G&L Tribute Fallout

On the bench today we have the G&L Tribute Fallout.

A little background about who G&L Instruments are:

The creative mind known as Leo Fender needed an outlet for his designs after leaving Fender and no longer developing instruments for Music Man. You are talking about a man who literally worked the day before he died in 1991.

G&L with the G representing George Fullerton and L representing Leo Fender began in 1979/1980.

In 1982 the G&L SC2 was released. It was an effort by Fender to release less expensive instruments for professional musicians. The unique offset design SC2 was adopted by New Wave bands like Devo because of its distinctive look.

G&L in recent years released the G&L Fallout which is described as a modern rendition of the ’82 G&L SC2 if Leo Fender was still alive.

G&L started the Tribute line of guitars in 2003. The purpose of the Tribute line is similar to how Squier is to Fender – to provide more affordable versions of their USA made guitars for sale.

When I look at the SC2 I can see the lineage of the Fallout. What attracted me to the guitar is I can also see the Fender Mustang in the Fallout and SC2. Leo produced many improved versions of the Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jazzmaster, and other guitars. It would make sense that he would also produce a Mustang like guitar. But that may just be my perception of the Fallout as the Scale of the guitar is 25.5 inches and not what I expected the shorter 24-inch scale Mustang.

A few other things that attracted me to the Fallout is the pickup configuration of a P90 pickup in the neck and a Humbucker pickup in the bridge position.

From an aesthetic perspective I really like the vintage style pickguard with the sweeping tail.

I do not particularly like the white pickguard on my guitar after I saw pictures of a Fallout finished in Candy Apple Red (my color) but with a black 3-ply pickguard. I have placed an order for a replacement.

New the Tribute Fallout retails for $499. Used you can get guitars in great shape for between $335 and $499. Picked mine up from a local store named Tall Toad Music in Petaluma California for $399.

https://www.talltoadmusic.com/



Here are some of the specifications of the Fallout guitar.

The guitar is made in Indonesia.

It is offered in three colors of Candy Apple Red, Mint Green, Sonic Blue, and Shell Pink.

• PICKUPS: Paul Gagon-designed Alnico pickups, G&L AP4285B P-90 in neck position and G&L AW4470B humbucker in bridge position
• BODY WOOD: Poplar
• NECK WOOD: Hard-Rock Maple with Maple or Rosewood fingerboard
• SCALE: 25 1/2"
• NECK WIDTH AT NUT: 1 5/8"
• NECK RADIUS: 12"
• NECK PROFILE: medium C
• FRETS: 22 medium jumbo, nickel
• TUNING KEYS: 18:1 ratio, sealed-back
• BRIDGE: G&L Saddle Lock
• CONTROLS: 3-position pickup selector, volume, tone with push/pull coil tap

Observations and comments

I found fret rocking at 7 different frets and ended up having to file down and sand the frets.

The sides of the fret board are smooth, and I do not feel any sharp fret edges.

I absolutely love the stock tuners. They are as smooth as a top of the line set of Grovers.

It always makes me happy and a little amazed to be able to purchase a really well-made guitar with a Rosewood fretboard for under $500.

The overall fit and finish of the neck and the guitar is excellent.

She has flat fretboard with a medium C shaped 12 inch radius. Makes for an easy guitar to play and setup.

The electronics I would rate as good and do not see a need to upgrade them.

I really like the pickups. They are very hot and loud. Perfect for what the guitar is intended for – to be played in garages and clubs over driving an amplifier.

I have owned around six different G&L guitar over the years. I love and hate the bridge. I love how it works once you have restrung up the guitar and are playing the guitar. I absolutely hate trying to feed strings through the recessed holes that also include the screw for adjusting the saddles. It is damned difficult to feed the strings through if you do not do it a lot is my thinking. I end up having to position the back of the bridge so I can see into the recessed holes and guide the strings in. For the G&L folks out there, I would interested if this is an issue for you.

My experience with G&L guitars is they are sometimes a little eon the heavy side but are exceptionally well made for both the USA and Tribute models. Too be honest if I blind folded you and gave you a G&L Tribute version and a G&L USA version of a guitar you would be hard pressed telling the difference.

The factory pickups that come in G&Ls are excellent and I have yet to come across their pickups where I think they need to be upgraded of replaced.

She is a VERY looking guitar with a great VIBE and look.