New Member, Used Guitar

Greetings, people who unknowingly influenced my purchasing decision!

Before I go any further, I should explain that my G&L recently belonged to another member of the forum: I bought Ottavio's S-500, serial number CLF33002. I would edit the Registry to reflect the sale, but the Registry doesn't like the password I used for my forum account.

I am a guitar newbie, learning via Mel Bay's “Modern Guitar Method” (Extended Editions, Grades 1-7). Make no mistake, I am kicking Page 12's butt...in the first book. I learned to read music, keep time, and the rest when playing trumpet in junior high school; guitar is a little different (that's sarcasm), but it's good to already have the basics down. I have also started learning some theory via Justin Sandercoe's “Practical Music Theory” (my prior music education makes this more understandable than it might otherwise be to a neophyte like me).

I play through a Blackstar Studio 20 head and a speaker cab I assembled from parts, including: a Seismic Audio 2x12 cab, an Eminence Wizard speaker, and a WGS HM75 speaker. It is wired such that both speakers can be used together as a 16Ω load or independently as two 8Ω loads. If anyone is interested, I'll post the amp settings I use.

Here are some highlights from a post I wrote on a different forum, for someone who's interested in a G&L S-500:

The guitar got here this morning, and I just finished about two hours' worth of tuning, practice, and goofing around (which is a great way to learn the feeling of a new guitar).

“Barely played” was actually less true than it could've been, but for my benefit. The plastic film was still on the pick guard, the strings hadn't stretched yet, and everything was so clean I could've eaten off of it. The best thing about the age aspect of this guitar is that the rock maple has already yellowed in a way that looks beautiful with the gold/brown/red/black sunburst coloring of the finish (of course, I hate the white appearance of new maple on a guitar).

The neck geometry instantly made me a better player, and the sound is unbelievable. Turns out I didn't need to retrain my ears, I just needed a better guitar. Played clean it is as jazzy and crisp as anything I can imagine, and overdriven—with the sorta-Santana settings on the amp I set up with my old guitar—it is Carlos Santana: the MFD pickups really do have the heat to feed tube overdrive without losing tone. To say the tonal range of this thing has legs (a Southern saying meaning something has years' worth of use) would be a gross understatement.

The strings stretched out with about 20 minutes' worth of tuning and retuning, and they stayed perfectly in tune once they'd finished stretching. I don't know anything about locking tuners, but I have to assume they're engaged. The whammy bar hasn't been installed yet, so I'll have to tell you about the dual fulcrum bridge some other time.

Subjectively, the weight difference is night and day. Two hours of tuning and playing caused me none of the usual discomfort. I now see playing everyday as a possibility. Putting my old guitar away (as in moving the loaded case) used to threaten my balance; I can do bicep curls with the S-500. Also, the shaping of the body makes it infinitely more comfortable to play seated than any ES-335 clone I've seen.

I am so happy with this guitar is feels fake, like I used a cheat code in real life...I can't put into words how much more this feels like actually playing guitar. A true glissando and a few bends in practice, and I'm almost writing emo poetry. Most of that sensation is due to the fact that my fretwork improved by miles as soon as I started playing this guitar: the times I've experienced that kind of improvement in my body can be counted on the fingers of one spastic, uncooperative hand.

Welcome Rob, the S-500 is awesome as are all the G&Ls. I just fixed the nut on mine a did another setup and sweet it is. Enjoy your new prize!-- Darwin

Welcome Rob, if you can read music, you're way ahead of many of us (myself included).. Congrats on the S-500!! The registry does NOT use the same login information as the forum - You need to register there also.. It probably will not let you use the same ID & password.

Welcome, Rob!

It's great that member Ads bring about more members.

Lefty is right about needing to register on the main GbL site. See this post: Registry issue?
And, yes you CAN use the same email address, user name (handle) and password, if you like.
When you get a chance, please do post a pic or two of your S-500.
We all like to see G&L porn and there are some here who require proof.

For posting photos and videos, check out these posts:

READ ME FIRST: guitarsbyleo.com History and G&LDP Guidelines
Tutorial: Posting photos
Tutorial: Posting YouTube videos

Thanks for the kind words, folks. The Registry now reflects the sale...it will be interesting to see if Ottavio recognizes my username (I emailed him to ask about the fretboard radius).

I suppose I should also point out that I'm a seriously hardcore computer guy, so my presence here may come in handy one day. Should that day come, we'll have to discuss awarding me the Distinguished Stompbox for Meritorious Service.

Congrats on getting a guitar that helps you to be a better player.

Locking tuners are simple to use and really helps to facilitate changing strings and keeping the guitar in tune. If your strings are staying on then the tuners are 'engaged.' Usually there a twist knob on the back of the tuner. When you loosen it the string is free from the hole to allow you to pull the old string out and put a new string in. When you tighten it the tuner pinches the string inside the hole and secures it. You can then tune it like normal. When you use locking tuners you don't have to allow extra length on your string for windings around the tuner post. With a new string you thread the new string through, pull the string straight and lock it down with the knob and tune. The absence of windings supposedly help the guitar stay in tune better, specially with a vibrato bridge. In my experience I find that to be true.

I agree that 335-style guitars are uncomfortable to play sitting down, but mine sounds so good that I endure it to play it.

Kit

If your strings are staying on then the tuners are 'engaged.' Usually there a twist knob on the back of the tuner. When you loosen it the string is free from the hole to allow you to pull the old string out and put a new string in. When you tighten it the tuner pinches the string inside the hole and secures it. You can then tune it like normal. When you use locking tuners you don't have to allow extra length on your string for windings around the tuner post.

Thanks for the tips; I am now certain that my tuners are the locking variety and working correctly.

Welcome Robsta. I appreciate your sense of humor. I like you already.

You should know that you can get a "Distinguished Stompbox" by being nominated (or volunteering) to be Lunch Reporter. To do so is the second highest honor known to mankind, and will help us get to know you better - and vice-versa.

Congratulations on getting your S-500. It's a slippery slope here, and I see you needing a "T" - shaped G&L in the not-too-distant future. Don't say you weren't warned. Glad you found this place. - ed

PS: Craig is right though: Without pictures, it might not exist.....

PS: Craig is right though: Without pictures, it might not exist.....

Here you are gents, proof of life:

Beautiful G&L guitar you have there. Congratulations and thanks for sharing! - ed

Great guitar! Good luck and have fun with it!