Comins GCS-16-1 review

**JazzNote** · 02-10-2018, 06:44 AM

Originally Posted by QAman

I added a pic of neck plane and a photo of nut area and workmanship one could expect with this guitar. Hard to get a great focused pic of neck with cell phone - but it’s straight as can be.

Steve, the foto is perfect to show how straight the fingerboard is.

I find it very generous of you to spend time on reviewing the guitar. When i read reviews in magazines i always wonder what kind of deal there is behind the reviews. With you i know it's idealism and love for archtops which makes your expertise even more valuable. And as i notice, recently you develop a liking for blondes too ;-).

**QAman** · 02-10-2018, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by JazzNote

Steve, the foto is perfect to show how straight the fingerboard is.

I find it very generous of you to spend time on reviewing the guitar. When i read reviews in magazines i always wonder what kind of deal there is behind the reviews. With you i know it's idealism and love for archtops which makes your expertise even more valuable. And as i notice, recently you develop a liking for blondes too ;-).

Beat,
Thanks for the kind words. I just love Archtops and like to share my experience with nice guitars which I feel are worthy of consideration. Since most of our purchases are online - it adds a bit of anxiety - and detailed reviews provide a sense of confidence for a prospective customer.
Yes- I have acquired a few blondes lately - nice of you to notice. Your attention to detail always impresses me Beat - do stay well.

Steve

**DMgolf66** · 02-10-2018, 11:17 AM

I wonder if Jack Wilkins will switch over to it? He currently uses the GCS-1 and sounds great. Would love to hear the differences in sound.

**QAman** · 02-10-2018, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by DMgolf66

I wonder if Jack Wilkins will switch over to it? He currently uses the GCS-1 and sounds great. Would love to hear the differences in sound.

Wow- I didn’t know Jack was using the GCS-1. I think if he tries the GCS-16 he will switch over. It’s comfortable in size and has that beautiful rich jazz vibe when amplified. Sounds like a full size jazz box. It’s also very good unplugged - which is how I will mainly use mine. Bills touch is very evident on the ebony appointments - which are rounded , beveled and polished nicely. No rough saw marks - a very smooth and well finished appearance.

**iim7V7IM7** · 02-10-2018, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by QAman

Wow- I didn’t know Jack was using the GCS-1. I think if he tries the GCS-16 he will switch over. It’s comfortable in size and has that beautiful rich jazz vibe when amplified. Sounds like a full size jazz box. It’s also very good unplugged - which is how I will mainly use mine. Bills touch is very evident on the ebony appointments - which are rounded , beveled and polished nicely. No rough saw marks - a very smooth and well finished appearance.

A bunch of well known pros play GCS-1s (Jack Wilkins, Jimmy Bruno and Vic Juris to name a few). I suspect as players become aware of the option, we will see more and more players performing with GCS-16s....

**Bob P.** · 02-10-2018, 12:10 PM

Can anyone recommend one of the dealers listed on the Comins web site that would be good to deal with for both shipping and customer service??

Thanks

**QAman** · 02-10-2018, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by Bob P.

Can anyone recommend one of the dealers listed on the Comins web site that would be good to deal with for both shipping and customer service??

Thanks

Bob,
I’ve done business with Soundpure and they are very reputable and hassle free.
I’m not sure if any dealers have these in stock- but you could call Bill and he would advise- his number is 215-376-0595.

**Bob P.** · 02-10-2018, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by QAman

Bob,
I’ve done business with Soundpure and they are very reputable and hassle free.
I’m not sure if any dealers have these in stock- but you could call Bill and he would advise- his number is 215-376-0595.

Wow. Very cool………thanks for the info !!

**LtKojak** · 02-10-2018, 01:20 PM

Seems that you've gotten yourself a winner, QAman!

Enjoy it for many years to come in good health.

Yours very truly,

**QAman** · 02-10-2018, 01:23 PM

Bill Comins just provided more facts about the appointments as follows ( in his own words)

Steve,
I should clarify that while the fingerboard and bridge is ebony which I believe is important for tone, the pickguard and tailpiece overlay are an "eco friendly" alternative called Richlite.

I've been clarifying this point with my dealers right out of the gate and that info will make it onto my website. If I didn't review that with you when you were here it was an oversight and I am sorry about that. It's important to me that I don't misrepresent the product. Thanks for understanding.

