Incoming NGD: '86 G&L SC-3

[Embenny]

Yeah, so it's not pre-1980, and the waist is only offset 1.5" which might not be "enough" for some people, but you know what?

I'm really freaking excited and I'm putting it here anyway . Besides, 1986 is definitely "vintage" in the G&L world, so I'm giving it a pass.

Made the same year I was, this guitar hopefully ends my quest for a "birth year guitar" that I can keep for the rest of my life. USA-made, Leo Fender-designed, affordable, with unique pickups (MFDs) that don't sound like my Jags, and more or less Offset looks (1.5" is enough for me). It's from the era with the double cutaway, but before the pickguards came in and made them look a lot more Strat-like. With the lack of pickguard, the matching neck finish, and the arcing control plate, it has a clear Musicman lineage to its looks to me. And it's a spiritual successor to my beloved red Mustang, which would have been the legal drinking age by the time this guitar was made

Super stoked about this one.

[Larry Mal]

You're gonna love it. I'm a huge fan of their stuff and would love to own one of these. Three bolt G&Ls are fantastic.

[Embenny]

You're gonna love it. I'm a huge fan of their stuff and would love to own one of these. Three bolt G&Ls are fantastic.

That's what I've heard, but I haven't gotten my hands on one from this era before. I mean, it's more of a Fender than any Fender from '86 could be, the modern MFD pickups I've tried have been awesome, and the reputation of this era of G&L (or any era, really) is great, so I took the plunge. Super excited!

Plus I think the red and black scheme is so representative of the era it was made. I can't do pointy fluorescent shredder guitars, but this is still very "1986".

[Larry Mal]

I've had a G&L L1000 from the early 80's since forever, it's a stunning guitar and I miss it and need to have it repaired a bit. That opened my eyes to G&L and now I have a couple more basses of theirs and a 90's Legacy (also incredible).

This will be a wonderful instrument, I'm sure it'll be a keeper for you. The MFD pickups are sure to please, but you'll have to tell us more about them, since honestly I have never had a guitar with them before (although I've played them).

[Surfysonic]

Very cool! Congrats, Mike!

[Pepe Silvia]

Nice. I was trying to hunt down a Leo era G&L ASAT last year. Cool guitars that fly under the radar

[Embenny]

Very cool! Congrats, Mike!

Thanks!

Nice. I was trying to hunt down a Leo era G&L ASAT last year. Cool guitars that fly under the radar

You can take this one off the market and do me a favour by eliminating the possibility of another birth year G&L that I shouldn't be buying

'86 was pretty much when the short-lived Broadcaster officially became the ASAT. Don't think there's such a thing as an '85 ASAT.

Just sayin'.

[Pepe Silvia]

Very cool! Congrats, Mike!

Thanks!

Nice. I was trying to hunt down a Leo era G&L ASAT last year. Cool guitars that fly under the radar

You can take this one off the market and do me a favour by eliminating the possibility of another birth year G&L that I shouldn't be buying

'86 was pretty much when the short-lived Broadcaster officially became the ASAT. Don't think there's such a thing as an '85 ASAT.

Just sayin'.

Haha, I was already eyeing that up. I feel like prices dropped, I was outbid on one on Ebay by more than that.

[Embenny]

Haha, I was already eyeing that up. I feel like prices dropped, I was outbid on one on Ebay by more than that.

I'm glad I still have an irrational aversion to the tele body shape. I'm sure that's an incredible axe.

[BoringPostcards]

Nice score. You don't see too many SC-3s around.

[Embenny]

Haha, I was already eyeing that up. I feel like prices dropped, I was outbid on one on Ebay by more than that.

Go for it if you can! It's so tempting to me because it's a Canadian vendor. I wish it was an SC-2 though. I would prefer the mustang-like body, but apparently the broadcasters/early ASATs have slightly hotter-wound pickups than their SC-2 predecessors, and people tend to like their tone more. I just have never gotten along with the Tele body shape in my life.

Nice score. You don't see too many SC-3s around.

I've never come across one "in the wild" here in Canada. It's on the UPS truck and should be here today! Can't wait. I've got a few hours of work to do in my orchard, but by tonight I should be able to post some initial impressions.

This guitar may or may not have kicked me into deep research mode about Leo's post-Fender designs...

[Larry Mal]

Shit, you have an SC-3 and an orchard?

[Embenny]

Shit, you have an SC-3 and an orchard?

Well, it's not the royal kind of orchard that you can take a carriage ride through. I live on a half-acre in the boonies of Canada and decided last year to plant a permaculture orchard of heirloom and exotic/unusual fruit trees and shrubs. It's a labour of love and not a commercial venture. I have 160 plants and a total of about 50 unique varieties of fruit and berries.

[Larry Mal]

That sounds very nice, though. I grow berries sometimes myself, usually it just ends up feeding the birds, and I have an apple tree at my father's that is producing tons of apples this year that will primarily end up feeding the squirrels. I've grown peaches and such before, and gardened all kinds of vegetables.

I'm looking forward to buying a little house here so I can garden more.

So, off topic, but I would imagine the cold winters of Canada would limit a lot of things you can grow. Apples and cherries are probably hardy enough, and of course berries can handle anything, but what else are you producing up there?

[BoringPostcards]

Shit, you have an SC-3 and an orchard?

Well, it's not the royal kind of orchard that you can take a carriage ride through. I live on a half-acre in the boonies of Canada and decided last year to plant a permaculture orchard of heirloom and exotic/unusual fruit trees and shrubs. It's a labour of love and not a commercial venture. I have 160 plants and a total of about 50 unique varieties of fruit and berries.

Nice! You in BC? We'd never pull that off here. Weather is too unpredictable and the summers aren't consistent.