NGD! 2021 Tribute Comanche limited edition

I am a very new player, but I have gotten over the first couple of humps and decided to stick with learning the instrument. I decided to get myself a nicer Strat-style guitar, in part so I could have some fun with a tremolo bridge. My starter Squier is a hardtail Telecaster.

After a ton of research I picked the G&L Tribute Comanche. I found some 2021 Limited Editions on Reverb. With the discount I got from the dealer, I got a limited edition with locking tuners and a cool burst finish shipped to me for less than the $700 sticker price of a normal edition.



(My choice came down to the G&L or a similarly priced Fender Player. It was close but I like being a little different, so the Comanche was more appealing. The G&L tremolo mechanism also seems more highly regarded.)

These are the limited edition specs, thanks to another post on this forum.
https://i.imgur.com/dyGyJfm.png

Some initial impressions:

• Well, this is now the nicest looking thing that I own!
• It's pretty comfortable to play, but honestly, so was the Squier that cost 1/4 as much. No dig on the G&L, you just get a lot for your money these days. I didn't expect a new guitar to make me play better, haha. Honestly if my first guitar had a trem, I probably wouldn't have bought a new guitar yet.
• Construction and finish seems almost flawless. The only thing that obviously sucks is the rear cover plate, which is crudely cut.
• I've done about 3/4 turn on the truss rod and I still have some buzzing on low E and A. But, since I'm a sucky newb, maybe it's me. (I do have the tools to measure the action so I will let it be for a day and then measure it.)
• I was surprised at how subtle the pickup switch changes sound. In comparison my dual humbucker Tele hits you over the head with the tone change between bridge and neck. Honestly I can barely tell when I am moving the pickup switch on the Comanche. This was pretty surprising.
• The G&L dual passive tone dials are pretty cool compared to conventional single treble bleed control.

More pics:

Unboxing -- nothing too exciting here.
https://i.imgur.com/bvnZizl.jpeg

"Case candy" is only wrenches, the trem arm, and a spare spring. I didn't get a manual or any kind of warranty card, which I thought was strange.
https://i.imgur.com/2U73kj4.png

"Charcoal Blackburst over burl wood" finish. It isn't apparent in this pic but the pickguard has a very slight off-white cream color, I think it looks better than it does in the photo.
https://i.imgur.com/3v1Bgrw.jpeg

Burl wood texture closeup. I looked at all the Comanches on Reverb and picked this specific pattern... Thanks to the seller for making a good detailed listing. Some re-used the same image, that's no good when you are inspecting the wood!
https://i.imgur.com/qNozx8V.jpeg

I REALLY like the look of the roasted maple neck. Maybe it is sacrilege, but I don't much like bright yellow maple.
https://i.imgur.com/KdUsNhM.png

The satin finish on the neck suits me.
https://i.imgur.com/kSJZ7i8.png

Frets look and feel good.
https://i.imgur.com/jK1ah58.png

The one thing that seems pretty poor is the rear cover. It doesn't need to look beautiful, but this is ratty looking.
https://i.imgur.com/CDzvjwc.jpeg


Edit to add:

I have a dumb question, since I don't have a manual. There appears to be a hex nut on the trem bar collar. I assume I can tighten it to keep the bar where I want it? None of the provided wrenches fit but I see a set screw reference on this page:

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=43

Congratulations on yer new Comanche!

That is one beautiful guitar and the Z coils are some of my favorites. You will learn the nuances of their tone. Interested to hear if you notice the difference between bridge and others at higher volume or you play it more. Remember, it’s not really competing with a humbucker. If you are looking for a bigger difference, throw a Will Ray bridge pup in.

Glad you found a guitar you bonded with, happy playing and look forward to more tone reports and feedback on your guitar!

Thanks!

As I played a little more I found that the pickup differences were easier to hear with some amp models than others. The sound of the expander switch was often more dramatic than switching without it, too. I read every post about Comanches on the whole internet in the week it took mine to get here and I am starting to understand what people said about needing to really pay attention to tone AND volume controls.

My only frame of reference is that Tele with humbuckers so my ear is not well trained. Learning to hear this stuff reminds me of learning to drink wine. It takes some effort to figure it out.

I already bought the Will Ray pickup. As others counseled I am not going to put it in right away, but since it was still on sale I decided to get one for the toolbox in case I want it later.

congrats, that sure is a nice looking guitar!
there are a lot of different and great tones in a comanche. you stumble on them and let them out.
you might even want to write down the settings when you get a great sound so you can find your way back to it.
i'll be the old fashioned guy and say: concentrate on your playing, mostly, don't worry about the gear so much.
Learn songs you like and expand your playing ability as you learn more songs.

hint: it doesn't sound like other guitars (though you can get close to some strat like tones at lower volumes) it sounds like a comanche.
have fun with that!

> i'll be the old fashioned guy and say: concentrate on your playing, mostly, don't worry about the gear so much.

Oh, that is good advice for sure. It's just easy to get carried away with gear thoughts when you have something new! Also being pretty inexperienced still, nothing is old hat to me.

I do wonder if I need a setup, though. A couple of strings buzzed out of the box, even with a generous loosening of the truss rod. Saddle height seems ample and I have already loosened the truss rod a full turn, which seems like a lot.

My wife is encouraging me to get it Plek'd, anyone have an opinion on that? Hmm, I should start a new thread for that question.

I don't think doing a PLEK on the built guitar is all that worthwhile. I would take it to an experienced luthier, one with G&L experience even better, and have it setup and any issues addressed. Approve any prospective work before it is performed. Check your local area for well respected luthiers as opposed to "the guy at Guitar Center". No need to be in a rush.

Boy that is a real Beauty!!!! Congrats!!!!