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G&L Guitars - Leo Fender's Late Modelsby Greg Wildermuth
G&L made guitars that would be innovated, high quality and affordable. Most of the designs follow the basic Fender style, but with added features and upgrades. They made lots of custom guitars, and all models were built by hand. Because only a certain number were made, and the high quality standards were set by Leo Fender himself, G&L guitars from the 1980's have become vintage collectibles. Some people feel that Leo Fender's greatest achievements were the Stratocaster, Telecaster and other Fender guitars from the old days. But, Leo Fender himself felt that his G&L guitars were the greatest achievement of his life building guitars. He continued making G&L guitars right up until the day of his death in 1991. From 1991 on, G&L guitars were still made and new models were designed. The company was taken over by BBE, with Leo's wife Phyllis as Honorary Chairman of G&L. One of the innovative features Fender designed for the G&L guitars was a unique type of pickup. These pickups are made of a ceramic core, rather than the traditional blend of aluminum, nickel and cobalt. These pickups have increased sensitivity, and are adjustable. Guitarists can adjust the pickup's output for each individual string, so that the high or low end of the guitar can be emphasized. Another feature Fender designed was a special type of vibrato that bends at two points instead of one, helping to keep the strings from all drifting out of tune. This vibrato was also designed so that you can bend the strings slightly upward as well as downward. G&L guitars have a variety of other features that improve sustain, keep strings in tune, and give guitarists more control over the tone of the guitar. Most of the body designs follow the basic Fender style. The ASAT line, G&L's most popular model, is based on the look of the Fender Telecaster, with G&L's improved features and handmade quality. This series has become the G&L standard model, and includes the ASAT Classic, the Classic Bluesboy, the ASAT Special and the ASAT Z-3. Each model builds on the original. The Legacy series is another popular model of G&L guitar. The bodies are modeled after the Fender Stratocaster of the 1950's, with G&L's improved features. G&L also made basses which have many similar features and distinct G&L pickups. While the look of G&L guitars may not be groundbreaking, their high quality and special features are what make them collectibles. G&L players will rarely ever go with anything else. After all, what can you say about guitars that Leo Fender considers his best? ------------------------------------------------ |
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