Two New Tribute® Series Jerry Cantrell Superhawks

[Craig]

G&L Launches Two New Tribute® Series Jerry Cantrell Superhawks

Check them out.

[HowlinWolf]

All's great, but why is the neck radius 12"? Or is it a mistake like before when a couple months ago they listed the Rampage and Superhawk as having 12" radius necks erroneously and changed it to 14" when asked about it.
I want to get the Superhawk but I really wish there was an option for a tremolo bridge, even a dual fulcrum vibrato bridge instead of the Kahler if it keeps costs low. It would be so great to have the option of choosing between a fixed and a tremolo bridge like on other models such as the Invader. Or if it drives prices up at least offer it on the Deluxe model as I really wouldn't mind paying more for a Superhawk with a Kahler or Floyd Rose bridge. But I get that it's a signature model and therefore options are limited...

[Theguitarstore]

Ordered them for the store.

[RampageFan]

This is very exciting news for me. For as long as I have lobbied for G&L to bring back the Superhawk, they threw me a curve when they brought out the Fallout models at NAMM. I have been going back and forth as to which one I wanted, and I have been leaning towards ordering a Fallout. Now that it is official, and they are making a Tribute Superhawk Deluxe, this makes my choice easy.... A Tribute Superhawk Deluxe, and a Fallout!

As far as the 12" radius, this is not a mistake. They did the same thing with the Tribute Rampage. The Tribute models have a 12" Radius, so I am assuming it's the same neck. If you've ever played an '84 or '85 Rampage, the necks on the Tribute Rampage feel VERY MUCH like the early Rampage necks with the 12" Radius. And as far as I'm concerned, that's a good thing. I'm also glad they went with the Saddlelock Bridge. I look forward to hearing the difference in the sustain and tone.

These are good times to be a G&L fan!

Dave

[Elwood]

These are good times to be a G&L fan!

Ordered them for the store.

+2

[jediguitarist]

<snip>

It would be so great to have the option of choosing between a fixed and a tremolo bridge like on other models such as the Invader. Or if it drives prices up at least offer it on the Deluxe model as I really wouldn't mind paying more for a Superhawk with a Kahler or Floyd Rose bridge.

I was thinking the exact same thing

I've been looking for a Floyd G&L for a few months. Haven't been so lucky. Can't seem to justify another USA G&L in less than a year... Lol. But one of these Tribute Superhawks would tie me over for 8-9 months

[meowmix]

I like the fact the neck is " 1-3/4" nut width ". At least they did that right.

[HowlinWolf]

I like the fact the neck is " 1-3/4" nut width ". At least they did that right.

They definately did that right!

I was thinking the exact same thing

I've been looking for a Floyd G&L for a few months. Haven't been so lucky. Can't seem to justify another USA G&L in less than a year... Lol. But one of these Tribute Superhawks would tie me over for 8-9 months

Good luck in your search for a Floyd G&L. I'm only aware of 2 models that ever came with Floyds - the defunct Climax and the current Invader. Any other models came with it? Just imagine G&L offering the current Superhawk with a Floyd Rose - that would be killer, and quite expensive! Or another fantasy is the Superhawk featuring the Leo Fender fine tuning vibrato.

This is very exciting news for me. For as long as I have lobbied for G&L to bring back the Superhawk, they threw me a curve when they brought out the Fallout models at NAMM. I have been going back and forth as to which one I wanted, and I have been leaning towards ordering a Fallout. Now that it is official, and they are making a Tribute Superhawk Deluxe, this makes my choice easy.... A Tribute Superhawk Deluxe, and a Fallout!

As far as the 12" radius, this is not a mistake. They did the same thing with the Tribute Rampage. The Tribute models have a 12" Radius, so I am assuming it's the same neck. If you've ever played an '84 or '85 Rampage, the necks on the Tribute Rampage feel VERY MUCH like the early Rampage necks with the 12" Radius. And as far as I'm concerned, that's a good thing. I'm also glad they went with the Saddlelock Bridge. I look forward to hearing the difference in the sustain and tone.

These are good times to be a G&L fan!

Dave

I have a suspicion that there are tribute Rampages out there with 13.75" neck radii. Correct me if I'm wrong, it's all a little 'muddy' regarding neck radius on Jerry Cantrell models. In any case, 12" sounds fine on this model. I'd love to try out the 25" radius neck that they offered in the late '80s, I'm so curious about how that would feel...
And nice to know that you're happy with it having a saddle lock fixed bridge. I can sort of picture why they went with it. I think Kahlers, esp the ones on the tribute Rampage didn't get the best of feedback. With the change to a fixed bridge the sustain must be amazing, so please let us know how it is when you do get this guitar.

