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American manufacturer of guitars and basses From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
G&L is an American guitar manufacturing company founded by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Dale Hyatt in the late 1970s.[2] G&L produces electric guitars and basses with designs based on some classic Fender instruments. The company also produces effects units. G&L's most notable player is Jerry Cantrell, vocalist and guitarist of Alice in Chains, having played several models of the guitar since the '80s, Cantrell also has his own signature Tribute Series Rampage and Superhawk.[3][4] Cantrell can be seen playing a single-humbucker G&L Rampage in the music video for Alice in Chains' "Man In The Box".[4]
 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Musical instruments |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Founder | Leo Fender and George Fullerton |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | David C. McLaren (Chairman) Phyllis Fender (Honorary Chairperson) John R. McLaren Jr. (Vice President) |
| Products | Electric guitars, basses, effects units, BBE Sound Audio Technology Licensing |
| Revenue | $18,768,358 (estimated)[1] |
Number of employees | 65 (estimated)[1] |
| Parent | BBE Sound, Inc. |
| Website | glguitars.com |
Leo Fender sold his eponymous company Fender in 1965. He designed and produced instruments for Music Man in the 1970s through his company CLF Research. When relations with Music Man soured, G&L was created to continue operations apart from Music Man. The G&L name comes from two founders' first names, George Fullerton and Leo Fender.[5]
G&L instruments are similar to the classic Fenders, but with some Leo Fender modern innovations. They are built at the same facility on Fender Avenue in Fullerton, California that produced the early Music Man instruments. G&L instruments are not widely distributed but are highly regarded by many musicians and collectors. The relatively small scale of production further allows for more custom options that are not possible on larger production lines.
After the death of Leo Fender in 1991, Fender's wife, Phyllis Fender, passed the management of G&L to John C. McLaren of BBE Sound.[6] George Fullerton remained a permanent consultant until his death on July 4, 2009,[7] and Leo's wife Phyllis remained as Honorary Chairperson of G&L until her death in July 2020.[8]
In a print advertisement for G&L, Leo Fender claimed the G&L line of instruments were "the best instruments I have ever made."[9]
Leo Fender and George Fullerton created improved designs over the years, with the most advanced being featured in G&L instruments.:
In 2003, G&L introduced the Tribute series to the US market as a more affordable alternative to the USA built products. Tribute G&L's were made in Korea by Cort Guitars using USA hardware, and electronics in many of the guitars. Some non-original parts were also used on value-based models, such as those sold exclusively through Guitar Center. The pickups used are all originally made by G&L in Fullerton, California. Production of the guitars has since moved to a Cort facility in Indonesia.[citation needed]
Before 2003, Tribute guitars were briefly produced in Japan for non-US markets, shifting to South Korea.[citation needed]
The Tribute series is offered in many of the same body shapes as their original creations although some use hardware and pickups designed by G&L but sourced in Asia. The Tribute SB-2 was offered briefly but was discontinued, however, it was reintroduced late 2006/early 2007. The JB-2 was introduced to the Tribute series at the same time.
As of 2020, the Tribute line contains many of the standard guitars from G&L including the Commanche, S-500, Legacy, various ASAT models, Doheny and others.[14]
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