Last Updated on March 26, 2024 by Chris
Table of Contents
Does G&L Make Left Handed Guitars?
Yes! At the time of writing, there are three left handed Fullerton Deluxe, and four left handed Tribute Series guitars, as well as one left handed Fullerton Deluxe bass and two left handed Tribute Series bass guitars.
That’s ten instruments in all. Not bad!
The Made in Fullerton guitars are handcrafted in Fullerton, California and the Indonesian-made Tribute series represents G&L’s more affordable range.
Go straight to the left handed G&L guitars.
Notable players include Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains), Tom Hamilton (Aerosmith), and Jonathan Cain (Journey).
Left handed guitarists who’ve played G&L guitars include Elliot Easton (The Cars), and Scott Tarulli.
Who Are G&L Guitars?
When Leo Fender sold Fender to CBS in 1965, he went on to design instruments for Music Man with his company CLF Research, and as a silent partner, before becoming company president a few years on.
Later, internal conflicts at Music Man led Leo Fender to form another partnership with longtime friends and Fender associates, George Fullerton and Dale Hyatt. So in 1979 G&L (George & Leo) Musical Instruments was born.
G&L’s guitars were heavily influenced by Fender’s designs, but Leo and Co. had made some new innovations that were incorporated into G&L’s designs.
Leo Fender said of his company:
“G&L Guitars and Basses are the best instruments I have ever made.”
After Leo passed away in 1991, his wife Phyllis chose Leo’s friend John C. McLaren to run the company and continue his legacy of combining traditional craftsmanship with pioneering technology.
The company is now run by McLaren’s son Dave McLaren.
Different Types Of G&L Guitars
G&L guitars come in two main series; Tribute and Made in Fullerton. They also have a custom shop from which you can choose more specific specifications.
- TRIBUTE SERIES – G&L’s affordable range of guitars are mass-produced versions of the US-made guitars. Many models use the same innovations as featured on their more expensive siblings, such as the Dual-Fulcrum Vibrato and the MFD single coil pickups.
- MADE IN FULLERTON – These are hand-crafted, US-made G&L guitars. The “Made in Fullerton” guitars are split into three different tiers; the Fullerton Deluxe guitars, the CLF Research guitars, and the Build to Order guitars.
- CUSTOM SHOP – At the G&L Custom Shop, you can order a Build to Order model, and customize your guitar or bass to your heart’s content. Here you can choose everything from the finest woods and materials, to the finish, pickups, electronics, aging, and more.
My Thoughts On G&L Guitars
I can’t really remember when I first heard of G&L, but I seem to remember seeing various ads in guitar magazines many years ago. I remember reading about the Leo Fender connection, and that’s about it really.
I’ve always thought they’re pretty cool guitars though; even their unusual headstocks, though I know some folks don’t like them.
To me, the fact that Leo Fender had designed these guitars, and continued to innovate and refine his designs, adds to the allure and mystique of these guitars.
It’s great that he went on to develop and innovate; introducing new designs such as his Dual Fulcrum Vibrato, the Saddle-Lock Bridge, the PTB tone system, and MFD Pickups.
Left Handed G&L Guitars
So, which G&L models are available in left handed configuration? Let’s take a look.
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Made in Fullerton Series
First of all, let’s check out their American “Made in Fullerton” series. These are made in, yes, you guessed it, Fullerton, California.
G&L Fullerton Deluxe Legacy Lefty
$1,725.00 MSRP, Made in the USA
- STRINGS: 6
- BODY: Alder
- BODY FINISH: 3-Tone Sunburst
- SCALE: 25 1/2″
- NECK: Bolt-on Hard-Rock Maple
- NECK FINISH: Clear Tint Satin
- NECK PROFILE: Modern Classic
