G&L....a whole lotta blemishes?

[circusinthesky]

I played a G&L S-500 Tribute (made in Indonesia) today, in an effort to get an idea of the sounds possible with the G&L Pickups and wiring configuration. Nice sounding guitar, but wow, was the finish on that guitar bad. Some foreign bodies under the finish (like pieces of coarse black pepper) that should have been picked off while the finish was still wet, and two dime sized spots near the neck that were much lighter in color, as if they had been missed on previous passes. This was an ash body with a clear finish, so the problems stood out like a sore thumb. They looked really bad.

Since I was interested in a US made S-500 or Legacy (which were out of stock), I looked at the US made Invader to get a better idea of the fit and finish on the US bodies. More foreign bodies in the finish, and a gouge in the wood (on the front of the guitar) that was simply finished over (tobacco finish). I'd have sent both of these back to the rep.

So, what gives? Are your US G&Ls rife with finish problems, or did I just find the bottom of the barrel?

[jazzrat]

Mine is dead perfect, fit and finish. easily the equal of CS Fenders

[gtraddict]

I have multiple G&L's never had a finish problem around 25 with 3 tribute models.

Is it the wood grain you are seeing since it is swamp ash body

[Boris Bubbanov]

My 5 USA G + Ls have immaculate factory finishes.

Sometimes I yearn for the soft feel of lacquer, but the guitars are so striking looking, I'm a little nervous playing them - don't wanna harm the finish.

[circusinthesky]

I have multiple G&L's never had a finish problem around 25 with 3 tribute models.

Is it the wood grain you are seeing since it is swamp ash body

No, wasn't the grain. The shop owner and I looked at it together, and were both surprised that it passed muster.

[circusinthesky]

Okay, I feel a little better, thanks for the replies.

Sounds like 2 or 3 posters here have 25% of the G&Ls in circulation!

[gtraddict]

I just never had any finish problems out of the 25 of so I have had, I have kept 15 of them they range in years from 95 to last year,

So has the shop owner ever seen it before?

[circusinthesky]

So has the shop owner ever seen it before?

Did not ask. He said the finish on the USA's should be far superior to the Tributes though, so we grabbed the USA Invader. When I pointed out the finish flaws on that one, the conversation sort of stalled.

[Axemeister]

I have 6 year old Tribute, which was a Korean built instrument. I also had a U.S. G&L ASAT at the same time. Both had great finishes.

I am wondering how long have they been building these in Indonesia... Maybe its a new factory they are using?

[wlalpaugh]

have had 4 G&L's, all with perfect fit and finish

[CRAIG4FSU]

My USA's are perfect.'98 & '08

[The bear]

No problems with mine.

[bluesyjacuzzi]

had 10 or so. perfect finishes on them all. Setup? some good, some not so good.

[hipcat]

Two Tributes: one Korean, one Indonesian. Both flawless.

[McStrats]

G&L QC has been on the decline for 10+ years now, IMSHO. The Tributes play nicely but could also double as a boat anchor. The Asian built Reverends and CV Squiers knock the pants off the Tributes all day long.

[3leggeddog]

I have Tribute Rampage which was actually made in China (never seen another chinese G&L). Anyway, the finish on it is pretty superb, as is the build quality.

[marscottm]

Tributes = good value and decent quality
US = great quality and a good value used

[sixesandsevens]

No problems with mine (USA-built from the late 90's).

[spankytele]

My Tribute model has no finish issues. She's PERTY!! I wish the gaurd were different though, but that's no deal breaker IMO.

I love my INDO Tribute HSS Legend. The natural finish is perfect but the neck had a problem so I replaced it. I'm in tone heaven again! These Alnico 5 pups are so sweeeet. The replacement neck (also INDO Legend) has a maple cap fretboard with some sweet birds eye. This neck plays oh so nice and it's straight as an arrow.

This axe is quickly moving back up the ranks as one of my favorites.