G&L Legacy with 2 serial numbers: Is this authentic?

Sun Oct 18, 2015 11:21 pm

Hey!
I was planning to buy a G&L Legacy USA, but I´m starting to have second toughts about it.
The guitar seems to be great, but the thing is that it has two serial numbers: on the 3 bolt black neck plate and on the back of the headstock.
Doing some research here, i found that the 3 bolt neck plate was replaced in 1997. That would indicate that te guitar was made somewhere in beetwen 1992 and 1997. The neck plate´s serial: G038779.
But the serial number that can be read in the back of the headstock is CLF 13747, a serial numer related to guitars made in 1999.
I have several questions:
is this guitar authentic or is like a Frankenstein?
Is a genuine american made G&L Legacy?
How can the guitar have two serials?
Shoul I buy it?
I really like the guitar, but I dont want to be tricked.
Thanks for your help.
Here are some photos too.

[timage=] http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY2/ma ... =x08a59eb5 [/timage]
[timage=] http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY2/ma ... =x08a59eb5 [/timage]
[timage=] http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY2/ma ... =x08a59eb5 [/timage]

Re: G&L Legacy with 2 serial numbers: Is this authentic?

Mon Oct 19, 2015 9:28 am

A G&L will definitely not have two different serial numbers. Most likely somebody swapped the neck for whatever reason, so it's a "partscaster" which should have an influence on the price since it's not original. Maybe you could ask the seller about it. At first sight, the neck looks authentic since the birthmark at the back of the headstock is there but then there might be other experts here who can tell you more than I can. It being a partscaster doesn't mean it's a bad guitar, it's just not original. Do you have a chance to play it before you buy? Be also aware that a guitar like this will have a lower resale value than an original one.

Re: G&L Legacy with 2 serial numbers: Is this authentic?

Mon Oct 19, 2015 9:36 am

if the guitar is sweet get it .... it's for sure USA , could possibly be a Factory replacement as far as double serial numbers .... I replaced a neck on my Comanche and it now has a new serial number along with a brand new neck (quartersawn to boot now !!), love it

Re: G&L Legacy with 2 serial numbers: Is this authentic?

Mon Oct 19, 2015 9:57 am

Thanks for your help!
So the guitar is definitely a partcaster? Reading both answers I understand that the guitar can´t be an original one.
If the neck was replaced, is there any chances that the body is from a tribute?
Can the neck, the body and the hard parts be originals?
Is there any chances that the guitar is a 1999 G&L (neck serial) made with one pre-1997 body and a remanent of 3 bolt neck plate?
The guitar is awesome, but i can´t price the price asked for a partcaster. So if the guitar it´s not original maybe i will have to look somewhere else.

Thanks for your help!

Re: G&L Legacy with 2 serial numbers: Is this authentic?

Mon Oct 19, 2015 10:16 am

nicovizio wrote:Thanks for your help!
So the guitar is definitely a partcaster? Reading both answers I understand that the guitar can´t be an original one.
If the neck was replaced, is there any chances that the body is from a tribute?
Can the neck, the body and the hard parts be originals?
Is there any chances that the guitar is a 1999 G&L (neck serial) made with one pre-1997 body and a remanent of 3 bolt neck plate?
The guitar is awesome, but i can´t price the price asked for a partcaster. So if the guitar it´s not original maybe i will have to look somewhere else.

Thanks for your help!


I see that the G038779 serial number is registered in our G&L Registry. It is registered with a Rosewood fretboard neck, Clear Blue finish on Swamp Ash body. There is no current owner. So, it looks to me that a four bolt neck (CLF13747) was modified to fit (not perfectly) on the three bolt body. If you look at your first photo you can see
that the neck does not quite line up. This is probably because they were using the existing top two screw holes and they don't quite match, shifting the neck slightly off center
in the pocket. I would also be concerned about the intonation. Also, the micro-tilt function will be lost unless they installed the part in the replacement neck. This was definitely not a replacement neck done by the G&L factory.

I would ask the seller if they have the original 3-bolt neck with the Rosewood fretboard and if so, is it fully functional (ie. no twisted neck, no broken truss rod or stripped truss rod nut, etc). You would also be hard pressed to find an original 3-bolt Legacy neck. I say "buyer beware". :o

Hope this helps.

:ugeek:

Re: G&L Legacy with 2 serial numbers: Is this authentic?

Mon Oct 19, 2015 10:28 am

nicovizio wrote:[timage=] http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY2/ma ... =x08a59eb5 [/timage]
[timage=] http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY2/ma ... =x08a59eb5 [/timage]
[timage=] http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY2/ma ... =x08a59eb5 [/timage]


Here they are inline:

Image
Image
Image

:ugeek:

Re: G&L Legacy with 2 serial numbers: Is this authentic?

Mon Oct 19, 2015 10:29 am

Thanks for all the information!!
I will talk to the seller to see what´s going on with the guitar.
I think I prefer not tu buy it too and wait for a more regular guitar.

Re: G&L Legacy with 2 serial numbers: Is this authentic?

Mon Oct 19, 2015 10:47 am

if it would have been a factory replacement it would be good , as modified no ..... I have seen some 3 bolt neck on ebay from time to time , but I would pass too ...... 3 bolter's are awesome though , just get a good one first

Re: G&L Legacy with 2 serial numbers: Is this authentic?

Tue Oct 20, 2015 8:48 am

The seller says the guitar is all original.
I think I´m going to look for another legacy.