- FINGERBOARD: Maple with Dot inlays
- FINGERBOARD RADIUS: 9 1/2″
- NUT TYPE: 100% Natural Bone
- NUT WIDTH: 1 11/16″
- FRETS: 22 Medium Jumbo, Jescar 57110 18% nickel silver
- TUNERS: 12:1 ratio, sealed-back
- BRIDGE: Leo Fender-designed G&L Dual-Fulcrum vibrato with forged brass saddles
- NECK PICKUP: CLF-100 Alnico single coil
- MIDDLE PICKUP: CLF-100 Alnico single coil
- BRIDGE PICKUP: CLF-100 Alnico single coil
- CONTROLS: Volume, Treble, bass (PTB system), 5-position Pickup Selector
Check price/availability at:
G&L Fullerton Deluxe ASAT Classic Lefty
$1,840.00 MSRP, Made in the USA
- STRINGS: 6
- BODY: Swamp Ash
- BODY FINISH: Butterscotch Blonde
- SCALE: 25 1/2″
- NECK: Bolt-on Hard-Rock Maple
- NECK FINISH: Vintage Tint Satin
- NECK PROFILE: Modern Classic
- FINGERBOARD: Maple with Dot inlays
- FINGERBOARD RADIUS: 9 1/2″
- NUT TYPE: 100% Natural Bone
- NUT WIDTH: 1 11/16″
- FRETS: 22 Medium Jumbo, Jescar 57110 18% nickel silver
- TUNERS: 12:1 ratio, sealed-back
- BRIDGE: Traditional boxed-steel bridge with individual brass saddles
- NECK PICKUP: Leo Fender-designed G&L MFD single coil
- BRIDGE PICKUP: Leo Fender-designed G&L MFD single coil
- CONTROLS: Volume, Tone, 3-position Pickup Selector
Check price/availability at:
G&L Fullerton Deluxe ASAT Special Lefty
$1,840.00 MSRP, Made in the USA
- STRINGS: 6
- BODY: Alder
- BODY FINISH: 3-Tone Sunburst
- SCALE: 25 1/2″
- NECK: Bolt-on Hard-Rock Maple
- NECK FINISH: Clear Tint Satin
- NECK PROFILE: Modern Classic
- FINGERBOARD: Caribbean Rosewood with Dot inlays
- FINGERBOARD RADIUS: 9 1/2″
- NUT TYPE: 100% Natural Bone
- NUT WIDTH: 1 11/16″
- FRETS: 22 Medium Jumbo, Jescar 57110 18% nickel silver
- TUNERS: 12:1 ratio, sealed-back
- BRIDGE: Leo Fender-designed G&L Saddle-Lock with chrome-plated brass saddles
- NECK PICKUP: Leo Fender-designed jumbo G&L MFD single coil
- BRIDGE PICKUP: Leo Fender-designed jumbo G&L MFD single coil
- CONTROLS: Volume, Tone, 3-position Pickup Selector
Check price/availability at:
Tribute Series
As with most guitar companies these days, G&L also offers a more affordable range of guitars, bringing their designs to a bigger audience. These guitars are made in Indonesia, and then assembled and set up in the USA.
G&L Tribute Series Legacy Lefty
$549.99 MSRP, Made in Indonesia
- STRINGS: 6
- BODY: Sassafras
- BODY FINISH: 3-Tone Sunburst
- SCALE: 25 1/2″
- NECK: Bolt-on Hard-Rock Maple
- NECK FINISH: Vintage Tint Satin
- NECK PROFILE: Medium C
- FINGERBOARD: Rosewood with Dot inlays
- FINGERBOARD RADIUS: 12″
- NUT WIDTH: 1 5/8″
- FRETS: 22 Medium Jumbo, Nickel
- TUNERS: 18:1 ratio, sealed-back
- BRIDGE: Leo Fender-designed G&L Dual-Fulcrum vibrato
- NECK PICKUP: G&L CLF-100 Alnico V single-coil
- MIDDLE PICKUP: G&L CLF-100 Alnico V single-coil
- BRIDGE PICKUP: G&L CLF-100 Alnico V single-coil
- CONTROLS: Volume, Treble, Bass (PTB System), 5-position Pickup Selector
Check price/availability at:
G&L Tribute Series ASAT Classic Bluesboy Lefty
$549.99 MSRP, Made in Indonesia
- STRINGS: 6
- BODY: Swamp Ash (Natural Gloss), Sassafras (Tobacco Sunburst)
- BODY FINISH: Natural Gloss, Tobacco Sunburst
- SCALE: 25 1/2″
- NECK: Bolt-on Hard-Rock Maple
- NECK FINISH: Satin
- NECK PROFILE: Medium C
- FINGERBOARD: Maple, Rosewood with Dot inlays
- FINGERBOARD RADIUS: 9 1/2″
- NUT WIDTH: 1 5/8″
- FRETS: 22 Medium Jumbo, Nickel
- TUNERS: 18:1 ratio, sealed-back
- BRIDGE: Traditional boxed-steel bridge with individual brass saddles
- NECK PICKUP: G&L AS4255C Alnico humbucker
- BRIDGE PICKUP: Leo Fender-designed G&L MFD single coil
- CONTROLS: Volume, Tone, 3-way Pickup Selector
Check price/availability at:
G&L Tribute Series ASAT Classic Lefty
$589.99 MSRP, Made in Indonesia
- STRINGS: 6
- BODY: Sassafras
- BODY FINISH: Clear Orange
- SCALE: 25 1/2″
- NECK: Bolt-on Hard-Rock Maple
- NECK FINISH: Vintage Tint Satin
- NECK PROFILE: Medium C
- FINGERBOARD: Maple with Dot inlays
