G&L GAS advice - used buys?

[BillyGuitar]

Hi guys,
Newbie to the site so a big hello to you all
I've signed up to pick from your collective wisdom on all things G&L.
I've had "approval" from my other half to buy another electric and rather than the PRS SE I was originally planning on, I thought I'd take advantage of our upcoming trip to NYC to visit the family (wife is from the US) to look at something a bit more interesting. US G&Ls are pretty rare here in the UK so already that's adding to the attraction.
A few years back a lunchtime walk saw me popping into Sam Ash and walking out with a beautiful Montego Black US Deluxe Strat.
So I'm thinking of seeing what I can pick up this time, except a lack of funds means I'll have to look for something used but in great condition.
I have a couple of questions on where is likely to be a good place to pick up a used G&L - I've found GuitarCenter online, have you guys bought from there previously? How reliable is their online description? Are there any other dealers you would recommend in the NYC / NJ areas?
Also a couple on neck radius - I'd prefer a 12" radius, which i think the S500 and Invader both have, but does the Legacy Deluxe have a 12'? The normal Legacy is the only one with a 9.5?
what differences are there between the standard models and the Deluxe models?
I think I'd prefer the s500 or maybe invader just because it's so cool looking but would be open to a Legacy.
By comparison my guitars are a Tom Anderson Classic, US Deluxe Strat and JP Aerodyne Strat and my amp is a MesaBoogie Express 5:25, a ludicrously great little box.
Any and all advice is gratefully received.
I'll post pics of whatever I end up with

[Craig]

Also a couple on neck radius - I'd prefer a 12" radius, which i think the S500 and Invader both have, but does the Legacy Deluxe have a 12'? The normal Legacy is the only one with a 9.5?
what differences are there between the standard models and the Deluxe models?
I think I'd prefer the s500 or maybe invader just because it's so cool looking but would be open to a Legacy.

Here are the standard specs for the Legacy Deluxe (which was discontinued in July 1, 2015):
Reference post: 2014-15 (pre-July 1) G&L U.S. Specifications and Options

Legacy Deluxe
Finish Standard and Premier finishes included
Body Premium flamed Maple top on Swamp Ash body
Neck #1 Hard Rock Maple neck with Rosewood or Maple fingerboard, medium jumbo frets
Pickups G&L vintage style Alnico V single-coil pickups in the neck and middle position Seymour Duncan JB Humbucker in bridge position
Controls Rear mounted 5-way pickup selector, volume with push/pull pot to split coil of JB pickup, treble, bass
Bridge G&L Dual Fulcrum vibrato
Tuners Non-locking tuners

Here are the standard specs for the Legacy:
Reference post: 2014-15 (pre-July 1) G&L U.S. Specifications and Options

Legacy
Finish Standard finishes included
Body Alder on Standard and all solid finishes, Swamp Ash on all Premier finishes
Neck #1 Hard Rock Maple neck with Rosewood or Maple fingerboard, medium jumbo frets
Pickups 3 G&L vintage style Alnico V single-coil pickups
Controls 5-way pickup selector, volume, treble, bass
Bridge G&L Dual Fulcrum vibrato
Tuners Non-locking tuners
Pickguard 3-ply white

Beginning In July 1, 2015, the neck options changed with the addition of the 9.5" fretboard radius and expanded neck options. See: July 1, 2015-Feb 29, 2016 G&L U.S. Specifications & Options.

For the specifications of all current production models see: March 1, 2016-present G&L U.S. Specifications and Options.

You might be interested in this list: Production List of G&L Instruments (USA).

Hope this helps.

[Johnny cache]

Hi guys,
Newbie to the site so a big hello to you all
I've signed up to pick from your collective wisdom on all things G&L.
I've had "approval" from my other half to buy another electric and rather than the PRS SE I was originally planning on, I thought I'd take advantage of our upcoming trip to NYC to visit the family (wife is from the US) to look at something a bit more interesting. US G&Ls are pretty rare here in the UK so already that's adding to the attraction.
A few years back a lunchtime walk saw me popping into Sam Ash and walking out with a beautiful Montego Black US Deluxe Strat.
So I'm thinking of seeing what I can pick up this time, except a lack of funds means I'll have to look for something used but in great condition.
I have a couple of questions on where is likely to be a good place to pick up a used G&L - I've found GuitarCenter online, have you guys bought from there previously? How reliable is their online description? Are there any other dealers you would recommend in the NYC / NJ areas?
Also a couple on neck radius - I'd prefer a 12" radius, which i think the S500 and Invader both have, but does the Legacy Deluxe have a 12'? The normal Legacy is the only one with a 9.5?
what differences are there between the standard models and the Deluxe models?
I think I'd prefer the s500 or maybe invader just because it's so cool looking but would be open to a Legacy.
By comparison my guitars are a Tom Anderson Classic, US Deluxe Strat and JP Aerodyne Strat and my amp is a MesaBoogie Express 5:25, a ludicrously great little box.
Any and all advice is gratefully received.
I'll post pics of whatever I end up with

I'm new here too, but not to G&L guitars. Although I haven't owned a G&L for several years I just purchased a used Comanche this week from GC on line from a store in Connecticut. Since I live in Eastern Oregon there aren't many music stores and the closest GC is over 100 miles away in Medford Oregon. So I saw this guitar on their used gear web site and gave the store a call before purchasing it. It pretty much matched the salesman's description, for a guitar in "good condition" I'd say it's a tad better than I expected. Only one issue, the site said it came with a gig bag, but showed up without one, so I'm working with GS customer service to see what we can do. Not a big deal since all my guitars get cases, but if it said it comes with something then I should expect to have gotten it, right? Well, I think they will make it good one way or another. BTW at least I have 45 days to return it if I change my mind, I doubt it. Hope this helps.

[Johnny cache]

Update: GC came through with the gig bag. So I think they deserve to be praised.

[themikeaustin]

There are several local music stores in Portland, Oregon, where I live, but it's pretty rare to find used G&Ls here. I did find a mid-90s USA ASAT Special for $400. It needs a setup; otherwise it's in very good shape for a 20 year old guitar.

I've bought 4 G&Ls on eBay (Classic S, ASAT Classic Bluesboy, mid-90s ASAT Special Deluxe, and mid-90s S-500), 2 Godin LG HMBs, a Laney Cub 8, a Laney VC30-112, and a couple of multi-effects pedals. Everything was pretty much what I expected. The guitars have dings and scratches and need setups, and the amps had new tubes and some other work done on them, but for what I paid for them they are absolute steals.

Right now, I'm watching a mid-90s G&L ASAT Special on eBay for $500. It will go higher than that, I"m sure, but even if it goes to $800, it's a bargain compared to $1200-1700 new.

If you're patient, you can find very good deals on eBay. Many sellers won't ship outside the US. However, if you have relatives in the US, they can ship to them and your relatives can forward the instrument on to you.

If you're in NYC, there used to be a boat-load of music stores in West 48th Street between 6th Ave and Broadway: Manny's, Sam Ash, and others. I would definitely check out these stores, as well as others in NYC.

This may too late for you, but I hope it's useful...