So is everyone hip to the new product lines that G&L has introduced over the past year? They've gone from having a single USA product line to now offering 5 different tiers of products. It's quite a bit of change to digest, and I'm not sure G&L has done much in the way of marketing to explain exactly what's happened. So allow me to explain, and I'll work my way from the most expensive line to the least expensive line.
G&L Custom Shop
This line was introduced in 2018, and it includes some unique options as well as some unique default specs, all of which are unavailable in any of the other product lines:
- the default finish is a thin skin urethane which offers the durability of a poly finish with the sonic benefits of a thin lacquer finish
- there are a variety of custom wound pickups to choose from
- the body and necks woods are carefully chosen for weight, grain pattern, etc. to best meet the needs of the customer
- the hardshell case is fabulously pimped out
G&L Option Order
What used to be the only USA-made product line that G&L offered is now called the Option Order line. This line continues to have the same extensive list of options that they've always offered. The only change I've noticed on the 2019 price list is that the Premier finishes are now a $215 MSRP / $150 INTERNET upgrade instead of the old price of $143 MSRP / $100 INTERNET.
CLF Research
In 2018, G&L took a page out of Fender's book and offered two "new" models in a limited number of color combinations. The two models happen to be throwback sorts of instruments: they did a modern take on an early '80's L-2000, and then they reintroduced the L-1000.
Fullerton Deluxe
New for 2019, G&L has once again used a page from Fender's book to introduce a limited number of color combinations for two popular models (the LB-100 and the JB). They intend to build these in batches, and the economy of savings they expect are represented in several hundred dollars off the price if you were to order the exact same thing as a one-off Option Order instrument. The Fullerton Deluxe line comes standard with:
- Vintage Tint Gloss Neck finish
- Hardshell Case
Fullerton Standard
Also new for 2019 is a slightly less dressed up version of the Fullerton Deluxe line. The models are once again limted to the JB and the LB-100, the color choices are similarly limted. The Fullerton Standard line comes with:
- Clear Satin Neck finish
- Gig bag
So how do these all compare price-wise? I'll use an LB-100 with no upgrades to demonstrate the basic differences between the various product lines:
Custom Shop LB-100 starts at $3220 MSRP / $2250 INTERNET
Option Order LB-100 starts at $1928 MSRP / $1349.99 INTERNET
CLF Reseach does not apply to the LB-100
Fullerton Deluxe LB-100 starts at $2072 MSRP / $1449.99 INTERNET*
Fullerton Standard LB-100 starts at $1430 MSRP / $1049.99 INTERNET
* To accurately compare the Fullerton Deluxe LB-100 to the equivalent Option Order LB-100, you need to add the $215 MSRP / $150 INTERNET upcharge for the Vintage Tint Gloss neck. So the Option Order version would cost you $2143 MSRP / $1499.99 INTERNET, compared to $2072 MSRP / $1449.99 INTERNET for the Fullerton Deluxe. So it's basically a $50 savings.
Complicated? A little bit. But hopefully this helps explains things. Let me know if you have any questions!
G&L Custom Shop
This line was introduced in 2018, and it includes some unique options as well as some unique default specs, all of which are unavailable in any of the other product lines:
- the default finish is a thin skin urethane which offers the durability of a poly finish with the sonic benefits of a thin lacquer finish
- there are a variety of custom wound pickups to choose from
- the body and necks woods are carefully chosen for weight, grain pattern, etc. to best meet the needs of the customer
- the hardshell case is fabulously pimped out
G&L Option Order
What used to be the only USA-made product line that G&L offered is now called the Option Order line. This line continues to have the same extensive list of options that they've always offered. The only change I've noticed on the 2019 price list is that the Premier finishes are now a $215 MSRP / $150 INTERNET upgrade instead of the old price of $143 MSRP / $100 INTERNET.
CLF Research
In 2018, G&L took a page out of Fender's book and offered two "new" models in a limited number of color combinations. The two models happen to be throwback sorts of instruments: they did a modern take on an early '80's L-2000, and then they reintroduced the L-1000.
Fullerton Deluxe
New for 2019, G&L has once again used a page from Fender's book to introduce a limited number of color combinations for two popular models (the LB-100 and the JB). They intend to build these in batches, and the economy of savings they expect are represented in several hundred dollars off the price if you were to order the exact same thing as a one-off Option Order instrument. The Fullerton Deluxe line comes standard with:
- Vintage Tint Gloss Neck finish
- Hardshell Case
Fullerton Standard
Also new for 2019 is a slightly less dressed up version of the Fullerton Deluxe line. The models are once again limted to the JB and the LB-100, the color choices are similarly limted. The Fullerton Standard line comes with:
- Clear Satin Neck finish
- Gig bag
So how do these all compare price-wise? I'll use an LB-100 with no upgrades to demonstrate the basic differences between the various product lines:
Custom Shop LB-100 starts at $3220 MSRP / $2250 INTERNET
Option Order LB-100 starts at $1928 MSRP / $1349.99 INTERNET
CLF Reseach does not apply to the LB-100
Fullerton Deluxe LB-100 starts at $2072 MSRP / $1449.99 INTERNET*
Fullerton Standard LB-100 starts at $1430 MSRP / $1049.99 INTERNET
* To accurately compare the Fullerton Deluxe LB-100 to the equivalent Option Order LB-100, you need to add the $215 MSRP / $150 INTERNET upcharge for the Vintage Tint Gloss neck. So the Option Order version would cost you $2143 MSRP / $1499.99 INTERNET, compared to $2072 MSRP / $1449.99 INTERNET for the Fullerton Deluxe. So it's basically a $50 savings.
Complicated? A little bit. But hopefully this helps explains things. Let me know if you have any questions!
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