Timesaver-Belt-Sander-3-1983
March 1983: bodies going through our Timesaver belt sander.
Date: 01/22/16
March 1983: bodies going through our Timesaver belt sander.
Leo-fixture-for-L-2000-PU-still-in-use
Norma is pressing in the pole pieces to make L-2000 pickup bobbins. Leo designed this fixture to hold the top and bottom fibers in place and locate the pole pieces to be pressed in.
Date: 01/15/16
Norma is pressing in the pole pieces to make L-2000 pickup bobbins. Leo designed this fixture to hold the top and bottom fibers in place and locate the pole pieces to be pressed in.
Contour-Scrap
Making some tummy cuts the old fashioned way: slice off with the band saw then use the Leo sander.
It's how we make the back contour and arm contour on most models. Date: 05/24/16 Making some tummy cuts the old fashioned way: slice off with the band saw then use the Leo sander.
It's how we make the back contour and arm contour on most models.
It's how we make the back contour and arm contour on most models. Date: 05/24/16 Making some tummy cuts the old fashioned way: slice off with the band saw then use the Leo sander.
It's how we make the back contour and arm contour on most models.
G-200HeadstockCheckTool
Just uncovered in our attic: an incomplete headstock profile check tool for the G-200 guitar concept. The G-200 was originally conceived as a 24 3/4" scale two MFD humbucker guitar with 3+3 tuner arrangement. Development of the G-200 appears to have
Date: 05/27/16
Just uncovered in our attic: an incomplete headstock profile check tool for the G-200 guitar concept. The G-200 was originally conceived as a 24 3/4" scale two MFD humbucker guitar with 3+3 tuner arrangement. Development of the G-200 appears to have begun in 1979, though the G-200 concept evolved into a 24 3/4" scale bolt-on with 6-on-a-side tuner configuration. The G-200 was produced in 1981-1982, with just over 200 made.
MakingFreshFixtures
The woodwork is done for the day, so now we can work on some fresh fixtures.
Date: 05/27/16
The woodwork is done for the day, so now we can work on some fresh fixtures.
Leo's-vintage-Stimpson-press
Pressing in eyelets on Leo's vintage Stimpson press.
Date: 06/26/16
Pressing in eyelets on Leo's vintage Stimpson press.
Leo's-Jig-for-making-L-2000-pickup-bobbins
Making L-2000 pickup coil bobbins using a Leo assembly jig which holds the fibers in place while the MFD pile piece bushings are pressed in. To give you a better understanding, in the photo is a completed bobbin wrapped inside and a fully wound coil.
Date: 07/06/16
Making L-2000 pickup coil bobbins using a Leo assembly jig which holds the fibers in place while the MFD pile piece bushings are pressed in. To give you a better understanding, in the photo is a completed bobbin wrapped inside and a fully wound coil.
pickup-bobbins-lacquered-and-drying-on-one-of-Leo's-old-racks
Legacy pickup bobbins assembled, dipped in lacquer, and drying on one of Leo's old racks.
Date: 06/28/16
Legacy pickup bobbins assembled, dipped in lacquer, and drying on one of Leo's old racks.
Alnico-Pickup-Bobbin
Pressed fibers and magnets into some bobbins.
Date: 11/18/16
Pressed fibers and magnets into some bobbins.
Pickup-work-in-progress
Wound some ASAT Classic MFD bridge pickups this morning. Got the leads soldered, string wound, next come base plates and magnets.
Date: 11/18/16
Wound some ASAT Classic MFD bridge pickups this morning. Got the leads soldered, string wound, next come base plates and magnets.
wax-potting-pickups
Soldered some pickups and wax potting them.
Date: 11/18/16
Soldered some pickups and wax potting them.
G&L Factory has a full time position available...
