Discussion Topic: G&L's Custom Creations department ...

I saw this visitor's post on G&L's facebook page:

Just curious if the custom shop would ever crank another one of these out and if so a ballpark estimate of what the build may cost...

He referenced this prototype:

Serial Number: CLF071645

Date Completed: October 3, 2014

Description: Autumnburst with Satin Frost top coat over swamp ash, birdseye maple fingerboard on quartersawn maple neck with stain and Clear Satin finish,
model logo delete, silver border G&L logo.

Purpose: Dave McLaren recalls, "We built this L-2500 to explore a few things. First, the body finish: we had used Autumburst over Western Sugar Pine for certain
Launch Edition ASAT guitars, but we wanted to see it with Satin Frost over swamp ash. We also wanted to have a look at using the M-2500 battery and control cavities
on an L-2500, similar to what we did with L-2000 prototype CLF070620. Lastly, we wanted to expore a wood stain on the neck, to see how it highlights the grain on
birdseye as well as quartersawn maple. Sometimes prototypes explore one element, sometimes they cover several things as on this bass."

Here's Dave's reply:

They'd want to do some more work with stain on the maple neck before taking it beyond a proto. We are working up to expanding what G&L Custom Creations will do for customers,
so this kind of thing may be able to happen in the spring.

When I emailed Dave in July to get info on the new Price List, he shared this with me (hope he doesn't mind me posting this ):

We’re exploring how to repurpose Custom Creations. Despite the stuff on the CC main page, dealers and customers didn’t care what we said,
they’d just think of it as G&L Custom Shop. So, we’re thinking to make it that. The basic idea is to have CC do the builds that are beyond what is
offered through the normal channel, as well as build things that are in the normal channel but executed at a higher level. This is something dealers
have requested for years. There’s some handholding, hand selected woods, the best guys dedicated to the builds and taking much more time to do them.
This is where the nitro stuff would be handled, probably with various levels of aging. Maybe Will Ray, too. Of course, CC builds will have be a higher price.

So, I thought I would start a discussion on the topic of the G&L Custom Creations department and possible changes down the road.

What do you think?

I will definitely let Dave know about this topic of discussion, so he can get your input and thoughts.

Hi Craig,

Of interest to me would be a nitro guitar/neck, with NO aging. I just prefer nitro, no other reason.

edg

Lefty options on those models unavailable in lefty .... Comanche ?

2 words...

Sunset Coral

And what SouthpawGuy said.

come on guy's , your way to easy , sun set coral and a lefty Comanche .... that's it ??.... lol

I think the main thing should be explore and then get it too the public quickly , while it's still a fresh idea and people want it

since your Cali based company , just look at what Jeff Keisel has done with Carvin guitars now called Keisel Carvin guitars , it's pretty amazing the stuff they are making and G&L should be doing this too , make it and sell it , quit holding back ...... and for Gods sake start handing some of these beauties to Musicians as gifts like Leo and company did ( need a great PR guy like Dale ), And pay Will Ray do some Clinics at the G&L Dealers across America ....... Guns and Roses (Slash) single handedly saved Gibson from near Bankruptcy , a G&L in the hands of the right musician/band would speak volumes for sales

with the modern CNC machines installing any neck on any model should be a no brainer , and give the lefty guy's every model available for righty's , (lefty lives matter , lol) ...... how about way more G&L apparel ,hats , shirts , jackets , neon G&L lamps (who wouldn't want one of those ?) , a couple G&L bar stools would look good in the Ole music room

G&L is just now exploring staining the back of birdseye neck ??, Kiesel guitars is now staining quite a few of the actual fret boards , theres a blue stained fret board on FB that is probably the best looking guitar I have ever seen and you can bet Paul Reed Smith has taken notice too , G&L needs to get with it or your going to be falling way behind

I would love to see custom neck options. I love the #1 neck, But, to me there is a big difference between the .15 tolerance below and the .15 tolerance above. Enough that it prevents me from wanting to buy a new guitar without playing it first. Unfortunately, if I find a neck I like invariably it is attached to a guitar that has other features I wouldn't choose in a new guitar. I would love to be able to order a guitar with a .85 to .99 neck.

