Fender vs G&L Strat Shootout help wanted
- Thread starter Rainmaker
- Start date
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Fender vs G&L Strat Shootout help wanted
This is a good post, because I've pondered this question in depth.
My conclusion is that Leo founded both companies, but the guitars are WAY different, mostly due to the differences that kept G&L from infringing on Fender patents.
Fender and G&L strats and teles are not similar at all. G&L bridges have a lot of mass, so the overall sound of the guitar is more bold and less resonant than a Fender. This makes it a matter of taste. I prefer Fender bridges, despite the appearance of superior quality from the G&L.
Also, G&L necks are set into the body deeper toward the bridge than Fender, without the fretboard over-hang that Fenders have. On G&L's, the fretboard ends where the neck ends. On Fenders, the fretboard extends over the body by a centimeter. This also means that the necks aren't interchangeable, which was a patent issue.
Fenders are consistent from guitar to guitar. G&L's aren't. The neck profiles differ, so you really need to play a G&L before buying it.
I would never say that G&L's are better than Fender, or visa versa. It's mandatory that you play each individual guitar and decide what you really prefer. My opinion is that traditional strats and teles sound best by Fender. Non pickguard guitars sound better by G&L, such as the Deluxes. I think they're superior to Fender's Showmaster line. Of course it's my opinion, but pickguard guitars....buy Fender......non pickguard guitars....buy A G&L Legacy Deluxe, ASAT Deluxe, or Invader. I've come to that conclusion by owning a bunch of Fenders and G&Ls. Keep in mind, I'm not solely basing it on build quality, but the tones I find to be superior.
Some of the things on G&L's, like their wiring and bridges, seem better in theory, but in a blind listening test I'd steer toward Fenders till we get to the guardless designs.......then, the highmass bridge mates better to that design, and G&L uses US Duncans on those models as well.
This is a good post, because I've pondered this question in depth.
My conclusion is that Leo founded both companies, but the guitars are WAY different, mostly due to the differences that kept G&L from infringing on Fender patents.
Fender and G&L strats and teles are not similar at all. G&L bridges have a lot of mass, so the overall sound of the guitar is more bold and less resonant than a Fender. This makes it a matter of taste. I prefer Fender bridges, despite the appearance of superior quality from the G&L.
Also, G&L necks are set into the body deeper toward the bridge than Fender, without the fretboard over-hang that Fenders have. On G&L's, the fretboard ends where the neck ends. On Fenders, the fretboard extends over the body by a centimeter. This also means that the necks aren't interchangeable, which was a patent issue.
Fenders are consistent from guitar to guitar. G&L's aren't. The neck profiles differ, so you really need to play a G&L before buying it.
I would never say that G&L's are better than Fender, or visa versa. It's mandatory that you play each individual guitar and decide what you really prefer. My opinion is that traditional strats and teles sound best by Fender. Non pickguard guitars sound better by G&L, such as the Deluxes. I think they're superior to Fender's Showmaster line. Of course it's my opinion, but pickguard guitars....buy Fender......non pickguard guitars....buy A G&L Legacy Deluxe, ASAT Deluxe, or Invader. I've come to that conclusion by owning a bunch of Fenders and G&Ls. Keep in mind, I'm not solely basing it on build quality, but the tones I find to be superior.
Some of the things on G&L's, like their wiring and bridges, seem better in theory, but in a blind listening test I'd steer toward Fenders till we get to the guardless designs.......then, the highmass bridge mates better to that design, and G&L uses US Duncans on those models as well.
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Butch Snyder
ObsoleteChickenPickingologist
Re: Fender vs G&L Strat Shootout help wanted
One of the best playing and sounding Strats I have ever played was a G&L George Fullerton model. It blew away any Fender Strat I have ever played...
I was working for L&M Music at that time as a salesman. The guy who was demoing it also agreed; but I couldn't make the sale because he wanted nothing but a Fender. In fact, we compared apples to apples. We had a 3-color suburst Fender 62RI and a 3-color sunburst G&L GF model. There was no contest. The G&L was so much better in fit and finish and sound. Didn't matter though, as I said before, he wanted a Fender...
One of the best playing and sounding Strats I have ever played was a G&L George Fullerton model. It blew away any Fender Strat I have ever played...
I was working for L&M Music at that time as a salesman. The guy who was demoing it also agreed; but I couldn't make the sale because he wanted nothing but a Fender. In fact, we compared apples to apples. We had a 3-color suburst Fender 62RI and a 3-color sunburst G&L GF model. There was no contest. The G&L was so much better in fit and finish and sound. Didn't matter though, as I said before, he wanted a Fender...
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Curly
Moe's Bluesman
Re: Fender vs G&L Strat Shootout help wanted
this debate could go on and on ....
but since I own both ..
yes, G & Ls are generally of higher build quality. They are still made more of the "old way" ... AFAIK, the necks are still shaped by hand, and of course they are made in much smaller numbers
it's true that Fenders retain a better resale, though, which makes used G & Ls a good value
the G & L trem is better, FWIW
I like Fender wiring a little better - G & Ls wiring seems good in theory, but the pot values are high, and the tone is a little bright
however, strat type guitars vary so much from one to another of the SAME brand that you really need to play before you buy, if at all possible
this debate could go on and on ....
but since I own both ..
yes, G & Ls are generally of higher build quality. They are still made more of the "old way" ... AFAIK, the necks are still shaped by hand, and of course they are made in much smaller numbers
it's true that Fenders retain a better resale, though, which makes used G & Ls a good value
the G & L trem is better, FWIW
I like Fender wiring a little better - G & Ls wiring seems good in theory, but the pot values are high, and the tone is a little bright
however, strat type guitars vary so much from one to another of the SAME brand that you really need to play before you buy, if at all possible
Hot _Grits
Buttery Toneologist
Re: Fender vs G&L Strat Shootout help wanted
I've been impressed with all the G&Ls I've played and would put them at a similar level to the higher end MIA and custom shop fenders. In the end, I always tend to find a fender I like better, though. G&Ls have the same weight variances as non-CS MIA fenders, and accordingly some sound better than others. Of course, there's very little price difference between top of the line G&Ls and fenders down here, so the value argument doesn't wash for me where I live.
I'm very impressed with the tribute line. Great for the money. I'd definitely choose one over an MIM fender.
I've been impressed with all the G&Ls I've played and would put them at a similar level to the higher end MIA and custom shop fenders. In the end, I always tend to find a fender I like better, though. G&Ls have the same weight variances as non-CS MIA fenders, and accordingly some sound better than others. Of course, there's very little price difference between top of the line G&Ls and fenders down here, so the value argument doesn't wash for me where I live.
I'm very impressed with the tribute line. Great for the money. I'd definitely choose one over an MIM fender.
