Early 80s S500

Hi All - I recently purchased a beautiful s500 that has been in a closet since it was purchased new and then NEVER played. The guy wanted to learn but never did. Still has the tags, reg card, cord, store spec ad, tools and the original strings and case. Based on the info in this forum, I think its an 83 or later. It is a sunburst (mahogony, I think) with a maple neck and sunburst painted headstock. I have searched the internet up and down and still have not found a match. There are a few pics on this forum of similiar, but not with the painted headstock. I am just looking for info on this guitar to fuel my new found obsession...

Love the site! Looking forward to your comments!

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The serial number is on the neck plate, not on the bridge which leads me to 83 or later.

couple more pics too.

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Welcome Shup,
Wow, that's a really nice S-500 !!
I've seen a few bursts with matching headstocks...Skyhawks and S-500's, but not many.
I think the Skyhawk was an 85-86.

Good to have ya here,

elwood

Thanks Elwood. This is my first G&L purchase and I am kicking myself for not looking at these sooner in my guitar career. The guitar stores in my area never carried G&L...its a shame, because these are AMAZING. I am really glad that the original owner decided to remove it from its tomb.

Hi Shup,

Welcome to the forum and what a beauty you have there. Congrats!!

- Jos

Not bad.

Actually that is as nice as it gets!



Y2kc

smoking hot !! ..... top of the chain for sure

Great score indeed! I love the looks of the guitar with the maple fretboard contrasting with the matching headstock. I have an early S-500, with the same paint scheme but mine has a rosewood board.The other difference is that mine has a maple body, where yours does appear to be mahogany. I love the sound of mine, but I have heard a few people say that the "hog" S-500's are one of the top dogs of tone. Many say that those rectilinear MFD pickups are some of Leo's best p'up work. Again, great score. It really does look NOS.

Note: Be sure to keep the case with it, as the early S-500's, F-100's, and perhaps others, may need a slightly longer case than a Fender or a later model G&L. Others might confirm or deny this. I'm OK with either. Cheers.

Welcome to GbL. That's a gorgeous S-500. I would put it between '85 (when the "by Leo Fender" headstock decals began) and about '88 (when the rectangular pickups were replaced by the rounded Skyhawk/SC-3 version). I can't tell from the photos whether it's mahogany or maple. Either could have been under a sunburst finish, without showing distinctive grain. It looks like it may be a bit light for a 'hog. Could you post a closer photo of the body?

Ken

Shup, what a find! Congratulations, and enjoy the tone. If it sounds and plays half as good as it looks, well...then you'll enjoy it twice as much!

Congratulations and welcome to the forum.

Great looking guitar!

Welcome, Shup.
That certainly is a killer Leo-era G&L to start either your collection or your obsession. As players, the general consensus around these parts is that a ton of Leo-era instruments have special mojo. My first G&L was built in 2000, but when I took a chance on an '85 Skyhawk, I never looked past 1991.

Have fun getting familiar with a really important and bizarre part of guitar history - G&L 82-91.

Wow, talk about lucky find. lol Really great looking guitar. My guess is a 1985. I own a 1982 S-500 in tobacco burst , mahogany body and ebony fretboard.
skyhawk

That is a beauty! Welcome to the club.

Dude, that is one sweet looking S500!!

Congrats, and have them check other closets or if they have a sibling with lost guitars.

More pics and a tone report would be welcomed.

Nice one, congrats for that find.

Mine has a painted head stock too, but no burst.

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