Bought used USA Legacy at GC today - question about serial n

[jwebsmall]

Hi,

I bought a used USA Legacy at GC. I went to look at the Mayer strat and I liked the G&L
much more.

I'll get pictures (hopefully tomorrow).

It looks just like the black USA Legacy HB on the G&L web site except it is SSS.

http://glguitars.com/instruments/USA/gu ... P-1200.jpg

The serial number is not in the registry and the date of manufacture is not on the
guitar. It didn't have a tremolo arm and I don't know if this is a newer or
older model. The online G&L store sells early and current arms for the dual fulcrum bridge.

I'm guessing I should order the current arm. The serial number form is CLF01234 (not the actual number).

It has the gloss vintage tint maple 4 bolt neck with split tuning pegs. The body and pickups are black
and the pickguard is tortoise shell. There were no signs of wear on the neck or frets (beautifully dressed)
and no signs of wear on the body - none! Ironically the saddles show a slight tarnish and the trem arm
was nowhere to be found.

The case is molded plastic with G&L embossed on it. The case is as
short as my Ernie Ball Luke case which was a surprise. And at first I didn't
think it was the right case because the head stock hung over the molded interior. But the upper lid
has a cut out that precisely fits this. I think the guitar is old because the case looks so old.

I bought a recent model USA legacy new a couple years ago and it was heavier and the neck was rosewood
without any tint - just satin finish. This one I got today is relatively light and the neck is awesome. It sounds
great unplugged and plugged in.

John

[Fumble fingers]

we will need the whole serial number to figure out the date , or take the neck off and look for a date in the neck pocket , being a 4 bolt makes it a 98 or newer ...... I have a early 1997 and a 2000 that both have that small case ....

[jwebsmall]

Thank you.

The serial number is CLF12400.

So I would order the current trem arm from the online store then?

I checked again and the case is actually about 1/2" shorter than the Music Man case.

This guitar is incredible sounding and playing.

[Craig]

Thank you.

The serial number is CLF12400.

So I would order the current trem arm from the online store then?

I checked again and the case is actually about 1/2" shorter than the Music Man case.

This guitar is incredible sounding and playing.

I'm checking with Dave to find out the build year of your Legacy. That will determine which version of the
trem bar you need.

Stay tuned.

[Craig]

Thank you.

The serial number is CLF12400.

So I would order the current trem arm from the online store then?

I checked again and the case is actually about 1/2" shorter than the Music Man case.

This guitar is incredible sounding and playing.

I'm checking with Dave to find out the build year of your Legacy. That will determine which version of the
trem bar you need.

Stay tuned.

Just heard back from Dave:

That Legacy shipped on April 12, 1999 so he needs the old bar.

Here's the link to the one you need: http://g-l-online-store.myshopify.com/c ... m-pre-2005

Hope this helps.

Don't forget to add your Legacy to the G&L Registry and post a photo or two.

[jwebsmall]

Thanks Craig, Dave,

Just placed my order.

This guitar is incredible sounding and playing. It had been hidden away for years.

I'll be adding it to the registry this week.

Thanks again.

[jwebsmall]

Here she is with new trem arm and tone knob received yesterday from the G&L Online Store.



http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc4 ... 115903.jpg

[darwinohm]

Very nice! -- Darwin

[jwebsmall]

Thanks Darwin!

[Fumble fingers]

sure is purty !!

[jwebsmall]

Thank you.

The serial number is CLF12400.

So I would order the current trem arm from the online store then?

I checked again and the case is actually about 1/2" shorter than the Music Man case.

This guitar is incredible sounding and playing.

I'm checking with Dave to find out the build year of your Legacy. That will determine which version of the
trem bar you need.

Stay tuned.

Just heard back from Dave:

That Legacy shipped on April 12, 1999 so he needs the old bar.

Here's the link to the one you need: http://g-l-online-store.myshopify.com/c ... m-pre-2005

Hope this helps.

Don't forget to add your Legacy to the G&L Registry and post a photo or two.

Is there a way to know what neck option this was shipped with without taking the neck off?

It probably was the #1 classic. The reason I'm asking is I want to get a second new legacy
I like this one so much. I don't need the vintage tint which is probably not available now.

I tried some ASAT's at the local dealer and the neck seemed narrower than on my legacy.

[SouthpawGuy]

You might try taking the pickguard off and checking in the route for a bar coded sticker.

