Fender guitars vrs. G&L Leo Fender guitars

[Revelation]

I have a 1982 Fender Strat and my friend just purchased a G&L Legacy (Strat) and G&L ASAT Classic (Tele). I have had them in my studio for over a week and spent many hours comparing my Strat with his. I wanted to share my findings.

The neck on the G&L is easier to play. I also know it does not have that brown filler on the back of the neck that the Fender guitars have. That is because instead of putting the truss rod in the back of the neck and using a filler to close the back of the neck, Leo decided on the G&L models to cut the neck in half, insert the truss rod and then glue it back together again. The glue is very strong and you can't even tell this was done. This way it creates less stress on the neck which should help keep it straight.

Pickups and sound

The G&L Legacy has less noise than the Fender Strat pickups, and a tad quieter in volume as well. It also has more treble than the Fender Strat pickups. If I take the tone control down to 5 on the G&L, it sounds closer to the Fender sound. However the pickups are a little more lively, and open sounding. With a distortion channel on a amp, this gives the Strat more kick and in my opinion a better tone. On the clean channel on my Fender Twin the Fender Strat just sounds great. That classic tone of Eric Claption, Steve Miller Band and Hendrix on Along the Watchtower. Just great. I found the G&L with the same amp settings had too much treble. If I had 7 on the treble knob with my Fender, the G&L Legacy I had to turn down to 4 to get it closer with what the Fender sounded like. When done, the toggle switch 2 and 4 are pretty similar to the Fender all though it still gives a little more of an open sound.

Whammy bar on the G&L is more solid, with a thick bar and one that is a little smoother. Not the best whammy bar, but a little more acceptable. Bridge is also thicker and bigger compared to the Fender bridge.

For the most part as you could already tell, I like Leo Fenders 80's design Strat over his 50's design Strat. Though for certain sounds like Eric Claptons Layla or Lay Down Sally a Fender Strat gets you more of that sound. But then again, Claptons sound in the 70's - many of his records is thin and uninspiring. If he played a G&L Legacy over a Fender Strat with the Cream reunion concert, it would of had more punch.

In regards to the ASAT Classic, the backup is pretty similar to the Fender pickup, but the front pick up blows away the weak pickup on the Fender Telecaster. It is fuller, sounding over a Strat pickup, and a lot more open over the Fender Teli pickup in the front. That also helps make the middle position on the toggle sound better too. In case you did not guess it, I like the ASAT Classic much better than the Fender Tel since it has more great sounds. Too bad G&L cannot advertize that their guitars are Fender guitars even though it's true. Leo just got new technology and for the most part made his two popular guitars even better.

[matt thomas]

I have found G&L to be great value for money guitars, although I have never compared them side by side I have always believed they would stand up admirably

narco

[WEAPON_X]

first to say, i play strat style guitars 99% of my life. and i played/had the oppertuity to play a real wide range of strats of all kinds,models, brands and price - from cheap chinese copies (where some are astonishing good, stock fenders, reissues and to some super vintage ones from 61,62 and even a 59 one strat).
i own two g&l guitars, where one is a legacy. and IMHO this one is that what you would get when you unite the craftmans ship of the 50s and the best sonic qualities of what is "stratlike". a stock g&l legacy beats a stock and - yes - a custom shop/ reissue strat any day. IMHO; my legacy is on par with some 62 and 63 strats, when you take in account that they were more beaten and had more time to develop their unique sound, and obvously my 93 legacy hadnt the amont of of aging yet, bt it has the same mojo right there.
i truely believe that george and leo defined in the g&l guitars what they thought is the real strat tone.
g&ls often do seem brighter, punchier, more defined and "faster" in the tonal range, but this comes from the better woods, better workmanship and the used pickups. you can easly alter the character (more vintage, more modern, more bluesy etc) of the g&l with the pickups, i assume that was what leo wanted, he wanted a guitar that open ups all possibilities in a all styles without loosing quality or beeing flat. when you want a early 60ies tone, put some fralin pick ups in, and if it doesnt rock the house, then it is more likely that you dont rock the house, because the guitar will deliver. (obviously i do not mean the thread starter, i mean you=everybody )
g&l are guitars for grown up strat players.

