Comins GCS-1es or Yamaha SA2200

**Kelly77** · 04-26-2015, 05:36 PM

Hi Folks! My first post! I am looking for a jazzy semi hollow and have narrowed my search to the Yamaha and Comins. I have a great LP type solid body which I use for everything...would like to go a little more airy and came up with these two. Any advice from owners would be appreciated. Not interested in a Gibson or Heritage at this time. Thanks very much!

**snoskier63** · 04-26-2015, 06:35 PM

Welcome!

Between those two I would pick the Yamaha, but I would prefer a 1960's Guild Starfire IV, a new Guild NS Starfire IV, or even a Carvin SH model (single or double cutaway). Since you already play a Les Paul it might also be worth considering the new Les Paul semi-hollow with f-holes. I know you aren't interested in a 335, but i played the LP semi recently and liked it a lot, and I found it to be quite different from the solid version.

In terms of price, the new Guild is around $1000, the 60's Guild and Carvin are around $2000, and the Les Paul semi is closer to $3000.

**iim7V7IM7** · 04-26-2015, 06:37 PM

Buy Bill's guitar...

**Archie** · 04-27-2015, 03:16 AM

Originally Posted by snoskier63

Welcome!

Between those two I would pick the Yamaha, but I would prefer a 1960's Guild Starfire IV, a new Guild NS Starfire IV, or even a Carvin SH model (single or double cutaway). Since you already play a Les Paul it might also be worth considering the new Les Paul semi-hollow with f-holes. I know you aren't interested in a 335, but i played the LP semi recently and liked it a lot, and I found it to be quite different from the solid version.

In terms of price, the new Guild is around $1000, the 60's Guild and Carvin are around $2000, and the Les Paul semi is closer to $3000.

There is no way I'd pick a new Guild over either, different class of guitars. Cheap korean or Chinese V:S Japanese, no competition imo.

You can also grab a Yamaha SA with a solid spruce top, that will give you more 'air' the SA's tend to have a lot of maple, which makes them sound very glassy. I don't know whether you have tried them in person, so thats what I'm saying.

**Klatu** · 04-27-2015, 08:01 AM

The determining factor for me would be which size I felt more comfortable with.

**Woody Sound** · 04-27-2015, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by Klatu

The determining factor for me would be which size I felt more comfortable with.

Bingo.

**gary mitchell** · 04-27-2015, 08:23 AM

I had a Yamaha SA 2200 best guitar I ever own wonderful guitar. I traded a Gibson ES335 for it because a friend was into the name Gibson. As far as I was concern the 335 was know match for the 2200, better all around guitar full rich sound. I played it on a JC 120, Fender Twin, and a Peavey Renown. I used the 2200 also along with the JC120 in church. But then I had a wife that in the middle of the night told me she didn't want to be a mother or married. She left me with two wonderful little girls 3 and 4. I found she had written a bunch of hot check to support a drug habit I did not know about. So I had to sale all my guitars and amps and raise kids. Now I have 9 grandsons and one granddaughter I am blessed. I have a Prestige from Canada Heritage Standard LP, a Fender American Special Telecaster, Gibson Acoustic, a couple of bass's, MarkBass Jeff Berlin amp a Rivera Clubster Royale 112 , Peavey Bravo. And after all that I really miss my old Yamaha SA2200 a wonderful guitar my friend.

**snoskier63** · 04-27-2015, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by ArchtopHeaven

There is no way I'd pick a new Guild over either, different class of guitars. Cheap korean or Chinese V:S Japanese, no competition imo.

You can also grab a Yamaha SA with a solid spruce top, that will give you more 'air' the SA's tend to have a lot of maple, which makes them sound very glassy. I don't know whether you have tried them in person, so thats what I'm saying.

