Intestinal Fortitude Test Leftovers for Lunch Report...

[JagInTheBag]

Lunch is a test of intestinal fortitude, left over goulash, left over Popeyes mashed potatoes, left over green beans, and fresh coffee, but not in that order. I'll let you know if anything went bad...

G&L Topic: Would you accept a new G&L Tribute model that was a platform partner with their Indonesian builder's own line? Consider that the quality is the same as current Tribute models and there is little if any cross shopping between the brands.


Non-G&L Topic: It has been said "Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life." Agree or disagree, state your reasons.

[kakerlak]

Personally I think it would be weird to see some sort of PRS-esque purple Samick w/ a G&L decal struck on it. IMO, it would weaken brand identity. The striaghtforward, overseas-made versions of regular G&Ls make a lot of theoretical sense as a low cost entry into the brand much like MIM Fenders, however, I was always a bit surprised they succeeded when it seems like they're in pretty direct competition with the 2nd hand market for their USA counterparts.

Regarding the "do what you like" sentiment: I never put much stock in such platitudes; in the real world, everythign is relative, work and happiness included. Very little is constant and often one must be traded for the other (or done to allow for the other). I will say that someone fortunate enough to be able to pay the bills while pursuing nothing but passions has a good chance of being happy. Of course something enjoyable never seems like work, but it's not always attainable and, likewise, there are plenty of people who will never be happy, regardless of the acceptability of their position in life.

[JagInTheBag]

Personally I think it would be weird to see some sort of PRS-esque purple Samick w/ a G&L decal struck on it. IMO, it would weaken brand identity.

More than just crass brand engineering. I am talking about some moderate cosmetic differentiation to make the style congruent with the G&L brand, as well as re-voiced with G&L spec, USA made pups?

[kakerlak]

Personally I think it would be weird to see some sort of PRS-esque purple Samick w/ a G&L decal struck on it. IMO, it would weaken brand identity.

More than just crass brand engineering. I am talking about some moderate cosmetic differentiation to make the style congruent with the G&L brand, as well as re-voiced with G&L spec, USA made pups?

Maybe I'm just a purist (or a dummy) but I think all designs for overseas production should come from G&L. That having been said, the Tribute line might do well in offering something fun and/or funky, that is not a total departure from existing models, but that is not available in the US line. Something fairly simple, maybe even single pickup, with a million different solid color options would be a fun and appealing guitar to both entry-level shoppers and current USA model owners.

[sickbutnottired]

I think G&L has a lot of flexibility with the Tribute line. I wasn't that wild about the new set neck tributes that came out, for me. But they are being really well received.

I don't think any less of Taylor now that they are playing in the acoustic electric and electric space. That seems like a bigger jump than G&L trying new electrics, and if I understand what you are saying basically licensing and selling some pickups and electronics to other manufacturers. Is the question would I buy one? Probably not.

"Do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life". I think you have to be careful making things you enjoy your career. You can take a great and fulfilling hobby and make it a mediocre career. I know some professional downhill skiers, quite a few actually. And some of them really like their lifestyle, living in 2 very nice locals for part of the year, being outside a lot, and getting to rock a few killer lines a year. The epic ones that most of us, even serious skiers, only get a couple of in a lifetime. But basically their life is pretty spartan, and the last thing they want to do for fun is put on their boots...

[kakerlak]

I think G&L has a lot of flexibility with the Tribute line. I wasn't that wild about the new set neck tributes that came out, for me. But they are being really well received.

Just checked the G&L website and found how out of touch I was... Those new Tribute models are almost exactly what I was picturing when I made the "PRS-esque purple Samick" wisecrack. To me, they look like kinda generic Korean Schecter-ish guitars. The G&L logo looks way out of place to my eyes... I'm making no quality assumptions, just thinking that the "characte,r" for lack of a better term, is all wrong for a G&L offering.

