Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $400

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

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Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

Crafted with an eye for tradition and an ear for innovation, the G&L Legacy is a tribute to the pioneering designs of Leo Fender, brought to life with modern precision. This solid body electric guitar captures the essence of the legendary Stratocaster, yet it sets itself apart with meticulously engineered enhancements. Featuring the renowned G&L Dual Fulcrum vibrato, the Legacy offers a smooth and responsive playing experience, ideal for musicians who demand both stability and expressive versatility. The inclusion of Schaller tuners ensures precise tuning stability, making it a reliable companion for both studio sessions and live performances. With its combination of fine tonewoods and distinct finishes, the Legacy isn’t just an instrument; it’s a statement piece that resonates with quality and character. Whether you’re a vintage purist or a modern enthusiast, the G&L Legacy invites you to explore its sonic landscape with confidence and flair.

Key Features:

  • Solid body electric guitar design
  • G&L Dual Fulcrum vibrato for enhanced playability
  • Schaller tuners for precise tuning stability
  • Available in various tonewood combinations
  • Inspired by classic Stratocaster design with modern updates

Product specs

Brand G&L
Model Legacy, Legacy USA
Finish Black, Blue Burst, Ice Blue Metallic, Red, Solid Finish or Sunburst, Sonic Blue, Sunburst, Vintage White
Year 1990 - 2017
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape S-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Tremolo Bridge
Color Family Black, Blue, Brown, Red, White
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration SSS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed

FAQs

What type of pickups does the G&L Legacy feature?

The G&L Legacy is equipped with a single-coil pickup configuration known as SSS, providing a classic, bright, and clear tone suitable for a variety of music styles.

How does the G&L Legacy's tremolo bridge affect playability?

The G&L Legacy includes a tremolo bridge, allowing for smooth pitch modulation and vibrato effects, enhancing expressive playing styles.

Is the G&L Legacy suitable for advanced players?

Yes, the G&L Legacy is designed with features like a bolt-on neck and high-quality pickups that cater to the needs of advanced players seeking versatile tones and reliable performance.

What is the neck profile of the G&L Legacy?

The G&L Legacy typically features a comfortable, medium C-shaped neck profile, which provides a balanced feel suitable for various playing techniques and hand sizes.

Is the G&L Legacy a good choice for blues and rock music?

Yes, the G&L Legacy's single-coil pickups and versatile tone make it an excellent choice for blues and rock, offering clear, articulate sound with plenty of character.

Darrell Braun Guitar

Darrell Braun Guitar

FENDER VS G&L - Which Guitar was Leo Fender's Best Design?

Video thumbnail for FENDER VS G&L - Which Guitar was Leo Fender's Best Design? by Darrell Braun Guitar

FENDER VS G&L - Which Guitar was Leo Fender's Best Design?

Darrell Braun Guitar

Darrell Braun Guitar

Video thumbnail for G&L USA Guitars "The Best Instruments I Ever Made" - Leo Fender by Andertons Music Co

G&L USA Guitars "The Best Instruments I Ever Made" - Leo Fender

Andertons Music Co

Andertons Music Co

Video thumbnail for Fender Strat Vs G&L Legacy Shootout - Salutations America! by Rob Chapman

Fender Strat Vs G&L Legacy Shootout - Salutations America!

Rob Chapman

Rob Chapman

Video thumbnail for G&L Legacy Guitar Demo by Guitarist

G&L Legacy Guitar Demo

Guitarist

Guitarist

Video thumbnail for G&L Fullerton Deluxe Legacy by Jon is just TOO LouD!!

G&L Fullerton Deluxe Legacy

Jon is just TOO LouD!!

Jon is just TOO LouD!!

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional resonance and acoustic loudness comparable to high-end guitars.

  • Offers a wide frequency spectrum with versatile tonal options.

  • Dual fulcrum bridge provides superior tuning stability and ease of use.

  • Smooth and comfortable neck enhances playability.

  • High build quality surpasses similarly priced competitors.

  • Excellent fit, finish, and craftsmanship.

  • Comes with a 10-year warranty on new purchases.

  • Seymour Duncan pickups deliver fantastic sound quality.

  • Versatile for both beginners and seasoned players.

  • Unique tremolo system enhances resonance and sustain.

CONS

  • May not satisfy purists seeking 100% vintage tones.

  • Image perceived as "old man guitars" despite performance.

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about G&L Legacy.

Build quality

  • The tremolo system maintains tuning stability well in a floating configuration, contrary to expectations of needing a decked setup.

    Source
  • The G&L Legacy is noted for its consistent quality across both Tribute and USA models, impressing players with craftsmanship irrespective of manufacturing location.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • The guitar's nut often requires recutting due to being shallow and messy, impacting initial playability.

    Source
  • Knobs may need reseating due to being wobbly upon arrival, indicating inconsistent assembly quality.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Described as a Mexican Strat alternative with comparable or superior quality, especially after proper setup.

