Just played my first S-500

Loobster · Post by **Loobster** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:07 am

Wow, I was blown away! It was only a tribute but it really did sound fantastic and was super versatile. Big Strat sounds and so much more. I think getting one will really compliment my US ASAT Special very well. I don't get people who say it can't cop Strat tones, the in-between positions are positively spanky!

I believe the Tribute has a 9" radius on the neck, but most of the S-500s I can find (USA models) are a flatter 12" radius. My ASAT is a vintage 7.25" board so I'm not sure I'd enjoy playing the 12" radius, sounds a bit flat for me...do people find that board comfortable for chording?

MrFretman · Post by **MrFretman** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:52 am

I'm fairly sure that all the G&L Tributes have a 12" radius.
I used to play (many, many years ago) several guitars with the 7.5" radius, and when I switched to G&Ls I went with the 12" radius and found I liked it much better than the 7.5". It was exceptionally comfortable for both chording and lead, and there is also less fret-out when you bend strings.

Stephen (In the Tundra of N. Minnesota)

Loobster · Post by **Loobster** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 10:55 am

According to some stuff I've read online the Tributes are 9" radius : http://www.glguitars.com/instruments/Tr ... /index.asp

I'm sure I could adapt to it, I have another guitar with a 10-16" radius and I do find it a tad flat above the 12th fret, especially for chording on. But I have fairly long fingers so I'm positive I could adapt to the 12".

MrFretman · Post by **MrFretman** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 11:08 am

[quote="Loobster"]According to some stuff I've read online the Tributes are 9" radius : http://www.glguitars.com/instruments/Tr ... /index.asp

Interesting. I just went to one of my favorite on-line G&L dealers and clicked on 5 different Tributes to see the specs, and each one was listed as having a 12" radius.

Btw....My main guitar is a USA S-500. And yes, they're one heck of a great sounding and playing guitar!

Loobster · Post by **Loobster** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 12:04 pm

Really is. Well, if the Tribute is 12", I really enjoyed playing it. Very comfy.

Philby · Post by **Philby** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 3:06 pm

I have a USA S-500 (the one in the avatar). The neck is super comfy UNTIL I have to play a lot of chords e.g. fingerstyle. Then hand cramps set in after about 10 mins. I'm guessing the 12" neck is just a touch too flat for me.

I've got a couple of Tribby's with the 9" neck and find that to be the best compromise between chording and lead work. Everyone is different though!

blargfromouterspace · Post by **blargfromouterspace** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 3:40 pm

As others have said, it's a personal taste thing. I prefer a flatter radius - my hands cramp when I play on a 7.5" radius neck for too long, but I have been playing 12" radius guitars for 10+ years. You can always order one with whichever neck you want.

standards guy · Post by **standards guy** » Sat Dec 18, 2010 3:45 pm

Loobster wrote:...I don't get people who say it can't cop Strat tones...

I have a US S500. When I want more vintagey strat quack, I just roll off some bass and a bit of treble right at the guitar.

Even though the neck on mine is very narrow (it's actually slightly narrower than the spec'd 1&5/8") I got used to it very quickly, and even though I like vintage radius and frets the flatter radius and med/jumbo frets have their charms too.

There's a used Tribute Legacy locally in a store that feels pretty good to me. I'd have to go look at it to make sure about the specs, but it seems a bit more comfortable. A bit wider certainly. Seemed like a bit more curved too. I don't know what year it was made or if that even ever changed anything. If it's cheap enough, I may pick it up so I can have a Legacy to go with my s500.

Loobster · Post by **Loobster** » Sun Dec 19, 2010 3:29 am

Thanks for the replies guys. I am close to custom ordering a hardtail S-500 from Guitar Asylum and I think I'll order a number 2 neck, like that of my ASAT. I think the 12" radius may put me off.

sirmyghin · Post by **sirmyghin** » Sun Dec 19, 2010 9:24 pm

G&L rocks with their neck options. I am a flat guy, I did the opposite of what you are doing. I would definitely recommend a build from the USA factory though, it will eat a tribute alive, as you know with your USA special.

Loobster · Post by **Loobster** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 6:30 am

Yeah, I'm already speccing one out. Bound fretboard, hardtail S-500.

Post by **Craig** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 9:28 am

MrFretman wrote:I'm fairly sure that all the G&L Tributes have a 12" radius.
I used to play (many, many years ago) several guitars with the 7.5" radius, and when I switched to G&Ls I went with the 12" radius and found I liked it much better than the 7.5". It was exceptionally comfortable for both chording and lead, and there is also less fret-out when you bend strings.

Stephen (In the Tundra of N. Minnesota)

The Made in Korea G&L S-500 and Legacy Tributes did have the 12" radius neck.
When G&L switched to the Indonesia factory, the neck radius for all Tribute
instruments changed to a 9" radius neck.

