One owner highlighted the G&L Legacy's neck as having a slightly flat and compressed sound, attributed to its Alnico V pickups trying to reduce harshness.

The vintage MIJ traditional 60s Strats, especially those imported directly from Japan, are praised for their craftsmanship and playability.

The thick poly finish on some G&L Legacies can be prone to chipping, revealing less ideal aesthetics when damaged.

Users recommend replacing tuners with Hipshot locking tuners for stability, though some note lubrication at nut and bridge may be more beneficial.

Several owners suggest swapping pickups, like using Seymour Duncan's Alnico 2 Pro for a more vintage sound profile.

Owners recommend swapping stock pickups in MIJ Strats for Seymour Duncan SSL to achieve a better "quack" tone typical of classic Strats.

Users suggest removing noiseless systems from guitars like the Ernie Ball Cutlass for traditional single-coil tones.

A user noted the G&L Legacy Tribute's 12" radius allows for easier bending and contributes to its playability compared to Fender's standard models.

One owner reported purchasing their G&L Legacy at half price due to shipping damage without affecting its playability.

For those seeking a modern Strat sound, the G&L Tribute is praised for its tonal quality despite some limitations compared to higher-end Fender pickups.

Early 90s MIJ Strats, especially pre-1995 Fujigen models, are noted for exceptional quality and value, outperforming even some American models.

Owners compare the G&L Legacy's playability favorably to Gibson models for those seeking a brighter tone than a Les Paul.

The G&L S-500 is considered superior to some Fenders due to its post-Fender innovation by Leo Fender himself.

The early 2000s American Standard Strats are highly regarded for quality and can often be found for $1,000 or less in the used market.

The G&L Legacy models from 1992-1994 are favored for their Seymour Duncan SSL pickups and three-bolt neck design, which reportedly maintain stability well.