    Source
  • The Legacy is often considered "more Strat than a Strat," with some users preferring its build and sound over actual Fender Stratocasters.

    Source
  • The G&L Tribute series is often considered to match or exceed the Fender Player series in build quality, with some users likening it to higher-end models.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners often modify with locking tuners and custom pickups, such as the Dimarzio Injector, for enhanced sound and versatility.

    Source

User experience

  • Pickups in the Tribute models are identical to USA-made versions, praised for their rich frequency response compared to high-end Strats.

    Source
  • Players transitioning from heavier guitars, like Les Pauls, find the Legacy's lighter weight to be a significant advantage in comfort during extended play sessions.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Owners appreciate the Legacy's neck profile, which provides a comfortable grip even for those accustomed to heavier, metal-oriented guitars.

    Source
  • The G&L Legacy includes a passive bass cut feature, beneficial for eliminating excessive low mids when playing clean tones.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Legacy's tonal versatility allows it to excel in both traditional Strat positions and in producing a unique, hi-fi clean sound, making it suitable for diverse musical styles.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the G&L Legacy for its capability to deliver glassy Strat tones, suitable for clean chords, fingerstyle, and funk techniques.

    Source
  • The volume knob's proximity to the strings is seen as advantageous for dynamic volume control during play, akin to Rory Gallagher's style.

    Source

Critic Reviews

G&L Legacy review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The G&L Legacy is a refined tribute to classic guitar designs, boasting a classy build and modern features that appeal to progressive players. It delivers a clear, harmonically rich sound with its CLF-100 Alnico V pickups, and offers a unique Passive Treble & Bass System for tonal versatility. The guitar's craftsmanship is evident in its fast, comfortable neck and excellent intonation. However, its higher price point might deter some buyers. Overall, the Legacy shines as a sophisticated and capable instrument, deserving consideration alongside its Fender counterparts.

positive

4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 6 Ratings

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jakenunez

G&L Legacy USA - A Classic 2.0

The G&L Legacy USA is, by all means, a Stratocaster - it has the same features, the same look, the same exact style, and the same exact creator (Leo Fender). The Legacy and Strat are brothers, with the same father but different mothers. The only differences between the two are the headstocks, the logo, and the "revised" tremolo system used by the G&L. I never played the second brand of Leo until I acquired this in a trade recently, as I had been looking for a Strat and decided to give it a shot. It's got a bolt-on alder body finished in a fiery fiesta red, 3 single coil pickups (mine has a Lil' 59 in the bridge), 1 volume, two tone, 5-way switch, a 22-fret maple neck with rose fretboard and MOP dot inlays. The finish and trimmings remind me of Gary Moore's red (or pink?) Strat, which was a bonus! Playing-wise, this thing is smooooooth and the neck is super comfortable for me. I'm not used to the longer scale length yet, but in time I will be. Sound wise, the Lil' 59 adds a nice beef in contrast to the single coils in the middle and neck, which provide very smooth cleans and solos. I got this with the intention to sell, but may have found the Strat I've been looking for.

dumpsterbassist

Single coil beef? Look no further than the Seymour Duncan Hot Rails. Some of my favorite single coils ever- they're loud, punchy, and humbucker-esque but they're single coil.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Gustavo Cerati uses G&L Legacy

Gustavo Cerati

Singer, Guitarist

Soda Stereo

...
Verified via Photo

In the source photographes, the G&L Legacy at the tour rig can be seen.

See how Julian Casablancas uses G&L Legacy

Julian Casablancas

Music Producer, Singer

The Strokes

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo from 2000 Julian Casablancas can be seen playing a G&L Legacy in Lake Placid Blue.

See how Joel Stroetzel uses G&L Legacy

Joel Stroetzel

Guitarist

Killswitch Engage

...
Verified via Ultimate-guitar

One in particular that we used for a lot of the clean parts was actually a G&L Legacy Special that has the noiseless single-coil pickups – they sound really cool. Plus it’s got different modes and a high-frequency push/pull and a five-way switch on it. It had a lot of cool clean tone options for doubling up chords and choruses and stuff like that just to make things shimmer a little bit, it’s always nice to get some single-coil sounds in there.

See how Richard Coleman uses G&L Legacy

Richard Coleman

Guitarist, Composer

Los 7 Delfines

...
Verified via YouTube

"Es una belleza americana, empeze teniendo una sunburst que me dieron de Mango Music para que use. Despues la cambie por una blanca porque la otra era igual a la de Gustavo. A esta le tunee la perilla, le puse una de 3 posiciones"

See how Charles Bissell uses G&L Legacy

Charles Bissell

Singer, Guitarist

The Wrens

...
Verified via Flickr

Charles Bissell of The Wrens is seen playing a G&L Legacy on the Wookie Stage at the Sasquatch Music Festival, as captured in a photo by drake lelane on Flickr.

See how Audrey Zoe Whitesides uses G&L Legacy

Audrey Zoe Whitesides

Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Seen playing a Legacy here

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