Which G&L to replace my Strat Deluxe???

[MJ Slaughter]

Currently my Strat style guitars are a Fender USA Deluxe stock noiseless PU, G&L Legacy Tribute stock neck mid PU with SD lil 59 neck and G&L Legacy Special dual blade PU with a switch to split coils. Though I like my Fender I'm not too fond of the slop in trem bar. Since owning the G&Ls and appreciating the feel of the trem bar I am considering replacing the Fender with a G&L. If I were to change the tremolo in the Fender it would be with a Super Vee Blade Runner but at $160 I am considering just getting a new guitar and selling the Fender.

The Legacy Tribute with the current pickups gets as vintage sounding as I would want. The Legacy Specials dual blade pickups are nice but definitely more gain. I would like something different in a Strat style so I'm looking at the S-500 and Comanche. Would either of those be unique from my others while being versatile? I want something with moderate gain, no vintage pickups, that can cover a lot of ground. How would you describe the difference between the S-500 and Comanche?

[louis cyfer]

the comanche is noiseless and very different character.

[JagInTheBag]

I'd play an S-500 trough the amp you work with the most and see how it feels. I think the S-500 is the middle child between the Legacy Alnico pups and the hot rodded dual blade rails when it comes to tone. Once you become familiar with the MFD's you'll find them to be much more versatile than the vintage legacy pups, not to mention the Super Switch, lighting all three up in the 2 and 4 positions.

The Comanche with the "Z"coils is the ultimate in versatility, but also in its own universe for tone. You want unique? go Comanche, there is a learning curve, kind of like finding your favorite single malt scotch, but the journey can be rewarding!

[MJ Slaughter]

Thanks for the run down on these guitars. The only store in my area that carries G&L is about 45 minutes away and they don't have either of these guitars in the USA model but do have the Tributes. Since the pickups are supposed to be the same between the Tributes and USA of the same model I should be able to get a good idea of the differences.

[louis cyfer]

the am deluxe strat should not have any slop n the trem bar. something is very wrong if there is.

[MJ Slaughter]

the am deluxe strat should not have any slop n the trem bar. something is very wrong if there is.

Thanks to your comment I started to examine the tremolo block. Apparently there is a screw, though hidden, that tightens the bar to where there isn't any slop. I had to press the bar all the way down which exposed a set screw. There is another screw in the block that afteresearchingng some other posts I learned is for adjusting how hard you have to press to get the arm to pop into the block. That screw is noaccessiblele without pulling the tremolo off the guitar. After learning about this I looked at my manual and nowhere in the Fender manual does it mention any set screws.

Now I have a great guitar that I have no issues with and no reason to sell. I'll just have to wait a couple more months until I can buy a new G&L.

Thanks for all the help.

[The Black Page]

I'm curious to know the difference between the 2 tremolos guys.
I have a fender standard on my Upfold custom but she's rusting up some & needs to be replaced.ill be doing the body at the same time out of warmoth so should be able to get it ported for either upon request I imagine.
What I'm after is something I can shimmer with but still do pedal steels bends with out fear of loosing the pitch of the remaining strings.
A reasonably tight 3 spring fender standard can sort of do it. Is the G & L are better vintage arm by your guys opinions?
Thanks in advance cheers..

[JagInTheBag]

I'm curious to know the difference between the 2 tremolos guys.
I have a fender standard on my Upfold custom but she's rusting up some & needs to be replaced.ill be doing the body at the same time out of warmoth so should be able to get it ported for either upon request I imagine.
What I'm after is something I can shimmer with but still do pedal steels bends with out fear of loosing the pitch of the remaining strings.
A reasonably tight 3 spring fender standard can sort of do it. Is the G & L are better vintage arm by your guys opinions?
Thanks in advance cheers..

The DFS is second to none when it comes to pitch and dive while staying in tune. I don't think Warmoth has any preset programs to drill for it. You may want to check with them to see if they will set it for you if you were to send them the unit.

