Any issues with 3-bolt necks?

[Case24]

I've found a used 1993 ASAT Special with the 3-bolt neck for a very good price. Are there any issues with the 3-bolt necks? Just curious why G&L switched to the 4-bolt design in 1998 and stopped using the micro-tilt feature.

[Elwood]

I like 'em.
Check the knowledgebase...there's a thread that explains it IIRC
edit: here's a link if you still need it- http://guitarsbyleo.com/FORUM/viewtopic ... lit=4+bolt

[Philby]

I've got a 3-bolt S-500. I've never had to use the micro-tilt, but I'm glad it's there. It's a far neater solution than having to shim a neck. I've never had any stability issues compared with my 4-bolters either. The G&L implementation of the 3-bolt configuration is far superior to Fender's attempt IMO.

If it's a nice guitar, I'd say go for it

Or send it to me.

[Fumble fingers]

same here , I have two , a S 500 and a Cavalier , no trouble from either one

[yowhatsshakin]

Have about 20 G&Ls with the micro-tilt 3-bolt neck and none have given me problems ever. Some of these puppies are more than 30 years old by now, have their neck taken off multiple times, and everything still works as advertised. IIRC G&L changed to a 4-bolt neck construction solely because the Fender implementation had such a bad name that it was even rubbing off on G&L. As of it was impossible to have a proper 3-bolt neck construction with micro-tilt. Such is the fickleness of the consumer, especially the one that does not want to do any research.

For many G&L collectors, the 3-bolt neck is still a plus for the instrument.

- Jos

[Case24]

Thanks for all the quick replies everyone. I figured G&L did it better than the CBS Fender version. This guitar has an LSR roller nut which I have no experience with either. It's the one thing that's keeping me from buying it.

[jeffmarshall67]

I've never had problems with any of mine

[Philby]

Re. the LSR roller nut, I have one on a '95 Strat Plus and love it. That guitar never goes out of tune.

The major limitation of the LSR nut is that you can't use heavy strings. I never go heavier than 10's so it hasn't been an issue for me. You can also tailor the nut height by using LSR stainless shims which are supplied with the nut.

Some people complain that the LSR nut sounds different to bone because it is metal. But frets are metal too, and the nut is really just a zero fret. In my experience the open strings sound different because they vibrate more freely than a conventional nut, where there is often a degree of restriction caused by friction.

As long as the LSR nut has been installed properly and you don't use heavy strings, you should be OK.

[Case24]

Re. the LSR roller nut, I have one on a '95 Strat Plus and love it. That guitar never goes out of tune.

The major limitation of the LSR nut is that you can't use heavy strings. I never go heavier than 10's so it hasn't been an issue for me. You can also tailor the nut height by using LSR stainless shims which are supplied with the nut.

Some people complain that the LSR nut sounds different to bone because it is metal. But frets are metal too, and the nut is really just a zero fret. In my experience the open strings sound different because they vibrate more freely than a conventional nut, where there is often a degree of restriction caused by friction.

As long as the LSR nut has been installed properly and you don't use heavy strings, you should be OK.

Thanks Philby. I only use 10's as well. I've heard that as well about the open strings. The guitar is about a 3 to 3.5 hour drive away. It looks to be in very good condition. It has the large MFD's and the Saddle Lock bridge. It has the 7.5 inch radius neck which I'm also not used to. All my guitars have had either the 12 inch radius or the 9.5 inch radius. I've heard that the 7.5 inch is nice for chording. What would be the modern G&L equivalent neck?

[KenC]

I have over two dozen G&Ls with three-bolt neck attachments, and haven't had problems with any of them. I have only needed to use the micro-tilt on one guitar (an '82 SC-2), but it's nice to know they are there just in case. The only possible issue to be concerned with is "ski jump" (the very end of the fingerboard rising due to the third screw being overtightened when the micro-tilt is used). Try playing the upper frets on each string and listen for notes to fret out, or for the 22nd fret to sound when you finger the 19th or 20th fret. If that doesn't happen, then ski jump will not be a concern. If you do find either of those problems, ski jump is just one possible culprit (others are problems with frets, which should be relatively easy to correct).

If you can't play the guitar before purchasing, ask the seller to confirm that every note plays clearly on the upper frets. I have asked for high-resolution photos of a straightedge lying across the last couple of frets before. It let me rule out ski jump before I made a no-return purchase.

I hope this helps.

