My New G&L S500 Strat ...

by **roger bayliss** » 28 Aug 2014, 21:00

ecca wrote:Where did you get it from Rog ?

Richards Guitars Stratford Upon Avon
http://rguitars.co.uk/

Roger Busby is already on the case he wants one..

by **roger bayliss** » 28 Aug 2014, 21:02

JimN wrote:G&L guitars are better-engineered than the equivalent Fender models.

That's a fact. Some may prefer the original engineering, but Leo did improve things - like Les Paul, he was always striving for improvement.

In particular (not mentioned so far), G&L pickups are fully-adjustable for string balance, just about the only quality "Fender-style" single-coil solids to which that applies.

On the other hand, they don't have the economies of scale that Fender enjoy, so tend to be more expensive like against like (USA v USA, Asian v Asian).

There are videos on UTube of the workshops and processes to build these guitars and also Leo Fenders Office which was left much as it was the day he died.

by **roger bayliss** » 30 Aug 2014, 16:10

roger bayliss wrote:
ecca wrote:Where did you get it from Rog ?

Richards Guitars Stratford Upon Avon
http://rguitars.co.uk/

Roger Busby is already on the case he wants one..

Roger Busby got one from the 'Little Guitar Shop' Jewellery Quarter Birmingham yesterday and the guy there was a pleasure to deal with he said. Roger now has a G&L S500 Indonesian in Tobacco burst on Ash body with rosewood board and tells me he is very happy with the guitar.

by **alanbakewell** » 30 Aug 2014, 16:17

roger bayliss wrote:
roger bayliss wrote:
ecca wrote:Where did you get it from Rog ?

Richards Guitars Stratford Upon Avon
http://rguitars.co.uk/

Roger Busby is already on the case he wants one..

Roger Busby got one from the 'Little Guitar Shop' Jewellery Quarter Birmingham yesterday and the guy there was a pleasure to deal with he said. Roger now has a G&L S500 Indonesian in Tobacco burst on Ash body with rosewood board and tells me he is very happy with the guitar.

Can we just run over this? I've misplaced my reading glasses. Did you say that Roger Busby has bought a guitar from an Indonesian Tobacconist in Birmingham?

by **dave robinson** » 30 Aug 2014, 16:32

I'm chopping a Strat in and considering an American one Roger, though more than I really wanted to pay.
Is there a big difference between the Indonesian and USA models, or do you reckon I'd be happy with the Indonesian model. I ask because you mentioned buying a USA one.

by **dave robinson** » 30 Aug 2014, 16:37

Just had a thought Roger, are you going to Hankies on Tuesday and are you going to bring it . . . . . ?

by **roger bayliss** » 30 Aug 2014, 16:44

dave robinson wrote:I'm chopping a Strat in and considering an American one Roger, though more than I really wanted to pay.
Is there a big difference between the Indonesian and USA models, or do you reckon I'd be happy with the Indonesian model. I ask because you mentioned buying a USA one.

Hi Dave

I would say save yourself money and buy an Indonesian one which is what at least 3 guitar sellers have said to me and Roger Busby. They use the same hardware as the USA ones and the wood apparently also comes from the same sources. If you want to change a high value strat for something nice then go for a USA one but do not expect the sound to be twice as good... your choice mate !

I would recommend you try finding one of the ASH body Indonesian S500s as these were a special edition and I have heard 2 of them and they sound great. The current S500 comes with a Mahogany body in two colours and not sure how that would sound.

I am thinking of selling my USA 57 reissue strat and if I do go for another G&L I will probably get a nice USA model.

The Indonesian models do not cme with a G&G Tolex case and Plek setup neither so that would add about £200 to the costs. The USA do special orders and finishes and different neck profiles.

Roger Busby was quoted around £1500 for a special USA job but he thought on and listened to the guys at the shop and realised he was not going to get a guitar 3 times as good as the one he has got now !

You pays your money and ......

Hope you get a good un Dave they are great guitars.

by **roger bayliss** » 30 Aug 2014, 16:46

dave robinson wrote:Just had a thought Roger, are you going to Hankies on Tuesday and are you going to bring it . . . . . ?

Yes Dave me and Roger Busby will be there so two available to try out... hope to see you.

by **roger bayliss** » 30 Aug 2014, 16:50

alanbakewell wrote:
roger bayliss wrote:
ecca wrote:Where did you get it from Rog ?

Richards Guitars Stratford Upon Avon
http://rguitars.co.uk/

Roger Busby is already on the case he wants one..

Roger Busby got one from the 'Little Guitar Shop' Jewellery Quarter Birmingham yesterday and the guy there was a pleasure to deal with he said. Roger now has a G&L S500 Indonesian in Tobacco burst on Ash body with rosewood board and tells me he is very happy with the guitar.

Can we just run over this? I've misplaced my reading glasses. Did you say that Roger Busby has bought a guitar from an Indonesian Tobacconist in Birmingham?