ21 (12-52) which are the strings recommended by Collings. I was just tired of the noise that fingers make when playing unplugged with roundwounds.
On my 175 (2010, not as old as yours, Philco) I put roundwounds, but the guitar is much more silent acoustically,
so the noise is irrelevant (to my ears).
I'll probably stay for a few months with flatwounds, maybe even trying the Thomastik Swing and I'll go back to roundwounds later.

Where did you get the replacement string from(maker) and how thing is it?
I normally like plain 3rd's, but this one sounds a bit strange, plus the Collings bridge seem to be set up for a wound 3rd.

**Jazz_175** · 10-25-2013, 12:58 AM

Originally Posted by Soco

Where did you get the replacement string from(maker) and how thing is it?
I normally like plain 3rd's, but this one sounds a bit strange, plus the Collings bridge seem to be set up for a wound 3rd.

I bought a set of Bebop Thomastik .012-.050 AND a single Thomastik BB21 Nickel Round Wound (.021 gauge) to replace the G string .020 coming from the set. I remember checking the intonation of the wound G string and it was perfect.
I purchased them from http://schneidermusik.de/home/
They carry Thomastik single strings.
Maybe you can find them at juststrings.com in the States, I guess....

Just for a comparison
D'Addario EJ21 (Collings recommended) : 12 16 24w 32 42 52
Thomastik Bebop BB112 : 12 16 20p 28 36 50
My replacement : 21w

**Jabberwocky** · 10-25-2013, 02:14 PM

With all this excitement built up over Phil's Collings Eastside LC Deluxe, I would like to clue you guys in on a used Collings Eastside LC: http://www.hillcountryguitars.com/de...mpID=1&gid=967 .

Note that it has a full body sunburst which is a $600 upcharge. A new Collings Eastside LC with full body sunburst streets for $5400. So, this is about a $1050 off new price. It is of 2012 vintage. Hill Country is the original dealer of this used Collings. You don't always find them used so this may represent a good deal for someone in the market for one.

**plectrum99x** · 07-15-2016, 10:52 AM

Hello,
I just read your post regard the TI GB flat wounds. It was my understanding that those strings would not fit into the tailpiece opening, so, did you modify the guitar to allow them to pass through or is my information incorrect? I should add that I have avoided purchasing the Eastside due to its alleged inability to accept other than DA strings and all my guitars are strung with TI JS 112's.
Thank you in advance.

**Jazz_175** · 07-15-2016, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by plectrum99x

.... I should add that I have avoided purchasing the Eastside due to its alleged inability to accept other than DA strings and all my guitars are strung with TI JS 112's.
Thank you in advance.

That seems a bit strange to me as a reason for not purchasing a guitar.... Maybe you did not really like the sound of the guitar.

**plectrum99x** · 07-15-2016, 12:34 PM

Hello
I would not spend $6600 for a guitar that limits my options, in fact, when I heard that there was an issue with string selection I shifted gears and bought a new Tal Farlow. That said, if I have been misinformed I might consider adding one to my collection of many.

**Jazz_175** · 07-15-2016, 02:00 PM

Well...according to what you said here
https://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/guita...tml#post662355
in posts number 5 and 9 you returned the guitar because you were not convinced about the sound,
but the string issue could be a further reason not to buy it.

**Woody Sound** · 07-15-2016, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Mark M.

Wow...gorgeous! I am completely envious. That picture of the top of the case sticking out of the box through the packing peanuts kind of made my heart jump a bit. How sick is that?

Me too. My hands start a shake a little.

**plectrum99x** · 07-15-2016, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by Jazz_175

Well...according to what you said here
https://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/guita...tml#post662355
in posts number 5 and 9 you returned the guitar because you were not convinced about the sound,
but the string issue could be a further reason not to buy it.

Ciao Paolo,
You are correct. That particular Eastside came poorly setup with round wounds, and I did not find the tone appealing. However, the tone could have been improved with a good outboard EQ and a string change, but the strings were the rate limiting factor. And, of course, the tone issue could have been isolated to that particular guitar. As for the strings, I find it comforting to have the same strings on all of my arch tops, and while the DA flat wound 12's may have fit, they have a different feel than the Ti's. When all of the above factors were considered, I had decided to return the guitar. None of the a foregoing was meant to denigrate the instrument in any meaningful way, I just felt that for the price I, nor anyone else, should be forced to compromise in terms of their string of choice.

