Help me scratch my Comanche itch!

[crfowler]

Admittedly, this is still at the planning phase, but perhaps I'll get some food for thought here.

I have previously owned 2 Tribute series guitars (S-500 which was "OK" and an ASAT special, which was brilliant if heavy). This must have been back in '03-'04 and both these are long gone. I currently have two US G&Ls, which are the best I own (competition is not that stiff as most of my instruments are partscasters!)

A year ago, I would absolutely have held out for a used USA Comanche. But, now that I live in New Zealand, Comanches of any kind are rare, and even used US model G&Ls are crazy expensive. Not having played the recent tribute series instruments, I was wondering if anyone could offer insight into the quality of the Tribute Comanches. When I bought my old tributes it seemed that the differences were exclusively in fit & finish - is this still true?

Looking forward to hearing from any and all!

[Miles Smiles]

I recently bought an used Tribute Comanche an there are no flaws. Except for the vibe I don't know why to buy an US model. Mine is a little bit overweighted, but not so heavy as my vintage F100E or S500. The neck is gun is gun oil tinted, which would cost 200 $ extra for an US model.

[patricks]

I bought my 2012 Tribute Comanche new a few months ago and I absolutely love it, the quality's excellent. I've had the standard plastic nut replaced with a hand-cut bone nut, but that's the only functional change I've made. Still tweaking the setup to get it just the way I like it, but that's cos I'm particular about it

Haven't played a Tribute Comanche and a US Comanche back to back, so I can't say how they compare, tho.

[Twang]

I to have a Tribute Comanche and also like Patricks has mentioned that I also absolutely love it, the quality's excellent. I have changed out the nut with an Earvana compensated nut and was going to change out the pots cause I thought they were crap. Opened her up and found that the Mighty Mite pickups were pretty darn good quality. While I had it opened I replace the 5 way switch to a switchcraft. and replace the jack with a switchcraft jack and the tuners I swap out to Planetwave locking tuners. Other than that I have played the snot out of this guitar and have had noting but good come out of it. Hope that helps on the Tribute Series Comanche.

[crfowler]

I to have a Tribute Comanche and also like Patricks has mentioned that I also absolutely love it, the quality's excellent. I have changed out the nut with an Earvana compensated nut and was going to change out the pots cause I thought they were crap. Opened her up and found that the Mighty Mite pickups were pretty darn good quality. While I had it opened I replace the 5 way switch to a switchcraft. and replace the jack with a switchcraft jack and the tuners I swap out to Planetwave locking tuners. Other than that I have played the snot out of this guitar and have had noting but good come out of it. Hope that helps on the Tribute Series Comanche.

Really encouraging to hear the love for the Tribby - thanks all for the helpful coments! Re this post, though, I had understood that the z-coils were the same ones as on the USA series. Have I misunderstood?

[Craig]

Really encouraging to hear the love for the Tribby - thanks all for the helpful coments! Re this post, though, I had understood that the z-coils were the same ones as on the USA series. Have I misunderstood?

Yes, they are the identical pickups as used on the USA models and are built by the Fullerton factory and then shipped to the Indonesian factory.

Hope this helps.

[crfowler]

Thanks for the confirmation Craig!