When my Comanche arrives...

[ribeye1974]

I'll be playing it through a 1979 Fender Super Reverb. The "super" represents the weight I think (93 pounds or something like that). It is a silver face model, I know, I know, "the blackface are the only model worth a damn"... I just happen to like the silver faces clarity, I don't dislike the blackface models, just find them a bit muddier/darker tone, and not my thing. Anyone out there with super reverb/comanche combo? If so, how does it sound? Might be a bit bitey, like the neighbours cat, which is why they invented tone knobs. Most of you guys probably have experience with a super reverb, and a comanche, so even if you don't own the combo, you still might have an idea on what I might expect... so gimme your best guesses... and your best shoes, yeah... I want your shoes...

[cuzwilly]

played my Will Ray tribute though a friends super reverb at a jam. had to adjust around on the tone controls a little but I like a bit bitey. Like you said that's why there is tone controls. never heard a G&l sound like the neighbours cat although I have heard some guitars that do. I think no matter what if you mess around with the tone setting until you find the spot. Great gear usually sounds good if you tweak it.


Cuzin Willy

[ribeye1974]

played my Will Ray tribute though a friends super reverb at a jam. had to adjust around on the tone controls a little but I like a bit bitey. Like you said that's why there is tone controls. never heard a G&l sound like the neighbours cat although I have heard some guitars that do. I think no matter what if you mess around with the tone setting until you find the spot. Great gear usually sounds good if you tweak it.


Cuzin Willy

I agree, good gear is good gear. It's just hard to imagine what it will sound like, since the z coils don't really sound like anything else, nothing to compare it to. I don't mind a bit bitey either, but all out gnawing on you, not a fan. I don't have any experience with the PTB controls, as on the Comanche either, but reading up on it says minor adjustments do a lot, so that is good to know.

[cuzwilly]

you are right the z coils don't sound like anything else. I can get about any sound i want out of the will ray but I do miss the ptb i have on my nighthawk and s500. The mfd pickups can be a bit glassy but with the ptb I can adjust right in the middle of playing a song. whether it be muddy or bitey.

[ribeye1974]

Excellent, I can't wait for it to arrive. It will, in all likelihood, be taking over as my main guitar due to the versatility I keep hearing and reading so much about.

[Boogie Bill]

Might want to read the "Comanche For Dummies" post.

Supers are a bit bright, but mostly what I notice is the "quicker" response of the 10s vs. the 12s. You may find that dropping the amps Treble down around 2, even to smooth out the extended high-end of the MFDs.

Comanches are great guitars.

Bill

[ribeye1974]

Might want to read the "Comanche For Dummies" post.

Supers are a bit bright, but mostly what I notice is the "quicker" response of the 10s vs. the 12s. You may find that dropping the amps Treble down around 2, even to smooth out the extended high-end of the MFDs.

Comanches are great guitars.

Bill

Yup, been there, done that Bill. Great post. It was in that post where you said something along the lines of remove any expectations, and let go of past knowledge. So I have removed, and let go. You're right on the money on the 10's vs 12's. I think you may be onto something, dropping the amps treble way down. 10's seem to have the ability, with their brightness, to cut through any mix, which is good, but I don't want to cut through the walls... well, not always, anyways. Glad you responded, you seem to have a lot of experience with the comanches, so with your best guess, even with the amps treble cut way down, would you expect the treble on the guitar to be cut, and if so, how much?

[Boogie Bill]

I think I put this in the post but I set the amp for the maximum amount of treble I'll want for the bridge pickup. I normal my PTB controls to 10-treble, 5- bass....but on the Comanche I might even lower the treble to 7-8. I like a bitey, funky tone from my Legacys, ala Clapton, but I want a darker, meatier tone from the Comanche. The PTB controls give you a lot of variation. It won't sound like a PAF humbucker because the Z-coils maintain excellent string to string clarity. It's a strat tone, just more muscular--whereas Will Ray keeps his sig ASAT bright and twangy.

There are so many ways to approach these pickups, so many tones within, you just have to find you own tone and you'll be fine. It's not a vintage strat, but a guitar that will allow you to create your signature sound.

And make sure you use a good tube in the first socket...V2 for the Vibrato channel. The MFDs will mercilessly expose any weaknesses in your preamp tubes.

Bill

[ribeye1974]

The tubes are all tip top (although I have no spares ) I read that while not active, the z coils have output as high as some guits with active pups, so we'll see which input I end up using, but what does your gut/experience with super reverbs and comanches tell you? Input 2 ?? It will be 6 weeks on Friday since I made the order, days have never seemed so long....

[Echoes]

Can someone link to the "Comanche For Dummies" post as I'm finding it hard to find via search. Thanks!

[Craig]

Can someone link to the "Comanche For Dummies" post as I'm finding it hard to find via search. Thanks!

It's located in the G&L Knowledgebasee: G&L Tech Tips sub-forum.

Comanches For Dummies Redux by BoogieBill

Hope this helps.

[Echoes]

Thanks for the link!