My 2010 / 2011 ASAT Classic Custom has quite a lot of info there, although it's been a while since I looked, I can't say for sure if the neck # info was there.

[darwinohm]

Those were great and it probably has a thinner neck than the current models, more Fenderish perhaps.-- Darwin

[hrod455]

Congrats!!!

[jwebsmall]

Those were great and it probably has a thinner neck than the current models, more Fenderish perhaps.-- Darwin

I measured the width of the bone nut itself and it was 1 5/8".

But the neck is a hair fatter (but not a V).

Compared to a new #1 neck at the local dealer is feels ever so slightly wider and fatter over all.

I have never held a #1c U shape so I don't know if this is that neck.

The setup is so good I'm afraid to take off the neck because it won't be this nice
again when I reattach it. I did that on another guitar and it needed to be set up again.

I'll try taking the pickguard off this weekend. I just got out a micrometer and I can't
tell for sure with the strings on but it looks like Darwin is right. It appears to be 0.79"
at the first fret and a tad over 0.9" at the 12th fret. Would this be a #1b Heritage neck.
Whew - my perception was off. I thought its width and fatness were greater when it
may be actually thinner giving the impression that it was relatively wider.

My first legacy was a #1 and I didn't like it (it was rosewood too). Part of the difference
in the feel is of course this legacy has a maple gloss neck. I thought it might have just
been thicker gloss finish and variance in shaping the neck at the factory that accounted
for the difference. The ASATs at the dealer were #1 too and I didn't like them either
as much has this legacy's neck. I hope it isn't just variance on the #1 neck and that
this turns out to be a custom neck perhaps a #1b. If it is then I can replicate the feel.

Hopefully this weekend I'll solve the mystery.

[jwebsmall]

I have another question about pickup height.

Is there is a factory recommended height?

I tried a few adjustments myself last night and the farther away
from the strings the more I like the tone but the volume drops
off.

[Craig]

Those were great and it probably has a thinner neck than the current models, more Fenderish perhaps.-- Darwin

I measured the width of the bone nut itself and it was 1 5/8".

But the neck is a hair fatter (but not a V).

Compared to a new #1 neck at the local dealer is feels ever so slightly wider and fatter over all.

I have never held a #1c U shape so I don't know if this is that neck.

The setup is so good I'm afraid to take off the neck because it won't be this nice
again when I reattach it. I did that on another guitar and it needed to be set up again.

I'll try taking the pickguard off this weekend. I just got out a micrometer and I can't
tell for sure with the strings on but it looks like Darwin is right. It appears to be 0.79"
at the first fret and a tad over 0.9" at the 12th fret. Would this be a #1b Heritage neck.
Whew - my perception was off. I thought its width and fatness were greater when it
may be actually thinner giving the impression that it was relatively wider.

My first legacy was a #1 and I didn't like it (it was rosewood too). Part of the difference
in the feel is of course this legacy has a maple gloss neck. I thought it might have just
been thicker gloss finish and variance in shaping the neck at the factory that accounted
for the difference. The ASATs at the dealer were #1 too and I didn't like them either
as much has this legacy's neck. I hope it isn't just variance on the #1 neck and that
this turns out to be a custom neck perhaps a #1b. If it is then I can replicate the feel.

Hopefully this weekend I'll solve the mystery.

The choices of neck options for Legacys built in 1999 were limited, see this post in the Knowledgebase: What are the USA neck size options, past and present?.
Once you take the measurements of your Legacy, then look at the current neck options: Current US Neck Profile Options. Then you can order the one closest to your 1999 Legacy.

You also mentioned that you didn't think Vintage Tint was available anymore.
This is not true and there are more tint options available, see: Current US Neck Finishes & Other Neck Options.

BTW, all of the current options and specs can be found in the General G&L Questions sub-forum of the Knowledgebase.
They are the posts which begin with "Current" in the subject.

Hope this helps.

[Craig]

I have another question about pickup height.

Is there is a factory recommended height?

I tried a few adjustments myself last night and the farther away
from the strings the more I like the tone but the volume drops
off.

See the Knowledgebase as there has been some previous discussion on this.

[jwebsmall]

Adjusted the pickups closer to the strings as per factory recommendation
and the guitar sounds even better.

[Jim_H]

That's a beautiful guitar. Congrats - enjoy it!