A Few Questions about 1998 Legacy

[Shmockiebaby]

Greetings all,

I have a USA Legacy, 1998 (according to serial number). Vintage tinted maple neck, with a bunch of nice birds eye figure in the wood. The body is a deep orange color - in the right light it almost looks kinda salmon color, but it's really darker than that. Tortoise shell pattern pick guard, with cream pickups and knobs.

A couple of questions:

1) I have not seen a neck like this on other Legacy guitars. They all seem to have plain clear finish. Was vintage tint an option? Was figured wood an option? It's a big fat neck too. love it.

2) What is the color called? It doesn't show up on the current charts on the website. Not a big deal, just curious. It looks more red when photographed. (Is there a way to insert an image without a URL or web photo hosting?)

3) I have completely removed the allen screw in tremolo arm socket, and I cannot get the arm out. How does the arm come out? Looks like it's never been removed, based upon the groove shaped into the inside of case lid. The arm is loose, despite adjustments to the allen screw. This takes away from that silky smooth trem action.

4) Where can I find a replacement trem cover.

I love the guitar. I've been a Tele guy for my whole life, and always had a couple of Strats. But then I got a killer deal on an import Tribute, and fell in love with the silky smooth tremolo, and joined the forum. I quickly re-sold that guitar, and went on the search for the right USA model. Bought this one from Gruhn's on a business trip to Nashville. Fat neck, nice weight, nice color, it just spoke to me.

Thanks to all for your help!!

[Fumble fingers]

if you remove the neck it will have all the build info and build date in there ...

tint was available , figured wood will be called Birdseye

your arm is probably stuck because the nylon bushing probably went missing causing the allen screw to gouge the trem arm instead of the nylon bushing ..... twist and pull .... your local dealer or online store should have any trem pieces you need

[Elwood]

your arm is probably stuck because the nylon bushing probably went missing

The bushing might even be in there, sorta shredded. hopefully you can coax the bar out from the top,
otherwise it might mean removing the bridge assembly to tap it from below.

Welcome!

(for picture hosting; you can upload to the gallery , and use that url...but you need a url to show us that red.
or in a pinch...use the pic for your avatar )

[Shmockiebaby]

[image]http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13703&g2_serialNumber=3[/image]

[Case24]

That is a gorgeous Legacy! Congratulations!

And welcome to the forum!

[darwinohm]

Welcome and a very nice Legacy. Looks like a GOT neck and could be Fullerton red. Hard to tell from the photo. A trem cover could be ordered from Chandler.-- Darwin

[KenC]

Welcome! I agree with Darwin that it's probably a Fullerton Red finish. Birdseye necks were an option, with a significant up-charge. Of course, a light amount of birdseye could show up on regular production necks as well.

Ken

[Fumble fingers]

looks like Fullerton red to me too .... beautiful guitar

[jeffmarshall67]

looks like my fullerton red legacy too, with Don Mare Super Sport pickups.





and the gun oil tint neck, in the orangey kind of tint they used in the past

[Shmockiebaby]

They are almost twins, Jeff! Same color, birdseye necks. Mine has the pearl dots, too. And we apparently both like the same strap locks. Nice guitar, and great photos too!

Thanks for the answers, folks. Fullerton Red it is. I'll have to change the entry in the registry, I just picked "orange".

I poked around on Chandler, but I could not find the trem covers. I'll have to look again, or call them. Thanks for that, too.

Now I just have to be a bit more forceful than I thought was right to get the trem arm out.

I wonder, has anyone ever considered removing the trem arm's socket, and mounting a Floyd Rose screw-on arm, instead (the kind with the threaded collar)? I have done this on a couple of other non-Floyd trems, by drilling out the hole. On the G&L, would not need to do that, the hole is already large enough. I just like the screw-on arm, and the ability to keep it secure, and adjust the tension easily by tightening or loosening the threaded collar. I wonder if anyone else has tried this on the G&L trem?

Thanks!

[Fumble fingers]

I wonder, has anyone ever considered removing the trem arm's socket, and mounting a Floyd Rose screw-on arm, instead (the kind with the threaded collar)? I have done this on a couple of other non-Floyd trems, by drilling out the hole. On the G&L, would not need to do that, the hole is already large enough. I just like the screw-on arm, and the ability to keep it secure, and adjust the tension easily by tightening or loosening the threaded collar. I wonder if anyone else has tried this on the G&L trem?

Thanks!