I would pay a premium to be able to select the weight of a guitar. I would love to be able to order solid ash and 7 to 7.5 lbs.

It would be fun to mix and match some features. I have always thought it would be cool to have an ASAT Classic with a saddle lock bridge.

Finally, I think you should have a permanent Will Ray model. My introduction to G&L was that old shoot out in Guitar Player magazine in the '80s and Will Ray. The consistent quality of ASAT Classics honors that shoot out win and a Will Ray model would honor what a lot of us see as G&L's history.

come on guy's , your way to easy , sun set coral and a lefty Comanche .... that's it ??.... lol

I was just warming up

2 words...

Sunset Coral

And what SouthpawGuy said.

Do you have a picture of Sunset Coral?

Do you have a picture of Sunset Coral?

Loof for the ASAT Z-3 with S/N CLF062396 among the the G&L prototypes and this post.

- Jos

The G&L Custom Shop simply must happen, provided of course that Dave finds it makes a sound business plan.
Woods, finish, perhaps some of Chandlers' other pickguard material options.
I, for one, would love to be able to ask for squarer fret-end bevels, particularly with tall frets, and that's a more-time-on-the-job area for sure, so a Custom Shop might hopefully make such things possible. I know squarer ends are a very individual thing, and not a regular-production comfort feature to appeal to buying impulses in a store, but for some of us the practicalities are paramount. G&Ls already satisfy a lot of those practicalities much better than their competition; let's hope we can look forward to them offering to perfect their great guitars that bit further.
Please, please do the Custom Shop!!

As to the Will Ray, it's simply one of the very best solid / slimline designs ever, and just works wonderfully. If I could have only one, that's the one.

I do think we should be a little wary of asking for an Asat Classic with a saddle-lock; that's probably a major re-do. Neck and bridge heights don't match up, amongst other things. But an Asat Special with a Classic MFD in a steel plate by the bridge (on top of the pickguard would work fine and help get the pup height right) and a Classic neck unit, might be only two routs, a pickguard design and a bit of metalwork away. I'm sure Bill Callaham could make a great pickup plate in his sleep.

And, er, Sunset Coral. My wife would want that guitar on a stand in the bedroom, just like I did when I was 12...

Last edited by NickHorne on Sun Sep 06, 2015 1:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.

a couple easy requests for the CS would be maybe some glow in the dark side markers as a option and bring back black and gold as a hardware option , some colors just need gold or black hardware ....

I don't know about this. Could a specialist builder, weight specification and nitro finishes not just be added to the option list?
None of the Fender custom shop guitars I've played have ever been worthy of their price tags, and I don't think that copying what they do everyday (aged nitro finishes - yawn) is worthwhile.

Where the custom shop really shines, IMO, is when a new model is developed, like the Cabronita Telecaster.

I like the way the CCD is run currently, with special models and limited prices. What I would like is to see more unique offerings rather than a regular model with a different finish. And maybe a very limited model every year, rather than a series of models for a number of years, like the Savannah/korina collections. There are a bunch different types of guitars they could experiment with - how about a neck through ASAT? A 12 string Comanche for Bill? A carved top F-100? An ASAT Classic with a saddle lock bridge?

Maybe G&L could even do limited runs of some long out of production models too? I'd love to see a limited run, vintage correct, paddle headstock and all, SC-1 reissue, or a G200!

I was turned down twice requesting a drop top ASAT with just one pickup, and haven't really been interested in any of the fairly small changes and limited runs G&L has done since. I quickly custom ordered the last new G&L I've bought since before I changed my mind on even that. A dedicated luthier in the plant doing custom and one off things (within reason) would really open up G&L's market

[Craig]

I'd looove a G&L Dragon


I'd be excited to see some new G&L's that are out of left field. It might raise some eyebrows and get folks asking:
"what's that...and how do I get one?"
I hope the numbers line up to make it work.