We've got a full time position available building instruments in our Fullerton factory. Applicant should have experience performing instrument assembly, tune and test at a manufacturer, repair shop, or is a graduate of a luthiery program such as Roberto V
Date: 11/15/16
We've got a full time position available building instruments in our Fullerton factory. Applicant should have experience performing instrument assembly, tune and test at a manufacturer, repair shop, or is a graduate of a luthiery program such as Roberto Venn or Guitar Craft Academy at Musician's Institute. Interested? Go to glguitars.com/jobs
1983-photo-of-production-cart
June 1983: one of Leo's carts holding new G&L guitars and basses. We still use this cart today. This photo is stored in Leo Fender's office.
Date: 11/18/16
June 1983: one of Leo's carts holding new G&L guitars and basses. We still use this cart today. This photo is stored in Leo Fender's office.
2014-photo-of-production-cart
Tomorrow, these G&Ls they will be strung, setup and sing their first notes. Maybe we're a bunch of romantics, but there's something special about the first time a finely crafted instrument makes music. Leo's old carts have carried the newborn G&Ls
Date: 11/18/16
Tomorrow, these G&Ls they will be strung, setup and sing their first notes. Maybe we're a bunch of romantics, but there's something special about the first time a finely crafted instrument makes music. Leo's old carts have carried the newborn G&Ls for more than three decades.
1980 L-1000 and L-2000 master neck template
This is a 1980 L-1000 and L-2000 master neck template, used to make working templates for routing the perimeter of bass necks in our wood shop. This master template was made when our Fender Avenue factory was called CLF Research. At that time, Leo Fender'
Date: 12/02/17
This is a 1980 L-1000 and L-2000 master template, used to make working templates for routing the perimeter of bass necks in our wood shop. This master template was made when our Fender Avenue factory was called CLF Research. At that time, Leo Fender's CLF Research company was still producing instruments for the Music Man company and production of G&L instruments had recently begun. For a short time, both brands were manufactured together.
Moisture checking
Checking moisture content of stock in the neck wood room.
Date: 01/14/18
Checking moisture content of stock in the neck wood room.
Pressing in pole pieces
Pressing in pole pieces looks just like it did in the early days of G&L, CLF Research or Fender. Leo designed tooling to hold the bobbin fibers in place while the poles were inserted. Leo's press is probably 50 to 60 years old and still used every day
Date: 01/22/18
Pressing in pole pieces looks just like it did in the early days of G&L, CLF Research or Fender. Leo designed tooling to hold the bobbin fibers in place while the poles were inserted. Leo's press is probably 50 to 60 years old and still used every day in the factory.
first proto of an MFD humbucker in a jazz size
Johnny's first proto of an MFD humbucker in a jazz size. He's using Leo's breadboard instrument and a test test board for a quick baseline check. There are so many variables: wire gauge, turns, bobbin width and aperture, so it could be a long time before
Date: 02/24/18
Johnny's first proto of an MFD humbucker in a jazz size. He's using Leo's breadboard instrument and a test test board for a quick baseline check. There are so many variables: wire gauge, turns, bobbin width and aperture, so it could be a long time before we even find the direction this pickup should go. I have my fingers crossed that by tonight there's a pickup like this in one of the Doheny test mules.
second proto MFD jazz humbucker
Johnny made a second proto MFD jazz humbucker today, then we loaded them in one of the Doheny test mules. Each pickup runs through a 3-way series/split/parallel mini toggle just so we can play with coil combinations.
Dave will give it a run tonight, th Date: 02/24/18 Johnny made a second proto MFD jazz humbucker today, then we loaded them in one of the Doheny test mules. Each pickup runs through a 3-way series/split/parallel mini toggle just so we can play with coil combinations.
Dave will give it a run tonight, then will figure out where we might start making adjustments. No idea if this will end up in a good place, but that's what R&D is for.
Dave will give it a run tonight, th Date: 02/24/18 Johnny made a second proto MFD jazz humbucker today, then we loaded them in one of the Doheny test mules. Each pickup runs through a 3-way series/split/parallel mini toggle just so we can play with coil combinations.
Dave will give it a run tonight, then will figure out where we might start making adjustments. No idea if this will end up in a good place, but that's what R&D is for.