G&L vs. Fender

[philcoleman4]

I'm looking into purchasing a New Fat Strat type of guitar. I'm probably going to spend around $550. But I hear really good things about the G&L's and I've never played one because they don't carry them anywhere near where I live. I know the MIM Strat's are great for the $ and if they are tweaked and modded right can sound really awesome. I've heard them with Suhr's and Fender Fat 50's and I was pretty impressed. I'm just curious as to how G&L's $500 guitar holds up to Fender's MIM stuff.

 

[XKnight]

You can find a used USA made G&L for about $550 and I would definitely recommend it over a MIM Fender. As for the G&L Tribute series, they are comparable to MIM Fender.

 

[philcoleman4]

Which Models are $550? Any other suggestions?

 

[Jammin'John]

G&L's are the best used guitars on the planet.
Tough to find one for $550.
Used Tributes are $350+.

JJ

 

[fredgarvin]

I recently played a Legacy that was very impressive, as good as anything I've handled. It was $700 used which seems to be what they are going for from what I've seen.

 

[BIGGERSTAFF]

G&L's are the best used guitars on the planet.
Tough to find one for $550.
Used Tributes are $350+.

JJ

Used Hamers and Heritages are great deals too.

 

[philcoleman4]

I can scrape up some cash to get one. I've heard nothing but good things about them compared to fenders. What about the Tribute series though? Are they better than the MIM Fenders?

 

[asattwanger]

Just save a litle bit more money and buy a used USA G&L. You will really thank yourself in the long run as you end with four or five of them, because you'll love the great quality for stupid money and won't be able to resist spend another $700. on another.

 

[philcoleman4]

Sounds Good.

 

[Jon C]

You can find a used USA made G&L for about $550 and I would definitely recommend it over a MIM Fender. As for the G&L Tribute series, they are comparable to MIM Fender.

comparable only as to their place in the lineup IMO (entry level) ... the G&L Tributes I've played are far, far better than the vast majority of the MIM Fenders.

 

[philcoleman4]

Do the neck's have more of a finish on them or are they more unfinished?

 

[Trego]

you can get either...I personally like the gun oil tint finish.

 

[philcoleman4]

Is that a thin layer or thick layer?

 

[ponpon]

I had two G&Ls they were great. They dont really cop the fender sound though because the pickups are very different, the build quality is pretty good though. I sold both of them to buy my ej strat, and I have to say that I prefer the ej strat.

 

[philcoleman4]

That was my biggest concern because I really like the fender sound. And I know they use a Passive Treble Bass System in them which to me could make the pickups sound really full, or really mushy.

 

[Boris Bubbanov]

That was my biggest concern because I really like the fender sound. And I know they use a Passive Treble Bass System in them which to me could make the pickups sound really full, or really mushy.

The pickups are a little more high powered than many Fender pickups, but if you spend enough time around the bass cut and treble cut controls, you'll see you have a great deal more versatility. You don't simply stick the volume and tone controls on 10 then look to the amp and pedals for all your adjustments; the knobs really really work.

Phil, until very recently used ones at $ 550 were plentiful, and that will resume; it is just that a lot of guitar would-be buyers got pissed when they saw Fender ( and Gibson and PRS ) lists go up, so there was a temporary spike in demand for used "others". It won't last. I just got pipped on a really nice looking ASAT Classic, EXC+ (all but new) for which the dealer wanted $ 650.

 

[philcoleman4]

Hmm....I have a lot to process and think about. But do the G&L pickups POP like fender pickups do?

 

[Jon C]

what Boris said ... typical Strat tones are in there, too, along with much more than you can ever get out of most Strats w/ the PTB tone system (bass & treble cut on all 3 pickups).

jc

 

[VaughnC]

Yup, I somewhat agree with Boris too. I love my Legacy for the wide tonal range it covers BUT, IMO, it won't quite do a good what I consider to be a good vintage Strat sound. So, I'd say comparing a G&L to a Fender is like apples to oranges...they are their own thing.

 

[philcoleman4]

I may go ahead and see if I can get one just to finally try one out to give my own opinion. G&L does seem to have a little more versatility to them though.