G&L Musical Instruments

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G&L Musical Instruments
TypePrivate
IndustryMusical instruments
Founded1979
Founder(s)Leo Fender and George Fullerton
HeadquartersFullerton, California, United States of America
Key peopleJohn C. McLaren (Chairman)
Phyllis Fender (Honorary Chairperson)
John C. McLaren Jr. (Plant Manager )
ProductsElectric guitars
Bass guitars
Effects units
ParentBBE Sound, Inc.
Websitewww.glguitars.com

G&L is a guitar design and production company founded by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Dale Hyatt in the late 1970s.[1] Fender sold his eponymous company Fender in 1965. He designed and produced instruments for Music Man in the 1970s through his company CLF Research. When relations with Music Man soured, G&L was created to continue operations outside of Music Man. The G&L name comes from the initials of George Fullerton and Leo Fender.[2]

G&L instruments are similar to the classic Fenders, but with some modern innovations. They are built at the same facility on Fender Avenue in Fullerton, California that produced the early Music Man instruments. G&L instruments are not widely distributed but are highly regarded by many musicians and collectors. The relatively small scale of production further allows for more custom options that are not possible on larger production lines.

After the death of Leo Fender in 1991, Fender's wife, Phyllis Fender, passed the management of G&L to John C. McLaren of BBE Sound.[3] George Fullerton remained a permanent consultant until his death on July 4, 2009,[4] and Leo's wife Phyllis remains as Honorary Chairperson of G&L.

In a print advertisement for G&L, Leo Fender claimed the G&L line of instruments were "the best instruments I have ever made."[5]

Innovations[edit]

Dual-Fulcrum Vibrato

Leo Fender and George Fullerton created improved designs over the years, with the most advanced being featured in G&L instruments.:

  • The Magnetic Field Design[6] (MFD) pickups use a ceramic bar magnet in combination with soft iron pole pieces with adjustable height, instead of the traditional Alnico magnet, and allow a player to set the pickup output per string, as opposed to the entire pickup as a whole in traditional single-coil pickup designs. MFDs are known for their distinctive tone, which combines clarity, high fidelity and power with an airy "sweetness".
  • The Dual-Fulcrum Vibrato[7] has two pivot points. The design aims to improve tuning stability, and according to some has a sound that is more mellow than a traditional bridge. It allows the player to bend notes up as well as down. See also Tremolo arm.
  • The G&L Saddle-Lock bridge[7] utilizes a small Allen screw on the side of the bridge, to reduce side-to-side movement of the individual string saddles. The design, and the bridge's beefy dimensions, aim to prevent loss of sustain due to this sideways motion by locking the saddles together.
  • The Tilt Neck Mechanism[8] designed and patented by George Fullerton. This feature is no longer used, and was a carryover from Music Man production.
  • The Bi-cut neck design[9] involved cutting the neck lengthwise perpendicular to where the fretboard is later installed, routing a channel for the truss rod, then gluing the two neck pieces back together. As G&L moved production to CNC machines, this method was phased out.

G&L guitars[edit]

G&L produces several distinct models of guitar and bass products, including:

Electric guitars[edit]

