G&L is a guitar design and production company founded by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Dale Hyatt in the late 1970s.
G&L is an iconic guitar brand that has been producing high quality instruments for decades. From the early 1980s onwards, the brand has grown to become a household name in the guitar industry.
G&L guitars are known for their sound and quality, which has made them a go-to choice for many professional and amateur players.
In this article, we will explore the history of G&L guitars and discuss what they have brought to the world of guitar playing.
History of G&L
G&L is the guitar company founded in 1979 by Leo Fender following his departure from the Fender Musical Instrument Corporation. Set up following his disappointment and frustration with the changes being made to the Fender designs and models he had been crafting since 1952, G&L was Leo’s chance to return to form, perfecting and revising his iconic designs using new techniques and innovation.
G&L gave us classic models such as the ASAT, SB-2, and S-500 that could be used in almost any genre of music. Even today, after four decades of production, G&L continues to hold firm to its original premise: create instruments of superior quality and unparalleled design which use vintage principles combined with modern technology. Many professional musicians use G&L guitars because they are known for their excellent playability due to their carefully routed maple neck pockets, smoother fret dressing techniques and accurate truss rods which ensure exceptional intonation. As a result, many of their vintage instruments remain in almost perfect condition today.
Iconic Models
Since the introduction of their iconic guitar models, G&L has become a force in the music industry. From the offset “t-style” body shape of their ASAT Classic to their superstrat style Legacy and S500M, G&L has long been associated with reliable tones and quality instrument design. The company’s solid-state and tube amplifiers, such as the Legacy Combo Series, have also been well received by musicians worldwide.
Their patented Dual Fulcrum vibrato bridge system revolutionized vibrato systems by reducing stress on string tension. The Magnetic Field Design (MFD) pickups also feature a unique design that makes use of dual magnets resulting in increased clarity and tone. Some guitars even come with MFD active electronics for increased treble response, greater sustain, and more defined mids compared to traditional passive designs. Other signature features include gearless truss rods for easier neck adjustment, saddles made from brass for improved sound projection, highly polished frets for smooth playability, contoured headstocks with low string tension for less fretting out when bending strings.
G&L continues to produce popular models such as the Tribute Series ASAT Classic Semi-Hollowbody versions featuring classic single coil pickups as well as memorable nylon string instruments like the Comanche Acoustic-Electric.
Design
G&L guitars are well-known for their iconic designs, which have been seen in the hands of professional musicians all over the world. The unique designs feature a special construction with set-in neck joints, body horns, and two-piece bridges to produce a bright, snappy sound. G&L guitars are famous for their ergonomic body shapes and perfect playability. Let’s take a look at the design elements that made G&L guitars so iconic.
Different Body Shapes
The guitar designs that G&L has established in the industry are unparalleled. Known as “Leo’s Legacy”, these innovations reference classic body shapes yet improve upon them with modern technology. Players can choose from four basic body styles: T-style, S-style, H-style and F-style.
T-Style – Inspired by the 1950s Telecaster, G&L T-style guitars feature a single cutaway and classic contours that give it its distinctive Tele look. It is available with both standard scale options (25 1/2″ and 24 3/4″) and two neck options – the new vintage style with 21 frets or the traditional 12th fret joint.
S-Style – The classic one was designed in 1958 by Leo Fender for his iconic Stratocaster design. G&L takes this original shape to further heights with improved ergonomics and additional pickup routing options for greater tonal versatility. Depending on your choice of model, Leo Fender’s original 14 fret neck joint style or modern 12 fret joint are both available
H-Style – The first design from the now legendary innovation of Leo Fender in 1961 was named after him: H – style. G&L adds more features over time to cater to different players demands; currently available body options include ash wings or slab basswood bodies while you choose whether you prefer 12 or 14 fret neck joint depending on your play style
F-Style – Last but not least, when it comes to a classic western shape G&L also offers an F style version based on sounds most popularized in country music circles. These bodies feature twin cutaways and a wider bottom carve for extra comfort playing seated o sitting down while playing; each model is peaked bridges weight relieved by MFD pickups making them perfect all around Tele type guitar while strumming rock tunes or flat picking some country stomps!
