Neck Replacement

[bikegerm]

Hey gang... so I'm considering buying a '94 ASAT classic semi-hollow. It looks to be in amazing condition. If I get this gem, I'm thinking about replacing the neck with a Satin or Clear Satin finish maple neck with Vintage frets. It's current neck has a Vintage Tint finish with medium jumbos. Also... if I do this with G&L, any idea how much money this is gonna cost me?

Your thoughts of VIntage vs Medium Jumbo frets and how neck finish affects tone and playability ??

[yowhatsshakin]

It sounds like you're thinking of buying a completely new neck. As far as I know, G&L does not sell replacements necks. Beyond that, even before you start thinking about neck finish and/or frets you first would have to answer this question for yourself: "How am I going to fit a 4-bolt neck to a 3-bolt body?" In '94, G&L still used a 3-bolt neck attachment whereas currently it is 4-bolt only.

So your only options would be to use the current neck and refret and refinish it or find another 3-bolt neck that has or comes close to your desired spec. Vintage Tinted 3-bolt necks (called Tinted Gun-Oil Neck or TGN in those days) do exist so you might be lucky and find one.

Hope this helps,

- Jos

[Xochitl]

And it's not only about the number of holes but also about different neck dimensions (specially pocket side).

[Elwood]

And it's not only about the number of holes but also about different neck dimensions (specially pocket side).

That's what she said !

[KenC]

Your thoughts of VIntage vs Medium Jumbo frets and how neck finish affects tone and playability ??

I personally don't have a preference between vintage and medium jumbo. If you love the guitar but the larger frets drive you crazy for some reason, a refret should be simple and relatively inexpensive (especially compared to tracking down a spare neck that meets your specifications).

Some folks complain about glossy necks feeling sticky. Most of my G&Ls - all of the 80s models - have gloss necks, and I've never had a problem with any of them. I am careful to always handle my guitars with clean hands and wipe the necks down after playing. The couple G&Ls I own with satin necks do feel great in my hands, but I really don't notice any difference worth mentioning. A gloss neck on a '94 ASAT would have been a factory upgrade from the standard satin neck. This is another one that can be remedied easily if it drives you crazy, although resale value would take a hit if you sanded the neck.

The only G&L I've encountered with a truly sticky gloss neck was an '80 L-1000. It felt like a previous owner had played it with a chocolate bar in his hand. It seemed to be more gunk than a problem with the finish itself.

Edit: I don't see how neck finish could affect tone at all. If it did, it would be way down on the list after your playing style, the body wood, thickness of the body finish, guitar and amp EQ, etc...

I hope this helps.

Ken

[jediguitarist]

Your thoughts of VIntage vs Medium Jumbo frets and how neck finish affects tone and playability ??

<snip>

This is another one that can be remedied easily if it drives you crazy, although resale value would take a hit if you sanded the neck.

<snip>

Edit: I don't see how neck finish could affect tone at all. If it did, it would be way down on the list after your playing style, the body wood, thickness of the body finish, guitar and amp EQ, etc...

I hope this helps.

Ken

I personally don't like finished necks at all. Didn't notice how much until I got my Wolfgang Archtop and it comes with unfinished birdseye maple neck and you can feel the grain. I think there is a slight satin rub on it. I don't know what it's called. That was about 10 years ago, and I've gone to sanding my high use electrics to get a similar feel. I played my latest G&L for about 10 minutes before I rubbed it with 60 grit and finished with 200 or whatever.

Would I suggest doing this? Not at all. This is just my preference. I haven't read any articles providing any reasons why it's bad for the neck and after 10+ years, I haven't had a problem.

[suave eddie]

I seem to be in the minority that prefers vintage size frets. Actually I don't mind a wide fret, but do prefer lower profile ones. You could have a competent lutiher/tech file your frets lower, which I had done years ago on the SC-1 in my avatar. You've already gotten suggestions for sanding off the gloss finish on your neck. Both of these suggestions are more economical and easier than a neck replacement.

Your thoughts of VIntage vs Medium Jumbo frets and how neck finish affects tone and playability ??

I don't see how either of these mods could possibly affect "tone".

[8len8]

I'm looking for a replacement neck for my Superhawk, and I think we're both out of luck. G&L is too large of a company to provide custom replacement parts, and too small of a company for others to provide after-market replacement parts for their guitars.

[louis cyfer]

I'm looking for a replacement neck for my Superhawk, and I think we're both out of luck. G&L is too large of a company to provide custom replacement parts, and too small of a company for others to provide after-market replacement parts for their guitars.

i have seen g&l replacement necks at usacg.

[Craig]

I'm looking for a replacement neck for my Superhawk, and I think we're both out of luck. G&L is too large of a company to provide custom replacement parts, and too small of a company for others to provide after-market replacement parts for their guitars.

i have seen g&l replacement necks at usacg.

Also, see: Compilation of Replacement neck info posted on the G&L Forum.