A look into 10 guitar companies in 10 days - Day 3
G&L Guitar Company
The product of two industry legends.
If you were to pick up a vintage or new G&L guitar, you might find yourself confused. Odds are it looks eerily similar to one of the most well-known guitar models, the Fender Stratocaster. You turn the guitar over and see "Fullerton California" etched into the neckplate. A USA-made copy of a Fender? Is this any good?
Unfortunately, while sales and proliferation of the brand have never reached the height of its creators, rest assured, the G&L guitar you are holding can go toe to toe with some of the best guitars in the world. Why? Well, because G&L stands for George Fullerton and Leo Fender, collaborators on several of the world's most famous guitars.
George Fullerton (Left) & Leo Fender(center) during the release of their SC-3 model.
History of G&L
Leo Fender is known as one of the most influential figures in the history of electric guitars. He invented the Telecaster and Stratocaster, two of the most iconic electric guitars ever made. After selling Fender Musical Instruments Corporation and a brief stint making guitars for Music Man, Leo decided to start a new company with George Fullerton, a former Fender employee who had worked closely with Leo in the past during the development of iconic guitars like the Stratocaster and Telecaster.
G&L guitars were designed to be an evolution of the classic Fender designs, with new innovations and improvements that Leo and George had developed over the years. One of the most notable features of G&L guitars is the Magnetic Field Design (MFD) pickups, which Leo developed to improve upon the traditional single-coil pickups found on Fender guitars. MFD pickups have a wider frequency range and a more balanced output, which makes them a popular choice among musicians looking for a unique sound.
Another unique feature of G&L guitars is their Dual-Fulcrum tremolo system, which Leo Fender again designed. This tremolo system is designed to stay in tune, even when the strings are bent, or the tremolo bar is used. The Dual-Fulcrum system is still used on many G&L guitars today.
Without question, G&L guitars were also designed with high-quality materials and craftsmanship in mind. Leo and George wanted to create instruments that would be durable, reliable, and sound great. To achieve this goal, they used premium wood, hardware, and electronics and paid close attention to each instrument's construction details.
Over the years, G&L has produced various guitar models, including the Legacy, ASAT, and Comanche, which have become popular among musicians in many genres. The company also offers a custom shop where customers can create their own unique instruments, choosing from a range of options for wood, finish, pickups, and other features.
After Leo Fender passed away in 1991, the company was acquired by BBE Sound, which continued to produce guitars under the G&L brand. Today, G&L is still known for its high-quality instruments and continues to be a popular choice among guitarists looking for something special. The company's commitment to innovation and craftsmanship has helped it to build a loyal following among musicians who appreciate the unique sound and feel of G&L guitars.
Are they worth the money?
If you are the type of person that enjoys owning something unique, something that would catch the eye of a seasoned collector, or something that you can impress others with your knowledge of guitars, the G&L is a great choice. Since its inception in 1980, USA-made G&L guitars have remained low-production but high-quality products. Getting your hands on a G&L from the early 1980s will leave you incredibly satisfied with its performance and quality while simultaneously giving you a personal part of guitar history.
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