S500 Three Bolt.

[emergencysean]

Hi All,

Hope you are all well.

First time posting here. I am possibly about to purchase an S500. This one looks nice in the pictures but I know nothing about G & L guitars.

So this one has a three bolt neck ? cross sawn. Is in Tobbaco sunburst and has a serial number on it some where of 005176.

If I go and view this guitar, how do I tell if it is a genuine USA model or even a real G & L.

I am in the UK and this guitar has been imported privately but no long has it own case but a differeent quality haed case.

Please tell me as much as you can including approx value, what to look for and will I want to marry it.

Cheers Guys.

[KenC]

Welcome, Sean!

It's a lot easier to be sure if you can post a photo or a link. A three-bolt neck would mean a USA model built sometime prior to 1998 (give or take a year). Tobacco sunburst has been a finish choice since the first G&L production in 1980, and as far as I know the Tribute (non-US) models can have it as well.

The S-500 model has gone through several changes over the years. The first ones were built in 1982, and had several distinctive features including squared ends on the pickups, a l=black metal pickguard with a separate control plate, and a larger than normal headstock. The headstock changed to normal size in the mid-80s, and the pickups got rounded ends around that time. In the late 80s the S-500 became much more like a Strat, with a one-piece plastic pickguard.

I'd question the serial number, as it doesn't match the normal G&L formats for a USA model. It should either start with "G", "CL" or "CLF". If it's actually G005176, I expect it would be stamped on the bridge. This would be a very early S-500, most likely from 1982. Back then the sunburst finishes were usually shot onto mahogany bodies. The combination of the sqaure-end pickups and a 'hog body is amazing. The serial numbers moved to the neck plate in 1983, and up to the back of the headstock in 1998. The serial number you listed is too long for the "CL" serial numbers used in 1998, and may be too low for the "CL" numbers used since 1999.

I hope this is helpful. I have no idea about prices in the UK, but several regulars on G&LPD are on your side of the pond and may provide some insight. In the USA, an '82 S-500 in good condition would run somewhere in the $800-$1000 range, but lower prices can sometimes be found.

will I want to marry it.

If this is a swamp ash or maple bodied '82 or '83, propose immediately. If its a 'hog body, throw her over your shoulder and head for Vegas...

Ken

[emergencysean]

Thanks Ken,

That gives me a good starting point. The guy who owns it thinks it is around 1996 so perhaps the serial number is wrong or there should be some letters with it.

He also says it is a one piece body has a white plastic pick guard and spretzel locking tuners.

Just to confirm, any serial number should have letters as well ? And where are they usually found.

Cheers

Sean

[Philby]

I have a '96 S500 with a B prefix on the serial number plate. G&L apparently ran out of guitar neck plates and used bass plates for a short time. Hence the B plate. I thought I had a parts guitar for a while there!

[Craig]

Thanks Ken,

That gives me a good starting point. The guy who owns it thinks it is around 1996 so perhaps the serial number is wrong or there should be some letters with it.

He also says it is a one piece body has a white plastic pick guard and spretzel locking tuners.

Just to confirm, any serial number should have letters as well ? And where are they usually found.

Cheers

Sean

See Serial number significance, which is located in our G&L Knowledgebase, General G&L Questions sub-forum.

[Craig]

I have a '96 S500 with a B prefix on the serial number plate. G&L apparently ran out of guitar neck plates and used bass plates for a short time. Hence the B plate. I thought I had a parts guitar for a while there!

This is a misnomer. It has a guitar neck plate with a bass serial number stamped on it which was a mistake done by the neck plate vendor.
See Serial number significance, too.

[emergencysean]

Ok, so I have spoken again to the vendor and he says the serial number is on the back plate it has no letters with it and it is confirmed as a 1996 ?

Here is a pic, I hope !

http://s960.photobucket.com/albums/ae87 ... 1100%20WP/

[Elwood]

Looks like a winner !
...and legit and complete as far as the pic shows.

The G is occasionally mistaken for a '0' in the serial due to varying stamp depths
and the black crinkle finish on the neck plate. That would put the guitar in the G050xxx
range which is right with other G&Ls in the mid to late 90's .

A pencil rubbing will often bring out details that are hard to see otherwise,
but it looks fine . Make sure she is set-up well with some good strings if you have any doubts about
how well these guitars can play.

cheers