Default Specs of a '94 S-500?

[Twhjelmgren28]

Hey there,

New to the G&L world and I'm just curious if anyone knows the default/stock specs on a 1994 S-500. I'm specifically wondering about:

1. Neck shape - is it the #1 - Classic C?
2. What were the stock tuners?
3. Did they come with medium jumbo frets?

Thanks.

[SouthpawGuy]

Hey there,

New to the G&L world and I'm just curious if anyone knows the default/stock specs on a 1994 S-500. I'm specifically wondering about:

1. Neck shape - is it the #1 - Classic C?
2. What were the stock tuners?
3. Did they come with medium jumbo frets?

Thanks.

1. yes, but the profile would be smaller than a recent #1 neck

2. G&L branded Schaller, or Sperzel. And from that era most likely locking.

3. yes

[Twhjelmgren28]

Thanks for the info! I ended up purchasing one I found online for $750. I LOVE IT - it feels perfect in my hands. The only issue is I noticed quite a long crack along the fretboard (see picture). There is a 45 day money back guarantee. I hope I'm not being too naive but I really want to keep this guitar so I don't plan on returning; it plays anyway. I'm going to have a tech check it out and also contact G&L about a replacement neck. I know there is a ton of info on this site regarding neck replacement so I'll just check that out. Based on what I understand, you can get an aftermarket neck at Musikraft or go through a G&L dealer in order to get a neck replacement.

[darwinohm]

Looking at the crack in the fretboard and feeling how you do about the guitar, I would contact the seller and ask for a discount in the price that you paid for it in lieu of a return. Even $100 to $150 would help a bit. A replacement neck will be expensive. -- Darwin

[yowhatsshakin]

If your guitar is pre-2006, it is also possible the top "crack" is a visible glue line for the Bi-Cut neck. You might want to look at the headstock and see if there is a discontinuity in the wood figure when you scan it laterally. That would be the place where a Bi-Cut neck has been sawn in 2. Then you can judge where that "crack" is basically in a straight line with this discontinuity. If you do not feel it, I would not worry too much about it. If it is really a crack, i.e. you can feel the divot, it needs to get fixed because it has a chan ge of growing over time.

Hope this helps,

- Jos

[Twhjelmgren28]

Thanks for the replies! I did contact the seller about getting some sort of credit for this issue.

I'm curious if anyone can give an approximate cost of replacement from G&L directly? I would plan on keeping the same hardware, Classic C maple neck. What have others paid for a neck from G&L? I can find a Musikraft cost fairly easily online. Thank you.

[Twhjelmgren28]

Additional update:
I spoke to the seller and they are going to credit $200 to me.

I've also spoken to the closest G&L dealer and I'm going to bring the guitar to him for a quote on a neck. Thanks again for all of your help and I'll let you know how it turns out!

[Craig]

Thanks for the replies! I did contact the seller about getting some sort of credit for this issue.

I'm curious if anyone can give an approximate cost of replacement from G&L directly? I would plan on keeping the same hardware, Classic C maple neck. What have others paid for a neck from G&L? I can find a Musikraft cost fairly easily online. Thank you.

If your neck is a three-bolt (and it should be if your guitar was built in 1994), you won't be able to get a replacement neck from G&L.
I have been told in the past that they will only do replacement necks for 4-bolt instruments. Before considering having a neck built by
Musikraft, I suggest you search on "Musikraft" here and see what's been posted about their necks.

Can you see the line on the back of the neck, too? And, have you tried adjusting the truss-rod, to insure it is working properly?
Please post photos of the back of the neck and we also would like to see full shots of the guitar, too.

Also, please do add this guitar to our G&L Registry.

[Twhjelmgren28]

Thanks for the reply! It seems odd to me that they would make four bolt necks and not three - wouldn't that be a matter of drilling one less hole and moving it to the center? The back of the neck seems fine to me (no noticeable cracking). It feels amazing to play and sounds good...I haven't seen too much info regarding Musikraft - I was hoping to go with G&L . . . Is the story not good with Musikraft? If not, what are my options?

[Twhjelmgren28]

Nevermind...just read up on Musikraft not being licensed. I guess I'll wait and see what G&L says and go from there...Thanks for all of the replies!

[Craig]

I just notice that the original MFD pickups were replaced with some type of alnico single coil pickups.
Did you replace them or were they there when you got it?



Please do add this one to our G&L Registry.

[Twhjelmgren28]

Yeah they were Rio Grande pickups (they were on the guitar when I purchased it). I actually ended up returning the guitar . . . I had a G&L dealer look at the neck and he informed me that G&L wouldn't replace. He also informed me that the neck actually didn't look stock to begin with as it didn't fit the pocket like they typically do (This was confirmed by David at G&L as he informed me that the serial number on this guitar registered to a rosewood fretboard, not maple). I ended up returning it. Thanks for all the help! I'll get it registered.