Members 9841507 Posted August 29, 2009 Members Share Posted August 29, 2009 I just got a tribute s500 and figured I'd recommend them to EVERYONEEE, played it side by side American Fenders and when set up properly they play much better than the American Standards and almost as good as an Eric Johnson signature I tried out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mspizziri Posted August 29, 2009 Members Share Posted August 29, 2009 I was very close to buying a Tribute and the only reason I didn't is because I found a great deal on a US G&L I really liked. They are the best value for the money by far and they play great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members *BLEEP* Posted August 29, 2009 Members Share Posted August 29, 2009 ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..... Count me in as a tad unimpressed with the Tributes compared to the real-deal G&L models they mimic -- unless they've done something recently that might change my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members venturehead Posted August 29, 2009 Members Share Posted August 29, 2009 I've got an ASAT Tribute that I bought because it played and sounded better than any US Made G&L or Fender Tele in the store. Was looking at Teles, ASATs and Bluesboys, and picked this one up on a whim and was instantly smitten. It's become my Number 1.Only gripe is I need to do some work on the volume pot, it's a bit noisy, and the contact cleaner hasn't really helped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 9841507 Posted August 29, 2009 Author Members Share Posted August 29, 2009 ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....Count me in as a tad unimpressed with the Tributes compared to the real-deal G&L models they mimic -- unless they've done something recently that might change my mind. They actually have done something recently. All the old tributes had tribute hardware. New tributes have the same bridge, machine heads, pickups, pots, caps, etc, etc, as the US models. US made G+Ls actually have a different neck on them that isn't necessarily better, it's a bit fatter which I don't care for, I've managed to get the action as low as my Gibby SG with no fret buzz and it sounds amazing. Of course they might not be quite as good as the US models but they're better than most Fenders and aren't $1500 worse than the US models. Best bang for your buck in my opinion. I love this guitar. EDIT: Venture head, if you got it a while ago I suggest changing out pots and caps anyways, new tributes have the same pots and caps as the Americans but the old ones had garbage pots and caps that everyone was complaining about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members clay sails Posted August 30, 2009 Members Share Posted August 30, 2009 The thing I don't understand is: if G&L is so much better than Fender, why does Fender outsell G&L 1000:1? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Kuz929 Posted August 30, 2009 Members Share Posted August 30, 2009 The thing I don't understand is: if G&L is so much better than Fender, why does Fender outsell G&L 1000:1? Does every 15 year old kid picking up a guitar know that? no. they know "Fender" and "Fender" can be found at just about every guitar shop. Fender simply has a MUCH larger established market because of their brand name Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members venturehead Posted August 30, 2009 Members Share Posted August 30, 2009 9841507:Thanks, it was used when I bought it, so it probably is one with the crappy pots and caps. I'll look into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 9841507 Posted August 30, 2009 Author Members Share Posted August 30, 2009 The thing I don't understand is: if G&L is so much better than Fender, why does Fender outsell G&L 1000:1? Same reason Gibson can get away with selling $3000 Les Pauls with high frets and crappy finish. Some Fenders are very good, and some Gibsons are amazing, but these big mass production companies quality control is starting to get out of hand. Fender is a great company that makes great guitars, but you're paying for the name on the headstock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mspizziri Posted August 30, 2009 Members Share Posted August 30, 2009 ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....Count me in as a tad unimpressed with the Tributes compared to the real-deal G&L models they mimic -- unless they've done something recently that might change my mind. Considering they are a third of the cost the are pretty good in that respect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Triphammered Posted August 30, 2009 Members Share Posted August 30, 2009 we sell a ton of tributes in the store i work at. for the money they are fantastic, althought the Legacy line is a little heavy due to that massive trem block.(close to a pound of metal).The hardware is the same except the trib. have mighty mite pots. the big diff in rha americans are there are now like 5-7 neck options and the bodies are far more contoured. also the necks on USA maple necks are cut diff. the fretboard is cut lenghtwise then the truss is laid in and the maple cap put back on....the grain fits nicer because the wood remembers. trib have one option and maybe 2 finishes. But, for all that, i love my trib S-500 (05' burst maple neck, pearl white guard) Congrats!!! great guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jerry_picker Posted August 30, 2009 Members Share Posted August 30, 2009 ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..... Count me in as a tad unimpressed with the Tributes compared to the real-deal G&L models they mimic -- unless they've done something recently that might change my mind. Me, too, although I haven't played one in a year or so. For me it was like "cool G&L!", then I play it, and it's "WTF us wrong with this"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jerry_picker Posted August 30, 2009 Members Share Posted August 30, 2009 The thing I don't understand is: if G&L is so much better than Fender, why does Fender outsell G&L 1000:1? One might ask the same of Anderson, Suhr, Grosh, Melancon... