1997 G&L Legacy

[Rumsfield]

I just acquired a G&L USA Legacy. I've been told it was from the original owner, who ordered it direct. Can anyone tell me anything about it? How would I know if it is an ash or alder body? This is my first G&L, so I'm pretty excited and curious as to information about it. BTW, it is a CL serial #.

[yowhatsshakin]

I just acquired a G&L USA Legacy. I've been told it was from the original owner, who ordered it direct. Can anyone tell me anything about it? How would I know if it is an ash or alder body? This is my first G&L, so I'm pretty excited and curious as to information about it. BTW, it is a CL serial #.

Hi Rumsfield,

The 'CL' S/N makes it a late '97-early '98 when the transition took place from the S/N on the (3-bolt) neck plate to waterslide on the headstock. Since you don't show a picture I cannot tell you anything about the wood but this: if the finish is opaque or a Standard Finish, the wood is likely alder, if the finish is transparent or a Premier Finish is is likely ash although some transparent finishes are also applied to alder (like the different kinds of Sunburst) and vice versa. Check out the G&L USA Finishes page to see different examples. Maybe you can locate your color there.

Hope this helps,

- Jos

[JagInTheBag]

THIS THREAD NEEDS PHOTOS! (thank you for your cooperation)

[Rumsfield]

[yowhatsshakin]

Given the pictures, my best guess would be Clear Blue finish over swamp ash body. The grain and figure is quite different between alder and ash. Look at the examples following the lin in my original response and you will be able to verify it. A sharp picture of the back would be more telling. Less wood is covered

- Jos

[Craig]

Given the pictures, my best guess would be Clear Blue finish over swamp ash body. The grain and figure is quite different between alder and ash. Look at the examples following the lin in my original response and you will be able to verify it. A sharp picture of the back would be more telling. Less wood is covered

- Jos

I agree with Jos that it is the Clear Blue Premier finish on Swamp Ash. See this photo of the 1996-97 G&L Catalog color chart:


Here is a link to the full 1996-97 Catalog in our Gallery:Album: 1996-97 Catalog.
And here is a link to the1997 Dealer Price LIst: Album: 1997 Retail Price List.

To see more examples of the current Premier finishes (including Clear Blue) see: Examples of Premier Finishes ....

Please do add your Legacy to our G&L Registry.

Hope this helps.

[Rumsfield]

I think you are all dead on with the Clear blue color, and it is definitely a "Premier" finish. However, upon looking at the price list.... I don't see where the standard Legacy offers Premier finishes....?

Also, does the premiere finish make the value of the instrument increase?

[Craig]

I think you are all dead on with the Clear blue color, and it is definitely a "Premier" finish. However, upon looking at the price list.... I don't see where the standard Legacy offers Premier finishes....?

Also, does the premiere finish make the value of the instrument increase?

Premier finishes are an upcharge option on models which only list Standard finishes included.

Hope this helps.