Visit to the G&L factory

[Donn]

Hey Craig was wondering how your visit to the G&L/BBE plant was and if you happened to talk to Paul on the Climax bridge pickup. Any info on your days activity will be appreciated though! -------- Donn

[Craig]

Hi Donn,

Dean and I got to the BBE Sounds offices in Huntington Beach around 12:30 pm and
hung out with Dave McLaren and Paul Gagon. I was able to talk with Paul about a few items
on my list including the Climax bridge pickup. This pickup was custom built by Seymour Duncan.
Paul did not think the factory would likely have any more of these and I asked which pickup
would be a good replacement. He said the G&L AW4368B would be a excellent replacement.
This happens to be the bridge pickup used in the new Tribute Fiorano GTS. Unfortunately they
are not available right now to be purchased on the online store like some of the other pickups. And
he did not know if they would even be available online.

When we got to the factory it was after 3pm and most had left for the day. We spent a little
over an hour with Steve Grom before Dave came to take Dean and I out to dinner. Steve did show
us some interesting protypes and some test colors, of which I cannot give any details on, sorry. A new version
of the Superhawk will be coming but no details or timeframe yet. The US versions of the Ascari and Fiorano will also
be coming but again no timeframe and no set details, either. They are getting close to releasing the new bass.
For more info on this bass, check Ken Baker's G&L Bass Support Forum on http://www.bassesbyleo.com.
Dave posted about it and enlisted the members there to help with naming it.

I will try and find out if the factory has any Climax HB pickups left and let you know.

Oh yeah, we saw the new Tributes. They look fantastic and sound great! They are in and ready to
ship to the Reps and Dealers.

There will certainly be more collaborations with Paul and Grover in the future. BTW, Grover works
as a consultant there.

Steve has really gotten the factory running on all cylinders and continues to maintain the high quality, while constantly
looking for ways to improve the numerous processes that are necessary to build these outstanding G&L products.

Overall our trip down there was short but productive for both Dean and I. G&L is alive and doing quite well in these
uncertain times.

The only bummer on the trip was on our return to Paso Robles. We got caught up in an hour+ backup
due to a major big rig accident which had occurred early on the Grapevine (I-5), so we didn't get home until way after midnight.

[RampageFan]

Thanks for the update Craig. When you mention the Superhawks that's music to my ears! Hopefully they will keep the same body shape and the Kahler as an option!

Dave

[Donn]

Hey Craig, Sounds like you had a great day all in all. Glad to hear all is going good with G&L. I really appreciate what you are doing for me. Nice to have someone on the other side of the states trying to help out. I like the idea of a new Superhawk. I own 2--1987--Invaders w/ Leo's Fine tuning bridge and just love the body shape they share with the Superhawk. Really is a comfortable body design. It would be awesome if some one at the plant comes across a Climax bridge pickup,I know it's slim but I've got to try, and again your the one really helping out. Thank You Craig, If I ever get out of the Adirondack Mts of New York I'm coming to California and the BBE/G&L plant is the place for me to visit. Your Friend, Donn

[yowhatsshakin]

Hey Craig, did you learn anything about the waterslide decal S/N visible on pictures of Korina Collection guitars? And whether they'll use a number system below the CCD logo?

Thanks!

- Jos

[Craig]

Hey Craig, did you learn anything about the waterslide decal S/N visible on pictures of Korina Collection guitars? And whether they'll use a number system below the CCD logo?

Thanks!

- Jos

Hi Josh,

The Korinas are using a couple different formats in regards to the S/Ns.
The first Korinas used the waterslide s/n decals.
Next, it was the waterslide s/n with the Custom Creations decal.
Now it’s the serial number plate with a tiny Custom Creations decal where they used to put the s/n decal.

They will not be using the number system below the CCD logo.

Hope this helps.

[Donn]

Hey Craig, I think for the mean time I'm gonna try a Seymour Duncan Distortion in the bridge position. This seem's to sound very close to my other Climax. I know a old pickup like this is a hard find. Donn