- FINGERBOARD RADIUS: 9 1/2″
- NUT WIDTH: 1 5/8″
- FRETS: 22 Medium Jumbo, Nickel
- TUNERS: 18:1 ratio, sealed-back
- BRIDGE: Traditional boxed-steel bridge with individual brass saddles
- NECK PICKUP: Leo Fender-designed G&L MFD single coil
- BRIDGE PICKUP: Leo Fender-designed G&L MFD single coil
- CONTROLS: Volume, Tone, 3-way Pickup Selector
Check price/availability at:
G&L Tribute Series S-500 Lefty
$699.99 MSRP, Made in Indonesia
- STRINGS: 6
- BODY: Sassafras
- BODY FINISH: Tobacco Sunburst
- SCALE: 25 1/2″
- NECK: Bolt-on Hard-Rock Maple
- NECK FINISH: Vintage Tint Satin
- NECK PROFILE: Medium C
- FINGERBOARD: Maple with Dot inlays
- FINGERBOARD RADIUS: 12″
- NUT WIDTH: 1 5/8″
- FRETS: 22 Medium Jumbo, Nickel
- TUNERS: 18:1 ratio, sealed-back
- BRIDGE: Leo Fender-designed G&L Dual-Fulcrum vibrato
- NECK PICKUP: Leo Fender-designed G&L MFD single coil
- MIDDLE PICKUP: Leo Fender-designed G&L MFD single coil
- BRIDGE PICKUP: Leo Fender-designed G&L MFD single coil
- CONTROLS: Volume, Treble (push/pull for neck & bridge pickups or all three pickups together), Bass (PTB System), 5-position Pickup Selector
Check price/availability at:
Left Handed G&L Bass Guitars
Fullerton Deluxe Series
G&L Fullerton Deluxe JB Lefty
$1955.00 MSRP, Made in the USA
- STRINGS: 4
- BODY: Western Sugar Pine
- BODY FINISH: 3-Tone Sunburst
- NECK: Bolt-on Hard-Rock Maple
- NECK FINISH: Clear Tint Satin
- NECK PROFILE: Medium C
- FINGERBOARD: Caribbean Rosewood with Dot inlays
- FINGERBOARD RADIUS: 9 1/2″
- NUT WIDTH: 1 1/2″
- FRETS: 20 Medium Jumbo, Jescar 57110 18% nickel silver
- TUNERS: Custom G&L “Ultra-Lite” with aluminum tapered string posts
- BRIDGE: &L Saddle Lock with chrome-plated brass saddles
- NECK PICKUP: G&L Vintage Alnico jazz pickup
- BRIDGE PICKUP: G&L Vintage Alnico jazz pickup
- CONTROLS: 2x Volume, 1x Tone
Check price/availability at:
Tribute Series
G&L Tribute Series Fallout Shortscale Bass Lefty
$649.99 MSRP, Made in Indonesia
- STRINGS: 4
- BODY: Poplar
- BODY FINISH: Candy Apple Red
- SCALE: 30″
- NECK: Bolt-on Hard-Rock Maple
- NECK PROFILE: Slim C
- FINGERBOARD: Maple with Dot inlays
- FINGERBOARD RADIUS: 9 1/2″
- NUT WIDTH: 1 5/8″
- FRETS: 19
- TUNERS: G&L
- BRIDGE: Leo Fender-designed G&L Saddle-Lock
- NECK PICKUP: G&L Magnetic Field Design humbucker
- BRIDGE PICKUP: G&L Magnetic Field Design humbucker
- CONTROLS: 3-position mini toggle for parallel/split/OMG pickup modes, volume, tone
Check price/availability at:
G&L Tribute Series L-2000 Lefty
$799.99 MSRP, Made in Indonesia
- STRINGS: 4
- BODY: Poplar
- TOP: Ash
- BODY FINISH: 3-Tone Sunburst
- SCALE: 34″
- NECK: Bolt-on Hard-Rock Maple
- NECK FINISH: Clear Satin
- NECK PROFILE: Medium C
- FINGERBOARD: Rosewood with Dot inlays
- FINGERBOARD RADIUS: 12″
- NUT WIDTH: 1 3/4″
- FRETS: 21 Medium Jumbo, Nickel
- TUNERS: Traditional open-back
- BRIDGE: Leo Fender-designed G&L Saddle-Lock
- NECK PICKUP: L-spec G&L MFD Humbucker
- BRIDGE PICKUP: L-spec G&L MFD Humbucker
- CONTROLS: Tri-Tone system with 3-position pickup selector, series/parallel switch, 3-position pre-amp mode switch, volume, treble, bass
Check price/availability at:
Final Thoughts
So, at the time of writing, there are seven left handed G&L guitars and three left handed G&L basses.
That’s not a bad selection at all! Although, all the guitars are S-type and T-type guitars; no offsets or Thinline versions, however.
Fender Stratocasters and Telecasters are two of the most popular guitars ever, so guitar companies are always gonna make guitars based on these popular designs.
And the most popular designs are always gonna get used for any left handed models, so it’s not surprising the designs on offer here.
At least there are three distinctly different bass guitar designs.
Do you own a G&L guitar or bass? What do you think of them? Let us know in the comments below.
Photo credits: glguitars.com