New G&L Facebook page - CLF RESEARCH CO.

Post by **Craig** » Mon Feb 19, 2018 10:03 am

Leo kept connector cables handy, often with alligator clips on the ends. Some had a pot in the middle like these two.

Post by **Craig** » Wed Feb 21, 2018 7:41 am

The original G&L guitar headstock was developed at CLF Research in the late 1970s. I also happen to be playing this 1980 F-100 right now,
so this is conveniently my subject matter tonight.

Another photo of the 1980 F-100 I posted earlier tonight. It is my favorite spec of the time: natural over mahogany, Saddle Lock bridge, ebony board.
That finish has really aged beautifully, and there are a few nice bits of flame in the wood. I was also reminded tonight how wonderful the CLF Research knobs
look and feel to the touch. They're exquisite.

Post by **Craig** » Wed Feb 21, 2018 12:21 pm

January 6, 1965 issue of News Tribune, a local newspaper here in Fullerton. The big story was that Leo Fender has sold his Fender company.
Leo cut out this article and kept it in his office file cabinet.

y2kc · Post by **y2kc** » Wed Feb 21, 2018 3:54 pm

Craig,

Do you think that is a one piece body on the F-100? It is a nice chunk of mahogany.

y2kc

y2kc · Post by **y2kc** » Wed Feb 21, 2018 3:56 pm

Now I see the seam. Old eyes. It is a two piece body.

y2kc

Post by **Craig** » Thu Feb 22, 2018 12:55 pm

1951 photo of Leo's father, Clarence "Monte" Fender. Monte used to come to the Pomona building to help Leo in the early Fender days.
He looks like a happy and proud dad in this photo.

Post by **Craig** » Thu Feb 22, 2018 6:00 pm

Clarence Leo Fender: The Story of CLF Research

Have you ever heard of CLF Research? Probably not, but it’s time for its rich history to be shared.
CLF Research is the company Leo Fender founded in 1966, where he continued to support CBS/Fender until 1970,
later developed and manufactured Music Man instruments and ultimately his G&L instruments.

Back in ‘66, Leo moved his private office, laboratory and workshop from the Fender factory to CLF Research,
where today his 2548 Fender Avenue building contains a variety of historic artifacts from across his career and personal life.
Now, brothers Johnny and Dave McLaren have created Facebook and Instagram pages to share these artifacts with Leo fans around the world.
Dave McLaren adds:

“For many years Johnny and I have thought about writing a book, but we realize we are too busy with our work running G&L. Thanks to social media,
however, we now have platforms to share these fascinating Leo Fender artifacts, insights and stories. We also feel a sense of obligation,
because if we don’t do it, it’ll never be done with the perspective we can bring. We hope that fans of Leo will join us as we turn back time and,
hopefully, have a lot of fun as we go.”

CLF Research pages are now live @clfresearch on Facebook and Instagram.

Post by **Craig** » Sat Feb 24, 2018 10:03 am

Leo made notes everywhere. On this breadboard instrument are his notes about pickups for the Sabre guitar.

Post by **Craig** » Sat Feb 24, 2018 10:20 pm

This appears to be hand painted logo art on a prototype Stingray headstock. My guess is George did it.
He was a painter, as in brushes and canvas.

Danley · Post by **Danley** » Sun Feb 25, 2018 7:37 am

Beautiful Mustang posted above.

Thank you for aggregating this data here; I hate social media

Post by **Craig** » Sun Feb 25, 2018 12:47 pm

Buddy played Electric Spanish Guitar.

Post by **Craig** » Mon Feb 26, 2018 11:57 am

I can't imagine what the CMA Country Music Association would have been like if "C. L. Fender" had not come along.

Post by **Craig** » Tue Feb 27, 2018 1:56 pm

This photo is from around '82 to '83. Left to right: George Fullerton, Leo Fender, Dale Hyatt. Leo is holding the original version of the SC-3.

Post by **Craig** » Sun Mar 04, 2018 9:26 am

Machinist Mike did a wonderful job in reproducing the CLF Research knobs. Mike machined them for Leo 38 years ago and
he still machines parts for G&L instruments today. Left to right: first new proto, second proto with pointer milled in, and finished knob.
Maybe we should call him Magic Mike.

Post by **Craig** » Sun Mar 04, 2018 9:28 am

Some of you wanted to see the Music Man RD-50 amp. The MM amps were not manufactured at CLF Research
like the guitars and basses were. The amps were made in Anaheim, California.
Any of you have a '70s MM amp? What do you think of it?

