Acoustic Guitars

jwilli · Post by **jwilli** » Mon Oct 28, 2002 4:42 am

Peter, ha ha! Yes, I'm back :-0 I decided not to compare the new Laredo with the old Comstock because they are completely different guitars in size, shape and construction.
My '95 Comstock is also completely different than the new Comstocks. Let's just say that RIC made a ton of improvements on the new ones.
We'll have to hear from someone who has played both the newer ones for a "meaningful" comparison.

shiraz · Post by **shiraz** » Mon Oct 28, 2002 5:08 am

I played both the Comstock and Shasta in January. I was at Dave's Guitars in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. I played about 50 other acoustics too, including Gibson jumbos, Lowdens, Taylors, and Guilds. The one guitar which put ALL OTHERS to shame was the Comstock. I had the 730S and 730C side-by-side and kept switching back and forth. It may have just been the guitar in question, but the rosewood body and sides of the Shasta yielded too dark a sound for me. Compared to the 730C, it sounded dark and compressed. Now the Comstock stole my heart. I've never been a big fan of maple body guitars, but I'm converted now. I played it for probably an hour. I went with a friend (with whom I was recording that week), he chuckled at me, musing "that one again". Its sound was complex and immediately pleasing. I played open chords, leads, used a capo, fingerpicked, slammed chords on it, and every thing I could think to throw at it. In every instance it shone. The bass to treble sweep was very natural sounding. Its overall tone was resonant and airy with the perfect amount of bass. The higher registers absolutely sparkled. The guitar is surprisingly light too. I picked up a Guild afterwards, it was like trying to strum an engine block. I will definitely order one as soon as I free the shekels. The 730C completely outclassed every jumbo and/or maple in the store. I can only imagine what the twelve string model sounds like.
-off my soapbox now- Noel

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Oct 28, 2002 5:23 am

Noel: Thanks so much for this A/B comparison. While you didn't comment directly, I trust that you found the playability factor to your liking.

shiraz · Post by **shiraz** » Mon Oct 28, 2002 6:31 am

The playability was excellent. I was concerned about the nut width beforehand, but my fears were allayed completely. A dream to play both guitars. Cheers, Noel

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Thu Oct 31, 2002 4:50 pm

Noel,

I don't mean to be nit-picky, but I checked over at ric.com and the correct model designations for the Shasta and Comstock are 700S and 700C, respectively. Both have jumbo bodies, whereas the 730 series (730S Shiloh and 730L Laramie) have dreadnought bodies.

By the way, the 730L review mentioned previously in this thread is, I think, mine over at Harmony Central. I can'r comment on the differences among the various models because I've only played my 730L. But does it play!

shiraz · Post by **shiraz** » Fri Nov 01, 2002 5:15 am

D'oh!