BTO CLF Research Espada HH Active in Honeyburst

[Craig]

From a post on G&L's facebook page (8/28/2024):

CLF Research Espada HH Active in Honeyburst over swamp ash.
Built for G&L Premier Dealer Sweetwater.

[DanDoulogos]

Great looking guitar. Love the Honeyburst and the overall aesthetic - everything works well together.

I wish I could love the HH Espadas. I was crazy stoked by the original (split Z-Coil) Espada, but these HH Espadas don't really add anything new.

Maybe if they dropped one of the new MFD humbuckers in the neck... that would at least raise an eyebrow of interest - but if I wanted a G&L hard tail with these two humbuckers in it, I'd buy an ASAT Deluxe Tribute (carved top) for half the price (new) or a quarter of the price (used). As is, it looks great, but doesn't really add anything for me.

[Craig]

Great looking guitar. Love the Honeyburst and the overall aesthetic - everything works well together.

I wish I could love the HH Espadas. I was crazy stoked by the original (split Z-Coil) Espada, but these HH Espadas don't really add anything new.

Maybe if they dropped one of the new MFD humbuckers in the neck... that would at least raise an eyebrow of interest - but if I wanted a G&L hard tail with these two humbuckers in it, I'd buy an ASAT Deluxe Tribute (carved top) for half the price (new) or a quarter of the price (used). As is, it looks great, but doesn't really add anything for me.

I have not had an opportunity to try the Espada HH Active nor the Espada HH, but I like the body style of the Espada over the ASAT body style
and I also like the pre-amp circuit, too.

Reference:

Espada HH Active features a G&L Micro-Preamp to unlock a new dimension of tones.
For active duty, the kill-switch on the passive Espada HH is replaced by a 3-way mini-toggle to
control the preamp modes (passive/active/active-bright). Leave the preamp off and everything works,
but switch it on and you’ll hear more of the pickups’ natural harmonic complexity. It’s classic Leo Fender:
he solved “the cord problem” with an on-board buffer to shield the pickups from a cord’s loading effect.
And the result is audible in every pickup setting, from jangly single-coil tones that defy split-humbucker expectations,
to overdriven humbucker tones with crisp detail and definition.

Just my $0.02.

[DanDoulogos]

I have not had an opportunity to try the Espada HH Active nor the Espada HH, but I like the body style of the Espada over the ASAT body style
and I also like the pre-amp circuit, too.

...

Just my $0.02.

I'm with you on the Espada body. It isn't that I don't like the ASAT body - it is rather that the Espada body - for reasons I can't even explain to myself - just strikes me as better. I know I certainly prefer rounded edges to sharp - but it is more than just that.

When I was young (and poor) I didn't have money to buy batteries. So I have avoided active (i.e. powered) circuits like the plague. But as I read that you like the pre-amp circuit, I caught myself thinking - that's all fine and dandy, but I don't like pre-amp circuits because they require a battery!

Then I realized that my reason for the aversion no longer existed. I can now buy plenty of batteries, and much better ones than I could back then. So why am I depriving myself??

Your offhand remark has caused a shackle to fall from my thinking. You didn't intend it, but I appreciate it nonetheless.

Thanks.

[LarryNJ]

OK, I'll say it...

I WANT TO SEE an ESPADA BASS!!

Pray tell--why not?

It is an attractive body style, and would make a great addition to the line- up.

I will await confirmation and a release date from the powers that be at G&L.

[glvourot]

The more I look at the Espada, the more I like the body style. I also have to admit that given a choice, I would choose the original head stock over the sickle. I would love to try one of those uncovered HH Espada's if I ever come across one. Which probably won't happen as G&L's are almost non existent in my part of the world.

[DanDoulogos]

I'd like an Espada body, with V12s, and a reverse (quilted maple) headstock

Something like this shoddy hashed together Photoshop I pulled together using Craig's previous image.:

[Challenger]

I have an Espada and Doheny V12. I like the idea of the V12 pickups in the Espada. I like the Espada body shape over the Doheny body shape. In regard to the comment about the Espada HH not offering much more than the ASAT deluxe. The Espada would be quite different. The body shape is more rounded and comfortable to me with the belly carve. The Espada HH would also offer a full PTB circuit in addition to the option of active electronics. The Espada control layout also has better placement with the volume knob out of the way. I've owned an ASAT Deluxe and would prefer an Espada HH due to the better ergonomics in the body shape and better control layout.