G&L Finishes

[Custom420]

Hey guys, I've been wanting to custom order a G&L for quite a while and I think I made up my mind but I can't quite settle on a finish since every time I search for G&L's with the finish I'm looking for, they always look different, I've seen 10 different variants of the cherry burst finish and 10 different variants of the honey burst finish. I'm going to custom order a G&L with a Birdseye maple neck what finish do you think would look good with it? And can you help me with understanding why the same finish looks so different all the time? Thanks.

[Fumble fingers]

the biggest color differences are
1.... it's hard to photogragh , the light has so much effect from one picture to another
2 ..... wood varies plank to plank

you realize Birdseye neck doesn't have the normal 10 year warranty like hard rock maple does didn't you ?? .... I had a Birdseye neck twist on my 2000 Comanche a few years ago that I had the factory replace with quartersawn neck

[Craig]

the biggest color differences are
1.... it's hard to photogragh , the light has so much effect from one picture to another
2 ..... wood varies plank to plank

you realize Birdseye neck doesn't have the normal 10 year warranty like hard rock maple does didn't you ?? .... I had a Birdseye neck twist on my 2000 Comanche a few years ago that I had the factory replace with quartersawn neck

Since July 1, 2015, Birdseye Maple necks/fretboards were dropped as an option, see: July 1, 2015-present G&L U.S. Specifications and Options and 2014-15 (pre-July 1) G&L U.S. Specifications and Options.

Actually, Birdseye Maple necks for guitars option was dropped from the 2014 U.S. Price List.

[guitar1580]

I just went through the same thing last week when doing a custom order. The colors on a computer screen are never going to look as accurate as the real thing. If you haven't done so already, you can go to the "G&L Boutique, guitar generator". I found it here on the forum under buyer resources. Again, the colors are not like the real thing, but you can plug in different configurations of colors, fingerboards, pickguards, pickup covers, matching headstocks, etc, to see how they look with each other ... and it also gives prices of the different upgrades. It was a big help to me.

I wanted some kind of a transparent finish or a burst, but wasn't sure which. Another issue with the burst is whether the burst is on the back as well. I'm fortunate to have a Premier dealer 20 minutes away, so I was able to check out some finishes there. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the tobacco burst did not have the burst on the back. I always liked a 3 color sunburst, but on lots of guitars (not G&L), the red and yellow part tends to look too bright and plasticish (new word). Anyway, I saw a Tribute Legacy with 3 color burst with the burst on the front & back, and my decision was made. It was amazingly beautiful. I ordered that color with white pearloid guard, RW board, and white covers ... nothing out of the ordinary, but a great classic look.

I had had been considering cherryburst or honeyburst, but looking at them, they seemed like a little too much orangeish and reddish for me. If you're going to sit out the wait for a custom, I definitely recommend getting ash with some kind of transparent finish which shows the grain. Even the straight color transparent finishes look amazing. Good luck!

JT

[Craig]

I just went through the same thing last week when doing a custom order. The colors on a computer screen are never going to look as accurate as the real thing. If you haven't done so already, you can go to the "G&L Boutique, guitar generator". I found it here on the forum under buyer resources. Again, the colors are not like the real thing, but you can plug in different configurations of colors, fingerboards, pickguards, pickup covers, matching headstocks, etc, to see how they look with each other ... and it also gives prices of the different upgrades. It was a big help to me.

I wanted some kind of a transparent finish or a burst, but wasn't sure which. Another issue with the burst is whether the burst is on the back as well. I'm fortunate to have a Premier dealer 20 minutes away, so I was able to check out some finishes there. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the tobacco burst did not have the burst on the back. I always liked a 3 color sunburst, but on lots of guitars (not G&L), the red and yellow part tends to look too bright and plasticish (new word). Anyway, I saw a Tribute Legacy with 3 color burst with the burst on the front & back, and my decision was made. It was amazingly beautiful. I ordered that color with white pearloid guard, RW board, and white covers ... nothing out of the ordinary, but a great classic look.

I had had been considering cherryburst or honeyburst, but looking at them, they seemed like a little too much orangeish and reddish for me. If you're going to sit out the wait for a custom, I definitely recommend getting ash with some kind of transparent finish which shows the grain. Even the straight color transparent finishes look amazing. Good luck!

JT

See this post in our G&L Knowledgebase: Can you explain the Bursted finishes on G&L instruments?.

Hope this helps.

[trem]

the biggest color differences are
1.... it's hard to photogragh , the light has so much effect from one picture to another

Word. The guitar I bought online looked super dark transparent ash in the web photos, and when I opened the case, I was like meh, a few shades lighter, oh well.

