Home / Instruments /Accessories / Ordering / Tips / Friends
archtop.com
1996 Comins Chester Avenue
Status: Pricing and hold status for all instruments currently available is shown on our Instruments page here. If this instrument does not appear on the Instruments page it has been sold, and is no longer available. Photos and descriptions of Previously Sold instruments may by found here. To be notified of examples of this model or similar instruments in the future, please contact info@archtop.com,. Please be specific on which instrument(s) you're looking for, and we'll be happy to contact you as soon as they become available.
Serial#: 0043. Body size at lower bout: 17", Body Depth: 3" Scale length: 25" Nut: 1 3/4" Body depth, 1st/10th frets: .73/.84
Materials: Solid bookmatched handcarved fine grain Sitka spruce top; handcarved AAAA curly maple back and sides; 3 piece tiger maple neck; solid ebony fingerboard; engraved pearl headstock logo; 7-ply body binding; 5-ply headstock and neck binding; triple bound f-holes; solid bone nut.
Hardware: All original hardware includes hand carved ebony tailpiece, multi-bound finger rest, and compensated adjustable ebony bridge; gold Schaller 16X1 tuners with ebony keys; Armstrong Floating PAF humbucking pickup with tone and volume controls and endpin jack.
Notes: Bill Comins has been making master quality instruments by hand at his Pennsylvania workshop for decades, and building in the process a formidable reputation for meticulous detail and precision craftsmanship. Using the design concepts of Bob Benedetto as a starting point, Comins has evolved a line of instruments that reflect both his personal vision and his high standards for fit, finish and tone.
This guitar is striking example of his top-line Chester Avenue model, and features a floating Armstrong Handmade PAF humbucking pickup, an industry standard for top luthiers worldwide. The back and sides are carved from bookmatched curly maple of spectacular depth and intensity, with a soundboard of tap-tuned hand carved solid Sitka spruce, and hand crafted ebony hardware.
The X-braced top is sweet and responsive, with appealing sustain and clarity and the woodiness of instruments many decades older. The compensated ebony bridge employs gold bushings around the bridgewheels for smooth adjustment, and the peghead echoes the design of the classic prewar asymmetrical Epiphone Masterbilt peghead. The warmly ambered blonde finish imparts a lustrous glow to the finely carved tonewood. The neck profile is truly fine; slim and perfectly tapered for effortless play.
The instrument has been maintained in splendid condition, with all original hardware and finish, and is without pick, buckle, thumb, fingerboard or fretwear. Apart from a single soundly splinted grainline crack right alongside the bass side of the fingerboard, the instrument shows few signs of age altogether.
At a mere fraction of the new price for this flagship hand crafted artisan model, and with zero wait time, this superb example is a rare opportunity for the discriminating player. One only: call now.
Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel flatwound strings. The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 4/64" to 5/64" at the 12th fret, with moderate relief for acoustic playing with medium strings. The action may be lowered or raised to your requirements with the adjustable bridge.
Case: Original deluxe arched black plush lined hardshell case.
