).Kudos to all of you who responded to these posts. I am getting some interesting information and a few myths "busted" at the same time.
Before I get to the G&L question, I thought about something last week with Gary's posts and the responses generated over the call for pics of the cool engines on wheels. I've known more than a few people who are not only guitar aficionados, but like their firearms as well. Without getting into the psychology of men and guitars, cars and guns
, I was just curious as to who might also have a collection, however small or extensive, of firearms. I'm not asking for pictures (unless you want to o course - and it doesn't violate any forum rules), but like I said, I'm just curious. I have a few choice handguns - my Sig P229 .40 is one I would never be without - and a Dragunov (Soviet style) sniper rifle with the older style wood furniture (http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&expI ... 62&bih=555 and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragunov_sniper_rifle). Unfortunately, my best rifles were stolen in a home invasion while I was at work when I lived in a different city in a bad area. Who knows, there may be some Ted Nugent types out there in forumland.
(Responsible gun owners, I mean... 
)Now for the G&L question: I've read a number of comments from various points of view regarding the 3-bolt neck in comparison to the 4-bolt. It was my understanding from somewhere on the forum that the 4-bolt came about to make guitar dealers happy because they said it was harder to sell them after the bad rep the 3-bolt Fenders got. But, why the change happened isn't so much my concern as what the change did to the overall tone and sustain of the guitars. My S-500 is one of the last 3-bolts - from what I can guess about the year is was made (1996-98) and most of the time I see a WTB listing the would-be buyer requests a 3-bolt. Is this because they are worth more or because the tighter fit of neck to body really does give them more of the holy sustain we all want? Or, is this too a myth that needs a bit of "busting"?
Like I've said many times, my S-500 is without question the most amazingly versatile and incredible sounding guitar I've ever owned with the strat-style body I have become [insert word that means "way more than accustomed to"]. The old exaggerated expression about a note "ringing for days" certainly applies to her, and I have to wonder how much of the tight fitting neck has to do with that (if the rumor is in fact true).
So what's the word folks, do the 3-bolt necks help the sustain and overall sound of the guitars they were used on, or is this just hype and/or wishful thinking on the part of purists or others like myself who trust that if Fullerton or Fender thought it was the best method to use, then it's the best method to use?
A bit of clarification for all of those who own 4-bolt necks for any reason - e.g., that was the only type available when you bought your G&L - I am not trying to cast any negative thoughts about your guitar. I am hoping to hear from those who either own or have played both and have formed an opinion one way or another, or even stayed neutral because the number of bolts were never an issue that crossed their minds.
Phillip
