G&L Musical Instruments was founded in 1980 in Fullerton, California by Leo Fender — creator of the Stratocaster and Telecaster — along with longtime collaborator George Fullerton and business partner Dale Hyatt. The name "G&L" is drawn from George and Leo's first names. Having previously sold the Fender company in 1965 and later parted ways with Music Man, Leo Fender regarded the instruments produced at G&L as the pinnacle of his career, famously declaring them "the best instruments I have ever made."

G&L's catalog covers T-style and S-style territory while introducing original innovations throughout. The ASAT series features G&L's Magnetic Field Design (MFD) single-coil pickups across models ranging from the classic single-cutaway ASAT Classic to the humbucking ASAT Deluxe. The Legacy carries an S-style profile with G&L's Dual-Fulcrum vibrato system. The Comanche — the last double-cutaway bolt-on design Leo Fender completed — uses Z-Coil pickups he specifically developed to deliver hum-canceling performance without sacrificing single-coil character. The bass lineup includes the L-2000 and L-1500, instruments known for exceptional versatility through MFD humbucking pickups and extensive onboard preamp options. The offset-body Doheny rounds out the guitar lineup with a distinct voice of its own.

In 2003, G&L introduced the Tribute Series, an affordable line manufactured overseas using U.S.-designed hardware and electronics. Notable artists associated with G&L include Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains, who has a signature G&L model, and Carl Perkins, who used a G&L Broadcaster as his primary instrument for the final years of his performing career.

G&L has 190 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Solid Body Electric Guitars, Electric Basses, and Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars. Their gear is featured by 186 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Pop, and Metal. Notable users include Jerry Cantrell, Gustavo Cerati, and John Dyer Baizley. G&L's catalog spans the full price spectrum — from entry-level options to high-end flagships.