Neck pocket questions, 1994 Legacy

[guitar1580]

Hi, I'm looking at a '94 Legacy, and looking at the neck pocket with the neck removed, it looks like someone took a wide black felt marker and drew a thick black line all of the way around the outer edge of the neck pocket, and also made a large capital R in the pocket. I was just wondering if anyone know if this could have likely been done at the factory, or why someone would do this?

The guitar is in another state, and I don't have it here to look at, only photos. I asked the seller if there were any gaps where bare wood would have shown and if someone would have darkened it for that reason, and he didn't seem to notice any gaps or anything out of the ordinary.

Also, he didn't know what the fretboard radius is, but measured the nut width at 1 5/8". I think this is the narrower of the 2 neck sizes available. Does anyone know if this nut size would normally be associated with the 7.25 radius, or if it could still be either 7.25 or 12 inch radius?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

JT

[KenC]

It's very likely to have been done at the factory. I'd say at least half of mine have some magic marker writing in the pocket. I believe they are mostly to identify the builder, but a few of mine also have the specs for the instrument written in the pockets. Keep in mind, most of mine are from the 1980s, and the newest is was built in 2000. I don't know if it's being done on newer instruments.

Looking through random photos of my G&Ls' neck pockets, almost all of them have overspray around the edges of the neck pocket where the mounting fixture didn't cover. I did notice that one of my basses (a '91 ASAT) had part of the pocket edge darkened with a magic marker. There are no problems with that bass's finish, even after 25 years of use.

A neck from the '80s or '90s with a 1 5/8" nut could have had either radius. BTW, G&L used a 7.5" radius. I believe Fender uses 7.25".

Ken

[guitar1580]

Thanks KenC. Yes, I meant 7.5. After dealing with Fenders for 41 years, I can't get 7.25 outta my head.

Yes, there is also overspray of the body color in the pocket, and the thick black marker line is overtop of the spray, and goes all the way around the inner edge of the pocket. Seemed a little odd, but I can't notice any flaws, from the pic.

JT

[yowhatsshakin]

I had to search a bit trying to find a post that had mentioned something about felt pen in the neck pocket. Turns out it is the one about the Z-3 prototype for John Jorgenson which contains this quote:

... However, I discussed this with Dean (Coy) over the weekend and
he reminded me that Amanda Y. would have some different colored felt pens at her workbench. She used
them to cover raw wood in the neck pocket during assembly. Take a look again at your JJ neck pocket and
that looks like black ink instead of black body finish.

"Amanda Y" is Amanda Ybara who worked at the factory in the relevant time frame. There are some nice pictures of Amanda doing her magic in the same post.

Hope this helps,

- Jos

[guitar1580]

Hey Jos, thanks for the thread. That is very interesting. I looked at the pics again, and I can't really make out what the stamps say. Here are the photos, in case any of you guys see anything unusual, or something that relates it to Amanda.

Oh, and the LEO marking on the neck. Since the '94 date is post Leo, I figured maybe the original owner may have put that there to try to add mystique. Do you guys know if this ever shows up on a neck? Possibly an employee named Leo?

JT ... also, can you guys tell if this is alder or ash? It is a transparent finish.

[Craig]

Hey Jos, thanks for the thread. That is very interesting. I looked at the pics again, and I can't really make out what the stamps say. Here are the photos, in case any of you guys see anything unusual, or something that relates it to Amanda.

Oh, and the LEO marking on the neck. Since the '94 date is post Leo, I figured maybe the original owner may have put that there to try to add mystique. Do you guys know if this ever shows up on a neck? Possibly an employee named Leo?

JT ... also, can you guys tell if this is alder or ash? It is a transparent finish.

What looks like LEO is really LEG. It is there to let the Paint department know what model name water slide should be applied to the headstock prior to applying the final clear coats.

Here's the neck heel of the S-500 Deluxe of the guitar in the post Jos mentioned above. As you can see that S500 is written on the neck heel:


Also, notice the black and yellow marker drawing of the word GOLD. It was drawn by one of the craftsmen who worked on the neck. It was done to note that this guitar neck was to get gold hardware.

Hope this helps.

[trem]

I would so slap that neck back on and never give it a another thought. You'll have to post a pic of the body for ash/alder identification

[Craig]

I would so slap that neck back on and never give it a another thought. You'll have to post a pic of the body for ash/alder identification

Actually, I can see that the Legacy body is Swamp Ash, look at the photo with the body neck pocket and a little bit of the body with a Clear Forest Green finish.
But, yes please do post a full view of the guitar.

[trem]

I would so slap that neck back on and never give it a another thought. You'll have to post a pic of the body for ash/alder identification

Actually, I can see that the Legacy body is Swamp Ash, look at the photo with the body neck pocket and a little bit of the body with a Clear Forest Green finish.
But, yes please do post a full view of the guitar.

Doh! Indeed it is.

[guitar1580]

Well, I was pretty sure I was going to buy it, but I hesitated too long. It has been sold. I'm disappointed in some ways, but I see it as a chance to look for an even better one. I was a little concerned about difficulty in re-selling a green one if I decided not to keep it, and also the fact that the seller didn't know the neck radius.... I don't really care for 12". Also, I prefer to see under the pickguard and know that everything is original. You never know with ebay, someone could slip some Mexican Strat pickups in on ya. It all happened a little too quickly for me to jump before knowing all of the facts.

Thanks for all of the help, folks. I'll be looking for another 90s Legacy.

JT

[FZTNT]

Craig, What post about an S-500 are you referring to? That's an awesome Birdseye neck, would love to see more pics?

Tom

Hey Jos, thanks for the thread. That is very interesting. I looked at the pics again, and I can't really make out what the stamps say. Here are the photos, in case any of you guys see anything unusual, or something that relates it to Amanda.

Oh, and the LEO marking on the neck. Since the '94 date is post Leo, I figured maybe the original owner may have put that there to try to add mystique. Do you guys know if this ever shows up on a neck? Possibly an employee named Leo?

JT ... also, can you guys tell if this is alder or ash? It is a transparent finish.

What looks like LEO is really LEG. It is there to let the Paint department know what model name water slide should be applied to the headstock prior to applying the final clear coats.

Here's the neck heel of the S-500 Deluxe of the guitar in the post Jos mentioned above. As you can see that S500 is written on the neck heel:


Also, notice the black and yellow marker drawing of the word GOLD. It was drawn by one of the craftsmen who worked on the neck. It was done to note that this guitar neck was to get gold hardware.

Hope this helps.

[yowhatsshakin]

Craig, What post about an S-500 are you referring to? That's an awesome Birdseye neck, would love to see more pics?

Tom

The post I refer to in this post above

- Jos

[Craig]

Craig, What post about an S-500 are you referring to? That's an awesome Birdseye neck, would love to see more pics?

Tom

For more photos, see my Gallery page: Album: 2003 S-500 Deluxe.

BTW, I sold this guitar in 2007 to a member in Australia.

[guitar1580]

That S-500 looks sweet.

JT