Pickups and Electronics
G&L pickups are designed to give balanced, dynamic and expressive tones. These pickups also feature ceramic magnets. The range of G&L pickups includes single coils, humbuckers, mini humbucker pickups and the patented Magnetic Field Design (MFD) style. G&L MFD pickups are unique for their “sweetness” in a humbucker design — giving the player the best of both worlds — more clarity than a traditional pickup but with none of the inevitable hum associated with single coils.
In addition to producing great sound quality pickups, G&L has also used cutting edge technology to create various features within their guitar circuitry. One example is G&L’s proprietary pick-up blend/split switch called Alnico (Alloy & Nickel Controled Output). This allows for more tonal control than traditional three-way selector switches; providing better overdrive response and grind when it comes to blending the two pickups together — something of paramount importance if you’re seeking classic sounds such as those found on Texas blues records in or rock hits from bands like AC/DC.
Neck and Fingerboard
The neck and fingerboard of a G&L guitar had unique design features that revolutionized the way guitars were crafted. The neck is made from hard rock maple and features a compound radius fingerboard, with a flatter radius closer to the body and curved radius closer to the headstock. This allows the player ease of string bending on the higher frets while still offering stability throughout. Hand rubbed oil finishes were also used, which let your hands glide along the fretboard without needing heavy lubrication oils or waxes. The adjustable truss rod in combination with graphite nut ensures truss rod tension remains consistent at any temperature or humidity. All these quality components are topped off with pearloidoid or wooden inlays to indicate fret placement, providing an accurate and sophisticated representation of comfort, playability, and sound.
Sound
G&L guitars are renowned for their iconic sound, which many guitarists have come to love and appreciate. The brand’s instruments produce incredibly vibrant tones, thanks to the combination of classic craftsmanship and modern technology. But what makes them so special? Let’s explore the sound of G&L guitars in this heading and discover how they can help you create the perfect sound.
Tone
Tone is arguably the most important element of any guitar, and G&L certainly delivered on that front. Leo Fender designed special pickups for them in 1987 and called it the MFD (Magnetic Field Design). This revolutionary new design meant it was resistant to environmental factors such as extreme temperatures or humidity, ensuring that sound was consistent across different conditions. The strategic placement in the pickup body allowed for delivery of a smoother sustain with increased harmonics and articulation. This combination of both electric and acoustic characteristics made for an overall superior tone that guitarists noted with much appreciation.
G&L also built special treble harmonizing circuits known as “Dual Flex” into some of their instruments. When activated, this circuit “rolled-off” certain frequencies in the upper range giving greater presence to low-mid frequencies and making solos stand out even more. The tone control however had two more notes available beyond what a traditional “tone knob” could provide – one at 4kHz and one at 10kHz, allowing players to shape their sound even further. Furthermore, their Dual Fulcrum vibrato bridge was innovatively designed able to counteract any string tension changes while adding subtle harmonic overtones thanks to its unique design All these features give G&L guitars an exceptionally unique voice which stands out from other brands available on the market today.
Versatility
One of the hallmarks of a G&L guitar is its versatility. From bright and powerful to warm and rich, no matter the genre, there’s a G&L that will suit your style. Thanks to its two humbucking pickups, often the Power and Tone pickups, players from jazz to metal can take advantage of this guitar’s flexibility.
Whether you want clarity for fingerpicking or shredding leads on high gain settings, whatever sound you’re trying to achieve, your G&L can get you there. These guitars are capable of versatile tones spanning across genres as varied as pop, funk rock and metal. With the addition of mini humbuckers dedicated for higher output solos or cleaner rhythms; single-coil stacked designs optimized for modern blues/rock tones; soap bars dedicated for authentic single coil tones with low strings-to-pickups interference; or single coils that can roll off high end without losing bottom end punch – your options while playing a G&L are literally endless.
Popularity
G&L has become one of the most iconic guitar brands in the world, amassing a huge following of guitarists who swear by their instruments. It has achieved such a level of popularity due to its unique blend of modern design, innovative manufacturing techniques, and superior craftsmanship. Let’s take a look at why G&L has grown to be one of the most popular guitar brands in the world.
Why G&L Guitars are so Popular
G&L guitars are renowned for their superior tone, quality construction, and design. G&L guitars offer players an unique blend of traditional and modern designs that appeal to a wide range of guitarists.
The company was founded in 1979 by Leo Fender, the legendary mind behind iconic brands Fender Electric Guitars, Squier Electric Guitars, and Acoustic Guitars. Under his leadership G&L has become one of the most respected and sought-after guitar brands in the world.
