pick ups and tuners

[mirepoix]

Hi- I'm still in the "getting to know you" stage of my relationship with my new Legacy USA. Love the guitar, but it doesn't like to stay in tune, whammy or not. It's no big deal to keep a Snark on it and retune frequently, but obviously, holding tune would be better. Is this problem typical? Secondly, how well loved are the stock pick-ups? There is a boutique winder near me and people love his work, but if the stock pick ups are particularly revered, I'd want to keep them in. Finally, I've read that G&L pick ups are a little over-sized. Does that create an issue swapping them out?

[blargfromouterspace]

1) First thing to check is the intonation. Is that's alright then have a look the nut - are the strings going sharp or flat? If its not cut correctly for the gauge string you're using you'll have problems with the strings returning sharp after using the whammy.

2) My experience with G&L's alnico pickups is VERY positive, but only you can decide if you like them. Its no big deal to try something else and change back later.

3) As far as I know, the pickups being over-sized is more of an ASAT Classic/S-500 thing, where they are a little taller than standard Tele/Strat pickups. This actually works in your favour as you'll get virtually anything you want in there.

Best of luck with it, I'm sure it will be worth your time getting it right.

[NickHorne]

I'm sure you'll get your pretty Legacy to stay in tune fine.
My G&Ls (all 4) stay in tune better than anything else I ever had, and I bend a lot...

I do find that this is important on any and every guitar:
A slight application of Nut Sauce to nut slots, string tree and bridge saddles. I don't leave any goop hanging around or interfering with the string at all, it's literally just enough for the string to be moving on a small thin swipe of lube.

I also stretch new ones in, until they stop drooping. Gently but positively, over all four fingers of my right hand so that they're not being bent round any tight curve. Then I find I can really push them around a lot without losing tuning.

Tuning issues are not at all typical of the G&L trem, it's better than a Fender unit in all departments.

Adjusting pickup heights may be something you want to try; I'm particularly thinking of lowering them a little, particularly on the bass side. Some setup people and dealers seem to like pickups closer than optimum for best tone and string balance. It's a very personal thing.

And don't forget to explore the unusual usefulness of the tone controls on a G&L!

[sam]

Hello mirepoix and welcome!

My only addtion to blarg and Nick is to see links below to owners manuals found in the Gallery with some helpful information on intonation and set up.

http://www.glguitars.com/faq/GLmanual.pdf

http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY2/ma ... itemId=366

Enjoy yer guitar!

[Craig]

Check out the G&L Knowledgebase sub-forums.

Here's a few posts in the Knowledgebase to get you started:

How-To Guide.
Tuning going sharp.
G&L Vintage tuners make me swear and throw things!.

Hope this helps.

[Fumble fingers]

I love the stock pick ups in my Legacy when I'm wanting what I call the vintage sound .... My G&L's have all been bought just for the pick up combo's , so far I have no two duplicates from G&L out of 11