NGD - 1981 F-100 Series 1

[Link]

Hi all! Long time guitar player, first post here. I just picked up this beautiful 1981 F100 Series 1. For a 43 year old guitar, it is immaculate. There is only one small chip that I can see. The electronics work perfectly with no “scratchiness” or anything and the frets look like it wasn’t played very often. As far as the sound, it certainly is a different animal than most other guitars I’ve come across over the last couple decades. As far as I’m concerned, all sounds are useful and musical, and the room to shape different sounds seems second to none. If I take it out on a gig, I’d probably just stick with the standard humbucker mode all night, just for simplicity’s sake, but in the studio, this thing seems almost limitless in what it can do.

The only point against it that I could think of is that under high gain, like metal level which I love, the pickups can give quite a squeal. It’s kind of like taming a wild horse. I am guessing they aren’t potted. Could be some grounding/shielding work needs to be done as well, as I get some noise until I touch the metal control plate and it then goes away. This occurs when clean channel is selected too. Of course, I am sitting right in front of my computer and monitor as well. But this is nothing that a noise suppressor and/or finding the right spot to stand can’t handle. I would most definitely use the trusty ISP Decimator noise reduction pedal for this though. So that “point against” is more related to how I use it as opposed to a fault of the guitar itself. Just out of curiosity though, it pains me to even think of it, but has anyone swapped out pickups on these? Like full size Duncan humbuckers, etc? Looks like routing the pickup cavities might be needed?

I was ready to post pics, but I see I cant upload directly to this post. I'll see if I can figure something else out later. Anyway, she;s a transparent green, looks like lovely ash wood, series 1 hard tail. Below is a quick video I did though. Excuse the vocal overdubs

https://youtu.be/sGh5vuZ3Z1k

[Craig]

Hi all! Long time guitar player, first post here. I just picked up this beautiful 1981 F100 Series 1. For a 43 year old guitar, it is immaculate. There is only one small chip that I can see. The electronics work perfectly with no “scratchiness” or anything and the frets look like it wasn’t played very often. As far as the sound, it certainly is a different animal than most other guitars I’ve come across over the last couple decades. As far as I’m concerned, all sounds are useful and musical, and the room to shape different sounds seems second to none. If I take it out on a gig, I’d probably just stick with the standard humbucker mode all night, just for simplicity’s sake, but in the studio, this thing seems almost limitless in what it can do.

The only point against it that I could think of is that under high gain, like metal level which I love, the pickups can give quite a squeal. It’s kind of like taming a wild horse. I am guessing they aren’t potted. Could be some grounding/shielding work needs to be done as well, as I get some noise until I touch the metal control plate and it then goes away. This occurs when clean channel is selected too. Of course, I am sitting right in front of my computer and monitor as well. But this is nothing that a noise suppressor and/or finding the right spot to stand can’t handle. I would most definitely use the trusty ISP Decimator noise reduction pedal for this though. So that “point against” is more related to how I use it as opposed to a fault of the guitar itself. Just out of curiosity though, it pains me to even think of it, but has anyone swapped out pickups on these? Like full size Duncan humbuckers, etc? Looks like routing the pickup cavities might be needed?

I was ready to post pics, but I see I cant upload directly to this post. I'll see if I can figure something else out later. Anyway, she;s a transparent green, looks like lovely ash wood, series 1 hard tail. Below is a quick video I did though. Excuse the vocal overdubs

https://youtu.be/sGh5vuZ3Z1k

Welcome to our site!

Your F-100 would have had the pickups wax potted in production, it's just that they will need to be re-potted since they are 43 year old pickups and the wax has surely dried up. See this post: My MFD went massively microphonic! Suggestions?.

For posting photos here, see: Tutorial: Posting photos.
Also, see: Heads Up: guitarsbyleo.com will require some updates ....

For posting You Tube videos, see: Tutorial: Posting YouTube videos.

Hope this helps.

[john o]

Welcome! I have a 1981 f100 series 1, mahogany with clear gloss and ebony board, hardtail. I’m glad I’ve kept the original pups cause they sound different than any other gtr, in a good way. The coil splitter changes the tone enough that it’s like having 2different sets of pups on it, and the phase switch is a cool option for occasional use. I have not had the screech/microphonic problem yet. Have had mine for 8 yr. Enjoy!

[Link]

Thank you so much for all that info!! I will look into all of that!

And thank you, John O. And I hear you, it would be a shame to put other pickups in there. That guitar has many great and unique sounds.

[TexasJack]

Congrats on the F100 'Super Sabre' and welcome to the site!

Early G&Ls have a special vibe to them. Post pics when you can, we love guitar p*rn!

TJ

[john o]

Thank you so much for all that info!! I will look into all of that!

And thank you, John O. And I hear you, it would be a shame to put other pickups in there. That guitar has many great and unique sounds.

Here's a pic, thanks to Craig, my Gallery is up an running...