Eastman El Rey 2 vs Comins GCS-1

**CTG** · 10-07-2017, 12:54 PM

Hi Everyone,

I was hoping someone could help me out. I currently play a Gibson Super 400 and I've been looking for a small light guitar with a great warm tone without costing an arm and a leg.
I've narrowed it to two choices. The Eastman El Rey 2 and the Comins GCS-1. I was wondering if anyone has had experience playing these guitars and which you prefered and why?
Also, if anyone has another recommendation for a guitar to try out I'd be happy to hear it.

Thanks in advance. All help is appreciated.

**Hap** · 10-28-2017, 05:49 PM

CTG,

I have a Comins GCS-1, great guitar, lots of videos on line if you search, better than any other semi hollow that I tried. However, I am reluctantly going to be selling it to fund a purchase of a Collings acoustic. If you're interested let me know. It's the autumn burst model, perfect condition, as new. $1,100 + shipping to wherever you are.

Hap

**jzucker** · 10-29-2017, 11:33 AM

i think the eastman sounds fuller and more like a bigger archtop. Here's a demo I did on one. I just wish the eastman came with a pickguard. They did for a while...

**John A.** · 10-29-2017, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by jzucker

i think the eastman sounds fuller and more like a bigger archtop. Here's a demo I did on one. I just wish the eastman came with a pickguard. They did for a while...

Do you still have the hat and scarf? Our man Jaz be stylin'!

Sent from my SM-J700T using Tapatalk

**rob taft** · 10-29-2017, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by John A.

Do you still have the hat and scarf? Our man Jaz be stylin'!

Sent from my SM-J700T using Tapatalk

I think our man Jaz be freezin'

**Gitfiddler** · 10-29-2017, 02:03 PM

Another vote for the Comins. I miss mine, only selling it to move into something a lot more expensive at the time.

Never tried the Eastman.

Another consideration is the MIJ Ibanez JSM100. Great quality and tone from Super 58 p'ups in a standard '335-ish' body. Even the less expensive MIC JSM10 has received excellent reviews (even from Mr. Sco himself), though I've not tried one personally. Like the Comins, the JSM10 has the added coil tapped pickups for more versatility.

Good hunting!

**jzucker** · 10-29-2017, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by rob taft

I think our man Jaz be freezin'

Yep...The heat in my basement office was non-existent. It was typically 57ish degrees in the winter. I've since moved my office/studio to a spare bedroom upstairs which as the opposite problem in the summer!

**CTG** · 10-29-2017, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by Gitfiddler

Another vote for the Comins. I miss mine, only selling it to move into something a lot more expensive at the time.

Never tried the Eastman.

Another consideration is the MIJ Ibanez JSM100. Great quality and tone from Super 58 p'ups in a standard '335-ish' body. Even the less expensive MIC JSM10 has received excellent reviews (even from Mr. Sco himself), though I've not tried one personally. Like the Comins, the JSM10 has the added coil tapped pickups for more versatility.

Good hunting!

Thanks so much. I will definitely check out the Ibanez models. I've had a good experience with Ibanez. I have an older Ibanez Johnny Smith (pre lawsuit) that I think is an underestimated guitar that I love. It really has a sweet tone and a very nice neck.

**jzucker** · 10-29-2017, 09:06 PM

I don't think any of the ibanez semis have the spruce top jazz tone of the comins or the eastman. My actual favorite is the 77 albatross...Here's another clip...

**CTG** · 10-29-2017, 11:11 PM

Your right about the spruce top. But overall the thicker top on the Ibanez just seems to work on that model with the floating pickups. It might be because it's from the 1980s and one of their earlier versions. I also play it with heavier flatwounds.
Thanks for mentioning the Seventy Seven. I've heard of them as being out there but never heard them being played.
They seem to be hard to get access to. I'm going to try and hunt one down to play. Thanks so much for the info. Funny. I've only played bigger archtops so this is a whole new world for me and I really appreciate the info and suggestions..Thanks again!

**jzucker** · 10-30-2017, 06:42 AM

i dunno about the ibanez thicker top but a good 335 style guitar can get a great jazz sound. I actually like the gibson 339/335 formula the best for a maple top instrument though I've never played the 77 version. I'd like to try one. I've owned a couple ibanez AS200s and they always seemed really bright to me.

Here's a clip I did of my 339.

And adam rogers on his 335.

**nopedals** · 10-30-2017, 09:59 AM

I seem to recall some criticism of the el rey as being neck heavy. Is/was that an issue?