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 9841507 Posted August 30, 2009 Author Members Share Posted August 30, 2009 Me, too, although I haven't played one in a year or so. For me it was like "cool G&L!", then I play it, and it's "WTF us wrong with this"? Setup, they're like any guitar, it needs to be setup right. Anybody who complains about these guitars played one setup poorly and failed to realize that or just dislike how strats play in general. All guitars are different but every G+L tribute I've played that is setup half decent is on par with most of the Fenders I've played. The quality and playability is definitely there. Though I have to say I got a good one, I played about 5 of them and while most I thought were good but not great the one I got plays on par with my 61 reissue SG which is saying a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jerry_picker Posted August 30, 2009 Members Share Posted August 30, 2009 Setup, they're like any guitar, it needs to be setup right. Anybody who complains about these guitars played one setup poorly and failed to realize that or just dislike how strats play in general. All guitars are different but every G+L tribute I've played that is setup half decent is on par with most of the Fenders I've played. The quality and playability is definitely there. Though I have to say I got a good one, I played about 5 of them and while most I thought were good but not great the one I got plays on par with my 61 reissue SG which is saying a lot. Nope. I can tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FrankenTelly Posted August 30, 2009 Members Share Posted August 30, 2009 If someone at G&L is reading this, I would like to see a Tribute SC-2 and an SC-1, like tomorrow or sooner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Scarywoody Posted August 30, 2009 Members Share Posted August 30, 2009 I have a Tribute Legacy. It took me a bit to warm up too but it's quickly becoming my favorite guitar. Once you get used to the Bass and Treble pots it can really tweak your sound. I"m definitely hooked on G&L. I'm saving up for a USA made G&L. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jhorne Posted August 30, 2009 Members Share Posted August 30, 2009 If someone at G&L is reading this, I would like to see a Tribute SC-2 and an SC-1, like tomorrow or sooner. Why bother with a Tribute version of something that you can already get for $845 for the 'real' thing? http://www.guitaradoptions.com/g-l-sc-2-in-vintage-white.html And as far as Tributes go, they are great for the money, but lets not get too carried away and act like they're the 'real' thing... They're not, and most are not even close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Virgman Posted August 30, 2009 Members Share Posted August 30, 2009 I just got a tribute s500 and figured I'd recommend them to EVERYONEEE, played it side by side American Fenders and when set up properly they play much better than the American Standards and almost as good as an Eric Johnson signature I tried out. No way. It can't be any good. It's made by Asians. It'll play slanted notes. Good for bending only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mistersully Posted August 30, 2009 Members Share Posted August 30, 2009 i have 2... both korean made... asat and legacy... i like 'em... they do what i need them to do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JBJ Posted August 30, 2009 Members Share Posted August 30, 2009 got a USA asat special and legacy. both are great though the asat special gets alot more play time than the legacy. the legacy actually plays better but the asat specials pickups rule. I've considered swapping round the necks to see if that would make the asat play as good as the legacy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DavidMgT Posted August 30, 2009 Members Share Posted August 30, 2009 The thing I don't understand is: if G&L is so much better than Fender, why does Fender outsell G&L 1000:1? They also outsell, Suhr, Hamer, Collings & Grosh, however it doesn't mean they make better guitars.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DavidMgT Posted August 30, 2009 Members Share Posted August 30, 2009 Nope. I can tell. Same here. I recently played an Tribute Bluesboy and it did not compare to my G&L ASAT Bluesboy. The fretwork, feel, and hardware and, of course, sound was just not there - not even close. They are a good value, but are not on the same planet as the USA G&Ls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jerry_picker Posted August 30, 2009 Members Share Posted August 30, 2009 Same here. I recently played an Tribute Bluesboy and it did not compare to my G&L ASAT Bluesboy. The fretwork, feel, and hardware and, of course, sound was just not there - not even close. They are a good value, but are not on the same planet as the USA G&Ls. Yes. I have 3 G&L USA guitars, and a bevy of Strats and Teles. I do know the difference when playing a Tribute. That is not to say that some Tribs are not gems, possibly. The ones I've played did not impress. The G&L Bluesboy is one fine guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Eddie Posted August 30, 2009 Members Share Posted August 30, 2009 Yes. I have 3 G&L USA guitars, and a bevy of Strats and Teles. I do know the difference when playing a Tribute. That is not to say that some Tribs are not gems, possibly. The ones I've played did not impress. The G&L Bluesboy is one fine guitar. Tributes are like Gibsons: you have to play a few to find the one. I think that I played 9 before I got my S-500 Tribute. It was a great guitar, superb value for the money, but the US versions are in a different league. I also had a Will Ray Tribute. Unfortunately the store only had 2 or 3 and neither was great. Again, great value for the money. I recently sold my USA S-500 with Rocketfire pickups. If I ever get a "Strat" in the future that will be at the top of my list. Superb in terms of sound and feel. I did not like the stock G&L pickups that much, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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