G&L Comanche - Opinions

[Carl.B]

Tell me about them, anyone have one?

Carl B.

[django49]

I had a really nice one. Semi-hollow, great woods. On paper, at the time I got it, it MIGHT have been "the one". Somehow I never bonded with it.

There was nothing at all wrong with it. I probably could have made myself happier with it if I had spent more time with that G&L tone control system. And those pickups give some added flavor compared to regular "Strats". I count it as a character flaw of my own, in being unable to get on with "Fenders" (Strat and Tele-types) for an extended period.

I do think the quality was there (better than what I came to expect from the standard Fender fare). The sounds were good, the looks were good. I am quite sure the person that bought it is happy with it (esp at so much less than I paid for it). I got it new and, even though at a huge discount from "list", took a hit on it. I do not have a great deal of experience with G&Ls, but get the impression they hold their values less than Fenders (and Gibsons).

I do think you should try to play one first before buying. Keep in mind your options are a bit limited if you want to replace those pickups!

[JohnnyB]

I never had one, but I have played one and also an ASAT Z-3 (same pickups) or two extensively in a store. I also own a G&L Legacy and used to also have a Legacy Special with dual-blade pickups, which I miss very much.

The Comanche is a fantastic guitar. First of all, USA G&Ls range from excellent to exquisite, with great parts, electronics, wood, assembly, fit and finish. The Z-coil pickups are dead-quiet, even quieter than a full-size Gibson humbucker. I played them side-by-side at a store in a 100-yr-old (electrically noisy) building and the Z-coils had no hum or buzz. You can't fully appreciate what the Comanche can do until you master the G&L tone control system. The Z-coils are also MFD pickups, which means they have around four times the output of a conventional single coil. That means that if you try to cop a vintage Strat tone, you won't get it if all the knobs are full up--there's too much output and a fuller, ballsier bass.

But the tone controls are passive treble and bass controls. Dial the bass control down to 5 and you will get that glassy Strat sound. But if you want to overdrive an amp, or get a Strat on steroids, by all means turn all 3 knobs up. As for the platform, you couldn't ask for a more playable, comfortable Strat-based guitar. It's just right.

The only two downsides to a Comanche are that there are no replacement pickups I know of (but I can't imagine wanting to replace them), and the three Z-coils in a row doesn't leave much gap between them for strumming. For that, users learn to pick without going so deep, pick more precisely between the pickups, or lower the pickups and raise the polepieces (which takes some of the ballsiness out of tone).

I love the Z-coils, but my preferred delivery system is the ASAT Z-3 Semihollow. It's probably also true of the Comanche Semihollow, but the tonal range is off the chart. Not only do you get the full range of Strat or Tele sounds, you can get a pure jazz tone with lots of tonal richness, air, and wood.

[Ting Ho Dung]

Re: Replacement pickups,

Is the wood routed for those? If it's standard routing couldn't one just have a pickguard made cut to the replacement pickups?

[SouthpawGuy]

Re: Replacement pickups,

Is the wood routed for those? If it's standard routing couldn't one just have a pickguard made cut to the replacement pickups?

These days the only difference between the G&L Legacy / S500 / Comanche is the pickguard and electronics. They all have a bath tub route under the guard.

It would be fairly easy to convert a Comanche to a Legacy, just order a pickguard from Chandler / pickguard heaven http://pickguards.us/pricegandl.html%C2'> ( They supply the factory fitted guards to G&L. )

[JohnnyB]

Re: Replacement pickups,

Is the wood routed for those? If it's standard routing couldn't one just have a pickguard made cut to the replacement pickups?

These days the only difference between the G&L Legacy / S500 / Comanche is the pickguard and electronics. They all have a bath tub route under the guard.

It would be fairly easy to convert a Comanche to a Legacy, just order a pickguard from Chandler / pickguard heaven ( They supply the factory fitted guards to G&L. )

Oh yeah. It's been awhile. I remember now; G&Ls use a single, common (bathtub) rout pattern on all their Strat-shaped bodies, including a little nook to add a mini-toggle to turn on the bridge pickup independent of the rest. This gives you all seven pickup combinations. The Comanche and S-500 come standard with that mini-toggle; I had it added to my Legacy Special.

I don't consider the bathtub rout a compromise; it's a win-win--lighter weight, easier modification, and a slightly warmer, blooming tone. Boutique builder John Suhr claims to use the bathtub rout on purpose because he likes the sound better.

[Rocktuna]

I had a Commanche 2010 model if I remember correctly. It did not have a bathtub route. Standard pups wouldn't fit.

Great guitar. G&L has so many neck size options now it's ridiculous.

Buy used they have NO resale

[JustKid]

Beautiful guitars. Still have one. Absolutely excellent quality. Bought it because wanted to know how those PUs sound. And to my surprise - absolutely perfect.

[Carl.B]

I guess I need to find one locally and give it a try. I have checked out some youtube videos and from what I can tell with my crappy speakers I like what I hear.

Thanks everyone for your input.

Carl B.

[sixesandsevens]

I guess I need to find one locally and give it a try. I have checked out some youtube videos and from what I can tell with my crappy speakers I like what I hear.

Thanks everyone for your input.

Carl B.

On the off chance you switch directions and want an ASAT Z-3 semi hollow, let me know. I've got a trans blue over ash one I'm thinking of parting with. Great guitars, but as much as I love the saddle lock bridge, my sustain block special and legacy seem to get all the playing time.

[Carl.B]

I guess I need to find one locally and give it a try. I have checked out some youtube videos and from what I can tell with my crappy speakers I like what I hear.

Thanks everyone for your input.

Carl B.

On the off chance you switch directions and want an ASAT Z-3 semi hollow, let me know. I've got a trans blue over ash one I'm thinking of parting with. Great guitars, but as much as I love the saddle lock bridge, my sustain block special and legacy seem to get all the playing time.

I love blue guitars!