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1999 Comins Chester Avenue
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Serial#: 0076
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 AAA quilted maple back and sides with Venetian cutaway; 3 piece tiger flame maple neck; solid ebony fingerboard; engraved pearl headstock logo; deluxe 9-ply body binding; 5-ply headstock and neck binding; triple bound f-holes; solid bone nut.
Hardware: Hardware includes hand carved ebony tailpiece and multi-bound finger rest; gold Schaller 16X1 tuners with ebony keys, compensated adjustable ebony bridge; Armstrong Handmade PAF humbucking pickup with thumbwheel tone and volume controls and grounded 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 an example of his top-line Chester Avenue model, and features a built-in Armstrong Handmade PAF humbucking pickup with thumbwheel tone and volume controls.
The back and sides are carved from bookmatched quilted 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 finish color is known as Autumnburst, and it imparts a deep 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 100% original condition, with all original hardware and finish, and is without pick, buckle , thumb, fingerboard or fretwear. Apart from a few faint wisps of checking in the fine original lacquer, and a few incidental lacquer nicks, the instrument shows few signs of age altogether.
Comins guitars are rarely offered for resale, built like a watch, and represent a rare opportunity for the discriminating player.
Setup: This instrument is strung with medium gauge nickel roundwound strings (.012-.054). The guitar will accommodate lighter or heavier gauge strings, according to preference. String action is set at 5/64" to 6/64" 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 black plush hardshell case.
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