Last edited by Craig on Wed Jul 12, 2017 12:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: fixed image post

I am hesitant to reply to this as I own 18 G&Ls, 17 of them American. I have made two requests for builds and have been turned down on both. They were not outlandish requests, one being a Buck Owens Asat built to my spec and the second for a lighter weight body bass. The dealer was in agreement that these should heave been do-able builds at an appropriate upcharge and after all, G&L has advertised as a custom builder meaning that dealers order the build from a list of options.

I own several CC guitars and they are very nice. Options such as a lighter weight body would not require additional expertise in the factory. Just someone to pick a lighter weight body. I would have been happy to pay $100 for that. The Buck Owens request was also a lighter body and the dealer was told they could only build with a minimum order for that particular guitar and again, no lighter body. I would have been happy if they had come back and said they would do it for a price of $$$$. Then I could have made a choice. Weight is a factor at my age and I intend to continue gigging and have gone elsewhere to have a build done. It is going to take more than just new colors to get me to buy another G&L. I am impressed with some of the experimentation that Fender has been doing recently and as Jamie suggested, things like a Cabronita model would be interesting. I am certain that Sunset Coral would be must have for me but the suggestion of that color was basically answered as no way.

There are a lot of G&L fans on this board. I have also noticed that several who have had very nice collections are selling off. Is the brand becoming tired with these G&L owners? I think it is essential for a brand to keep a loyal base and to be loyal to their base. I sense the factory is somewhat removed from their loyal base. Too many times people have come to this board to get solutions to issues that the factory has not responded to. A custom shop order could be a difficult task depending on how it is done. I think there are many dealers who would not have a clue when it came to a custom order. There are also some really good ones out there. I am all for a custom shop, but if it is implemented, do it right and be prepared to build what people want. -- Darwin

here's a picture of that fret board I was talking about ..... would love it if G&L could do something similar

I am certain that Sunset Coral would be must have for me but the suggestion of that color was basically answered as no way.

I've pushed for that color about as hard as I'm willing. I don't want to be like a 6 year old continuously poking at a closed issue, but it would be most excellent if they would offer this color to people at some capacity. They let the cat out of the bag when they posted it on Facebook and I believe the response to the color has been overwhelmingly positive.

I suppose my ignorance is showing, but I can't imagine it would be terribly difficult to call their paint vendor & order a couple gallons, at least for a limited run. Would it be worth it in the long run? Based on the small demand we have shown here on these boards, possibly. But it's easy for us customers to say "just do it already" without knowing everything that's involved. I'm sure there's something that is stopping them from moving forward with it.

Anyways, rant over for me.

Maybe it should be renamed to Sunobtanium Coral ?

sorry. had to.

Maybe it should be renamed to Sunobtanium Coral ?

sorry. had to.

Uhhh what? I don't get it.

I gotta throw in my .02 while the suggestions are starting to sound like a "custom" shop. I have tinkered with enough G&L's because models or options were not available or ever presented. Cases in point are my "Manchild" (bluesboy mod), a Will Ray Z2 and the ASAT Z Special Classic idea stolen from Mr. Will Ray, and a parts Jerry Donahue. These would not be listed as "Custom Creations" but would be as Darwin mentioned, "G&L has advertised as a custom builder meaning that dealers order the build from a list of options", so what options do we really have? I have seen the "F" boys now allowing a build what you want option. I'm not selling off anytime soon, but would love to have options to build "my" G&L.


Manchild


Will Ray Z2


ASAT Z Special
Mine

Will's


ASAT JD5 parts


Just a few options I would, and I believe a few others would be willing to pay for. What is your custom build?

If I had a request with all this, it would be for G&L to run and support a G&L guitar builder. There is the americanguitarboutique but that is growing a bit old. I mention this because it would be nice to have the core options in one spot to build a "standard" type model and then go on from there. The site could list a number of added options that others have customized, like Sam's cool guitars above. Understood, G&L would need the resources to support this, but what a great selling tool.

The "Dragon" rocks! That is awesome looking. It'd be a serious temptation as a 6 string guitar.

