New Old G&L Design: "CLF Research Espada"

[Chistopher]

According to G&L this design was built off of scrapped plans that Leo came up with back in '69. It appears to be a "modern" take on the Tele with long pole split coil pickups, PTB wiring, series/parallel between the coils, and a low impedance mode with an optional treble boost. The bridge is a "Saddle-Lock" design that claims to be more efficient at transferring energy to the body, which I think is odd. To me all that looks to do is kill sustain.



Any thoughts on this design? It looks pretty cool to me, but I don't know any particulars about the pickups or neck yet.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: New Old G&L Design: "CLF Research Espada"

I think it’s pretty awesome - a couple years ago G&L posted pictures of Leo’s original prototype and its restoration, the stuff they’re doing of late (this, the Skyhawk, The Doheny V12) is pretty appealing.

The saddle lock bridge is the same as on almost any hardtail G&L Guitar since 1980 ; in part the purpose is to prevent the saddles from being able to wiggle/vibrate independently and lose energy; once you tighten it, action and intonation are locked. It also has a boss into the body to firmly embed itself; its a pretty great design, maybe my favorite bridge.

 

[VinceT]

Re: New Old G&L Design: "CLF Research Espada"

The prototype for his was on one of the Andertons (I think) vids - Lee and, again I think, Danish Pete visited the G&L offices and saw Leo’s office, etc. interesting to see it released.


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[GuitarStv]

Re: New Old G&L Design: "CLF Research Espada"

Block inlays are pretty sexy. I kinda like the more rounded telecaster look (never been a fan of regular telecasters . . . although we're all used to them now, they're among the ugliest electric guitars ever built).

 

[Mincer]

Re: New Old G&L Design: "CLF Research Espada"

I think they know that anything tied to 'designed by Leo Fender' will probably sell. That being said, I kinda dig it. The wood finish makes it look very 70s, but it would be pretty cool with solid colors.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: New Old G&L Design: "CLF Research Espada"

First good looking "retro" design I've seen in a long time. I'd rock that in all its bare wood glory!

 

[jeremy]

Re: New Old G&L Design: "CLF Research Espada"

reverse the stagger on the pups and im in!

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: New Old G&L Design: "CLF Research Espada"

Being a G&L user and proponent for almost 25 years, I want to like it...but I don't. It's just not visually attractive to me. The control plate is a dumb shape, the pickguard is unattractive, and the clear finish and black block inlays (two things I despise aesthetically) just make it that much worse.

Such a shame. All it needs is a better pickguard and control plate shape.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: New Old G&L Design: "CLF Research Espada"

Being a G&L user and proponent for almost 25 years, I want to like it...but I don't. It's just not visually attractive to me. The control plate is a dumb shape, the pickguard is unattractive, and the clear finish and black block inlays (two things I despise aesthetically) just make it that much worse.

Such a shame. All it needs is a better pickguard and control plate shape.

I'm a black block-lover, ask my Jazz Bass. I do think it would look better (more 'G&L' too) minus a pickguard. I'm pretty ok with the fact that no Telecaster is visually attractive to me (yet I have two.) So maybe I'm giving the shape leeway for that reason; it does look better for me with the rounder-radiuses edges though.

What I dislike about the plate is, it goes up higher than where you'd logically place any controls. Looks like it's only available in burst and natural right now, and I would take the maple/natural first:

 

[MythicGuitarCo]

Re: New Old G&L Design: "CLF Research Espada"

According to G&L this design was built off of scrapped plans that Leo came up with back in '69. It appears to be a "modern" take on the Tele with long pole split coil pickups, PTB wiring, series/parallel between the coils, and a low impedance mode with an optional treble boost. The bridge is a "Saddle-Lock" design that claims to be more efficient at transferring energy to the body, which I think is odd. To me all that looks to do is kill sustain.

View attachment 100290

Any thoughts on this design? It looks pretty cool to me, but I don't know any particulars about the pickups or neck yet.

It seems like the neck pickup(s) would have to have different windings in order to remain balanced. If they were identical, it would likely be too bass heavy and unbalanced. Given that G&L would never produce an imbalanced guitar, I'm curious to know what they did.

mythicguitars.com

 

[MythicGuitarCo]

Re: New Old G&L Design: "CLF Research Espada"

Being a G&L user and proponent for almost 25 years, I want to like it...but I don't. It's just not visually attractive to me. The control plate is a dumb shape, the pickguard is unattractive, and the clear finish and black block inlays (two things I despise aesthetically) just make it that much worse.

Such a shame. All it needs is a better pickguard and control plate shape.

Crap I didn't even notice the control plate..... now I do.... now I hate it too....

mythicguitars.com

 

[Chistopher]

Re: New Old G&L Design: "CLF Research Espada"

It seems like the neck pickup(s) would have to have different windings in order to remain balanced. If they were identical, it would likely be too bass heavy and unbalanced. Given that G&L would never produce an imbalanced guitar, I'm curious to know what they did.

I'm thinking it's something in the opposite direction from that. If they wound each coil differently they would diminish the hum cancelling effect. Especially with single coils I don't think there would be too much issue with a slight movement in the coil causing excess bass.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: New Old G&L Design: "CLF Research Espada"

You guys are nit-picking. It has all the charm of an old Peavey T-60 with the sleeker style of a modernized Tele:

 

[ibanezrocks]

Re: New Old G&L Design: "CLF Research Espada"

The control plate ruins it.

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[Boogie Bill]

Re: New Old G&L Design: "CLF Research Espada"

I like it!

Bill

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: New Old G&L Design: "CLF Research Espada"

It seems like the neck pickup(s) would have to have different windings in order to remain balanced. If they were identical, it would likely be too bass heavy and unbalanced.

Such is the case with all multi-pickup guitars.

Funny how the most desirable ones, which were used to make the best music of all time (IMO), didn't even consider the concept of "balanced" pickups in heir designs. I'd say it's not a deal killer in the slightest...and in fact, I find the way pickups used to be installed to be preferable (same design for all positions).

Point being, it's a matter of personal taste. There's no right way or wrong way here.

 

[MythicGuitarCo]

Re: New Old G&L Design: "CLF Research Espada"

Such is the case with all multi-pickup guitars.

Funny how the most desirable ones, which were used to make the best music of all time (IMO), didn't even consider the concept of "balanced" pickups in heir designs. I'd say it's not a deal killer in the slightest...and in fact, I find the way pickups used to be installed to be preferable (same design for all positions).

Point being, it's a matter of personal taste. There's no right way or wrong way here.

Agreed.... wholeheartedly... on all points



mythicguitars.com