I see from the website's ad copy that this is apparently a Leo Fender design/notion. I know a lot of folks here, myself included hold Mr. Fender in god-like esteem, however I think this sort of model would have been a misstep. Name successful bolt-neck Gibsons, or archtop Fenders... I think the Talyor electrics thing is a bit differnent, b/c acoustics are a totally different market segment and carry only rudimentarily similar design elements w/ solid body electrics.

2nd day back and I'm ranting more than I used to... I'll settle down now.

[darwinohm]

Lunch today was a great sandwich with both ham and turkey. Pretty brave for me.

I think that G&L has done a good job with the tributes and there really aren't any look a-likes especially with the carved top ASAT and the Bluesboy. The Legacys still look much like Fenders but that is okay. Fender is copied by many. I am still out on the set neck models. I have looked at them and the quality seems good.

I have a job that is fun, I love everyday and it can,t get much better. It is called "RETIRED"-- Darwin

[JagInTheBag]

Lunch today was a great sandwich with both ham and turkey. Pretty brave for me.

I think that G&L has done a good job with the tributes and there really aren't any look a-likes especially with the carved top ASAT and the Bluesboy. The Legacys still look much like Fenders but that is okay. Fender is copied by many. I am still out on the set neck models. I have looked at them and the quality seems good.

I have a job that is fun, I love everyday and it can,t get much better. It is called "RETIRED"-- Darwin

I posed this question because the Ascari seems to resemble an established Cort model, the M600, as discussed here: http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/FORUM/viewt ... =36&t=5530

[Michael-GnL-Michael]

Lunch is a test of intestinal fortitude, left over goulash, left over Popeyes mashed potatoes, left over green beans, and fresh coffee, but not in that order. I'll let you know if anything went bad...

G&L Topic: Would you accept a new G&L Tribute model that was a platform partner with their Indonesian builder's own line? Consider that the quality is the same as current Tribute models and there is little if any cross shopping between the brands.


Non-G&L Topic: It has been said "Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life." Agree or disagree, state your reasons.

Lunch: Mandarin Chicken and white rice.

G&L: Reading the topic and comments so far I am still not clear what you are describing in the G&L topic. If it means putting G&L electronics and the logo in what is otherwise an established brand's guitar design I think that is a terrible idea. G&L is more or less a package. Any single component or small group of components are not so outstanding that an idea like this would associate G&L with everyone's economic level guitars.........as I said I am confused as to what you are describing so you may not be thinking mainly about the Tribute level guitars. As things are now, Tributes are a less expensive G&L but they are all G&L even though part of the guitar is built in a generic factory located outside (a whole different country) the G&L factory.

Non G&L: I have not heard it said like this before. I am aware of the "Do what you love and you will be happy" sort of thing. Isolating "work" out from your life indicates a misconception. Work is healthy. There is nothing inherently wrong with working. People work hard to build different things and they can feel very happy and satisfied with the process. Part of happiness is being rewarded for your efforts. This "Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life." suggests it will all come easy like play. Even play is more fun when you are challenged.

[JagInTheBag]

Lunch is a test of intestinal fortitude, left over goulash, left over Popeyes mashed potatoes, left over green beans, and fresh coffee, but not in that order. I'll let you know if anything went bad...

G&L Topic: Would you accept a new G&L Tribute model that was a platform partner with their Indonesian builder's own line? Consider that the quality is the same as current Tribute models and there is little if any cross shopping between the brands.


Non-G&L Topic: It has been said "Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life." Agree or disagree, state your reasons.

Lunch: Mandarin Chicken and white rice.

G&L: Reading the topic and comments so far I am still not clear what you are describing in the G&L topic. If it means putting G&L electronics and the logo in what is otherwise an established brand's guitar design I think that is a terrible idea. G&L is more or less a package. Any single component or small group of components are not so outstanding that an idea like this would associate G&L with everyone's economic level guitars.........as I said I am confused as to what you are describing so you may not be thinking mainly about the Tribute level guitars. As things are now, Tributes are a less expensive G&L but they are all G&L even though part of the guitar is built in a generic factory located outside (a whole different country) the G&L factory.

