Post
by davewrites » Fri Feb 13, 2015 11:01 pm
Both my G&L Tribute Series guitars (Fallout and an ASAT Special) arrived with a better build quality and factory setup than the 4 MIM Fenders I've owned -- no question. Only one of those MIM Fenders I've kept and both G&Ls are definite keepers.
I'd say the G&L build quality noses out the 2 Epiphones I've owned as well as all 3 Vintage Modified Squiers. All the guitars I've listed are decent, mind you. I'd rate my Epis an 8.0 and a 8.5 out of 10. My MIM Fenders would be 7.0, 7.5, 7.5 and 8.0 (all 4 had neck issues). The 2 Squiers VMs I bought new, I'd give an 8.5 for both (the used one a 7.0 because it had a lot of mileage but was set up well).
But the ASAT Special was a 9.0 and the Fallout a 9.5. I'd rank the Fallout at par with my MIJ Fender. Other brands I've owned that I'd give a 9.0 or 9.5 to... Reverend and Hell Guitars, which retail for a few hundred more.
So, yeah, I'd definitely say the Indonesian G&Ls I've owned are slightly better than Epiphone, Squier and MIM Fenders, and they rival more expensive MIJ Fenders, MIK Reverends and MIC Hell Guitars.
What kept the Fallout from achieving a perfect-10? It was pristine -- no blemishes or imperfections and it needed minimal set up but... the pots/knobs and toggle switch aren't as firm or sturdy as I prefer. I would't call them flimsy but I do wish they were a little more snug, especially the push/pull tone knob. And there was also some slight fraying on the edge of the pickguard inside the P90 rout. But that's it -- no issues with the Fallout's neck, frets, tuners, bridge, nut, pickups, paint job, etc.
More feedback: the Fallout's stock bridge 'bucker is rock solid. It may not be a SD JB but it's actually pretty hard to tell the difference. In fact, I'm partly convinced the stock G&L pickup (designed by Paul Gagon) may be a JB clone. I wouldn't doubt it if they had very similar specs.
Most humbucker guitars I've owned in the sub-$500 price range come with modest humbuckers and there typically is a temptation to upgrade because they sound a little flat or muddy or unbalanced. For a brief time I was sourcing a JB for a transplant into the Fallout (probably out of sheer habit), but then I realized there is nothing wrong with the stock G&L pup. I stopped looking because that particular upgrade may not be worth my time and effort. Whatever improvement could be obtained, I'd bet it's minimal.
What I eventually realized is the stock pickup's output works really well with the neck P90, even when split it's split. I bet if you "upgraded" that bridge HB, you might lose that carefully crafted neck/bridge balance. Sure you may install a better 'bucker, but would that better 'bucker work as well in combination with the stock P90. It's not a gamble I'm willing to take.
Final thought: for both my G&Ls, my favourite position is the middle position, which is a compliment that I cannot pay to most of my other beloved guitars. I think G&L puts a lot more care into pickup selection and pairing when designing a new model -- much more than most other companies. Sure I've only owned 2 G&Ls, but their middle positions are far better than almost every other guitar I've owned.
[/my3cents]
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