Legacy S-500

I have a Legacy S-500. It's been accepted in the registry on this web site. It has a finish on it that's not listed as ever offered, it have a serial number with NO alpha prefix. (the serial number on the back of the head stock is 04077205) The build date on the neck is 10 June 1984, the date in the neck pocket is shown as June but the year and day are illegible. The finish is a Burst yellow in the center to cherry red on the edges. White pearl pick guard, knurled chrome knobs (3 0f them) the standard 5 way switch, and a mini toggle switch not shown in the schematics. There are initials on the body in the "swimming pool route- out; CHB and the wood is defiantly Ash. The clear finish is in the neck pocket but sanded and in the swimming pool but remains un sanded. The pick guard has 8 screws. If legit where was this guitar built? Is it a 1 off or special guitar?
Do I have a counterfeit guitar?[img][IMG]http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk195/dna9656/Guitars/th_DSCI0416.jpg[/img][/img]

The names "Legacy" and "S-500" do not belong together--they are separate models.

Are you certain that the first character in the serial number is a "0" and not a "G"? It's hard to tell on many of the older models.

You said the serial number is on the back of the headstock. This wouldn't make sense if it were made 1984. Is it on the headstock or the neckplate? Is it a 3 bolt or 4 bolt neckplate?

Over the years, the location of the serial number changed:
From 1980-1983, G&L instruments had the serial number stamped on the bridge.
In 1983, the serial number was relocated and stamp onto the 3-bolt neckplate.
In 1997, G&L moved to waterslide decals for the serial numbers and apply them
on the back of the headstock.

The finish on your guitar looks to me like Cherryburst.



More photos would help answer all your questions.

I'm guessing the date is 2004 ? They didn't have anything like that in the early 80's .
looks like a nice tribute(import) s-500 to me.
Was it sold to you as a USA model ?

Sorry it says TRIBUTE S-500 on the head stock: I don't know where the Legacy came from, must have been the dog walking on the keyboard...The Number is DEFINATLY a O (OH) or a ) 0 (zero) you can see it on this site's registration. I don't know that the site would take a improper serial number but the site did (I think) produce the finish color description, the knobs style etc. within the registry. The neck is held in place by 4 screws and the Serial number is NOT on the neck plate. The web site explains that the date on the body or neck do not for sure indicate when the guitar was built, only that when the piece was made.
There is no skunk stripe. I bought in a private sale from a guy that gave me plenty of evidence he wasn't miss representing the guitar in any way. Where it was made never came up, at the time I had no idea they build them in 2 editions, stateside and off-shore. There is no indication anywhere on the axe as to it's nation of origin but is sure is beautifully made.
Another pic:

Last edited by dna9656 on Fri Oct 11, 2013 5:46 pm, edited 2 times in total.

The Tribute models have the Year and Month encoded in the serial number.

Here is a chart of the Tribute serial number formats:

Serial number format
Country of Origin
YYMXXXX or YYMMXXXX Made In Japan Tribute Models only
YYMMXXXX Made In Korea Tribute Models only
YYMMXXXXX Made In Indonesia Tribute Models only
LYYMMXXXX Made In China Tribute Models only

2004 sounds right, as the first two digits of the serial number would be the year.

Yeah I read the serial number format and none have a ZERO or O in the charts hence my posting here. I will post a pic of the ser. # shortly.

Yeah I read the serial number format and none have a ZERO or O in the charts hence my posting here. I will post a pic of the ser. # shortly.

The Tribute serial numbers have the first two digits indicating the year made.

In your case the first two digits are 04 indicating 2004

I think you are confused looking at the above serial number chart for Tributes.

The "YYMM" indicates YEAR and MONTH of manufacture. The serial numbers don't actually start with the letters YY.

Does that make sense?

I think you guys are a lot smarter than I am right now, must be the beers...
Here's the pics to satisfy all the curiosity:
[[img][IMG]http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk195/dna9656/Guitars/th_IMG_0123.jpg[/img][/img]
[img][IMG]http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk195/dna9656/Guitars/th_IMG_0122.jpg[/img][/img]
[img][IMG]http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk195/dna9656/Guitars/th_IMG_0119.jpg[/img][/img]
[img][IMG]http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk195/dna9656/Guitars/th_IMG_0118.jpg[/img][/img]
[img][IMG]http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk195/dna9656/Guitars/th_IMG_0117.jpg[/img][/img]
[img][IMG]http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk195/dna9656/Guitars/th_IMG_0116.jpg[/img][/img]
[img][IMG]http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk195/dna9656/Guitars/th_IMG_0115.jpg[/img][/img]
And a funny to share!
[img][IMG]http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk195/dna9656/Guitars/th_TalentSimulator.png[/img][/img]

Yes it all makes sense now....duh... I don't know how I called it a Legacy... my bad...

So My axe was made in Korea and released from the factory as an assembly in July of 2004 if I get this right.

I think you guys are a lot smarter than I am right now, must be the beers...

Your doing fine...most would take a day to get the required pics.

...and welcome ! browse around when you can...there are lots of tribute owners here.


elwood

Do you guys think the mini switch is stock?

Yes,

see this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=27

I see that you've got this sorted out.

For more info on Tribute Series see:

What is the new Tribute series which G&L announced in 2003?