Looking to purchase a Legacy Special - need advice

[stheri88]

HI Everyony,

New to the forum, but I have been a long time fan of G&L and currently own 2 (legacy - alder and asat classic - swamp ash) with one on the way (asat special semi-hollow). Already looking to have a fourth one built. This time I think it will be a legacy special solid body, but I am having trouble deciding on the body wood. I am pretty much set on it being blackburst finish with a black PG with a light tint maple neck. Since these are rails in the legacy special, I wasn't sure if I should go with ash or flamed maple on mahogany. There may be some other variants too that I am not thinking of such as flame maple on swamp ash. Do any of you have experience with this guitar and different body woods? I have been extremely happy with my combinations thus far and want to do my research in an attempt to avoid any potential, albeit small, for disappointment. I am probably a bigger fan of going with swamp ash, but don't want to rule out the maple cap on mahogany since I hear the rails are actually single coils with a bit of brightness to them. So, my concern is that the guitar will be overly bright unless I use the mahogany although I realize the maple cap may brighten it a bit. Please let me know your thoughts. I certainly look forward to being an active member of the forum.

Thanks,
Stephen

[darwinohm]

I just got back from out of town but wanted to respond to you question. I would not worry about whether it is a Blackburst in Swamp ash or Mahogany with a Maple cap. It may affect the weight but the sound is not going to be greatly different. Either would be fine with a Blackburst and sonically, it is not going to make a big difference. I do not believe that the woods make that much difference on an electric guitar. Some of you may disagree but I would challenge you to show me. Blackburst is beautiful and I would decide on which wood grain I like best and do it. -- Darwin

[Boogie Bill]

I agree with Darwin. BTW, I just bought my THIRD Legacy Special--these are wonderful guitars!

I will say, I love the ash bodies on my LS models, and I think that wood works very well with the Gotoh Blades. Two of these guitars have ebony boards--the other is maple--and the ebony is my fav. Alas, it is currently not available on guitars.

But,...I don't think you can go wrong with either wood.

Good luck!

Bill

[suave eddie]

I will say, I love the ash bodies on my LS models, and I think that wood works very well with the Gotoh Blades. Two of these guitars have ebony boards--the other is maple--and the ebony is my fav. Alas, it is currently not available on guitars.

Not sure what you mean by this..............As far as I know ebony boards are available as an option on most any G&L......My recent special order ASAT Classic came with an ebony board.

The G&L site seems to be down at the moment, but I do remember that it is not clear and seems to imply that ebony is only available on fretless basses, although this is not the case. The Buffalo Bros. website also still indicates ebony only available on fretless basses.

[Xochitl]

I have two strats with rosewood fretboards. One is a Fender wiht an alder body and the other is a swamp ash S-500. Unplugged (plugged comparison would be less relevant here as they don't have the same pick-ups), the strat is mellower whereas the S-500 has more spank and brilliance.

[Craig]

I will say, I love the ash bodies on my LS models, and I think that wood works very well with the Gotoh Blades. Two of these guitars have ebony boards--the other is maple--and the ebony is my fav. Alas, it is currently not available on guitars.

Not sure what you mean by this..............As far as I know ebony boards are available as an option on most any G&L......My recent special order ASAT Classic came with an ebony board.

The G&L site seems to be down at the moment, but I do remember that it is not clear and seems to imply that ebony is only available on fretless basses, although this is not the case. The Buffalo Bros. website also still indicates ebony only available on fretless basses.

Ebony is again available as an optional fretboard wood type for guitars. see the G&L US guitar options page.

Hope this helps.

[upfront guitars]

My general opinion is that Swamp Ash works well with the MFD or Blade Pickups. The Swamp Ash lightens up the midrange a bit and gives a sweeter top end. Mahogany tends to add midrange and fatness, although the maple top will temper this a bit. Also the flame maple tops are not cheap and a nice piece of swamp ash looks just as good and will save a good chunk of change. http://www.upfrontguitars.com/G-and-L-L ... range.html