G&L Tribute Series S-500

$723.41 Price Tier: Standard

5.0 (2)

1 Review

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Page last updated Jul 05, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 5, 2026.

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5.0 (41)

$723.41 2 available New

$465.00 6 available Used

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Average Price: $594

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Solid Body Electric Guitars category, G&L Tribute Series S-500 is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Introducing a blend of classic design and modern innovation, the G&L Tribute Series S-500 offers musicians a dynamic playing experience. Created by the legendary Leo Fender, this solid body electric guitar is a testament to craftsmanship and performance. With its Magnetic Field Design (MFD) pickups, the S-500 delivers a versatile tonal range, capable of everything from crisp cleans to punchy overdrive. The Tribute Series S-500 is equipped with a Dual-Fulcrum vibrato, allowing for smooth, expressive pitch bends without sacrificing tuning stability. Its maple neck and rosewood fingerboard provide a comfortable feel, making it ideal for both live performances and studio sessions.

This guitar features a five-way pickup selector, giving you a myriad of tonal options, while the mini-toggle switch adds even more versatility by allowing the neck and bridge pickups to be used together. The medium jumbo frets ensure easy playability, perfect for intricate solos or rhythmic strumming. The Tribute Series S-500 stands as a reliable choice for musicians seeking both vintage aesthetics and cutting-edge sound capabilities.

Key Features:

Magnetic Field Design (MFD) pickups for a wide tonal range
Dual-Fulcrum vibrato for smooth pitch modulation
Five-way pickup selector with additional mini-toggle switch
Maple neck with rosewood fingerboard
Medium jumbo frets for comfortable playability
Vintage styling with modern enhancements

Product specs

Brand	G&L
Model	Tribute Series S-500 with Maple Fretboard, Tribute Series S-500 with Rosewood Fretboard
Finish	Blueburst, Irish Ale, Sonic Blue, Tobacco Sunburst, Vintage White
Year	2010 - 2025
Made In	Indonesia
Categories	Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material	Nato, Poplar
Body Shape	S-Style
Body Type	Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type	Tremolo Bridge
Color Family	Blue, Brown, Red, White
Finish Pattern	Sunburst
Finish Style	Gloss
Fretboard Material	Maple, Rosewood
Fretboard Radius	12"
Neck Construction	Bolt-On
Neck Material	Maple
Number of Frets	22
Number of Strings	6-String
Nut Width	1.625"
Offset Body	Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration	SSS
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Scale Length	25.5"
Wood Top Style	Opaque, Plain

FAQs

What kind of tones can I expect from the G&L Tribute Series S-500 pickups?: The G&L Tribute Series S-500 features MFD (Magnetic Field Design) single-coil pickups, known for delivering a versatile range of tones from clear and bright to warm and punchy, suitable for genres like rock, blues, and jazz.
Is the G&L Tribute Series S-500 suitable for beginners?: Yes, the G&L Tribute Series S-500 is suitable for beginners due to its comfortable neck profile and versatile tone options, making it a great choice for learning various playing styles.
What is the neck profile like on the G&L Tribute Series S-500?: The G&L Tribute Series S-500 features a medium C-shaped neck profile, providing a comfortable grip for both chord playing and lead work, appealing to a wide range of players.
Does the G&L Tribute Series S-500 have a tremolo bridge?: Yes, the G&L Tribute Series S-500 is equipped with a tremolo bridge, allowing players to add vibrato effects and dynamic expression to their playing.
How does the G&L Tribute Series S-500 compare to Fender Stratocasters?: The G&L Tribute Series S-500 offers similar playability and tonal versatility to Fender Stratocasters, but features unique MFD pickups and a more modern 12" fretboard radius, providing a distinct sound and feel.

Reviews

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PROS

Small MFD pickups offer unique, beefy and open sound
Exceptional build quality punches above its price point
Versatile tone control with passive treble and bass adjustments
High output pickups with excellent tone variety
Stays in tune well without locking tuners
Push-pull feature provides out-of-phase tones
Captures authentic Strat sounds with added headroom
Resonant and well-playing after setup
Offers a wide range of tones: country, funk, blues, rock
Comparable to higher-end guitars in playability and sound

CONS

Minor quality control issues with finish and components
Stock pickups may lack punch for some preferences
Initial setup required for optimal playability
Missing parts like Tremelo back cover and bar in some cases

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about G&L Tribute Series S-500.

Build quality

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The push-pull pot is notably difficult to pull up and feels cheap, with looseness affecting usability during performance.
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Tremolo system offers exceptional tuning stability, even with heavy use and string bending.
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Setup and maintenance

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Some owners report uneven frets leading to noticeable buzz, even audible through an amp, requiring additional neck relief adjustments.
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Factory setup is often poor; a professional setup and nut replacement to bone are recommended for optimal performance.
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Features and functionality

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The PTB (passive treble bass) system enables extensive tone shaping, with notable versatility in single-coil sounds resembling P90s.
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The MFD pickups are hotter and excel with gain, offering unique tonal configurations not found in Fender Player models.
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User experience

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Despite being heavier than an SG, the guitar inspires frequent play due to its dynamic pickups and tonal range, pushing users to experiment more.
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Post-setup, the guitar often becomes favored over other high-quality models, indicating strong player appeal.
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A 12" radius neck on the S-500 is highlighted for providing superior comfort compared to other models, contributing to its appeal.
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An S-500 owner emphasizes that it became their favorite guitar due to its unique features and comfort, surpassing other guitars in their collection.
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Comparisons

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Users note that the American-made MFD single coils provide more clarity and articulation than some of the Fender alternatives.
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Offers more tuning stability compared to a Gibson SG 50’s Tribute, even with frequent tremolo use.
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Owners often prefer the G&L S-500 over Fender Player Strats due to superior pickup configurations and neck comfort.
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