F-100 discussion: hardware, questions, mods

[adamdn]

Hi everyone.

I just picked up an '81 F-100 series II hardtail, passive mahogany version (very light too!) in very good shape (I would say in the "very good+" range). A little grungy with some fret ware, but I'm going to clean and service it.

I became hooked on old G&Ls a couple of years ago and have been trying different models as the opportunities come up to see what I like the best, with my favorites so far being the S-500 and original ASAT. But I've really been wanting to try the F-100 and finally got a decent deal for one.

All that said, I love the way if feels so far. And it sounds good, but there's something missing to my ears about the tone. I'm not sure how to describe it, but there's a nasal sound present that I can't dial out.

So, being the serial tinkerer that I am (from modding guitars to tube amps) I'm now curious to see if I can make any micro improvements.

That sent me down a rabbit hold and I've been reading about the G-200. It seems that the folks who have played them both seem to universally prefer the G-200 tone, even though the pickups are nearly the same, if not the same. And from my research, it seems the G-200 pickups may have a very slightly higher impedance, but it's always possible that could just be manufacturing variance. Even still, I don't believe that would contribute heavily to the sound I'm hearing, so I'm thinking that any major tonal differences (if any) are more likely due to the circuits.

I've found in the forums that a few folks have applied the G-200 mod which seems pretty straight forward, so I'm considering this just to see how it differs.

But I also really dislike modding vintage guitars! So, I'm thinking of just finding another F-100 control plate, and building mods into that so that I can simply swap them in and out to compare. This leads me to a few questions I have:

1. Does anyone know where I can get a reproduction F-100 control plate? Any suppliers still making one? I've located an old stock one, but the guy wants way too much for it.
2. Has anyone here that's played an F-100 and G-200 back to back? Could you tell me your opinion on the tonal differences? Or, an F-100 with the mod? Is there really a large difference, or is it just hype due to the G-200 rarity.
3. What sort of tones do you F-100 fans typically go for? How are you using them?
4. My G-100 neck pocket has the date penciled in, and "CL" printed under it. Any chance Leo ever put his initials like that?

Thanks,
Adam

[y2kc]

Adam

Remember these guitars are only original once. The mod is over rated and not worth it in my book.
The F-100 has its own voice. It is what it is. I have both the both the F- 100
and the G-200 here and wouldn't change anything about either.

I know you would like more information detailing sonic differences but I am more of a collector than player.

I do tend to play the f-100 more.

Enjoy that guitar and turn it up!

[y2kc]

Adam

Remember these guitars are only original once. The mod is over rated and not worth it in my book.
The F-100 has its own voice. It is what it is. I have both the both the F- 100
and the G-200 here and wouldn't change anything about either.

I know you would like more information detailing sonic differences but I am more of a collector than player.

I do tend to play the f-100 more.

Enjoy that guitar and turn it up!

[adamdn]

Adam

Remember these guitars are only original once. The mod is over rated and not worth it in my book.
The F-100 has its own voice. It is what it is. I have both the both the F- 100
and the G-200 here and wouldn't change anything about either.

I know you would like more information detailing sonic differences but I am more of a collector than player.

I do tend to play the f-100 more.

Enjoy that guitar and turn it up!

Thanks for responding! Yeah, I hear what you're saying.

I collect too, but I also collect to play and enjoy the guitars, or record with them. From a collectable standpoint, this guitar is already below being excellent or mint. It has definitely been played well and will probably need a re-fret soon, or a minimum a fret level. I figure, in my opinion, that's already more invasive than a temporary and reversible mod like this.

It's interesting to hear that you prefer the f-100 more though. I appreciate the perspective! I wish there were more like for like sound samples of these guitars out there.


Thanks,
Adam

[Challenger]

I’ve owned four F-100’s and a G-200. They all sounded slightly different. There is a lot of variability in the early G&L’s. I suspect that if you can’t get the sound you are looking for by adjusting the pickups and pole pieces, you are not going to get it. The F-100 sounds muddy and nasally in the split coil setting with the bass enhancement circuitry. The full humbucking isn’t quite as bad but MFD pickups have a mid range nasal sound in them compared to alnico. The F-100 loves high gain. Clean tones is OK but not where it excels. Enjoy it for what it is and if you don’t like the sound sell it and move on. Just my two cents.

[adamdn]

I’ve owned four F-100’s and a G-200. They all sounded slightly different. There is a lot of variability in the early G&L’s. I suspect that if you can’t get the sound you are looking for by adjusting the pickups and pole pieces, you are not going to get it. The F-100 sounds muddy and nasally in the split coil setting with the bass enhancement circuitry. The full humbucking isn’t quite as bad but MFD pickups have a mid range nasal sound in them compared to alnico. The F-100 loves high gain. Clean tones is OK but not where it excels. Enjoy it for what it is and if you don’t like the sound sell it and move on. Just my two cents.

Thanks for your perspective! Yeah, I think you are describing exactly what I'm hearing. I hear it to a degree in humbucking mode as well. Knowing electronics, I also was suspecting the bass circuitry to be the primary cause, which is why I was entertaining the experiment.

But perhaps my expectations are just off because I like the MFD single coils so much, and these are so different. I was hoping to at least get similar clean tones out of neck, but still be able to kick it into high-gain overdrive. I may be better served with my standard HSS setups for that when I need the versatility. Regardless, it's still a cool guitar with usable sounds for sure, depending on the need.

[Challenger]

Check out a Doheny V-12 sometime. It is a modern day version of an F-100 with better switching options and more usable tones.