~Patrick

[MJ Slaughter]

I'm curious to know the difference between the 2 tremolos guys.
I have a fender standard on my Upfold custom but she's rusting up some & needs to be replaced.ill be doing the body at the same time out of warmoth so should be able to get it ported for either upon request I imagine.
What I'm after is something I can shimmer with but still do pedal steels bends with out fear of loosing the pitch of the remaining strings.
A reasonably tight 3 spring fender standard can sort of do it. Is the G & L are better vintage arm by your guys opinions?
Thanks in advance cheers..

I just got through playing my Fender and G&L working the tremolo, pedal bends and checking the tuning. With my Fender tremolo arm tightened up properly I like the feel of each one but I'd give the edge to the G&L. For me the tension screw for the arm is much more convenient on the G&L and it is slightly better at holding the tune of other strings when doing pedal bends. Only by 3-4 cents but live playing it isn't too bad. My Fender is a 2 point pivot like the G&L.

Since in the market for a vintage style tremolo you might look at the Super Vee Blade Runner I mentioned. They make one as a direct replacement for both the 6 screw and 2 point Fender tremolos. Wish I could give me personal opinion but I haven't had my hands on one yet though reviews are very positive.

[The Black Page]

The DFS is second to none when it comes to pitch and dive while staying in tune. I don't think Warmoth has any preset programs to drill for it. You may want to check with them to see if they will set it for you if you were to send them the unit.

~Patrick

That begs another question really.can I in fact buy a G & L tremolo system as a stand alone?

I just got through playing my Fender and G&L working the tremolo, pedal bends and checking the tuning. With my Fender tremolo arm tightened up properly I like the feel of each one but I'd give the edge to the G&L. For me the tension screw for the arm is much more convenient on the G&L and it is slightly better at holding the tune of other strings when doing pedal bends. Only by 3-4 cents but live playing it isn't too bad. My Fender is a 2 point pivot like the G&L.

Since in the market for a vintage style tremolo you might look at the Super Vee Blade Runner I mentioned. They make one as a direct replacement for both the 6 screw and 2 point Fender tremolos. Wish I could give me personal opinion but I haven't had my hands on one yet though reviews are very positive.

Thanks for the heads up MJ.ill do some research on the blade runner now.cheers..

Will keep you guys in the loop as would really appreciate some advice once i get started, still a while away this project though.if not for the maple neck,Clapton mid boost & sentimental value I'd consider perhaps getting a another G & L custom.but alas that is not to be.a revamped Upfold custom it is..

[yowhatsshakin]

That begs another question really.can I in fact buy a G & L tremolo system as a stand alone?

As a matter of fact, you can. It is available in the G&L online store here. Note that this is the 'metric' version of the DFV used sinced 2006.

Hope this helps,

- Jos

[The Black Page]

As a matter of fact, you can. It is available in the G&L online store here. Note that this is the 'metric' version of the DFV used sinced 2006.

Hope this helps,

- Jos

Many thanks for this jos! On my way over now to check it out,cheers mate.

[The Black Page]

Since in the market for a vintage style tremolo you might look at the Super Vee Blade Runner I mentioned. They make one as a direct replacement for both the 6 screw and 2 point Fender tremolos. Wish I could give me personal opinion but I haven't had my hands on one yet though reviews are very positive.

Have been checking into these MJ & looks like you've sold me mate.
I really like the G & L arm but being bound to 3 springs & how it sits in the saddle if she buckles under the strain of a Jerry Donahue lick you're all but shot.i did however get away with a fender standard with 3 springs but we tweaked it some.
Couldn't find a pic of a 2 pin though even on their site but the order form says you can get them as you said.Really like the mag lock concept as well.
Anyway cheers for the heads up MJ.im probably gonna go this route thanks to your advice.top banana!

[MJ Slaughter]

If you get one let us know how it works out. I don't have a guitar for one at the moment but am very interested to try one out.

[The Black Page]

If you get one let us know how it works out. I don't have a guitar for one at the moment but am very interested to try one out.

It'll be a while sorry MJ,she's part of a project I got in mind a bit down the track.once I get it started though will be posting it on here for some help & advice so you'll be in the loop bud no risk.thanks again..