G&L Tribute S500
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- Опубліковано 30 лис 2020
- This is G&L Tribute S500 in Sonic Blue!
www.citymusic.com.sg/g-l-trib...
G&L Guitars:
glguitars.com/
Guitar provided with the kind courtesy of City Music Singapore.
Bruce approves of this guitar!!
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/ jonathankoh
Recorded with the
UAD Apollo Twin Duo
thru
Line 6 Helix Native
on
Digital Performer 9.5
Backing track from:
Jam Track for Guitar
Jon, I’m so impressed with your reviews and your accolades for G&L guitars I bought an ASAT Tribute several months ago and fell in love. Now I’ve purchased an S-500 and again live at first riff!
Can’t thank you enough for your unbiased reviews. Keep ‘em comin’!😊
Most welcome✌️❤️
Bit of a no-brainer between the Fender guitars and the G&L, especially at the price-point. The tones you were getting were exquisite.
Aye Ian!🤓
Hi Ian, I have this guitar in vintage white, the mfd pickups are fantastic! I also have a G&L Doheny which has wide bobbin mfd pickups and has the best clean tone of any of my guitars. G&l rock 🤘🎸
@@HC_GUITAR I drool at the mouth whenever I see, or have played a G&L Hugh. I remember back in the early 80's seeing them on a stand at the NEC 's Music exhibition. They were well-priced then, but still way above my pay-grade, and sadly they still are. But those mfd pickups do sound delicious, even to a magnet-snob like me!
Idk, player plus and performer are killer
@@fredriksvard2603 The G&L Tribute S-500 is $700, while the Fender Player Plus is $1000+, and the Fender Performer is now $1400, so different price points. In fact, I owned a Performer, which I bought when it was still *only* $1200, and I found it to be nothing special and rather unimpressive for a guitar at that price.
Made me emotional. Rare a UA-cam player has feeling
Thank you ✌️❤️
@@JonIsJustTooLoud I am now buying the exact guitar from andertons in the uk now. Thanks.
Once had a mid-90s S-500 in "cherry" red. Beautiful guitar, but I just couldn't bond with it. I love my mid-90s ASAT Special and my ASAT Classic S (alnico). I've owned roughly 9 G&L guitars and nothing less than excellence with every one of them.
✌️❤️
Another wonderful demonstration of how awesome the G&L guitars are. Incredible playing as always. Thank you for sharing. 🤠🎸🤘
Thank you Shawn ✌️❤️
power of the Ceramic Pickups and magical touch of the Jon!
Lol thanks
I bought the same one a few days back. Sounds amazing. Love the neck. It’s super comfortable to play with. I was quite skeptical about the Brazilian cherry fingerboard but it looks and feels pretty good while playing. Really happy with the guitar and the sizzling hot MFD pickup tones.
I’m glad!!✌️❤️
Great sounding guitar and very tempting.
I still have the USA Deluxe model in the top of my wishlist, i will keep on saving rather than go for a lower model and regret it.
Fantastic playing as always Jonathan.
Yes Allan.. that’s a good decision✌️❤️
Bought my blueburst maybe 15 years ago for $1100. Still mint...took it apart today to clean the pots. Love this thing. A really good guitar becomes a part of you
Yes it does ✌️❤️
My tribute s500 has a pull switch on the middle knob that has the pickup blending like the USA model FYI. love this guitar!!!
Cool ✌️❤️
Hi Jonathan !.. Thanks for sharing !.. This G&L sounds gooOood !.. Nice guitar, affordable ... I like it !.. 👍🏼 ❤ 🕊
I;m glad this is helpful!✌❤
Sounds like the $2500 version in your hands. Really great playing thanks so much!!!
Thank you ✌️❤️
Awesome guitar and playing
Thank you Richard!✌🤓
I’m a huge fan of the G&L S-500. The fit & finish of mine rivals anything Fender has produced (in the same price range) for the last 4 decades; certainly with any consistency on their part. Plus, the coil splitter function allows this Super Strat to achieve the most beautifully clacky Strat sounds. My only concern has been the neck. It is chunkier than I like. I’ve seriously considered shaving it some to be more like my Soloist but I don’t want to damage it.
