G&L Rampage 1985 Red

Wed Jan 07, 2015 10:42 am

So I'm new here. I'm from Monterrey, Mexico.

I just bought my first G&L. It's a Red Rampage from 1985, I think it's the one that Mark ST. John used to advertise. It's pretty much the same guitar that Jerry Cantrell has (the Original ones) but in a different color.

Actually, I just have the pics from ebay when I bought it. As soon as I got it? I send it to the Guitar Tech for a cool set up, and a change of pickup (the original Schaller made in Germany didn't worked, it has another random pickup, so I'm putting a Seymour Duncan JB).

This are the pics I have right now. Next Monday I will go get it, and I will take new photos.

It's my First G&L, and also my first USA made guitar. I've had an Ibanez RG, a MIM Fender Standard Telecaster, MIM Fender Deluxe Roadhouse Strat, MIJ Fender Aerodyne Strat, and a Cort CR280 Les Paul. All those are gone by now. The only two guitars I have right now is a Fender FSR Telecaster with 2 humbuckers, MIM, and this new Rampage. In Summary, the Rampage it's the best guitar I've ever had, and I haven't even tried for a week.

If somebody has any advice, any experience with this guitars? Please let me know.

Thanks people.

PS: Right click on the links to open in new tab.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/z7s7f7kfql211rd/G%26L%20Rampage%201985%20%281%29.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/flvxvnso4eng0i6/G%26L%20Rampage%201985%20%282%29.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3cl02xyxiu0kdqy/G%26L%20Rampage%201985%20%283%29.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zpd7u65js66funp/G%26L%20Rampage%201985%20%284%29.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xcfx33pizhk0oze/G%26L%20Rampage%201985%20%285%29.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/8mornv4w4r1snfb/G%26L%20Rampage%201985%20%287%29.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ylzi3w2x8lyupa0/G%26L%20Rampage%201985%20%288%29.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/e2l1tb0544sh5vw/G%26L%20Rampage%201985%20%289%29.jpg
Last edited by raga80 on Wed Jan 07, 2015 10:56 am, edited 1 time in total.

Re: G&L Rampage 1985 Red

Wed Jan 07, 2015 10:54 am

I have a 1986 Rampage but mine has a EMG pick up in it , was in it when I got it ..... do you have the rest of the locking nut ??...... I understand why if it's missing because they are a pain in the butt to tune , My local G&L dealer converted my locking nut to a newer style that doesn't go out of Tune when you lock it down , but other than that I don't have anything to help you , but enjoy your Rampage , I just got mine out of the case last rotation and love that wide neck , I haven't played it in about 7 months so I'm glad to have it back out being played

Re: G&L Rampage 1985 Red

Wed Jan 07, 2015 11:05 am

I do have the locking nut. It's installed, just that the guy in those pictures didn't had it installed. There's an issue with the nut. It's not well routed, so the high E string pops out of the locking nut. My guitar tech would change the nut (a new bone nut custom made) so that i won't have any issues again.

About those behind the nut string locks, I've seen those in the Kahler webpage. But my concern is if it fits in the holes of the original string lock, or If I have to make new adjustments? To be honest, I don't want to mess up with the guitar by drilling holes. If those new systems fits the guitar as it is? I would deffinitely change it, with the possibility to go back to the original.

Thanks for replying.

Re: G&L Rampage 1985 Red

Wed Jan 07, 2015 11:37 am

my guitar was already modified so it's kinda of a "Hot Rod" anyway , but I can still go back to stock on the nut and not have any new holes showing , I just didn't like how it went sharp locking it down , I also had mine re-fretted with stainless steel medium jumbo frets .... BTW you have a beautiful guitar

Re: G&L Rampage 1985 Red

Wed Jan 07, 2015 11:40 am

[image]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y408/ericphilpott/P1000708_zps33022733.jpg[/image]

[image]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y408/ericphilpott/P1000706_zpsc294c143.jpg[/image]

[image]http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y408/ericphilpott/P1000696_zps3ae90dbe.jpg[/image]

Re: G&L Rampage 1985 Red

Wed Jan 07, 2015 12:16 pm

That Rampage looks amazing in yellow

Re: G&L Rampage 1985 Red

Wed Jan 07, 2015 7:16 pm

Raga,

That's a beautiful Rampage. Even with all of my Leo-era instruments, I have yet to see Bright Screaming Yellow in person.

I have two Kahler-equipped G&Ls (an ASAT and a Superhawk, both from 1986). I haven't had any problems with the stock G&L locking nuts. The only trick is to get your tuning into a ballpark where the fine-tuners on the bridge will finish the job. There may be a smarter way, but I've just gone with trial and error. I'll start by tuning the D string about a step flat, cranking the locking nut down tight, and seeing if I'm in the fine-tuner's range. Then I loosen the nut, repeat with the G string, and work my way outward. Once I figured out how tight the locking nut needs to be (very tight!), I haven't had any problems with strings slipping. From what you've described about the E string popping out, I start tightening the locking nut with the screw closest to it. That may give you a better angle for holding it in place.

Ken

Re: G&L Rampage 1985 Red

Thu Jan 08, 2015 5:07 pm

I think that with the change of the nut would be ok. Like I said, the bone nut that came with it is new, and the High E string ended at the border of the fingerboard. The next bone nut would be like it should be.

I have never recorded a video of myself playing (I suck playing guitar, don't tell anyone), but I would try to post something as soon as I get from the guitar tech.

Hope it sounds cool.

Re: G&L Rampage 1985 Red

Thu Jan 15, 2015 10:16 am

Update:

Today I picked up from the Guitar Tech the Rampage. It sounds amazing with the SD JB. Hopefully I will take some pictures today, and I have a new account of photobucket, so now I can post the pics directly (no links necessary).

Thanks people.

Re: G&L Rampage 1985 Red

Sat Aug 15, 2015 9:09 am

Pretty sweet guitars fellas. Ive been on the hunt for a lefty Rampage for years now. Ive only seen 2 pop up on ebay one for 1500 and one for 3000. 1500 is a lot but semi reasonable 3000 is just highway robbery.

Re: G&L Rampage 1985 Red

Fri Oct 23, 2015 4:14 pm

love it! i love rampages. i've only got a tribute, but i've always wanted an original.