[Fumble fingers]

my honeyburst was a surprise , not necessarily bad , but different than the builder .... honeyburst on the builder is probably more like orange burst in real life ..... my honeyburst and Ruby red love outdoor light for photographs , the Ruby Red comes alive in direct sun light and goes to blah inside ..... hard to tell Fullerton red and candy apple red on the guitar builder but in real life they are not close , Fullerton is a solid red , Candy has lots of metal flake ..... so you use the builder with that in mind , google and search pictures on here before you make a final decision or ask on here

[Craig]

my honeyburst was a surprise , not necessarily bad , but different than the builder .... honeyburst on the builder is probably more like orange burst in real life ..... my honeyburst and Ruby red love outdoor light for photographs , the Ruby Red comes alive in direct sun light and goes to blah inside ..... hard to tell Fullerton red and candy apple red on the guitar builder but in real life they are not close , Fullerton is a solid red , Candy has lots of metal flake ..... so you use the builder with that in mind , google and search pictures on here before you make a final decision or ask on here

Also, check out the G&L Porn!!! (Photos, Video Clips & Audio) sub-forum for the factory photos I get from G&L's facebook page and post there.

[beaubob]

Here is a picture of my Cherryburst ASAT at the factory.

[sam]

Hi beaubob!

Now that is the way to post yer first entry at the GLDP. Man that is one beautiful ASAT. Cherryburst is one of my favorite flavors, and everyone knows, "you can never have too many ASAT's"

Since this is yer first post, in the introduction section tell us a bit about yourself, any other G&L's you may have and maybe a little about what style will be played on that killer ASAT Classic.

[Fumble fingers]

beautiful !! .... good move on the belly cut !! ... wish I would have got the belly cut looking back now , your going to love your new ASAT

[rhythmicist]

I heard recently that G&L is going to start offering Nitrocellulose finishes.

[Craig]

I heard recently that G&L is going to start offering Nitrocellulose finishes.

From 2009-June 2015, G&L had the Rustic Series models which all had Nitrocellulose finishes.
See: Production List of G&L Instruments (USA) and What are the current colors available on the Rustics?
I did hear from Dave that Nitro finishes will be added in some form at some later date. When I hear more,
I will be posting about it. See: Any chance of the rustic series making a comeback?

Stay tuned.

[Fumble fingers]

Craig , one of G&L's premiere dealers are all ready advertising it available now , " you have to relic it yourself " in the ad

[Craig]

Craig , one of G&L's premiere dealers are all ready advertising it available now , " you have to relic it yourself " in the ad

Which dealer is that? I do know that "Pro Guitar Shop" in 2011 had a Special Build run called G&L Nitro Thin Series (Legacy, ASAT Classic, and AC Bluesboy models).
Perhaps this is another Special Build for another (or same) dealer.

I rarely hear about those types of Special Builds, since they are done through the G&L Sales Department.

When I do hear of them, I add them to the Production List of G&L Instruments (USA).

Thanks.

[Fumble fingers]

I tried to find it last night but couldn't , when I see it again I'll post it

[Fumble fingers]

Up Front Guitars now available in limited numbers of colors and choices

[rhythmicist]

Up Front Guitars now available in limited numbers of colors and choices

Yeah UpFront Guitars posted it on Facebook. I wonder what colors will be offered?

[guitar1580]

Beaubob, that is a beautiful ASAT, for sure. I'll bet it sounds as good as it looks.

When I recently placed my custom order for a new Legacy, my premier dealer said he will be getting some nitro finished models in.

Does anyone know if there is a major price increase for nitro?
Are there any photos floating around of the rustic finished models?

JT

[Fumble fingers]

Up Front Guitars now available in limited numbers of colors and choices

Yeah UpFront Guitars posted it on Facebook. I wonder what colors will be offered?

Sonic Blue on a Legacy they have in Nitro

[Craig]

Beaubob, that is a beautiful ASAT, for sure. I'll bet it sounds as good as it looks.

When I recently placed my custom order for a new Legacy, my premier dealer said he will be getting some nitro finished models in.

Does anyone know if there is a major price increase for nitro?
Are there any photos floating around of the rustic finished models?

JT

You need to ask your G&L dealer about pricing.

Check the 2009 G&L Catalog in our Gallery: 2009 G&L Catalog (PDF file).

[Craig]

Up Front Guitars now available in limited numbers of colors and choices

Yeah UpFront Guitars posted it on Facebook. I wonder what colors will be offered?