If Bill didn’t tell me this - I would have never known and it doesn’t change my impression of the instrument the slightest bit.

Correct facts are important - thus the reason I passed this along.

**QAman** · 02-10-2018, 02:33 PM

Here are pics of tail pc overlay and pickguard.

**QAman** · 02-10-2018, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by LtKojak

Seems that you've gotten yourself a winner, QAman!

Enjoy it for many years to come in good health.

Yours very truly,

LtKojak,
Thanks for the kind words. The guitar is a refreshing alternative to what’s available and the workmanship is spot on. It just checks off a lot of boxes - and it’s fun to play.

**iim7V7IM7** · 02-12-2018, 12:17 PM

In case some of you missed my earlier posting:

Artisan Guitar Show: April 13-15, 2018, Who’s Going?

Door Prize << The Artisan Guitar Show

**QAman** · 02-12-2018, 02:46 PM

Thanks for the info- I will try to make it this year.

**iim7V7IM7** · 02-12-2018, 08:05 PM

Originally Posted by QAman

Thanks for the info- I will try to make it this year.

If you do, let me know please...

**QAman** · 02-12-2018, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by iim7V7IM7

If you do, let me know please...

I sure will - would be nice to meet you.

Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk

**Jabberwocky** · 02-13-2018, 02:26 PM

Comins GCS-16 Spruce/Flame Maple Archtop Guitar #118008

Soundpure offers $200 off anything over $2000 on your first purchase when you join its mailing list.

The Comins GCS 16 can be had for $1999 essentially with free shipping. A great deal, if you ask me.

**QAman** · 02-13-2018, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

Comins GCS-16 Spruce/Flame Maple Archtop Guitar #118008

Soundpure offers $200 off anything over $2000 on your first purchase when you join its mailing list.

The Comins GCS 16 can be had for $1999 essentially with free shipping. A great deal, if you ask me.

Looking forward to the Soundpure video.

**DMgolf66** · 02-13-2018, 03:05 PM

I'd like to hear the 2 pickup version.

**drbhrb** · 02-15-2018, 05:35 PM

I've had a GCS-1 for a few years and love it. If I had the money or enough guitars to sell I'd definitely grab one of these. Some day...

**neatomic** · 02-16-2018, 04:42 PM

jimmy brunos gonna have bill c on his daily video ...talking about the new guitar...

asking for your questions

cheers

**leftrb** · 05-12-2018, 08:03 PM

How is the fingerboard "polished", if I might ask? Was it actually with some sort of polish, or is it actually finished?

**rpjazzguitar** · 05-13-2018, 12:09 AM

Late to the thread.

I bought my GCS-1 at Rudy's. They shipped it to me so that I wouldn't have to take it on the plane.

They were great and the guitar arrived in perfect shape.

Same price as on line.

The guitar is beautiful. The last three times I saw Strings Attached, Jack Wilkins was playing one. As far as I recall, Vic Juris, was playing something else.

For anybody visiting NYC, check out the Zinc Bar schedule and look for Strings Attached.

Four guitarists plus, sometimes, a guest artist. I think this month's guest may be Chico Pinheiro.

It's a small room in the heart of the Village. In the back, through the bar. I'm told that Monk used to be the house pianist when it was the Cinderella Lounge.

**Robertkoa** · 05-13-2018, 04:59 PM

I like the even sound and long sustain for an Archtop...video :

I would love to see a Fusion Model just like this with a small block under a Stoptail Bridge and coil cuts ,
MAYBE a little thinner( maybe not ) but only down to 2.5 " inches at the rim.

Anyway this version sounds like it might cover a lot of ground ....

**ben2e** · 05-16-2018, 03:18 AM

I have a GCS-1 and love it (except the weight). I have no doubt it's a few notches up from my former Peerless. I wonder objectively what it's missing vs a higher end American archtop other than origin. My GCS has a thicker coat of finish than my Sadowski Semi. Not sure if that makes it cheaper to build or to what degree it reduces tone quality. The hardware, fit and finish though seem second to none. At least on my external inspection, the Sadowsky had no visible advantage in build quality (but was super light weight).

Is the 16 similarly heavier than it's competition?