Post by **Craig** » Sun Mar 04, 2018 9:30 am

circa 1978 photo of visitors in Leo's lab trying Music Man instruments made here in the CLF Research factory.
I believe these guys are from the Japan distributor Kanda Shokai. It would be cool to know their names and if they are
still in the music business today.

Post by **Craig** » Sun Mar 04, 2018 9:33 am

June 30, 1965 - a heartwarming thanks and farewell letter from Fender Salesmen to Leo.
I think many of you will recognize Tom Walker (later with Music Man) and Dale Hyatt (later with G&L).

John C · Post by **John C** » Sun Mar 04, 2018 8:47 pm

Craig wrote:
Some of you wanted to see the Music Man RD-50 amp. The MM amps were not manufactured at CLF Research
like the guitars and basses were. The amps were made in Anaheim, California.
Any of you have a '70s MM amp? What do you think of it?

I wonder if that's a prototype or an earlier model? I owned an RD112 50 that I bought new in 1981 and that switch in-between the channels said "Clean"/"Limiter" instead of being a second "Normal"/"Mid Shift" switch (plus it had the silver grill cloth). The "Limiter" was really the gain channel, which had a 12xa7 preamp tube for the gain. However, the amp really sounded better on the clean channel with an overdrive or distortion pedal. Mine looke like this one:

Post by **Craig** » Mon Mar 05, 2018 4:33 pm

G&L Cavalier
June 1983 - tune/test of a new model, the G&L Cavalier. This model featured angled MFD mini humbuckers.
If you have a Cav, what do you think of the pickups?

tomanche · Post by **tomanche** » Mon Mar 05, 2018 9:33 pm

Hey, John, good eye on that amp switch. I had glossed right over that! I own a 1983 112 RD 100, which does not have that 12AX7 tube distortion. Many MM fans consider the RD 50 to be one of the company's best models because of that tube distortion. (Chris Cain sure sounds awesome playing one, and has for decades!) My RD 100 has a solid state distortion that is not great. It's OK for a little fullness or hair, but that's all. The cleans are fabulous. If you can play loud enough to drive the output tubes, then it's great---but that is freaking loud! The earlier, lower wattage 210 Sixty-Five (or other speaker combos) is good for that, and has an amazing tremolo that becomes a great Leslie sound on the upper half of the knob. The MM amps are built like tanks and full of quality. Ernie Ball was finally resuscitating them a few years ago with MarkBass' help, but they seemed to have dropped it after displaying prototypes at Musikmesse. Lack of interest/orders?

Post by **Craig** » Tue Mar 06, 2018 8:44 am

In the 1980s Leo was interested in selling parts for aftermarket use through dealers, including MFD pickups.
His label on this sample tells that story clearly.

Post by **Craig** » Tue Mar 06, 2018 5:51 pm

L-2000 pole piece screws (the part you can adjust) being made on a 1970 Davenport screw machine here in Fullerton, California.
If you look out the back door of the machine shop, you see the location where Leo's old Pomona Avenue building used to be.

[video]https://www.facebook.com/GnLguitars/videos/10156323996997743/[/video]

Post by **Craig** » Wed Mar 07, 2018 12:18 pm

December 17, 1969 letter from "an ardent Fender fan" named Gary Heidemann.
It was received by Fender Director of Marketing Robert McFadden, who wrote a gracious
reply saying that his letter would be forwarded to Leo Fender. Coming up, we will share Robert's reply.

Post by **Craig** » Thu Mar 08, 2018 9:19 pm

January 6, 1970 reply from Robert McFadden to Gary Heidemann. This is great stuff.

Post by **Craig** » Thu Mar 08, 2018 9:26 pm

CLF Research bass knobs and colored mini toggle switch caps are now in the online store at glguitars.com.

Elwood · Post by **Elwood** » Thu Mar 08, 2018 11:37 pm

Craig wrote:CLF Research bass knobs and colored mini toggle switch caps are now in the online store at glguitars.com.[

Very cool news !

FZTNT · Post by **FZTNT** » Fri Mar 09, 2018 10:37 am

Is this the same knob used on the early F-100's?

Tom

Post by **Craig** » Fri Mar 09, 2018 11:03 am

FZTNT wrote:Is this the same knob used on the early F-100's?