Sonic Blue on a Legacy they have in Nitro

Here is the scoop from Dave:

Hi Craig,

This is a very limited thing for us so I don’t expect we’ll put anything on the G&L site about it. It’s kind of like Monkeypod or Empress: if it is not supported as an option, we don’t take special orders for it. We build it and let dealers buy it, so I guess the best way to answer the question about what colors or models are available is this: whatever shows up at a dealer is what’s available. There will be some going to other countries.

For our first little batch we decided to make some instruments in Sonic Blue and Butterscotch, and once they were getting close to being completed we let some dealers order them. UpFront is typically hip to picking up cool stuff, so they’re the kind of guys on the short list to call. We’re certainly not pushing this.

The quality we’re going for is better than Leo did in the ‘50s and ’60s (the G&L way as you know), though with authentic nitrocellulose lacquer the natural aging will begin pretty much from day one.

Thanks, Craig.

Dave

Here is a photo of one from G&L's facebook page:

Here's a special production run Legacy in nitrocellulose lacquer Sonic Blue, 1-ply white guard, rosewood board, nitrocellulose lacquer Vintage Gloss neck finish.
CLF076309 is headed to Corner Music, Nashville, TN

Here is another photo from G&L's facebook page:

Here's a special production run ASAT Classic Bluesboy in nitrocellulose lacquer Butterscotch Blonde over swamp ash, 1-ply black guard, maple neck with nitrocellulose lacquer Vintage Gloss finish. CLF076444 is headed to Amp Shop/Bass Exchange/Guitarbasspro in North Hollywood, California.

Here is another one:

Here's a special production run ASAT Special in nitrocellulose lacquer Fiesta Red, OLS body depth, tortoise guard, rosewood board, nitrocellulose lacquer Vintage Gloss neck finish.
CLF076571 is headed to G&L Premium Dealer Northeast Music Center Inc. in Dickson City, Pennsylvania.

[guitar1580]

My dealer just got one in, and I played it a little while ago. It's a honeyburst on ash ASAT with maple fb, and it is sweet. He doesn't even have it out on display yet. He has a butterscotch one coming in. He said there were 7 at the time, and he got 2. I didn't talk about the price yet because he was busy and getting phone calls. I'll be there again in a few days, and I'll get the price and a photo.

JT

[Craig]

My dealer just got one in, and I played it a little while ago. It's a honeyburst on ash ASAT with maple fb, and it is sweet. He doesn't even have it out on display yet. He has a butterscotch one coming in. He said there were 7 at the time, and he got 2. I didn't talk about the price yet because he was busy and getting phone calls. I'll be there again in a few days, and I'll get the price and a photo.

JT

Posting photos are fine, but you may not post G&L dealer prices. See: GbL History & G&LDP/G&L Knowledgebase/Marketplace Guidelines.

[guitar1580]

Oh ok Craig. No prob.
I was really just wondering what the "upcharge" would be, compared to the same guitar with a standard finish, but I won't post any pricing info.

JT

[Bluezhawk]

Does anyone know if this finish is standard fiinish that G&L offers or if its a limited run? I'm not seeing it as available on the G&L site

Definitely eye candy!!!

Black Limba Top on an Alder body, Honeyburst finish

[Craig]

Does anyone know if this finish is standard fiinish that G&L offers or if its a limited run? I'm not seeing it as available on the G&L site

Definitely eye candy!!!

Black Limba Top on an Alder body, Honeyburst finish

Honeybust finish is one of the Premier Finishes and is offered as an optional finish on most USA Models.
See: July 1, 2015-present G&L U.S. Specifications and Options.

Black Limba Top is not available as an option. It is a very limited wood that the factory's wood supplier occasionally gets and then the factory
chooses what they will build with it. The instruments they built are then made available to the dealers to purchase.

Hope this helps.

[Bluezhawk]

Does anyone know if this finish is standard fiinish that G&L offers or if its a limited run? I'm not seeing it as available on the G&L site

Definitely eye candy!!!

Black Limba Top on an Alder body, Honeyburst finish

Honeybust finish is one of the Premier Finishes and is offered as an optional finish on most USA Models.
See: July 1, 2015-present G&L U.S. Specifications and Options.

Black Limba Top is not available as an option. It is a very limited wood that the factory's wood supplier occasionally gets and then the factory
chooses what they will build with it. The instruments they built are then made available to the dealers to purchase.

Hope this helps.

Thank Craig-

I anticipated that it might be a case like that. That black Limba top is such a gorgeous option - my USA Comanche is Honeburst and this would be a nice addition. Hmm, time to start lobbying my wife for the go ahead nod

[Fumble fingers]

the Honeyburst finish is standard ... the Black limba you have to ask your dealer on availability , I have a swamp ash Legacy that looks pretty good with the grain showing up like that