[Bolt Thrower]

1982 was a terrible time for Fender. The best strats of that era were made in Japan by Fuji Gen Gakki (Fernandes, Greco, etc) and Tokai.

G&Ls are great, especially those in a natural finish.

[thenoiseflower]

The early asats are some of the best modern tele's around. no neck plate, those ones are really well made, great sounding guitars!

[PlayItLoud]

I've just posted a thread on this page regarding a g&l custom assat classic three for sale, check it out g&l fans!!!

i'd say the best tele EVER made, and 1 of only 100!!!

[brendondp]

Here's mine:

Cheers,

bdp

[xhavepatiencex]

I have an '83 L-2000 bass, and its awesome and I love it... the only downside is it weighs about as much as a small child. it will give you serious back problems.

[carival]

All of the G & L guitars I've played seemed to be good instruments and a good value. Not all Fender guitars I've played were good instruments or a good value. G & L does not make Stratocasters or Telecasters.

[DCtoDaylight]

Heh...they'll have to pry my G&L Broadcaster (1st year production of ASAT) out of my cold dead fingers.

I actually got to speak briefly with George Fullerton (the "G" of G&L) on the phone back in '86 or so when I called the factory regarding a bad output jack on the guitar. I complimented him on the Broadcaster, and he said, "Yeah, it's like a Tele only more so!" Which I thought was just about right.

[WDG]

The brown stripe or skunk stripe in the Fender necks was only decrative in 1982 because after the switch to the rosewood finger board in 59 the truss rod was put in from the front just like G&L.

Wasn't the 82 strats the ones with only one volume and one tone knob and the output jack was surface mounted on the pickguard?

[initialsBB]

Originally Posted by WDG

The brown stripe or skunk stripe in the Fender necks was only decrative in 1982 because after the switch to the rosewood finger board in 59 the truss rod was put in from the front just like G&L.

Huh? Surely any model with a maple fingerboard has always had the skunk stripe. And why would fender ever bother to put a "decorative" skunk stripe on a neck with a rosewood board? That doesn't make sense.

[WDG]

Ok BB it seems that we are both wrong. LOL I looked in 2 strat books to prove you wrong. I finaly found the info in the Tele book.

59 they started installing the truss rod from the front due to haveing the rosewood caped finger board. 63 - 69 had an optional maple cap and should be refered to as "Maple board necks" rather then "maple necks". The maple board necks had the truss rod installed from the front via no skunk stripe.

In 69 they reintroduced the one piece maple neck. Rather then having 2 different ways of puting in truss rods they started puting the truss rod in the rear on all necks so rosewood necks have the skunk stripe. This does not included all the reissues.

[chetatkinsdiet]

I've got a first year G&L L1000 that I love. I also had a great L2000E that I sold a few years back that was great too. The only reason it got sold was that I got a really early Musicman Sabre which was about the same thing, but even better...at least the one I got is. It's probably the fattest sounding active bass I've ever heard.

But, like anything else, if you get a good one, it's hard to beat....none of these compare to my 70 Pbass. It's been refinished and looks like hell, but sounds and feels amazing.

later,

m

[pan60]

i am a big big big G&L fanatic and own several and collect more when my pocket book allows: )
i am hooked on the G&L ASAT classic, it is my go to axe.
i also love the ASAT special and often times i am torn as to witch to use.
Revelation, which G&L Legacy, which G&L ASAT Classic?
their are to basic builds alder and ash.
alder models get a solid finish and ash gets the translucent finishes, ( excluding god's know what for customs ).
if i remember correct this is also true for most of the older fender guitars.
and what necks maple boards or rosewood?
just curious.
i think the pickup's used in the G&L guitars are among some of the best you could ask for, in looking for a classic sound but yet a bit improved to my ear.

[pan60]

Originally Posted by carival

G & L does not make Stratocasters or Telecasters.