Non G&L: I have not heard it said like this before. I am aware of the "Do what you love and you will be happy" sort of thing. Isolating "work" out from your life indicates a misconception. Work is healthy. There is nothing inherently wrong with working. People work hard to build different things and they can feel very happy and satisfied with the process. Part of happiness is being rewarded for your efforts. This "Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life." suggests it will all come easy like play. Even play is more fun when you are challenged.

On the G&L topic, this may be just what has happen to bring the Ascari and Fiorano to market, each closely resemble established models from the Cort line. The Cort factory produces all the Tributes. I also think is a bad for the brand to appear to have relabeled guitars from a lesser brand, even if everyone knows they produce 30% of the worlds guitars...

Your point on work being a net positive is well taken. I own my own business, working one of my personal passions, vintage muscle cars. Believe me, it is work. But I enjoy it because I love the cars and the difficulties I am willing and able to endure because I am passionate about the cars and the people in the hobby. Don't think I'd enjoy eating crow working for XYZ company, even if there was a big paycheck.

[Michael-GnL-Michael]

On the G&L topic, this may be just what has happen to bring the Ascari and Fiorano to market, each closely resemble established models from the Cort line. The Cort factory produces all the Tributes. I also think is a bad for the brand to appear to have relabeled guitars from a lesser brand, even if everyone knows they produce 30% of the worlds guitars...

Your point on work being a net positive is well taken. I own my own business, working one of my personal passions, vintage muscle cars. Believe me, it is work. But I enjoy it because I love the cars and the difficulties I am willing and able to endure because I am passionate about the cars and the people in the hobby. Don't think I'd enjoy eating crow working for XYZ company, even if there was a big paycheck.

I was pressed for time earlier during my lunch so I read and responded hastily. I was thrown off a little by the wording here, "Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life." Having thought about it this afternoon I think that the gist [corrected from "jest" ] of this references how we can excel when our strengths and interests are well matched to a line of work, career or various projects. Everyone would benefit if we were all able to find our niche in life. Some people have more than one. The quality of living would rise with everyone doing what they were born to do. People would give and receive better.

I have read Tributes are built at a factory where other guitars are built. I do not know much about Cort. I have seen a little and was under the impression they were just another custom guitar builder. I did not make the connection so the resemblance of the Ascari and Fiorano guitars to any Cort models was lost on me. I just thought of the guitar factory as a generic factory much like those used in manufacturing all kinds of goods but without the child labor.

[JagInTheBag]

I have read Tributes are built at a factory where other guitars are built. I do not know much about Cort. I have seen a little and was under the impression they were just another custom guitar builder. I did not make the connection so the resemblance of the Ascari and Fiorano guitars to any Cort models was lost on me. I just thought of the guitar factory as a generic factory much like those used in manufacturing all kinds of goods but without the child labor.

These you may find of interest then:

Cort KX1Q Specifications

http://www.cortguitars.com/_webapp_4133883/KX1Q#


Cort M600 Specifications

http://www.cortguitars.com/_webapp_3832414/M600#

[Michael-GnL-Michael]

These you may find of interest then:

I like the M-600 especially but they are both aesthetically more appealing to me than either G&L.

In another thread on the Ascari Fiorano guitars I just wrote this about the M-600:

...the Cort version looks better than the G&L. The G&L needs some tweaking to eliminate the mismatch of parts. The Cort has a headstock that is similar to PRS. I don't care about that similarity, to get that out of the way. I think the proportions, curves, shapes, forms, etc. create a balanced guitar in the Cort. All of those things are slightly off in the G&L. The G&L comes off plain looking while the Cort looks like everything is in its proper place working together to create a tight design. I do not think the headstock choice in the G&L will ever look right on a horned S-type derivative. The body needs some form of slanted asymmetry to be carried into the headstock. The current Gibson-like symmetrical headstock of these G&Ls would fit better on guitars with more symmetrical body shapes.

[bassman]

They just look like imported guitars. If youlike them then fine . I have never played a chrome humbuckered G&L from Indonesia, but If they make the guitars as well as the Tribute G&L basses, then you might have something worth bragging about.