The place to discuss, post photos, video, and audio of the G&L products (US instruments, stomp boxes, etc.) produced after 1991, including the amps & gear we use with them.
I have an S-500 I’ve been playing for a few years. It’s a great guitar and I really like the sounds I can get out of it. I play mostly (thick) rock and some blues stuff as well. I’ve been kicking around the idea of a Legacy Special for some time now.
Are there any Legacy Special owners out there that could compare its sound and uses vs the S-500. If you have a Legacy Special, what type of music are you playing on it? I’ve read Boogie Bill’s notes on the guitar on this forum, which has been helpful. Just looking for a few more thoughts and opinions.
I don't have the special, but my brother has a new HSS model and an older Legacy with Seymour Duncan singles in it. Sounds like the HSS would cover what you are after but not a dirty p90 sound out of it. I was never really a fan of twin blade single coil size pickups. My brother had them in the Legacy set up SSS, but switched the Seymour Duncan's that came with it back in. The twin blade pickups were a very mid based sounding pickup. Not a lot of highs or bass, but very mid-range focused. At least to my ears, but others might have a different opinion. Maybe that is what you are after though. I have a Godin Progression set up the same as a Legacy HSS. The Legacy HSS is more resonant, and the G&L stock single coil pickups sound better as well. The Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge sounds better also. Maybe this helped or maybe it was not what you were after. Good luck in finding what you are after.
I used to own a S500 Tribute model. Should have never sold it.
Sam IV - Thank you for the reply and the comments on this. I've thought about the HSS but I don't think it's for me. With humbuckers or P90s I'm always on the neck pickup, I seldom go to the bridge, even for lead stuff. But still, it's in the consideration list. It's sort of choice #2. There is the Legacy HH but I already really like my current humbucker guitars and don't feel a need for another. It's all fun stuff to consider!
I've got two Legacy Specials and an S-500. My pick between the two is the Legacy Special. I used my Legacy Special all the time playing modern rock. Back in the day, I had a Strat, Les Paul and the Legacy Special as my three main electrics gigging guitars. The Legacy Special could do it all. I could play a set with just the Legacy Special and get clean Strat like tones (little darker with less bell chime) and distorted overdriven sounds with sustain.
The Legacy Special has a little lower output than the S-500, but not as low as the Legacy or a Strat. The bridge pickup on the Legacy Special is unmistakably humbucker in nature with a higher output. The Legacy Special is also much quieter than the single coil S-500, which still has the single coil hum. I still get some ambient hum on the Legacy Special, however, because G&L does not shield their bodies. But, that is an easy fix. With a copper shielding kit, the Legacy Special would be dead quiet.
I should add that I've owned the Legacy Special longer, so perhaps that's influencing my pick a little. Both are great, but my preference goes to the Legacy Special.