G&L why would they?
they make the Legacy and the S-500, as well the ASAT, not to mention their customs or bass's.

i have played very very few Fenders that came close to the build quality of any of my G&L guitars and the few that have were custom shop stuff at two and three times the price.
even then they were cirtenly no better.
no i have some custom guitars and some fenders as well as my colletion of G&L guitars, but before i part with any of my G&L's, the Gibsons will go: )

[chrispick]

Wow. I'm really interested in the G&Ls now. I've had sort of a passing interest over the years, but never bothered to test-drive one. I think that'll change soon.

[dlmorley]

I have had 3 G&L's (a broadcaster, and 2 F100's) and still have my F100. I played a few more recent ones too.
I love them. I sold my Broadcaster because it didn't do the tele thing how I wanted it. Sorry! Having said that, it had a unique sound that was very cool. As does the F100.
I LOVE the build quality and woods on G&L. Less so the Electrics.
All in all great though. Then again, nothing wrong with a good Fender

[the russian]

Ditto...

I love my Commanche. I'm thinking about picking up a hollow-bodied ASAT. An earlier poster mentioned that the earlier ASATS were choice picks. Would somebody like to school me on the difference between the newer models and the originals?

[initialsBB]

Originally Posted by WDG

Ok BB it seems that we are both wrong. LOL I looked in 2 strat books to prove you wrong.

Oh yeah, I forgot about the maple necks with the separate maple board. That always seemed strange to me. I never knew there were rosewood boards with the skunk stripe though. Mainly because I prefer maple and so I ignore rosewood fenders.

I have an L1000 that I love and it has that nice nipple-free headstock Their guitars seem nice but I've never liked the way they look. And I hate the neck finishes on the newer models I've played. Cool basses though.

[pickman]

Hi

i have 2 G&L wont ever sell them!

Asat from 89 amazing guitar

and s-500 which sounds like a dream (changed the PTB to regular tones highly recommended)

check them out both here

Pro guitar teacher gives lessons NYC area

keep playing G&L

[private_stock]

I've worked at both a Fender dealer and a G&L dealer...

I am going to risk making some people angry (but all in good fun) by saying that G&L guitars are certainly better than Fender guitars.


Don't hate me.

[Sean Sullivan]

I'd really like to pick up a G&L LB-100 and a SC-1 in lake placid blue...don't have the dough at the moment and they are hard to find.

[blesscurse]

guitarnerd… awesome vintage guitars, australian made guitars, guitar pedals… basically everything that is cool about guitars! may contribute to this discussion.

[kittyboy]

Originally Posted by pickman

Hi

i have 2 G&L wont ever sell them!

Asat from 89 amazing guitar

and s-500 which sounds like a dream (changed the PTB to regular tones highly recommended)

check them out both here

Pro guitar teacher gives lessons NYC area

keep playing G&L

can you explain the mod you're suggesting on the S-500? (I have one)


also, what are the best asats?

[Lawn Pimp]

Originally Posted by kittyboy

can you explain the mod you're suggesting on the S-500? (I have one)


also, what are the best asats?

Best ASAT's in my experience are ASAT Specials built around the late 80's. The ones that still have the tilt screw in the neck plate.

Loads of guts and the p/ups have lost a little HF and feel punchier as a result. Great necks too.

[kittyboy]

Given that I've got an S-500 already, what would be a logical second G&L.

Asat with soapbar MFDs?

Something else?

[Bubbakron]

Lets all trade our custom shops for Parker Flys!!! Yeah right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pickman]

Originally Posted by kittyboy

can you explain the mod you're suggesting on the S-500? (I have one)


also, what are the best asats?

Yes simple disconect the pot and change it to traditional tones(like the old fender)

mine has so much better sound like this

all the Asats are great you just need to find one that rings nicely

[zabukowski]

I own 3 G&L's : George Fullerton Signature, ASAT Special and L-2000 bass.

Beautiful, lifetime guitars - my next guitar next will be G&L Legacy Special ...

I am not interested in Fender at all - G&L IS 'real' Fender.

Zabukowski