  • Ascari and Ascari GTS: Non-standard Leo Fender Design. Rock guitar in strat design - Set neck with 3 tuners per side, dual Humbucker. Designed by Leo Fender then put on the back burner until 2014
  • ASAT Classic:[10] Similar design to the Telecaster; offered as a solid-body instrument as well as a semi-hollow body instrument.
  • Bluesboy:[11] Based on the ASAT Classic, but with a Seth Lover humbucker pickup in the neck position and a modified MFD single coil at the bridge. Designed by Tim Page of Buffalo Bros. with the help of Seymour W. Duncan for the neck pickup and Tony Petrilla (of G&L) for wiring of the bridge pickup. First introduced as a special edition in 1999 in both solid body and semi-hollow versions. Became a standard model in 2001.
  • ASAT Special:[12] named G&L Broadcaster until 1985, when it was renamed ASAT. Sometime later the "Special" was added. Similar to the ASAT Classic but with two large "soap bar" MFD pickups and a Saddle-Lock bridge rather than the Telecaster-style bridge found on the Classic.
  • ASAT Z-3:[13] Similar to the ASAT Classic but with three "Z-Coil" pickups, additional pickup switching options and a Saddle-Lock bridge.
  • Broadcaster The Broadcaster, which is the most well known and highly collectible G&L, was the brainchild of Dale Hyatt. Mr.Hyatt designed and marketed this highly sought after G&L in 1985 as a marketing strategy to increase sales and distribution. Mr. Fender signed a dated sticker that went inside the neck pocket to prove that the guitar was authentic and built by G & L. And as mistakenly reported on many websites,[citation needed] the G&L Broadcaster was highly successful not because of Leo Fender signing each guitar in the neck pocket, but rather because of the pure quality of the guitar itself.[citation needed] The name Broadcaster was changed to ASAT after a production run of one year and 869 guitars. The change was due to a conflict over the use of the Broadcaster name.[citation needed]
  • Comanche:[14] Similar design to the Fender Stratocaster but utilizes MFD Z-coil pickups, a Dual Fulcrum vibrato bridge and additional pickup switch options (super-switch).
  • F-100:[15] The first guitar produced by G&L. Two small switches controlled a coil splitter and a phase switch (reversed the phase of one humbucker), allowing additional tone creation abilities.
  • G-200:[16] Designed by George Fullerton, this is the only G&L guitar to feature a 24-3/4" scale neck (as on most of Gibson's guitars). Features include two MFD humbuckers, a Saddle-Lock fixed bridge, a unique wiring/switching design by Leo Fender, an Ebony fingerboard and a mahogany body. Approximately 209 of these were made.
  • George Fullerton Signature model:[17] Based on the Legacy. The main differences are the vintage style neck with a late 50's soft "V" shape rear contour and a treble roll-off for the neck and bridge pickup that Mr. Fullerton had on his '54 Stratocaster.
  • Invader:[18] A "super strat" style design; the Invader typically has a humbucker in bridge position; the 2010 model features two dual blade pickups (one at neck and the other in the middle position); there is also a split coil function. Some use a Kahler bridge locking vibrato system with a locking nut; Floyd Rose (also with locking nut system) and the G&L dual fulcrum are also options. The Invader XL has two humbuckers.
  • Legacy:[19] Similar design to the Stratocaster with design considerations derived from older Stratocaster models from the 1950s and 1960s, but also newer features such as the G&L Dual Fulcrum vibrato.
    • Legacy Special:[19] Based on the Legacy, but with blade humbucker pickups.
    • Legacy Deluxe: A Stratocaster licensed body with bolt on neck. Rear mounted controls and no pickguard. Standard pickup configuration is a Seymour Duncan TB-4 (An SH4 with different dimensions) and 2 alnico V single coils).
  • Rampage:[20] Similar in design to the Stratocaster but with a more narrow waist and a more dramatic "tummy" relief. Rampages utilize a single humbucker designed by G&L and built by Schaller. The necks are Maple with an Ebony finger board. Most Rampages use Kahler tremolo systems. Production colors include white, black, yellow and Rampage Red. Played by Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains, who now has his own signature Rampage.
  • S-500:[21] Similar design to the Stratocaster and Legacy, but with MFD pickups and additional pickup switch options. A mini toggle switch ties together the bridge and neck pickups so that you can have combinations of the neck and bridge pickup and all three pickups at once. Also includes G&L Dual Fulcrum vibrato. Offered with optional Seymour Duncan JB Jr humbucker in bridge position.
  • Will Ray Signature Model: Based on the ASAT Z-3 with changes to suit Will Ray's style, including overwound pickups, a B-bender, a different neck profile, and skull-shaped fingerboard position marker inlays designed by Ray.
G&L Legacy 1993

Electric basses[edit]

G&L L-2000 - USA 1997

All G&L basses feature bolt-on necks and 34 inch scale lengths.

Current models[edit]

  • ASAT Bass: Relatively small bass guitar with a Telecaster style body shape. Available in both solid-body and semi-hollow versions. Same electronics as the L-2000. Earlier models have slab bodies.
  • JB: Similar to Fender's original Jazz Bass design, featuring traditional pickguard, alnico J pickups, metal control plate and black bakelite knobs.
  • JB-5: Same as the JB, but a 5-string with a 4+1 headstock.
  • L-1505: 5 string adaptation of the L-1500. Introduced after G&L was sold to current owners (BBE).
  • L-2000: Dual large MFD humbuckers, 4 string bass. Both active and passive electronics, selected by a switch, along with pickup switching for a wide range of tones.
  • L-2500: 5 string adaptation of the L-2000. Earlier versions have a 4+1 headstock configuration. Most are 3+2.
  • LB-100: Similar to Fender's Precision Bass design, with an alnico P pickup.
  • M-2000: Dual large MFD humbuckers, 4 string bass. Active electronics only, and has a standard 3-band preamp with blend control.
  • M-2500: 5 string adaptation of the M-2000 with 3+2 headstock.
  • MJ-4: Modern G&L style body (similar to L series and JB2) with single coil J pickups and a 3-band preamp.
  • MJ-5: Same as the MJ-4, but with 5 strings on a 3+2 headstock.
  • SB-1 (second-style): Similar to the Precision Bass in form. The MFD split pickup has the same footprint as split Precision Bass pickups.
  • SB-2 (second-style): Essentially a second-style SB-1 with an added MFD single coil pickup at the bridge and a second volume knob in place of the tone knob.