[RampageFan]

I have a suspicion that there are tribute Rampages out there with 13.75" neck radii. Correct me if I'm wrong, it's all a little 'muddy' regarding neck radius on Jerry Cantrell models. In any case, 12" sounds fine on this model. I'd love to try out the 25" radius neck that they offered in the late '80s, I'm so curious about how that would feel...
And nice to know that you're happy with it having a saddle lock fixed bridge. I can sort of picture why they went with it. I think Kahlers, esp the ones on the tribute Rampage didn't get the best of feedback. With the change to a fixed bridge the sustain must be amazing, so please let us know how it is when you do get this guitar.

I had a Tribute Rampage, but I sold it after I ended up with 3 80's Rampages The Tribute was a fine guitar. Very well built and was a lot of fun to play. There was a lot of issues with the import Kahlers that were on the Tributes. I had to really work on mine to get it to stay in tune. After a break in period and some tweaking, I had stable tuning. I'm just looking forward to something different with the Superhawk and the saddlelock bridge. I may be wrong, But I'm almost positive that I read somewhere (Facebook maybe?) that G&L was looking into making the Kahler an option on the Superhawks. So keep your eyes open.

My '84 Rampage has a 12" Radius. My two '86 models have the 25" radius. It's a lot of fun to play lead on those guitars. Between the crazy flat boards, and the oiled necks that were on the original models, talk about a fast, smooth neck!

Dave

[Craig]

All's great, but why is the neck radius 12"? Or is it a mistake like before when a couple months ago they listed the Rampage and Superhawk as having 12" radius necks erroneously and changed it to 14" when asked about it.
I want to get the Superhawk but I really wish there was an option for a tremolo bridge, even a dual fulcrum vibrato bridge instead of the Kahler if it keeps costs low. It would be so great to have the option of choosing between a fixed and a tremolo bridge like on other models such as the Invader. Or if it drives prices up at least offer it on the Deluxe model as I really wouldn't mind paying more for a Superhawk with a Kahler or Floyd Rose bridge. But I get that it's a signature model and therefore options are limited...

I guess you forgot about this reply to that post you are referring to: Re: Truss rod question/set up specs for Jerry Cantrell Rampa.

[HowlinWolf]

I had a Tribute Rampage, but I sold it after I ended up with 3 80's Rampages The Tribute was a fine guitar. Very well built and was a lot of fun to play. There was a lot of issues with the import Kahlers that were on the Tributes. I had to really work on mine to get it to stay in tune. After a break in period and some tweaking, I had stable tuning. I'm just looking forward to something different with the Superhawk and the saddlelock bridge. I may be wrong, But I'm almost positive that I read somewhere (Facebook maybe?) that G&L was looking into making the Kahler an option on the Superhawks. So keep your eyes open.

My '84 Rampage has a 12" Radius. My two '86 models have the 25" radius. It's a lot of fun to play lead on those guitars. Between the crazy flat boards, and the oiled necks that were on the original models, talk about a fast, smooth neck!

Dave

Nice to hear about your Rampages. What finishes are they if I may ask? There's a hot pink Rampage on the G&L porn section. I've also seen Rampage red and yellow ones too on the net. Also read that some came in purple. Are the 25" necks way different feeling than a 13.75"? There must be an immediate difference when you touch that thing, but I also wonder if playing chords on it is difficult.

I guess you forgot about this reply to that post you are referring to: Re: Truss rod question/set up specs for Jerry Cantrell Rampa.

Oh I remember Craig... so I guess the change to 12" has quietly happened. Great, but I cannot get over the thought of this Superhawk with the Leo Fender fine tuning vibrato bridge though!

[RampageFan]

[quote="HowlinWolf"]

Nice to hear about your Rampages. What finishes are they if I may ask? There's a hot pink Rampage on the G&L porn section. I've also seen Rampage red and yellow ones too on the net. Also read that some came in purple. Are the 25" necks way different feeling than a 13.75"? There must be an immediate difference when you touch that thing, but I also wonder if playing chords on it is difficult.



Yes that hot pink is mine. It is an '84/85. I was the original owner and like an idiot I traded it twenty years ago for a Les Paul Standard. I got lucky and found it last year in a pawn shop. If you search the boards, you will find plenty of my posts that shows me crying like a little girl because I sold it!