If I had a request with all this, it would be for G&L to run and support a G&L guitar builder. There is the americanguitarboutique but that is growing a bit old. I mention this because it would be nice to have the core options in one spot to build a "standard" type model and then go on from there. The site could list a number of added options that others have customized, like Sam's cool guitars above. Understood, G&L would need the resources to support this, but what a great selling tool.

The "Dragon" rocks! That is awesome looking. It'd be a serious temptation as a 6 string guitar.

Not only would I agree with this, but I also think their website could use a major overhaul. I don't think it's been updated since 2012.

I like the idea. As Sam said, "love to have the options to build 'my' G&L." Overall, I think the custom builder model will continue to be the bulk of the business and I think a custom shop would be incremental sales.

Custom builds I've toying with in my head:

1. MFD "Manchild" - ASAT Special with F100 Neck pickup.
2. SC2/Fallout body with F100 buckers and PTB controls
3. SC2/Fallout with S500 MFD pickups in the bridge and neck. Both slanted similar to the Fender Lead II, but better it a G&L.
4. SC2/Fallout with three slated S500 MFDs, jazzmaster style bridge. Sort of a combination Cyclone II and Jazzmaster - again better because it is a G&L.
5. SC2/Fallout with two Z coils.

One of them would have to be red, since my wife said the next one better be red to complete the rainbow. I still think she was teasing me.

here's a picture of that fret board I was talking about ..... would love it if G&L could do something similar

Carvin/Kiesel has got this all figured out. I hope someone at G&L has seriously looked at what they can offer in 100% US craftsmanship at a very reasonable price. I currently own (among others) 3 USA G&L guitars & one Carvin. If I was to purchase a new build at this time - It would definitely be a Kiesel/Carvin. In addition to great builds, they have a 10 day, no questions asked, return policy, and excellent customer service. JMHO.

Hey WitSok,

Love yer body / pup configurations! Now we're talking some fun stuff.

Lefty and Fumble, I came close to buying a Carvin a while back.

Went to the factory and the Sunset Blvd. shop a couple of years ago and almost walked out with one, but alas, came home with a G&L Broadcaster from another shop. We can take some of their ideas though.

I would like to see more SC2's with the smaller Fallout headstock(no pick guard verses the Fallout) with some different pick up configuration ..... I would like a SC2 with a SD bridge and Big or small MFD neck pup ..... along with a SC2 with ASAT classic pups with saddle lock ...... there is absolute no doubt that the SC/Fallout/LE2 body shape is the most comfy body to me ...... would like to see the Emperess wood option across the board including Cantrel guitars for us people that want solid body light weight guitars ...... and quit being so stingy with the USA Metal Flake


Kiesel/Carvin....... I got there from buying a amp but I was immediately impressed with the guitar side too ...... If I ever get a neck through , short scale 24 fret guitar it would probably be one of the two pictured , green or blue , I would take either but it would be a Kiesel not PRS ....... still love my G&L's but

I do think that what Dave McLaren wrote to Craig, back up this thread, was spot-on.
Just make a "master-built" department in addition to what G&L already do (without necessarily disturbing Custom Creations at all), with some additional options which could either be itemised or discussed one-case-at-a-time (or an evolving mixture of the two).
I think that would do just fine!

[Craig]

G&L is just now exploring staining the back of birdseye neck?

Yeah, kind of seems they mastered that years ago, no?

Last edited by Craig on Wed Jul 12, 2017 12:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: fixed image posts

that's not staining , that's just tint over a beautiful birdseye

I believe that is a stain applied to the neck. They are now tinting the clear finish that is sprayed on. -- Darwin

I love the orangeish hue the old tint style had

that's not staining , that's just tint over a beautiful birdseye

I believe that is a stain applied to the neck. They are now tinting the clear finish that is sprayed on. -- Darwin

Yes, Darwin is correct. See: What is TGN?.

I love the orangeish hue the old tint style had

Some of the old timers called it the "Cheetos" neck finish.

