Leo Fender, the creator of both Fender and G&L, famously declared that: “G&L guitars (and basses) are the best instruments I have ever made”.
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Truth or Marketing?
- Thread starter Pluckoff
- Start date
It depends on whether you agree with what Leo Fender considered to be refinements.
In guitar terms, he got a lot right with the first Telecaster, except some weird wiring decisions. The Strat is clearly a refinement of this idea. The Jaguar and Jazzmaster are, again, an evolution. But, those offsets were designed to have a broad tone with lots of passive circuitry cunning to give players more options. Are they better than a slab-bodied '52 Tele? Or, are they convoluted and fiddly designs, lacking a certain mojo because the performance Leo chased in his designs deviated increasingly from what guitarists and bassists actually wanted.
In guitar terms, he got a lot right with the first Telecaster, except some weird wiring decisions. The Strat is clearly a refinement of this idea. The Jaguar and Jazzmaster are, again, an evolution. But, those offsets were designed to have a broad tone with lots of passive circuitry cunning to give players more options. Are they better than a slab-bodied '52 Tele? Or, are they convoluted and fiddly designs, lacking a certain mojo because the performance Leo chased in his designs deviated increasingly from what guitarists and bassists actually wanted.
Well, that is a Leo Fender quote, so it depends on whether you agree with him or not…
Leo died in 1991 and G&L was sold to BBE later that year. That's 32 years ago. At the time, G&L was making better instruments. These days, the difference between them comes down to personal preference.
I've always felt it's prudent to speak positively about the thing you're trying to sell.
I think Leo Def meant it. Having said that.....I had a USA G&L ASAT Bluesboy that was hands down the best Tele I ever played and ive been incredibly lucky enough to play some amazing Teles over the years. I really miss it.
He liked them so much he put his name on them.
Well... since Leo Fender created and ran both companies, seems to me that he would be in a position to know - when he said it, anyway. And, while Leo's "G&L is the best..." may not be totally objective truth, it would certainly seem to be his truth...
Personally? I own both a '78 Fender P-Bass and a '15 G&L ASAT Bass. Based on objective criteria, which is "Better"? I'd have to say that the G&L is the winner - but not by a whole lot. It's considerably lighter than the Fender, but it's also noticeably more neck heavy. Not by a lot, but... you feel it when you play it. And, being an active bass, it's a lot more "versatile" than my old Fender. Which, for me, is not really a point in it's favor; I own and play 23 different basses, so "versatile" doesn't win many points with me. However; a '23 Fender vs. a '23 G&L? That's a question I can't answer; my herd is all full, so I'll let y'all fight... er, argue... over their relative merits...
Personally? I own both a '78 Fender P-Bass and a '15 G&L ASAT Bass. Based on objective criteria, which is "Better"? I'd have to say that the G&L is the winner - but not by a whole lot. It's considerably lighter than the Fender, but it's also noticeably more neck heavy. Not by a lot, but... you feel it when you play it. And, being an active bass, it's a lot more "versatile" than my old Fender. Which, for me, is not really a point in it's favor; I own and play 23 different basses, so "versatile" doesn't win many points with me. However; a '23 Fender vs. a '23 G&L? That's a question I can't answer; my herd is all full, so I'll let y'all fight... er, argue... over their relative merits...
What else could he have said? Although I am with G&L now, I made the best instruments when I was at Fender?
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
What was the single-pickup version, was that the Broadcaster or the Esquire? That guitar had some seriously weird wiring decisions!
Also I think most folks -- including Leo -- would agree that having a single bridge saddle for every pair of strings was a compromise at best.
Smooth_bass88
vaxx!
- Oct 31, 2006
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- have been on nationally released albums, charting on the Billboard 200
A man very proud of his work offers his opinion.
Then he muttered some expletive under his breath about CBS & the Doctor who misdiagnosed him...
According to some people on here, just as soon as Leo made his first P bass things started going down the toilet.
When I got FSO-curious it was the bridge design that made me go for a G&L JB4 instead of a Fender Jazz. When people ask I just say I play a Fender though.
The good folk at TDPRI would keep us straight! The first 'snakehead' Tele was an Esquire as it only had a bridge pickup. Whether the Esquire truly predates the Broad/Telecaster I don't know. Wired on the assumption you would never want to use both pickups at the same time but might want a preset bassy tone.
I've owned a lot of Fenders, mostly Ps and one J. I have owned 4 G&Ls, three of which I still have.
SB2, SB2-T, LB 100, M2500.
My observations are G&L pays more attention to fit and finish than Fender. G&L instruments are also more modern in design and configuration. It seems Fender is only now moving in that direction. I've traditionally been a Fender Fan Boy, but I like my G&Ls better. Of those my favorite is my SB2-T.
SB2, SB2-T, LB 100, M2500.
My observations are G&L pays more attention to fit and finish than Fender. G&L instruments are also more modern in design and configuration. It seems Fender is only now moving in that direction. I've traditionally been a Fender Fan Boy, but I like my G&Ls better. Of those my favorite is my SB2-T.
The G&L bridge and it's mounting and saddle-lock concept is what stood out the most for me compared to Fender and other brands. Saddle Lock Bridge