Tom

See this previous post: http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/FORUM/viewt ... 05#p101905

FZTNT · Post by **FZTNT** » Fri Mar 09, 2018 2:00 pm

Craig wrote:
FZTNT wrote:Is this the same knob used on the early F-100's?

Tom
See this previous post: http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/FORUM/viewt ... 05#p101905

"This previous post" just shows the post above. Kind of like a circle back and forth in the same post. It mentions nothing about these knobs being used on other guitars.

So, I will ask again, does anyone know if these knobs can be used on other early G&L guitars? Without measuring them (I don't have the ones in the picture) I can't tell but they sure look like the knobs on my F-100s and Invaders.

Tom

Post by **Craig** » Fri Mar 09, 2018 4:19 pm

FZTNT wrote:
Craig wrote:
FZTNT wrote:Is this the same knob used on the early F-100's?

Tom
See this previous post: http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/FORUM/viewt ... 05#p101905

"This previous post" just shows the post above. Kind of like a circle back and forth in the same post. It mentions nothing about these knobs being used on other guitars.

So, I will ask again, does anyone know if these knobs can be used on other early G&L guitars? Without measuring them (I don't have the ones in the picture) I can't tell but they sure look like the knobs on my F-100s and Invaders.

Tom

Sorry to have confused you with the link to this post:

Craig wrote:
Machinist Mike did a wonderful job in reproducing the CLF Research knobs. Mike machined them for Leo 38 years ago and
he still machines parts for G&L instruments today. Left to right: first new proto, second proto with pointer milled in, and finished knob.
Maybe we should call him Magic Mike.

I thought it was clear that this was a knob for the L-2000 bass, not a guitar knob.

I sent Darth an email with your question and here is his reply:

Hi Craig,

Not the same. The guitar version is a smaller diameter. Good chance the guitar version will be back this year. If that happens they will be added to the store.

Thanks, Craig.

Dave

Hope this helps.

FZTNT · Post by **FZTNT** » Fri Mar 09, 2018 4:24 pm

No big deal. I knew (obviously) that the knobs pictured were from a bass but in a picture they have a good resemblance to the F-100 knobs. Not being a bass guy, I have never seen this bass so it's a difficult perspective to judge from. Thanks for passing this on to Dave M. Maybe we will see new knobs from more Leo era instruments in the future.

Tom

Post by **Craig** » Fri Mar 09, 2018 4:35 pm

Fall 1979 - James Burton in the lab with Leo Fender and George Fullerton.

Danley · Post by **Danley** » Sat Mar 10, 2018 7:58 am

Well, I'm buying a couple toggle caps.

Post by **Craig** » Sat Mar 10, 2018 5:27 pm

Forrest White's business card.

Post by **Craig** » Mon Mar 12, 2018 11:10 am

In 1985, the G&L Broadcaster was introduced with Telecaster shaped body. It used the same style MFD single coil pickups and
Saddle Lock bridge (a Kahler was optional) as the G&L SC-2. Fred Gretsch complained that he still used his Broadkaster trademark so
the G&L was renamed ASAT the following year. The name ASAT comes from A-SAT, US military shorthand for an anti-satellite missile.

Post by **Craig** » Tue Mar 13, 2018 4:00 pm

1977 Stingray Bass body looks like it was modified to accept a prototype bridge for the Sabre Bass that would debut the following year.
Kind of cool to think it has been four decades since this body saw the light of day. It was in a loft above our wood shop.

Danley · Post by **Danley** » Tue Mar 13, 2018 6:00 pm

Craig wrote:
Forrest White's business card.

It's amusing these addresses pop up a few blocks from my house or workplace; I'm really inspired to drive by and document what they are/what they now look like. Some research off-hand:

Fender Radio 107 S. Harbor Blvd Fullerton
-Now some other company (adjacent to a lot of bars, across from a really good cajun seafood place)

Fender OG Factory 100 S Pomona Fullerton
-Parking lot with a mural

Fender pre-CBS Facility 500 S Raymond Fullerton Fender
-Freaking NASCAR bar (Apparently closed now)

Fender (CBS era HQ) 1300 Valencia Fullerton
-Some other company, looks like copiers

Fender HR (Staff only/no factory?) 308 E 5th Street Santa Ana
-It's now the parking structure of a neighborhood that is heavy into gentrifying and near a hipster food court

CLF 1013 East Elm Fullerton
-Still there apparently from all these posts; want to check it out now

Music Man 1260 State College Parkway Anaheim
-Behind a Behihana; my wife chased a stray dog into the parking lot once

G&L 2548 E Fender Unit C Fullerton
-Obv.

