My G&L Superhawk Project

It's not 100% the way I want it yet, but I have really been enjoying this guitar!

Wow! Look spretty good!

- Jos

Thank you!

It has been a very fun project. I have a set of the original Schaller pups, but it sounds so good with these pups that I'm hesitant to swap them. And while I'd like to get an original G&L string lock, the guitar stays in tune without it so I don't know if I'd want to install one.

I still need original knobs and control cavity backplate, but otherwise it is what it is!

Is that a maple body?

Ken

Sorry for the delay in replying Ken.

This thread hasn't exactly been on fire so I haven't checked back too often.

Yes the body is soft maple. It was originally pink, but had already been stripped when I purchased it. That was part of the appeal for me, as I love to be able to see the grain in the wood.

I haven't weighed this one but it is a very reasonable weight.

Please note: I edited this post to reflect correct info. I originally (incorrectly) stated that the body was alder.

Last edited by ant_riv on Sun Nov 13, 2011 7:55 am, edited 1 time in total.

very nice. is that a kahler tremolo? that looks like my favorite tremolos. very responsive and requires very little effort.

I am not sure if he ever used maple for bodies.

Yours might be Soft Northern Maple...see this post:

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=3018&view=previous

There is a couple stripped maple G&L's in this thread.

http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/FORUM/viewt ... &view=next


Elwood

very nice. is that a kahler tremolo? that looks like my favorite tremolos. very responsive and requires very little effort.

Yes it is a Kahler (model 2300).

I really like it also. Very smooth feel and it adds a nice "twang" to the guitar.
I like the standard G&L dual-fulcrum bridge also but on this guitar the Kahler just seems right.

I don't have the locking piece for the headstock or string trees but this guitar hasn't needed them. Stays in tune very nicely.

Thank you for that information Elwood!

From looking at the pics in the threads you linked to the grain pattern and mineral streaks do match the soft maple.

I had just 'assumed' it was alder based on the lack of figuring. Great to learn the truth. I appreciate it!

Ken, I was wrong. Post changed to reflect the correct info.

My SB-1 has a transparent finish. It took me a very long time to figure out the body was maple. It looks a lot like the straight grain in Elwood's Invader (in the link).

Gabe's comments on the use of maple and the differences in density were interesting. My SB-1 is hands-down the lightest bass I've ever played, but my maple-body '86 ASAT is seriously heavy. I had the Skyhawk out the other day, and comparing it to the ASAT I'm beginning to suspect it may be maple as well.

Ken

Thanks for the info!

I need to check my red Skyhawk's body wood more closely.
It is the partial guitar seen in the picture. I always assumed it was ash.
Could easily be maple though, as it is slightly heavy.

I've thought about taking some close-up photos of some of my woodworking lumber stash. I don't have any alder, but I do have a bit of maple and several pieces of ash. I wonder if it would be useful to have a "wood reference" section in the Gallery.

Ken