I saw this visitor's post on G&L's facebook page:

Just curious if the custom shop would ever crank another one of these out and if so a ballpark estimate of what the build may cost...

He referenced this prototype:

Serial Number: CLF071645

Date Completed: October 3, 2014

Description: Autumnburst with Satin Frost top coat over swamp ash, birdseye maple fingerboard on quartersawn maple neck with stain and Clear Satin finish,
model logo delete, silver border G&L logo.

Purpose: Dave McLaren recalls, "We built this L-2500 to explore a few things. First, the body finish: we had used Autumburst over Western Sugar Pine for certain
Launch Edition ASAT guitars, but we wanted to see it with Satin Frost over swamp ash. We also wanted to have a look at using the M-2500 battery and control cavities
on an L-2500, similar to what we did with L-2000 prototype CLF070620. Lastly, we wanted to expore a wood stain on the neck, to see how it highlights the grain on
birdseye as well as quartersawn maple. Sometimes prototypes explore one element, sometimes they cover several things as on this bass."

Here's Dave's reply:

They'd want to do some more work with stain on the maple neck before taking it beyond a proto. We are working up to expanding what G&L Custom Creations will do for customers,
so this kind of thing may be able to happen in the spring.

When I emailed Dave in July to get info on the new Price List, he shared this with me (hope he doesn't mind me posting this ):

We’re exploring how to repurpose Custom Creations. Despite the stuff on the CC main page, dealers and customers didn’t care what we said,
they’d just think of it as G&L Custom Shop. So, we’re thinking to make it that. The basic idea is to have CC do the builds that are beyond what is
offered through the normal channel, as well as build things that are in the normal channel but executed at a higher level. This is something dealers
have requested for years. There’s some handholding, hand selected woods, the best guys dedicated to the builds and taking much more time to do them.
This is where the nitro stuff would be handled, probably with various levels of aging. Maybe Will Ray, too. Of course, CC builds will have be a higher price.

So, I thought I would start a discussion on the topic of the G&L Custom Creations department and possible changes down the road.

What do you think?

I will definitely let Dave know about this topic of discussion, so he can get your input and thoughts.

Should G&L change the Custom Creations department to a full Custom Shop, I already have dibs on the first instrument built and Dave already has my order for it, too.

Should G&L change the Custom Creations department to a full Custom Shop, I already have dibs on the first instrument built and Dave already has my order for it, too.

I smell an exciting development - spill the beans Craig!!! What do you know?!?!

What he said

I smell an exciting development - spill the beans Craig!!! What do you know?!?!

I would like to have a SD equipped H-H Fallout , that would be a easy enough CC special order along with Full Shielding available for all models

I would like to have a SD equipped H-H Fallout , that would be a easy enough CC special order along with Full Shielding available for all models

Sounds tasty! I like the F-100 H-H Fallout idea as well!

Should G&L change the Custom Creations department to a full Custom Shop, I already have dibs on the first instrument built and Dave already has my order for it, too.

Can I get in place for the second instrument?

Should G&L change the Custom Creations department to a full Custom Shop, I already have dibs on the first instrument built and Dave already has my order for it, too.

Can I get in place for the second instrument?

I'm not certain that's possible...

Well, if you have second place, Pat, can I go third?

[/quote]

Should G&L change the Custom Creations department to a full Custom Shop, I already have dibs on the first instrument built and Dave already has my order for it, too.

I smell an exciting development - spill the beans Craig!!! What do you know?!?!

What he said

I smell an exciting development - spill the beans Craig!!! What do you know?!?!

Oops, I didn't mean to get your hopes up on some upcoming news.
I just thought of the future G&L Custom Shop as being an alternative to getting another run of the GbL LE-2 built. (reference: Calling GLDP LE-2 owners.
I did email Dave inquiring about the plans for the Custom Shop and another run of the LE-2; here is his reply:

Hi Craig,

There is progress, though very slow, on the CS.

Revisiting the LE-2 as a CS piece may jack the price up too much. Maybe the repurposing idea isn't the greatest, though it may be confusing to have CC and CS coexist.