Hope this helps.

standards guy · Post by **standards guy** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 9:59 am

Craig wrote:...When G&L switched to the Indonesia factory, the neck radius for all Tribute
instruments changed to a 9" radius neck.

Hope this helps.

When did the Tribute change location of manufacture, and is the build date in the neck pocket like the US models? I just picked up a Tribute Legacy with no identifiers on the outside as to where or when. It's got the larger "Tribute" and smaller G&L headstock lettering, as opposed to smaller "Tribute series" and more prominant "G&L."
Thanks advancedly!

Post by **Craig** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 11:01 am

standards guy wrote:
Craig wrote:...When G&L switched to the Indonesia factory, the neck radius for all Tribute
instruments changed to a 9" radius neck.

Hope this helps.
When did the Tribute change location of manufacture, and is the build date in the neck pocket like the US models? I just picked up a Tribute Legacy with no identifiers on the outside as to where or when. It's got the larger "Tribute" and smaller G&L headstock lettering, as opposed to smaller "Tribute series" and more prominant "G&L."
Thanks advancedly!

Here are some links to posts in the G&L Knowledgebase, which should help with the answers:

What is the new Tribute series which G&L announced in 2003?
Why the change in manufacturing location for the Tributes?
G&L Tributes made in China?
Serial number significance

Hope this helps.

Loobster · Post by **Loobster** » Tue Dec 21, 2010 6:04 am

A question regarding S-500 output. Would the MFDs be a lot louder than the alnico pickups on the Legacy?

Post by **Craig** » Tue Dec 21, 2010 7:37 am

Loobster wrote:A question regarding S-500 output. Would the MFDs be a lot louder than the alnico pickups on the Legacy?

Here's a couple of links to posts for you to check out:

List of pickups used in G&L guitars
S-500 or Legacy?

Hope this helps.

Loobster · Post by **Loobster** » Tue Dec 21, 2010 1:38 pm

Thanks Craig, I'll have a read of these.

Loobster · Post by **Loobster** » Tue Dec 21, 2010 1:50 pm

So I guess the general consensus is that the S-500 pickups are quite a bit more punchy, muscular and loud than the alnico single coils in the legacy? Decisions, decisions. I loved the tones of the S-500 I played but there's a little nag in my mind saying "you may enjoy the more Stratty Legacy tones more". Then again, I've never really been into Strats anyway.

standards guy · Post by **standards guy** » Tue Dec 21, 2010 4:39 pm

Just roll off some bass at the lower knob and you'll be near Legacy sounding.

I did manage to pick up the aforementioned Tribute Legacy (above), and in A/B'ing them there is some difference, but the S500 works for 99% of what I need: the Legacy maybe a bit less than that, but I bought it for cheap as a spare anyway. Now I have two guitars. Oh goody! Both G&L's.

And yes, pics are coming. I'll try tomorrow. Gotta gig tonight at an Italian restaurant...

de Valcourt · Post by **de Valcourt** » Thu Dec 23, 2010 1:40 am

I was given a US S-500 by my friend who is a serious collector of guitars. We do some recording together and when his studio took on a far more "serious" side, he decided I needed something to replace my 2009 US Fender Strat and got a great deal on my new "weapon of choice."

Ever since I had to temporarily retire my 1959-? partscaster (the neck is the oldest part) to wait for the right person to do a complete fret job, I've been after the biggest and best sound in a strat form I could find and then along came the S-500.

At first I balked at the jumbo frets and the much larger neck length (and width) than either my "vintage" or new strat (both with rosewood fretboards). The S-500 is also the first maple fretboard I've ever owned and that too presented its own problems with personal adjustment.

In short, after several months of practicing and playing on the S-500 I finally fell for the feel completely. Then, I put my Orange solid state amp in the closet under the stairs and plugged in my new little Fender tube amp. Sure, it's not the studio and stacks of whatever head-cabinet or combo I can think of, but I'll be darned if it isn't a world of difference in the sound range of the S-500.

Now, I spend most of my "practice" time working out all the sound and tone possibilities of this beautiful guitar. It could take me a year or more just to figure out everything I can do with just the factory setup alone.

In short, it sounds more like what a strat should have sounded like 50 years ago (IMHO) and with a flip of that toggle, it becomes another guitar entirely. With any pickup combination involving the middle pickup, hum noise is absent but I keep hearing Mark Knopfler's sounds (not abilities

) wafting from the amp.

I have never been happier with a guitar in my life (the US Strat just made me miss my old one). I have lots of questions about the guitar's capabilities, but hey, that's one of the reasons for this forum, right? The only other guitar I am even considering buying one day in the distant future is a Legacy with the humbuckers at the bridge. Too bad the other two pickups aren't MFDs - then I would sell plasma until I could buy a Legacy or S-500 equipped that way.

Phillip

Loobster · Post by **Loobster** » Thu Dec 23, 2010 3:35 am

Great post. Can't wait to order mine!

Guitars by Leo (aka "GbL")

Just played my first S-500

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