**CTG** · 10-30-2017, 10:47 AM

Thanks for mentioning that. I've heard that too. I know some shops add weights internally to counterbalance it. I also heard that the El Rey 4 has had some problems with cracks around the neck.

**CTG** · 10-30-2017, 10:49 AM

Thank you again. It adds another possibility into the mix. The video you attached is a really good example of a warmer tone off of that guitar than I normally think of. Thanks for all of the great possibilities.
I had also tried a Fender Tele Thinline made in Mexico (so it was in my price range) with 3 pickups that I really liked because of the neck and tone which really surprised me. It's amazing how many possibilities there really are out there.
ps. It is really nice to have the chance to hear you play.

**jzucker** · 10-30-2017, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by nopedals

I seem to recall some criticism of the el rey as being neck heavy. Is/was that an issue?

Yes, that's definitely a problem with almost all the small semihollows including the el rey, hamer newport, albatross, the 14" and 15" eastman 184/185 etc. It seems that with a high neck/body joint and 6.5lbs or less, it's a problem. The albatross is a tad heavier so the neck dive is not as pronounced as the el rey or the eastman 184/185.

**rob taft** · 10-30-2017, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by CTG

Thanks for mentioning that. I've heard that too. I know some shops add weights internally to counterbalance it. I also heard that the El Rey 4 has had some problems with cracks around the neck.

As mentioned in another thread, all ElRey models have the same neck i.e. size and number of frets and more specifically the same neck joint. I have owned 3 ElRey models, and currently own two ElRey 4 guitars that have had no problems. See other thread on ElRey4 neck cracks for a picture of the joint.

The only difference is from the ElRey4 and other models is the ElRey4 is 1/4" thicker and 1" wider at the lower bout i.e. 2 1/4" and 16". From my discussions with the designer Otto D'Ambrosio, the ElRey 4 was offered to address some of the neck dive problems. My latest ElRey4 also has a tapered headstock which tapers from 0- to a subtraction of 1/8" at the end of the headstock. I don't know if this feature is on the latest ElRey4 guitars as it was assembled, painted etc. by Otto himself. My latest 4 came with Schaller tuners with Ebony wood knobs. It balances just fine when I stand up with a strap. I'm very pleased with both my ElReys.

I have to say that I have no affiliation with Eastman and I own quite a few guitars from overseas and domestic builders with a mix of big mfgs and one man shop operations. I love them all. Just some more than others but that can change every week.

**Rhythmisking** · 10-30-2017, 05:32 PM

My ER2 was definitely neck heavy. Switching out the tuners for much lighter ones helped quite a bit. Other than that it's a lovely, woody-sounding guitar. I also put an ebony guard on mine. They really do NEED a guard, as the finish on these is thin and quite fragile.

**rob taft** · 10-30-2017, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by Rhythmisking

My ER2 was definitely neck heavy. Switching out the tuners for much lighter ones helped quite a bit. Other than that it's a lovely, woody-sounding guitar. I also put an ebony guard on mine. They really do NEED a guard, as the finish on these is thin and quite fragile.

I agree, my latest has an ebony fingerguard and tone and volume pots are mounted on the pickguard.

**artdecade** · 10-30-2017, 07:12 PM

Comins is awesome - and a local guy. I recommend him highly.

**stevus** · 10-31-2017, 08:35 AM

I went a similar road, looking for a smaller guitar next to my Eastman archtop AR810 CE. I tried the El Rey1, which I really liked. But finally I ended up with buying a Seventy Seven Exrubato Custom (in Koa wood). It is a fabulous guitar, so convenient, and I can play nearly every style with it. I have it now for a few weeks and haven't touched my Eastman anymore.

**jzucker** · 10-31-2017, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by stevus

I went a similar road, looking for a smaller guitar next to my Eastman archtop AR810 CE. I tried the El Rey1, which I really liked. But finally I ended up with buying a Seventy Seven Exrubato Custom (in Koa wood). It is a fabulous guitar, so convenient, and I can play nearly every style with it. I have it now for a few weeks and haven't touched my Eastman anymore.

I've always loved that guitar from a distance but never played one. Any clips?

**stevus** · 10-31-2017, 11:38 AM

This is the guitar, not me. The sound in these videos is pretty accurate

**CTG** · 10-31-2017, 03:10 PM

It is a beauty. Definitely one to consider. I've been looking around but the Seventy Sevens seem to be very hard to find in the US. Do you know of any dealers? I would love to try one out.

**jzucker** · 10-31-2017, 03:21 PM

Our own Top of the Arch is a seventy seven dealer.

https://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/members/37505.html

You can also email Eiichi Yamamoto [email protected]