What do you think?

Thanks, Craig.

Dave

Wait- so they're actually going to start a custom shop? Looking forward to that, hopefully not just expensive versions of existing models a'la F & G

Whatever G&L decide to do, it's about time that a full shield job become an available option for any guitar/bass -- preferably the pickups, too (at least MFD pole pieces should be grounded). In that regard G&L is way behind the competition. Today's harsh electric environmental conditions with all these switch-mode power supplies etc make unshielded guitars often much more noisy than neccessary. While with single-coils magnetic some hum is still there, these days guitar noise tends to be dominated by the hash/buzz from capactive coupling into unshielded instruments/pups.

Baritone guitar neck options would be killer (just one more fret down low would suffice, something like a 27" scale).

This doesn't likely "count" as a Custom Shop, but is being built by the Custom Creations department for me. This one tested their learning curve on nitro finishes. It has been a while in the making, but I am told that the neck is being made right now. Since this project began, they have added block inlays as an option, so I am going with black blocks. I am so excited!

Nitro Tint, G&L Custom Creations Comanche Project by Patrick Krook, on Flickr

Nitro Tint, G&L Custom Creations Comanche Project by Patrick Krook, on Flickr

Nitro Tint, G&L Custom Creations Comanche Project by Patrick Krook, on Flickr

Nitro Tint, G&L Custom Creations Comanche Project by Patrick Krook, on Flickr

Nitro Tint, G&L Custom Creations Comanche Project by Patrick Krook, on Flickr

Whatever G&L decide to do, it's about time that a full shield job become an available option for any guitar/bass -- preferably the pickups, too (at least MFD pole pieces should be grounded). In that regard G&L is way behind the competition. Today's harsh electric environmental conditions with all these switch-mode power supplies etc make unshielded guitars often much more noisy than neccessary. While with single-coils magnetic some hum is still there, these days guitar noise tends to be dominated by the hash/buzz from capactive coupling into unshielded instruments/pups.

+1

Whatever G&L decide to do, it's about time that a full shield job become an available option for any guitar/bass -- preferably the pickups, too (at least MFD pole pieces should be grounded). In that regard G&L is way behind the competition. Today's harsh electric environmental conditions with all these switch-mode power supplies etc make unshielded guitars often much more noisy than neccessary. While with single-coils magnetic some hum is still there, these days guitar noise tends to be dominated by the hash/buzz from capactive coupling into unshielded instruments/pups.

+1

What sort of issues have you had? I don't expect any with the Comanche. Have you had any excessive noise with yours?

The CCD needs to be flexible in offering people what they want within reason , you don't want to ruin sales for regular USA models , shielding should be standard across the board not just CCD , what I would like to see in NO particular order

1 .... make me or bring back a Sickle Head Stock !! , more option and/or choices for Head stock , myself I prefer the smaller Head stock of the Fallout over the big head stock of the SC2 ( Kiesel must have 6 different Head Stock configurations to choose from )

2 ... Lots of sweet pick ups out there now from different manufactures , it sure would be nice ordering something in particular and be factory installed

3 ... make the Jerry Cantrel neck available for all S Type guitars it least ( if not Fallout too )

4 ... make SS frets reasonably priced , SS frets barely cost more when your buying frets for a re-fret , shouldn't be a 400.00 option

5 .... slim down the Neck joint , the OLS makes a difference over the thick bodies in upper frets and it could use even more than OLS offers , a Angle cut or something would be nice

[/quote]

What sort of issues have you had? I don't expect any with the Comanche. Have you had any excessive noise with yours?[/quote]

comanche is my most quiet guitar. however, I still get some pick-guard static on dry days in my basement. annoying.
i don't notice this at band practice or gigs. but, my non-G&L guitars don't do this. granted, the single coil guitars of other brands hum, but no static.

Should G&L change the Custom Creations department to a full Custom Shop, I already have dibs on the first instrument built and Dave already has my order for it, too.

So whats the delivery date Craig?