That's certainly your opinion, which you are entitled to. I was simply providing good options at different price points. At around $1000 less I would choose a Korean Guild Starfire over a Japanese SA2200 if money was a consideration. I have played both the SA2200 and the new Starfire IV, so I am speaking from experience, and my experience is that they are both comparable in terms of tone and playability, although they are tonally different. I have also owned the Comins GCS-1ES, and while it's a nice guitar it is in my opinion the lesser of all guitars mentioned thus far in terms of tone. The 60's Starfire or the LP with f-holes are my prefences if money is not an issue.

**Archie** · 04-27-2015, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by snoskier63

That's certainly your opinion, which you are entitled to. I was simply providing good options at different price points. At around $1000 less I would choose a Korean Guild Starfire over a Japanese SA2200 if money was a consideration. I have played both the SA2200 and the new Starfire IV, so I am speaking from experience, and my experience is that they are both comparable in terms of tone and playability, although they are tonally different. I have also owned the Comins GCS-1ES, and while it's a nice guitar it is in my opinion the lesser of all guitars mentioned thus far in terms of tone. The 60's Starfire or the LP with f-holes are my prefences if money is not an issue.

Fair enough. I have to agree that the 60's SF4 is an awesome guitar but you can get one for $2000??

Also Yamaha SA2200 in the UK run about £850-£1000 second hand about the same price as a new Korean or Chinese Guild. Im not saying wither are bad guitars but no way in the same league and I'd rather buy a nice second hand Yam than have something I'm half happy with for less.
So there is no price difference if buying new for second hand.

**Archie** · 04-27-2015, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by snoskier63

That's certainly your opinion, which you are entitled to. I was simply providing good options at different price points. At around $1000 less I would choose a Korean Guild Starfire over a Japanese SA2200 if money was a consideration. I have played both the SA2200 and the new Starfire IV, so I am speaking from experience, and my experience is that they are both comparable in terms of tone and playability, although they are tonally different. I have also owned the Comins GCS-1ES, and while it's a nice guitar it is in my opinion the lesser of all guitars mentioned thus far in terms of tone. The 60's Starfire or the LP with f-holes are my prefences if money is not an issue.

Fair enough. I have to agree that the 60's SF4 is an awesome guitar but you can get one for $2000??

Also Yamaha SA2200 in the UK run about £850-£1000 second hand about the same price as a new Korean or Chinese Guild. Im not saying wither are bad guitars but no way in the same league and I'd rather buy a nice second hand Yam than have something I'm half happy with for less.
So there is no price difference if buying new for second hand.

**callouscallus** · 04-27-2015, 12:40 PM

I really like my comins gcs1es, it's truly a great guitar. the size of it is exactly what I needed for extended practicing. never played the Yamaha, I'm sure they are great.

**sgcim** · 04-27-2015, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by callouscallus

I really like my comins gcs1es, it's truly a great guitar. the size of it is exactly what I needed for extended practicing. never played the Yamaha, I'm sure they are great.

I'm interested in the Comins as a second guitar for jazz, but I don't like semi-hollows like the ES335 for jazz.
How is the Comins for jazz that doesn't that doesn't have a rock/funk basis?

**Archie** · 04-27-2015, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by sgcim

I'm interested in the Comins as a second guitar for jazz, but I don't like semi-hollows like the ES335 for jazz.
How is the Comins for jazz that doesn't that doesn't have a rock/funk basis?

Es-330's are good or any 'slim line' really, within reason.

**snoskier63** · 04-27-2015, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by ArchtopHeaven

Fair enough. I have to agree that the 60's SF4 is an awesome guitar but you can get one for $2000??

Also Yamaha SA2200 in the UK run about £850-£1000 second hand about the same price as a new Korean or Chinese Guild. Im not saying wither are bad guitars but no way in the same league and I'd rather buy a nice second hand Yam than have something I'm half happy with for less.
So there is no price difference if buying new for second hand.

I'll take your word on the price of a used SA2200 as the last one I saw was about3 years ago at my local Guitar Center. As I recall it was listed at around $1500, but needed a good setup at the very least.