Fender post-CBS 1130 Columbia Street. Brea, CA
-They built amps here and had the headquarters previous to moving to Scottsdale & Corona. Appears to be a machinery business

Post by **Craig** » Fri Mar 16, 2018 4:15 pm

circa 1957 photo in the Fender metal shop of the Raymond Avenue factory. The big machine here is a metal punch,
used to form parts like control plates and Strat jack plates. The metal shop was the end unit of the building, closest to where
the big CBS building was later built.

Post by **Craig** » Mon Mar 19, 2018 9:30 pm

For some reason I find it fascinating that the clock on Leo’s office wall continues to work despite him being gone for many years. Hmmm.
You know, maybe I should set the time. Or should I just leave it alone?

Post by **Craig** » Mon Mar 19, 2018 9:33 pm

October 1975 - George Fullerton’s early attempt at headstock design for the Music Man guitars.
The first pic shows the early prototype shape on the left and a production neck from December 1976 on the right.

y2kc · Post by **y2kc** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 11:32 am

Craig,

Thanks for putting this stuff here. Keep it coming.

y2kc

Post by **Craig** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 7:08 pm

This is George Fullerton. He did quite a lot of the drawing work at CLF Research for G&L and Music Man brands.
George worked for Leo at the dawn of Fender and later became the G in G&L.

Post by **Craig** » Thu Mar 22, 2018 7:17 pm

The dusty pickup is a prototype MFD version of his earlier split coil pickup as installed in his 1975 prototype Sabre Bass.
While he didn’t choose that Alnico split coil for the production Sabre in 1976, he continued with the concept of a powerful split coil
with big pole pieces. The dusty prototype pickup shows Leo applying his Magnetic Field Design to that concept.

Post by **Craig** » Fri Mar 23, 2018 2:39 pm

This is Forrest White. He was one of the founders of Music Man, so he’s part of the CLF Research story even though he didn’t work here at the factory.
Earlier, Forrest worked from Fender between ‘54 and ‘66. I think those of you who knew him would agree he was a very smart man but had some difficulty
managing his temper. Occasionally he would get upset and yell, even at Leo. Later he would apologize to Leo, sometimes with a kind note and gift to try to smooth
over any damage caused. You know what? I can relate.

Post by **Craig** » Fri Mar 23, 2018 4:40 pm

This is Tom Walker. He was also a co-founder of Music Man. Having spent several years as a Fender sales rep,
Tom had good experience to get dealers on board with the new Music Man brand amplifiers and later, Music Man instruments.
In this photo, Tom was visiting Leo Fender in Leo’s lab here at CLF Research.

Post by **Craig** » Fri Mar 23, 2018 7:24 pm

That’s some headstock variety in the carts inside Leo’s lab. Yeah, I arranged them a little so you can see them better,
but all of these things have been in and out of these carts over the years, so it’s not sacrilege or anything.

Post by **Craig** » Mon Mar 26, 2018 7:23 pm

Looks to be early 1987 that this oddly pointy concept was made. It’s just a rough milled, unsanded body showing pickup routes which
appear to fit the cover of an early style S-500 pickup. Perhaps visualized as a hotter model than the less pointy 1987 Skyhawk
of the time. No idea really, just a guess. This serial number is left blank in the production log as it was’t even a real instrument,
but more or less a mock-up.

Post by **Craig** » Tue Mar 27, 2018 6:53 am

I’m kind of surprised that we’ve been getting a bunch of requests for CLF Research T-shirts.
Late ‘70s style or ‘60s style (underlined) logo ?

Post by **Craig** » Tue Mar 27, 2018 7:47 pm

July 16, 1979 wiring diagram for Stingray Bass. Drawn by George Fullerton.

Post by **Craig** » Tue Mar 27, 2018 7:50 pm

The L-2000 appeared alongside the L-1000 in the 1980 catalog, but production of the L-2000 officially began in 1981 after changes were made.

The pre-production example in the 1980 catalog has the two pickups positioned as they were in the Sabre. The control plate was in the typical CLF “banana” shape
but wider than the Sabre. A separate switch for treble boost was included. The production L-2000 in 1981 had the two pickups roughly bookend the position of the
Stingray pickup. The control plate became the notched style. The treble boost switch was deleted in favor of the 3-position preamp mini toggle (off/on/on with treble boost).

Hope my memory is correct on the treble boost switch. Any fans out there dig into that?