Thu Nov 02, 2017 11:41 am
Thu Nov 02, 2017 12:23 pm
davguitar wrote:First of all, my intent is NOT to be overly critical of G&L, but I found this thread after searching the Internet to see if anyone else had the same issues with a Tribute Legacy that I've had for quite awhile. I have other guitars to gig with and I've let this one just sit on a stand in my family room. I'll pick it up for awhile and play it until it drops out of tune. G&L used to use their USA hardware on the Tributes and those were great guitars. I attended a Will Ray clinic at the local G&L dealership and he played a couple of Tributes to show everyone how fine they were. The vibrato unit they use now is not anywhere close to the same quality as the USA unit. I have both so I can compare them.
I have a 2015 Indonesian Tribute Legacy that was purchased in January, 2016, and it has given me a lot of grief. After trying four sets of springs with varying tensions and after setting the base level, tilted upward or tilted downward, the guitar, after being tuned up, will drop out of tune with the slightest use of the vibrato arm or with my hand hitting the vibrato unit. I understand how this unit is supposed to work. I had an early F-100 and even spoke with Dale Hyatt before ordering it. I own a USA Legacy with a vibrato. I spent five minutes setting that vibrato as I wanted it and for about ten years now I've not had the first tuning issue. (I also own a USA Z-3 semi-hollow and love that guitar.)
I still have some warranty left on the guitar but if G & L won't honor it after I post this, so be it. Just minutes ago I unscrewed the posts and took out the main vibrato unit and examined it. I could barely get the post through the left side post hole on the base. I tried both posts and both were very hard to fit through that hole while both would easily pass through the right side base hole. So, one or both post holes are out of tolerance and no matter what I do the vibrato binds and the guitar will not stay in tune.
I bought the guitar from Musician's Friend as a "Musician's Friend Model." It has a transparent red finish, rosewood fingerboard, mahogany body with maple cap, and a 12 inch fingerboard radius. The neck is finished with a satin finish.
I hope someone from G&L will read this and respond. Otherwise I will still try to contact the service department. I really don't want to spend $40 or $50 each way to return an entire guitar - which came in a carton with no case - and have it shipped back to me when I already know what the problem is. I've thought of ordering a USA vibrato unit to install on this guitar, but that's another $100 expense for me.
Thu Nov 02, 2017 3:43 pm
Fri Nov 03, 2017 5:27 am
Fri Dec 08, 2017 7:50 am
Craig wrote:
When you took the bridge out, how many felt washers were on each pivot bolt? There should be two washers for each bolt.
Can you post some photos showing the nut, bridge and the trem block with the springs?
Areas of possible binding: Nut, pickguard around or near bridge, and trem block path in the trem cavity.
Fri Dec 08, 2017 7:53 am
Fri Dec 08, 2017 7:59 am
davguitar wrote:I'm pleased to report that G&L has worked with me on this and the issue is resolved.
I must say that this is a manufacturer that truly supports those who play their instruments!