Yes, a 60's SF IV can be had for 2K or less if you're patient. A mint version just sold on EBay for $1800. It could be that people don't often sell them unless they need cash, which was the case recently. Therefore, they are willing to sell for less.

Ultimately, Kelly, most decently constructed guitars will meet your needs if they have the right pickups and strings. Regardless of the brand, the most important thing is to find a guitar that is comfortable and that plays well for you. After that tone can be tweaked in various ways, including, but not limited to changing the pickups.

**sgcim** · 04-28-2015, 01:46 AM

Originally Posted by ArchtopHeaven

Es-330's are good or any 'slim line' really, within reason.

I liked the old 330s (eg.Terry Smith's), but I played a new one I didn't like at all.

**cano** · 05-02-2015, 12:06 PM

Hello , I play a GCS 1 es since one year , and it's a very good instrument . Also , I 've a D'angelico ex dc 2005 model inspired by 335 shapes (like the Yamaha), witch is great too , but , I can compare ,and I can say that the two guitars are quiet different , the Comins is lighter and smaller , witch is very comfortable to play during hours , the instrument is also very versatile as the D'Angelico is , but I have to insist on the fact that , to my impression and sensations the Comins is more adapted for jazz tones . If you want more informations , you are welcome .
Hope it helps ,
Philippe .

**Steve Z** · 05-03-2015, 10:25 PM

SA2200s are great looking guitars. I really wanted one until I played one... The frets were pretty large and didn't feel right as I was use to smaller vintage Gibson frets and my Les Paul is a Black Beauty fretless wonder. That was the point when I decided that I needed to play a guitar before buying.

To me, fret size and body size comfort are two of the main variables in a guitar purchase. I can't speak in the Comins as I haven't played one.

Moral - a guitar has to feel right to you, doesn't matter where it's made, how pretty it is, name in the headstock or what others think.

GAS -> demo the guitar -> GAS -> purchase

**Gitfiddler** · 06-01-2015, 12:25 PM

Another vote for the Comins GCS-1 or GCS-1ES.

Review: Comins GCS-1 | Guitar reviews | MusicRadar

Video demo:

**arnie65** · 08-13-2019, 10:26 AM

Just played a Yamaha SA 2200, sweet tone but very heavy, heavier than a 335!

Cheers,
Arnie...

**BComp61** · 08-13-2019, 11:45 AM

I have a GCS-1 and love it! It is very versatile especially considering that you can put the PUP's into single coil mode. A friend of mine, who is a Collings artist, played it and was surprised by how much "character" the GCS-1 has. Yeah, I'm probably biased now, but I think it is an extremely great value and highly recommend them. Just my 2 cents...YMMV.

**patshep** · 08-13-2019, 03:03 PM

I think the Comins is less like a Les Paul, not so much like a 335
I love my GCS-1, it's a fantastic guitar, especially for modern jazz tones, just great

**rpjazzguitar** · 08-13-2019, 03:11 PM

It may be worth pointing out that the GCS-1 is available in two versions that reportedly do not sound alike. One is the GCS-1. The other version is the GCS-1 ES, which I believe is the one Jack Wilkins plays. Same design, different woods. The ES version is supposed to sound darker, more like a traditional jazz guitar tone.

**jads57** · 08-13-2019, 06:51 PM

Don't they offer 2 different versions of the Comins thin line as well as a more trad 3" depth ? I believe one is Spruce the other Maple but both have the same electronics if I recall correctly.
Very nice guitars for the money!

**caue amaral** · 08-13-2019, 07:35 PM

Hi guys,

this is the first time I post something here but I have been reading this forum for two years.
I posted this video with comins today ... I love mine! My regards from Brasil...

**rpjazzguitar** · 08-13-2019, 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by caue amaral

Hi guys,

this is the first time I post something here but I have been reading this forum for two years.
I posted this video with comins today ... I love mine! My regards from Brasil...

That fast passage is a killer.

Well done!!!!