New Legacy owner, pickup and pickguard questions

[phil likesheet]

I ordered my first G&L, a Tribute Legacy, and I am contemplating personal modifications while I wait for it to arrive. It's the sunbust swamp ash body with rosewood fretboard. Gonna be playing it through a Marshall JCM 800, at least till i get a second amp

First, the pickguard: I know what I want and I know Chandler/Pickguard Heaven is where to go. I just want a classic 3 ply W/B/W guard. So their site says "All "Tribute" asian import models require the original guard be sent for duplication." Is it necessary to send them the actual pickguard or can I send them a tracing. I'd hate to get a new guitar and then not be able to play it for however long, because it has no pickguard. Why do they even need it? Don't they make the pickguards for G&L? Also, looking at the options for a Legacy with 3 single coils, I see they have one for aftermarket pickups and one for stock pickups. Is it true that stock G&L pickups are slightly larger? If so, since I am likely going to change the pickups, I wouldn't want them to duplicate the original guard anyway.

Which brings me to the pickups. How are the CLF-100s? I'm gonna play them for awhile but I have the feeling I'm gonna want to go noiseless. Thing about pickups is you can't really try them out. If I had to decide today, I'd probably go with the Duncan Classic Stack in the neck and mid and a Vintage Hot Stack in the bridge. I'm also considering Dimarzio HS and Virtual Vintage. Anyone have experience with any of these? It seems like the Duncans would suit the 12" radius better since they're flat but I'm not sure if thats actually the case. The HS is supposed to be ideal with Marshalls and the V-V's come recommended from a friend. Thoughts?

[louis cyfer]

why didn't you get a comanche if you wanted noiseless? the stock g&l legacy pups are standard size. i hate both the hs, vv and the sd pups you mentioned. i have them all. the best noiseless is fralin, kinman or tom anderson imnsho. but no noiseless pup comes close a single coil sound. the hs are also very low output, driving the amp will be an issue.

[Craig]

First, the pickguard: I know what I want and I know Chandler/Pickguard Heaven is where to go. I just want a classic 3 ply W/B/W guard. So their site says "All "Tribute" asian import models require the original guard be sent for duplication." Is it necessary to send them the actual pickguard or can I send them a tracing. I'd hate to get a new guitar and then not be able to play it for however long, because it has no pickguard. Why do they even need it? Don't they make the pickguards for G&L? Also, looking at the options for a Legacy with 3 single coils, I see they have one for aftermarket pickups and one for stock pickups. Is it true that stock G&L pickups are slightly larger? If so, since I am likely going to change the pickups, I wouldn't want them to duplicate the original guard anyway.

The pickguards for the G&L Tribute models are not made by Pickguard Heaven but are sourced by the factory at the country of origin.
I suggest emailing Pickguard Heaven and ask them if they will accept a full tracing of the pickguard along with filling out their order form.

[phil likesheet]

Louis- Thanks for the feedback. I'm not sure if I want noiseless or not. I may love the stock pickups, I don't know. Believe it or not, in 23 years of playing, I've never had a guitar with single coils so I want to keep my options open. I didn't consider the comanche because as far as I can tell you can't change pickups without routing. I realize that no stacked SC is going to sound exactly like a vintage single coil but if they're not even close, then what do they sound like?

Craig- Thanks for the advice, I will email them and go from there. Do you know if they sell the back plate as well? I didn't see it listed on the site. Is the legacy backplate the same as a Fender?

[Craig]

Craig- Thanks for the advice, I will email them and go from there. Do you know if they sell the back plate as well? I didn't see it listed on the site. Is the legacy backplate the same as a Fender?

The back plates are listed as Trem Cover. Sorry, I don't know if the G&L Legacy Trem Cover is the same as a Fender.

[louis cyfer]

Louis- Thanks for the feedback. I'm not sure if I want noiseless or not. I may love the stock pickups, I don't know. Believe it or not, in 23 years of playing, I've never had a guitar with single coils so I want to keep my options open. I didn't consider the comanche because as far as I can tell you can't change pickups without routing. I realize that no stacked SC is going to sound exactly like a vintage single coil but if they're not even close, then what do they sound like?

Craig- Thanks for the advice, I will email them and go from there. Do you know if they sell the back plate as well? I didn't see it listed on the site. Is the legacy backplate the same as a Fender?

the ones i listed are somewhat close. the backplates are not even close, yo need a g&l one.