Collings Eastside LC

**skiboyny** · 12-13-2020, 10:31 AM

I've been curious about these guitars for quite some time. This one came up at a fairly attractive price thought I'd see what the fuss was about!

Collings Eastside LC-collings-lc-jpg

Collings Eastside LC-collings-lc-back-jpg

**ronjazz** · 12-13-2020, 10:43 AM

So how do you like it?

**marcwhy** · 12-13-2020, 10:51 AM

Very nice! And ...???

**skiboyny** · 12-13-2020, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by ronjazz

So how do you like it?

In a nutshell, super workmanship, top notch fretwork and playability, the shape provides the most comfortable playing guitar ergonomically I've ever played. The most important part of course is the sound. Balance from string to string is really good, it's acoustic tone is pleasant though I didn't think it was anything special. Amped up is where this guitar shines. It becomes very big, with almost a bell like sound to the notes. I am becoming more and more attached to it the more I play it, and my hope of course is that inspiration continues to grow.

**skiboyny** · 12-13-2020, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by marcwhy

Very nice! And ...???

I can go in so many directions tough to know where to start. Very valid guitar!

**MHoranzy** · 12-13-2020, 11:45 AM

Saw this on reverb as well and almost pulled the trigger... beat me to it. Congrats!

**jazzkritter** · 12-13-2020, 11:45 AM

And pretty too! Enjoy)

**skiboyny** · 12-13-2020, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by MHoranzy

Saw this on reverb as well and almost pulled the trigger... beat me to it. Congrats!

Glad I beat you!

**skiboyny** · 12-13-2020, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by jazzkritter

And pretty too! Enjoy)

You know I thought so and I've always been a sucker for pretty things. Thank you!

**Stringswinger** · 12-13-2020, 11:58 AM

I hope that your fine Gibson archtops don't get neglected!

May she inspire your playing for many years to come.

**skiboyny** · 12-13-2020, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

I hope that your fine Gibson archtops don't get neglected!

May she inspire your playing for many years to come.

I think they will be safe. My head is wired for the Gibson sound I've swayed in the past but always returned. I'm hoping they can "coexist" Thank you

**Jabberwocky** · 12-13-2020, 12:19 PM

Nice score. Play it well in good health.

I just have a question: how is it every used Collings guitar of any stripe that comes up for sale looks unplayed? It is as if nobody buys a Collings to play it. I think people buy a Collings guitar as an example of a guitar that is the best of its kind, like a Rolex watch is the exemplar of fine Swiss mechanical timepieces.

I swear, nobody actually plays a Collings. He just buys it to own it.

**skiboyny** · 12-13-2020, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

Nice score. Play it well in good health.

I just have a question: how is it every used Collings guitar of any stripe that comes up for sale looks unplayed? It is as if nobody buys a Collings to play it. I think people buy a Collings guitar as an example of a guitar that is the best of its kind, like a Rolex watch is the exemplar of fine Swiss mechanical timepieces.

I swear, nobody actually plays a Collings. He just buys it to own it.

That's a good question. I have struggled to identify the question how does this guitar fit in the world as compared to other offerings. I see this guitar as the ultimate performing guitar but would you dare to perform with it given it's cost? The answer is probably not. I at one time owned a Eastman John Pisano and this guitar reminds me of that guitar spec wise and in some ways tone wise. Now I think it's way better built, and certainly sounds better amplified but at 3 times the cost is it 3 times better? That is a tough question to answer and I think it has to be individual. Because I didn't devote my life to music, I am in a place where I can afford to buy guitars that are probably more capable than I am. I am not a rich person but have a real love for the archtop guitar. I suspect the owners of Collings are the same sort of people. I will play this guitar but in the end I think it will look very much the way it looks now. Maybe that answers your question.

**Jabberwocky** · 12-13-2020, 12:49 PM

I hope you play the heck out of it. Not intentionally abuse it, of course. But don't fettle it. And then I will buy it from you as a "player's condition" guitar with price to match...

**citizenk74** · 12-13-2020, 02:25 PM

Absolutely gorgeous! Looks sweet enough to eat - like a raspberry sundae with caramel sauce pushing the raspberry sauce to the edge over the creamy maple vanilla ice cream.... And I'll bet it sounds as good as it looks! Congratulations, and play it in good health!

**skiboyny** · 12-13-2020, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

I hope you play the heck out of it. Not intentionally abuse it, of course. But don't fettle it. And then I will buy it from you as a "player's condition" guitar with price to match...

HA Your on!

**skiboyny** · 12-13-2020, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by citizenk74

Absolutely gorgeous! Looks sweet enough to eat - like a raspberry sundae with caramel sauce pushing the raspberry sauce to the edge over the creamy maple vanilla ice cream.... And I'll bet it sounds as good as it looks! Congratulations, and play it in good health!

Thank you!

**Hammertone** · 12-13-2020, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

...how is it every used Collings guitar of any stripe that comes up for sale looks unplayed? ...

Heh, heh....I put some Waverlys on a friend's I-35. It's a nice guitar - Throwup pickups, fancy flamed maple top, etceteras. And it's had the crap played out of it. I should borrow it and take a few pix for the record. I suppose it's the exception that proves the rule.

**wintermoon** · 12-13-2020, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

Nice score. Play it well in good health.

I just have a question: how is it every used Collings guitar of any stripe that comes up for sale looks unplayed? It is as if nobody buys a Collings to play it. I think people buy a Collings guitar as an example of a guitar that is the best of its kind, like a Rolex watch is the exemplar of fine Swiss mechanical timepieces.

I swear, nobody actually plays a Collings. He just buys it to own it.

Most (not all) boutique guitars are bought by home players

**John A.** · 12-13-2020, 08:43 PM

Beautiful guitar. a guy I know has one of those {but with a cc style single coil pickup). It sounds really good.

John

**skiboyny** · 12-13-2020, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by John A.

Beautiful guitar. a guy I know has one of those {but with a cc style single coil pickup). It sounds really good.

John

Thank you. I’m really becoming attached to the sound of this guitar the more time I spend with it.

**wintermoon** · 12-14-2020, 12:07 AM

I like the shape, looks very playable. enjoy that one!

**skiboyny** · 12-14-2020, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by wintermoon

I like the shape, looks very playable. enjoy that one!

The shape is very practical and you might not know that just from looking. The guitar sits on your knee a bit more forward placing your picking hand comfortably over the pickup which sounds to me, best on most guitars. Also the access to the upper frets is unbelievable. I think this was a well thought out design not just for aesthetics.

**coolvinny** · 12-14-2020, 02:12 PM

I have the smaller Eastside Jazz LC which I've made some mods to. The first one I made was to move the strap button to be on the neck, sort of at an angle (bass side)...I felt it improved the balance/ergonomics.

**skiboyny** · 12-14-2020, 04:51 PM

Originally Posted by coolvinny

I have the smaller Eastside Jazz LC which I've made some mods to. The first one I made was to move the strap button to be on the neck, sort of at an angle (bass side)...I felt it improved the balance/ergonomics.

Don't know about the smaller one, this seems all good as is!