I would try it the way it supposed to be first ..... yours is not right , I think you would like it if it was right , you can keep it loose or just snug enough for it too stay where you put

[darwinohm]

Schmock, I would remove the trem socket as you suggested. Make sure you prop the trem high enough so you can loosen the nut and I would tape or somehow protect the body from damage while doing this. This trem mounting system is perfect when working correctly and I wouldn't change anything other than fix the problem -- Darwin

[Shmockiebaby]

Yeah, I'm gonna have to pull the socket. I cannot get the arm out, no matter what I do. I don't want to damage the guitar, it'll be easier to deal with in the bench vice.

[Craig]

Yeah, I'm gonna have to pull the socket. I cannot get the arm out, no matter what I do. I don't want to damage the guitar, it'll be easier to deal with in the bench vice.

Just got back from my trip, so here's a late reply:

Have you seen this post in the G&L Knowledgebase?: Can't pull vibrato arm out?.

Hope this helps.

[Shmockiebaby]

Yes, thanks. Same advice also contained above. I will not attempt any of the more extreme measures with the socket on the guitar. I'll be taking it all apart today.

I'm pretty sure that the bushing is broken up and trapped in there somehow.

[Shmockiebaby]

I pulled the trem arm socket from the bridge. The trem arm will not come out. Padded the socket, secured in a vice. Used the hole in the bottom to try to tap the arm out. Rotated to different positions, etc. Nothing. Bent the drift trying to get it out.

The good news is that G&L makes these parts out of some really strong stuff. The bad news is that the part is not available on their website.

[Craig]

I pulled the trem arm socket from the bridge. The trem arm will not come out. Padded the socket, secured in a vice. Used the hole in the bottom to try to tap the arm out. Rotated to different positions, etc. Nothing. Bent the drift trying to get it out.

The good news is that G&L makes these parts out of some really strong stuff. The bad news is that the part is not available on their website.

Just got to ask:
Did you remove the allen set screw from the side of the socket before trying to remove the trem bar?

[Elwood]

Just got to ask:
Did you remove the allen set screw from the side of the socket before trying to remove the trem bar?

from the OP:
"3) I have completely removed the allen screw in tremolo arm socket, and I cannot get the arm out. "

[Craig]

Just got to ask:
Did you remove the allen set screw from the side of the socket before trying to remove the trem bar?

from the OP:
"3) I have completely removed the allen screw in tremolo arm socket, and I cannot get the arm out. "

Yes, I see that I have overlooked that point in the original post.

My guess is that the nylon bushing fell out or got jammed between the inside of the socket and then the set screw was
tightened against the trem bar and scored the trem bar to the point where it will not pull out. I don't know of any solution for that.
I will check with my contact at the factory to see if they have a method to free it.

[Shmockiebaby]

Thanks, Craig.

I thought about drilling from the small bottom hole, through the arm, to weaken it. Like a stuck bolt.

That's when it occurred to me - I don't think the arm is aluminum. Even without the missing nylon puck, the arm should not be as sloppy loose in the socket as it is. Even though it won't pull out, it rocks in the socket quite a bit.

I think someone has inserted the wrong trem arm in in, and who knows what may be going on in there.

I will call/email G&L to see if I can buy a replacement socket assembly.

[astutzmann]

If it were me, I would just order a whole new bridge from the G&L online store??

[Shmockiebaby]

Complete bridge is not necessary. Trem arm socket easily unbolts. It is a serviceable part, if a replacement is available.

[Shmockiebaby]

Until I find a replacement trem arm socket, I have installed a Floyd Rose arm and socket into the standard bridge. It dropped right in, so it will work for now until I can find out if and how to get a new part from G&L. The diameter was a little smaller, so the D-shaped flat side was not an issue. Nothing to keep it from spinning other than keeping the bolt tight, but it seems fine. It's only temporary for now. But it worked the treat.

[Craig]

Until I find a replacement trem arm socket, I have installed a Floyd Rose arm and socket into the standard bridge. It dropped right in, so it will work for now until I can find out if and how to get a new part from G&L. The diameter was a little smaller, so the D-shaped flat side was not an issue. Nothing to keep it from spinning other than keeping the bolt tight, but it seems fine. It's only temporary for now. But it worked the treat.

G&L used to offer the arm socket in the G&L On-Line store, but I see that it is longer listed. You might contact them.
For email contact: webstore@bbesound.com .

Hope this helps.

[Shmockiebaby]

Thanks, Craig, I'll try that. I have been too busy with work during normal business hours - I was just going to call them.

My son live in Fullerton, and by coincidence I will be visiting him during a business trip next week. I have a day free, and I may even stop by G&L. It's just down the street.