I have been very lucky finding Rampages. The pink one has a 12" radius,
I have a white '86 with a 25" radius, I was shocked when I opened the case, it was NOS and still had the original strings from the factory.
The yellow one is also an '86 with a 25" radius. The orginal pickup was swapped with an EMG with a toggle switch and push/pull for coil splits.

The 25" radius feels very different as soon as you start playing it. But you get used to it quickly, and i have no problems with chords. I like it, but I prefer the 12, it's just more comfortable to me.

It's amazing to me how differently each guitar plays and sounds. The pink and the white both have the original pickups, but they sound so different. The pink Rampage has a great clean tone, and handles distortion well, and the white one has a great AC/DC type tone to it.

I'm curious, how is the Kahler on your USA Cantrell Rampage? Any tuning issues? I've never played a guitar with the new Kahlers. I've heard they are a lot better than the import Kahlers that was on my Tribute Rampage.

Dave

[HowlinWolf]

Dave, I looked through some of the posts you had made on this board, and I'm gonna have to do more of that when time permits. The stories regarding the pink and NOS white Rampages are quite amazing I have to say. So I've seen how the pink and white ones look like, I've yet to see the yellow one. Is there a post here which shows it? And just curious, when did you buy that NOS white Rampage that even came with factory strings? Man that's quite an incredible acquisition...

And it's interesting that your Rampages each have its own characteristics in terms of sound and feel. Guess that's a good thing since each offers something unique.

In terms of the Kahler on the Jerry Cantrell USA Rampage, it's very good with stable tuning. It's the only Kahler I've played, so I can't compare it to the tribute one but I'm thinking it must be way better. 2 problems I encountered with my Kahler 2320 brass tremolo are that the high E breaks easily and the strings gouge the cam as stated in this thread http://guitarsbyleo.com/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=5459. Heat shrink tubing was suggested in that thread but I went with Big Bends string sleeves and now the E string doesn't break and the strings don't touch the cam directly so no more gouging. Great solution which I recommend to anyone new to Kahlers reading this.

[Elwood]

Great, but I cannot get over the thought of this Superhawk with the Leo Fender fine tuning vibrato bridge though!

This just popped up...not a SuperHawk , but it is black and has a twin fine tuner bridge

Thats a nice looking invader :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/G-L-USA-Invader ... 43be105ce5

[HowlinWolf]

Hey Elwood, you're quite the G&L ebay notification service! And much faster than my ebay alerts. That is a nice find, looks great, and seems like it has no reserve price so it's possible someone might get it for relatively cheap.

[Elwood]

Hehe...I guess that shows the depth of my sickness ...even tho I can't ( or shouldn't ) be buying more
G&L's .
Those twin FT-DFV look so cool...and work pretty well to boot.
I can just hear the strat fanatics seeing that on stage thinking "WTH is that???" with a bit of envy and wanton.

[HowlinWolf]

That fine tuning DFV looks rad for sure, and I can imagine that it's a great mechanism. I'm also thinking it would look great on the new Superhawk as well!

[HowlinWolf]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... SS:AU:3160

Looks soooo good... those curves...

[HowlinWolf]

I have a question regarding the Tribute Superhawk, what material is the nut?

[drk64]

I noticed on the spec page it says soft maple body but at the end its says flame maple veneer over mahogany body just a typo or which body wood is it...thanks
just ordered one by the way

[Craig]

I noticed on the spec page it says soft maple body but at the end its says flame maple veneer over mahogany body just a typo or which body wood is it...thanks
just ordered one by the way

I just emailed Dave McLaren to get this corrected. I'm quite certain the body is Soft Maple with a Flamed Maple top.
It will likely get corrected soon.

Congrats on your order and thanks for pointing out this error.

[drk64]

I got my Tribute Superhawk Deluxe it looks and sounds better than I was hoping but the truss rod wouldnt turn when my luthier tried to set it up so we left it seems ok but would be nice if it worked what can I do..thanks

[Craig]

I got my Tribute Superhawk Deluxe it looks and sounds better than I was hoping but the truss rod wouldnt turn when my luthier tried to set it up so we left it seems ok but would be nice if it worked what can I do..thanks

See my reply to your other post on this:Truss rod problem with my Tribute Superhawk deluxe.

[drk64]

I just let it get climatized to the weather up in vancouver and it was no problem I set it up plays and sounds amazing for the price.....I see it got the Guitar World Gold Award