G&L Begins a New Legacy

The Music Paper (United States)

by Jack Newhouse

Let me tell you where I'm coming from before I tell you where I'm going. I have a 1961 Fender Stratocaster, so don't be bothering me with Strat-style guitars because I own the Strat, okay?

I never played a newly-made guitar that could compare to my Stratocaster -- until now. G&L sent us one from their line of guitars called The Legacy for a review, and I was given the assignment. Well, there are no coincidences. I have fallen in love all over again. In fact, I was so impressed with this guitar that I was beginning to question my own objectivity. But today I know that enough time has passed and I am not riding a wave of emotion where this guitar is concerned.

The Legacy by G&L is the only new guitar I have ever played that I would use as a substitute for my vintage Fender, and be happy doing it. This guitar offers everything that my vintage Fender does. Think about that for a minute. I never thought it would be possible.

I called Rob Rizzuto, who is the National Sales Manager for G&L, to ask a few questions. I found out that every part of this guitar (with the exception of the Sperzel tuners) is made by G&L in the USA; that, in fact, Leo Fender had his input in every aspect of the design and production of all G&L guitars and basses. Think about that for a minute. This is the same man who designed my '61 Stratocaster!

The instrument I played is a classic in every sense. It has a maple neck and fingerboard with a 12" radius (a rosewood fingerboard is also available), a black body and white pickguard. The contoured body is made of alder, which is my preference for this type of guitar. The neck is made from a solid block of wood which is cut and then routed for the truss rod. It is then put back together, thus creating a much stronger neck than one with a skunk stripe down the back. Leo Fender designed this neck to last. It also sports a satin finish. I especially like that because it already feels broken in.

The feel and playability were absolutely wonderful from the first. The three-bolt neck design is most certainly an improvement on what I have seen in the past from other companies. The tolerance between neck and body is less than the thickness of a piece of paper. You can expect lower string action without the use of a shim.

The Legacy has three vintage alaro single-coil pickups and a five-way selector switch. I love the sound of these pick-ups; they're the real deal. This baby has a master volume and two tone control knobs which serve as a treble cut and bass cut. This is a great feature for a guitar with passive electronics.

The vibrato was designed and patented by Leo Fender and machined by G&L. I like it because, by adjusting the allen bolts on either side, I could place the tension right where it was comfortable for me. The Legacy sounds, feels and looks like an old friend.

This company has a very high regard for the instruments it produces and will not slap its name on some barely passable instrument from a foreign manufacturer.

If you're looking for anything from the vintage advantage to contemporary crunch, go to your G&L dealer and try this guitar. This is a handcrafted guitar made in Fullerton, California, on Fender Ave., and when you play one, you will know that Leo Fender's dream is alive today in the G&L Legacy.