G&L Tribute Bluesboy - Should I pull the trigger?

[Chickenwings]

Re: G&L Tribute Bluesboy - Should I pull the trigger?

the best lumber stays in the US factory, of course

Thats why i reckon he should wait. Pickups and components are easily and cheaply upgraded, but its all there to get the best out of the wood.

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: G&L Tribute Bluesboy - Should I pull the trigger?

I always laugh when people make blanket generalizations about things they've never touched, let alone seen.

Congratulations.

These. Judge the instrument, not where it was made.

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: G&L Tribute Bluesboy - Should I pull the trigger?

Thats why i reckon he should wait. Pickups and components are easily and cheaply upgraded, but its all there to get the best out of the wood.

So would AAA ash sound better than AA ash to you? Really there would be no difference if between the two grades because of all the other factors and variables involved (And I'm not saying wood doesn't make a difference, just that quality of wood doesn't make a night and day difference between instruments).

Also, you could argue that AAA would look better under a transparent finish, but looks are so subjective. An example is some people LOVE knots in guitars, and some people HATE knots on guitars.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: G&L Tribute Bluesboy - Should I pull the trigger?

For me, it comes down to the sum of the parts, not the individual parts. Wood is variable, and its standalone "quality" does not always translate into the quality of the entire instrument.

Easy way to figure it out? Only buy instruments that you play first.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: G&L Tribute Bluesboy - Should I pull the trigger?

So would AAA ash sound better than AA ash to you? Really there would be no difference if between the two grades because of all the other factors and variables involved (And I'm not saying wood doesn't make a difference, just that quality of wood doesn't make a night and day difference between instruments).

Also, you could argue that AAA would look better under a transparent finish, but looks are so subjective. An example is some people LOVE knots in guitars, and some people HATE knots on guitars.

i dont even know what AAA means. I just play guitars unplugged and use my ears. Its pretty easy to tell good axes from the no so good axes that way. Looks are an entirely different issue. Id never buy a nice looking axe that doesnt sound good.

All the G&L USA instruments i have played have impressed me with how sweet and resonant they were.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: G&L Tribute Bluesboy - Should I pull the trigger?

I don't think anyone is arguing that the Tributes are as good or better than the USA models. The Tributes are great guitars in their own right though. I don't think I'd upgrade anything on them aside from possibly the pickups (but I do that on pretty much any guitar).

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: G&L Tribute Bluesboy - Should I pull the trigger?

I don't think anyone is arguing that the Tributes are as good or better than the USA models. The Tributes are great guitars in their own right though. I don't think I'd upgrade anything on them aside from possibly the pickups (but I do that on pretty much any guitar).

Exactly.

The comparison made was of Tributes to USA Fenders.

Hardware and pickups, Tributes win. Workmanship and attention to detail, Fender USAs win. As for finish, it's a tie. All IMO of course.

 

[Laughing Kookaburra]

Re: G&L Tribute Bluesboy - Should I pull the trigger?

Every G&L I've picked up - including Tribute models - has been a great guitar. I don't think I can name any other brand that produces such consistently good instruments.

Agree. There was a shop in Madison, WI, that had a number of Tributes, all very good. I'd say that also about the others I've picked up here and there through the years.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: G&L Tribute Bluesboy - Should I pull the trigger?

Gday Brian!

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: G&L Tribute Bluesboy - Should I pull the trigger?

Said it before. Happy to say it again. CNC routing machines recognise no territorial boundaries. Given the same lumber, any factory can turn out the basic shaped parts. Other more skilled process techniques can be acquired through training and experience.

Ultimately, the difference is time and attention to detail. This is what you are paying for when going the extra mile for a Custom Shop or bespoke product.

Meanwhile, if I am not mistaken, Brian May's Red Special number one guitar was made in Surrey, England. Wow. Not the USA! It must be a complete crock of sh!t. He'll never get a decent or original sound out out that.

 

[BEACHBUM]

Re: G&L Tribute Bluesboy - Should I pull the trigger?

Well, after a lot of arguing with myself I decided to go for it. Since I already own a traditional style "Cort" Tele the body and neck are pretty much what I expected. Even the the Tobacco finish color is the very same shade and tone as the Cort made Fender Koa model I have. Same body and neck profile with a different headstock and a 9" instead of 9 1/2 inch radius. Truth be know I really can't feel the difference at all.

Set up was good out of the box and all I had to do was a few truss rod tweaks and lower the strings to my pleasure and she's got the action I like. No buzz no fuss. Finish is flawless and the hardware seems to be top notch. Normally I change my Tele bridges to Gotoh first thing but I'm very impressed with with the quality of this ones Vintage style 6 saddle so I think I'm going to keep it. With the understanding that I often like what I know more than know what I like I'm gonna reserve judgement on the pickups. They are very good indeed and the volume balance is just fine but they also sound quite different from my other Teles. It may be that I just need to spend some time with this ceramic bridge pup for awhile to get a feeling for what it can do for me.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: G&L Tribute Bluesboy - Should I pull the trigger?

Yup, the ASAT Classic bridges are great. I am putting one on my latest build.

As for the tone of the pickup. ASATs are not really all that much like Teles, mainly for that reason. The screw-poled ceramics are different beasts.

 

[BEACHBUM]

Re: G&L Tribute Bluesboy - Should I pull the trigger?

Yup, the ASAT Classic bridges are great. I am putting one on my latest build.

As for the tone of the pickup. ASATs are not really all that much like Teles, mainly for that reason. The screw-poled ceramics are different beasts.

That's pretty much my take on the bridge pup as well. On the other hand why would I want all my Teles to sound the same. The more I play it the more I'm hearing how this one could easily become my go to for Jazz/Blues and such.

 

[Laughing Kookaburra]

Re: G&L Tribute Bluesboy - Should I pull the trigger?

Gday Brian!

Gday Cam!

That looks sweet beachbum! Enjoy!

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: G&L Tribute Bluesboy - Should I pull the trigger?

Very nice!

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: G&L Tribute Bluesboy - Should I pull the trigger?

Sweet thing, congratulations!