Discontinued Models[edit]

  • Climax Bass: Active/passive bass with sculpted neck heel area. Single large MFD humbucker in bridge position. Introduced after G&L was sold to current owners (BBE).
  • El Toro Bass:[22] Two small MFD humbuckers.
  • Interceptor Bass:[23] Same as the El Toro but with a different body and headstock design.
  • L-1000:[15] Passive bass with one large MFD humbucker in front position. Discontinued after sale of G&L to BBE Sound. Since then, a limited run of about 40 L-1000 basses was completed in 2008, featuring the current "six bolt" neck attachment.
  • L-1005: Very short run of a 5 string L-1000, with a 3+2 headstock.
  • L-5000:[23] Five string bass with split MFD pickup. Leo Fender's last 5 string bass design (and only bass design with a low B) to see production.
  • L-5500:[24] Five string bass with EMG pickups. 4+1 headstock configuration. Introduced after G&L was sold to current owners (BBE).
  • Lynx Bass:[22] Very similar to the first-style SB-2, but with a contoured body.
  • SB-1 (first-style):[25] Single coil MFD pickup in front position. Slab body.
  • SB-2 (first-style):[25] Two single coil MFD pickups. Slab body.
  • JB-2 Bass:[26] J style bass guitar with 2 vintage Alnico jazz style pickups. Swamp ash or alder body. Introduced after G&L was sold to current owners (BBE).

Tribute[edit]

In 2003, G&L introduced the Tribute series to the US market as a more affordable alternative to the USA built products. Tribute G&L's were made in Korea by Cort Guitars using mostly foreign-made hardware, though some original parts were also used on select models. The pickups used are all originally made by G&L in Fullerton, California. Production of the guitars has since moved to a Cort facility in Indonesia.

Before 2003, for a short time there was production of Tribute guitars in Japan for non-US markets. But when production in Japan became more expensive the production moved to Korea.

The Tribute series is offered in many of the same body shapes as their original creations. The Tribute SB-2 was offered briefly but was discontinued, however, it was reintroduced late 2006/early 2007. The JB-2 was introduced to the Tribute series at the same time.

Tribute Models[edit]

  • Tribute ASAT Classics
  • Tribute ASAT Classic Lefty
  • Tribute ASAT Classic Semi-Hollow
  • Tribute ASAT Classic Bluesboy Semi-Hollow
  • Tribute ASAT HB
  • Tribute ASAT Deluxe
  • Tribute ASAT Deluxe Carved Top
  • Tribute ASAT Special
  • Tribute ASAT Special Semi-Hollow
  • Tribute ASAT Special Deluxe Carved Top
  • Tribute Comanche
  • Tribute Fallout
  • Tribute Legacy
  • Tribute Legacy Lefty
  • Tribute Legacy HB
  • Tribute Invader XL Standard
  • Tribute Invader XL Premium
  • Tribute Rampage Jerry Cantrell Signature Model
  • Tribute S-500
  • Tribute Will Ray Signature Model

Notable users[edit]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ↑ Fullerton 1993, p. 97-98.
  2. ↑ Fullerton 2005, p. 53.
  3. ↑ Fullerton 2005, p. 65.
  4. ↑ Lewis, Randy (July 8, 2009). "George Fullerton dies at 86; musician helped Leo Fender create his unique guitars". Los Angeles Times.
  5. ↑ Fullerton 2005, p. 190.
  6. ↑ Fullerton 2005, p. 151.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Fullerton 2005, p. 152.
  8. ↑ http://www.vintageguitar.com/features/artists/details.asp?AID=3543
  9. ↑ Fullerton 2005, p. 153.
  10. ↑ Fullerton 2005, p. 129.
  11. ↑ Fullerton 2005, p. 147.
  12. ↑ Fullerton 2005, p. 130.
  13. ↑ Fullerton 2005, p. 132.
  14. ↑ Fullerton 2005, p. 111,136.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Fullerton 2005, p. 106.
  16. ↑ Fullerton 2005, p. 107.
  17. ↑ Fullerton 2005, p. 136.
  18. ↑ Fullerton 2005, p. 121.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Fullerton 2005, p. 134.
  20. ↑ Fullerton 2005, p. 120.
  21. ↑ Fullerton 2005, p. 109-111, 134.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Fullerton 2005, p. 125.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Fullerton 2005, p. 126.
  24. ↑ Fullerton 2005, p. 139.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Fullerton 2005, p. 124.
  26. ↑ Fullerton 2005, p. 149.

References[edit]

  • Fullerton, George (1993). Guitar Legends, The evolution of the Guitar from Fender to G&L. Fullerton: CENTERSTREAM Publishing. ISBN 0-931759-69-2.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Fullerton, George (2005). George & Leo, How Leo Fender and I Built G&L Guitars. Milwaukee: Hal Leonard. ISBN 0-634-06922-5.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)

External links[edit]

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