BTW, I was told by Collings customer service that the decision to mill the tailpiece for their suggested strings was
dictated by a desired tonal response. They offered to custom manufacture an Eastside for my string of choice, but the waiting period was not acceptable.

**Jazz_175** · 07-16-2016, 04:03 AM

After a few tries, including some Thomastik-Infeld,
I have now settled on the following custom gauge D'Addario strings for my Eastside LC

E 0.012 (Plain Steel)
B 0.015 (Plain Steel)
G 0.022 (Nickel Wound)
D 0.030 (Nickel Wound)
A 0.040 (Nickel Wound)
E 0.050 (Nickel Wound)

**oldane** · 07-16-2016, 05:48 AM

Originally Posted by plectrum99x

BTW, I was told by Collings customer service that the decision to mill the tailpiece for their suggested strings was
dictated by a desired tonal response. They offered to custom manufacture an Eastside for my string of choice, but the waiting period was not acceptable.

IMHO that's making too much fuss about it. It's not rocket science and I wouldn't let such a small problem get between me and an otherwise fine guitar. I see two easy solutions to your problems with the TI strings on the Collings guitar (and some other guitars as well): Widen the string holes in the tailpiece a bit or cut off the silk wrap from the strings.

What a "a desired tonal response" is, is entirely up to personal taste. Whatever, widening the holes in the tailpiece a tad won't affect the sound - using different strings will.

**Jabberwocky** · 07-16-2016, 05:51 AM

Originally Posted by Jazz_175

After a few tries, including some Thomastik-Infeld,
I have now settled on the following custom gauge D'Addario strings for my Eastside LC

E 0.012 (Plain Steel)
B 0.015 (Plain Steel)
G 0.022 (Nickel Wound)
D 0.030 (Nickel Wound)
A 0.040 (Nickel Wound)
E 0.050 (Nickel Wound)

That is very close to the gauge Ron Escheté uses: 13.5p, 16p, 22flatw, 30, 40, 50, 70 Brite Flat.

Philco told me that Soundpure sent his Collings Eastside LC Deluxe back to Collings for the tailpiece to be reamed out for his T-I strings. Collings also said that any local tech or luthier could take a drill bit and carefully enlarge the holes.

It might have been simpler for Collings to make the holes a little larger to begin with. An oversight to presume that 12-52 Chromes D'Addarios are the de rigueur standard, if you ask me. Given how much attention Collings pays to detail I am surprised they glossed this over.

It is the fabric windings around the T-Is that are too coarse for the tailpiece, not the string gauge itself.

The violin-style drop-through notched tailpiece that Bob Benedetto, Roger Sadowsky and others use make more sense now. Not as elegant looking but heck of a lot more player-friendly

**plectrum99x** · 07-16-2016, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by oldane

IMHO that's making too much fuss about it. It's not rocket science and I wouldn't let such a small problem get between me and an otherwise fine guitar. I see two easy solutions to your problems with the TI strings on the Collings guitar (and some other guitars as well): Widen the string holes in the tailpiece a bit or cut off the silk wrap from the strings.

What a "a desired tonal response" is, is entirely up to personal taste. Whatever, widening the holes in the tailpiece a tad won't affect the sound - using different strings will.

Hello,
I believe that it is, or should be understood that when one speaks of a desired tonal response they are referring to that tone perceived by their own auditory apparatus, i.e., it is a personal determination and not a generalization. As for the string issue, I believe that you may have missed the point. If you adhere to totalitarianism—perhaps an over the top extrapolation— then I guess you would not mind a guitar manufacturer deciding which strings you should use. As for "some other guitars as well," I would be interested to hear about which guitars those might be? I have quite a collection and have never encountered a string incompatibility.

Despite the a foregoing, the Eastside is a nice guitar. And if I really needed what it has to offer I might take the road toward the suggested modification, but I have many others that can fulfill its role and, as such, see no need to follow that approach.