Ken

[Case24]

I have over two dozen G&Ls with three-bolt neck attachments, and haven't had problems with any of them. I have only needed to use the micro-tilt on one guitar (an '82 SC-2), but it's nice to know they are there just in case. The only possible issue to be concerned with is "ski jump" (the very end of the fingerboard rising due to the third screw being overtightened when the micro-tilt is used). Try playing the upper frets on each string and listen for notes to fret out, or for the 22nd fret to sound when you finger the 19th or 20th fret. If that doesn't happen, then ski jump will not be a concern. If you do find either of those problems, ski jump is just one possible culprit (others are problems with frets, which should be relatively easy to correct).

If you can't play the guitar before purchasing, ask the seller to confirm that every note plays clearly on the upper frets. I have asked for high-resolution photos of a straightedge lying across the last couple of frets before. It let me rule out ski jump before I made a no-return purchase.

I hope this helps.

Ken

Good information there Ken. I have a 6 inch ruler I could bring along to check the upper frets if I go for it. I've asked for some close up pics of the guitar.

[darwinohm]

The only concern for me is the LSR nut if in fact it is a Fender nut. The radius does not match the radius of American G&Ls. Installed one on a Tribute as it has about the same radius. The Fender LSR nut is for a 9 in radius and they are cast and not bendable or adjustable for radius. -- Darwin

[Elwood]

The only concern for me is the LSR nut if in fact it is a Fender nut. The radius does not match the radius of American G&Ls. Installed one on a Tribute as it has about the same radius. The Fender LSR nut is for a 9 in radius and they are cast and not bendable or adjustable for radius. -- Darwin

Here's a neck with a factory LSR ,
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1988-G-L-Guitar ... 4864307f48
I have one on my '87 SC-3 ...not sure when they stopped offering them.

[Katefan]

Leo & George got it right with the 3-bolt neck/tilt adjust.... have owned heaps of em and never a problem - a definite plus in my book. Have only owed (2) 4-bolts over the years - a '98 Legacy which had a really poorly fitted (loose) neck joint and an early Tribute ASAT Classic which was pretty Rad. 4-bolt USA BBE G&L's are a million miles away from the Leo-era models. The mid 90's ones are pretty good tho and still retain some of Leo's innovations.... the closer to 1991 the better.

What Jos said + by ditching the 3-bolt neck meant BBE could save $ by streamlining the neck manufacturing process as well not having to have to 'crinkle' finish the neck plate anymore. Somehow, don't think Leo would've have wanted it this way.

Re t he LSR - owned an '89 ASAT that had one installed and I dug it tho the fingerboard had been scalloped so I don't know of mismatch of fingerboard radii...
G&L neck radii seem a bit flatter to me but the neck widths are bigger (wider - as you go up the neck) compared to Fender so that may be why. Think you may dig it should you give it a try.
Best thing obviously is to play the guitar before you buy it - might be worth the drive.

Good Luck!

KF

[Craig]

Thanks for all the quick replies everyone. I figured G&L did it better than the CBS Fender version. This guitar has an LSR roller nut which I have no experience with either. It's the one thing that's keeping me from buying it.

Perhaps it's not an LSR nut but a Wilkinson roller nut. G&L did offer the Wilkinson roller bearing nut as an upcharge option. See this page (at the bottom) from a 1988 Price List:

The only concern for me is the LSR nut if in fact it is a Fender nut. The radius does not match the radius of American G&Ls. Installed one on a Tribute as it has about the same radius. The Fender LSR nut is for a 9 in radius and they are cast and not bendable or adjustable for radius. -- Darwin

Here's a neck with a factory LSR ,
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1988-G-L-Guitar ... 4864307f48
I have one on my '87 SC-3 ...not sure when they stopped offering them.

Hmm, that nut looks like a bone nut. Is this the correct link you wanted to post, Elwood?

[Elwood]

Hmm, that nut looks like a bone nut. Is this the correct link you wanted to post, Elwood?

I gotta put more Java in me before I start posting in the morning, sorry folks.
I'm so used to seeing the Wilkinson on mine I must have thought I saw it on the ebay neck.
Here's a shot of mine for what it's worth (dated April 14, 1987):

[darwinohm]

That makes sense Elwood. I also have a Wilkerson but I thought the LSR was only from Fender.-- Darwin

[Case24]

The seller sent me some higher res pics today. It is definitely an LSR nut and not a Wilkinson. That is the reason he is selling it as he likes to use 11's. The guitar looks to have been heavily gigged and it is priced accordingly. The tuners were changed to Grovers as well and the old holes for the Sperzels are still visible. I've decided to pass on it.

Thanks again for everyone's help on this subject though. You guys are great!

[cuzwilly]

my nighthawk i bought in 83 has never had any neck problems all the time i had it

[willross]

I have an early, early Legacy 3 Bolt. This guitar needs NO modification.












Cheers,

Will