G&L has made a name for itself with innovative ideas such as alternative pickup configurations and five-way pickup selector switches which allow players to easily access multiple pickup combinations without having to use multiple switches or toggle between pickups during play. They also offer many different body shapes ranging from “comfort cuts” like Staggered Strat and Classic Strat/Tele bodies to edgier designs like the Rampage body shape which features ultra-smooth lines that make it an ideal choice for progressive rock as well as heavier genres such as metal or hardcore punk. G&L also features proprietary pickups that capture intricate details in both clean and overdrive tones while providing outstanding sustain characteristics that many find addicting.
Another reason why G&L guitars are so popular is their versatility – they offer great sound when playing different styles with ease – from classic rock riffs to more complicated jazz lines, you can do it all with G&L’s signature number of signature designs! Additionally, G&L’s offer fair prices that make them a great option for someone just starting out on their path as a guitar player who doesn’t want too much financial strain but still wants quality instrumentation on their journey through music. That’s why so many people have chosen this beloved brand for use in their live gigs or even just practice at home – no matter what genre you enjoy playing most!
G&L’s Legacy
Since 1980, G&L has been crafting electric guitars of the highest quality and perfection. Working with the original designs created by George Fullerton and the innovations perfected by late maestro Leo Fender, G&L have developed a vast catalog of award-winning products. Each guitar is crafted with meticulous attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to excellence, inspiring players of all levels to explore their playing potential and unleash their creative expression.
G&L’s legacy lies not just with its innovative design but also with advanced technology. By investing heavily in research and development, G&L have pioneered an array of groundbreaking features including Magnetic Field Design (MFD) pickups, Dual-Fulcrum vibrato bridges, enhanced electronics systems designed for minimum signal loss and high signal clarity, and custom wound pickups that produce a wide range of tones from vintage looks and sounds to higher-power modern voicing. As such, G&L guitars offer unparalleled tonal flexibility for jazz players as well as rockers of all types.
The remarkable success that G&L has achieved over the past few decades continues into present day; whether it’s vintage reissues pay tribute to classic designs, or all-new offerings featuring excitingly contemporary features, G&L is as popular now as they ever have been. That legendary tone has brought joy to musicians across multiple genres from rock bands to punk banjoists — whatever you’re into there’s a perfect G&L out there waiting for you. So why wait? Get yourself one today!
Conclusion
G&L guitars have become renowned for the exceptional tone and playability they offer. The company’s commitment to quality craftsmanship and their use of superior materials have made them one of the most respected guitar manufacturers in the music industry. Furthermore, G&L guitars have been used in some of the most famous recordings of all time.
Why G&L Guitars are Still Relevant
Since its beginning in the late 70s, G&L Guitars has been producing classic models with timeless appeal that are beloved today by modern music makers. The innovative techniques developed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton and Dale Hyatt have set standards for guitar building and design that remain relevant to this day.
From the outset, G&L has focused on quality craftsmanship and tone—they dedicated themselves to creating guitars that emphasize individualization, playability, resonance and consistency. Their line of guitars include a wide range of models from solid body electrics like the ASAT Classic Bluesboy to more modern semi-hollow designs like the SB-1; each crafted with precision craftsmanship and tonal integrity.
G&L guitars have become iconic among many genres of music due their capability to accentuate technical playing styles as well as staying true to sonic tradition. Whether you’re playing stadium rock riffs or jazz fusion grooves one thing is certain: you can always find the perfect sound with a G&L guitar. They are designed to bring out powerful expression on even the most subtle nuances while still providing a deep resonant sound.
By keeping Leo Fender’s pioneering spirit alive but offering modern players distinct upgrades such as higher frets for superior playability, push/pull circuitry for greater sonic versatility and unique finishes for personal style – G&L continues to remain at the forefront of rock guitar crafting today. With such vast range of custom options these iconic instruments provide a unique experience for all levels of players – from those just starting off on their musical journey to seasoned professionals – making them truly timeless instruments that will be enjoyed for centuries more.
I'm Joost Nusselder, the founder of Neaera and a content marketer, dad, and love trying out new equipment with guitar at the heart of my passion, and together with my team, I've been creating in-depth blog articles since 2020 to help loyal readers with recording and guitar tips.