✌️❤️
Nice soft Jazzy backing tract!
Thinking of picking this up as a Strat copy for my Arsenal. Thanks for the video.
Hope you enjoy it✌♥
Just ordered one from Sweetwater. Can't wait to hear it in person!!!! The one that I'm getting has poplar body and rosewood fret board.
Nice✌️❤️
I just bought this guitar, good value
Cool!!!
Just bought a G&L Tribute S500 in Irish Ale finish. The middle knob has a pull up pot which changed all the sounds on all the positions into like a split coil, thinner kind of sound, more legacy like.
yes..✌💜
Cool Video Jon,
I have this model in a tobacco burst, love it
Very nice playing
Cool, thanks!✌♥
I have the s500 tribute in vintage white. It is by far my favorite strat I've ever owned. I've owned multiple mim and American strats and the creamyness of this strat beats any of them. I don't know maybe I just got lucky but this guitar is my number one go to besides my diamond maverick with pearly gates.
Awesome!!
I always enjoy your demos and playing, Jon! I just ordered one of these, also in Sonic Blue. The description for mine says it's poplar, with a rosewood fretboard. I can't wait until next week! Update: I've had mine for a couple of months now and really enjoy the playability and the sound of the MFD pickups. The info I've found online indicates that the fretboard radius on these is 12 inches, not 9.5. My example has a very flat neck!
Nice! Have fun!!✌️❤️
You are so convincing that I just bought it, I found 2nd hand for half the price and I'm picking it up tommorrow
Cool!!
These really are a fantastic quality guitar. My neighbour has one and they are dripping in quality. Pity it’s a left handed version as he wouldn’t get it back 😂😂 great opening and video thanks Jon😊👍👍
Thank you Tom.. your neighbor have great taste!✌️❤️
Hi Jonathan. I think maybe you forgot to mention the control knob functionality... CONTROLS: 5-position pickup selector, volume, treble, bass (PTB™ system), push/pull expander on treble pot enabling additional pickup combinations of neck+bridge or all three pickups together.
It has a push/pull knob tone shape function. Very useful for extra tones. Thanks
Yes Keith I did not. The pull switch is not as assessable as the dip switch, which I preferred.
Thank you for the heads up✌️❤️
@@JonIsJustTooLoud Thanks Jonathan. Its a nice tonal guitar. Nice job on your videos and playing. Cheers
G&L guitars so good
Yes they are ✌️❤️
Very nice guitar.
Yes it is Vernon❤️
Jonathan, that soft blue colour is my dream strat colour, (but with maple fingerboard)By the sound of it in this video, it reminds me of the Musicman Sabre I have that used to belong to my brother(whose name was Jonathan)in the sense that it sounds ball-park similar to a strat, but more muscular and hard edged, depending on setting.A truly wonderful basic all-round rock ,pop, or r&b platform to thicken with overdriven or clean boosted tones in a more efficient way than how a strat could do, even if a strat might beat it 2 - 1 in natural vintage style sparkly fender cleans.I wish I knew what that colour was called, then I would get a maple necked squire classic vibe strat in that clout and start playing around with pickups!
Thank you for sharing✌️❤️
You can pull the middle Tone knob up and it does the same thing as the dip switch to give you access to all 3 pickups. Figured I'd let everyone know.
Yes i found out later..thanks for sharing✌💙
And you play a cool slide as well! far out.
Thank you Charlie.. I try✌️❤️
S500’s have the Gilmore switch configuration to have the bridge and the neck pickup engaged simultaneously by pulling up the middle tone knob FYI
Yes I forgot to mention it!!😱
@@JonIsJustTooLoud I read that this feature is only on the Deluxe Fullerton model
I went to a store in order to buy a prs silver sky. I plugged it and although I saw many reviews I didn't like at the store, it also felt 'cheap'. I also tried shur, and secheter and a american strat, the start felt like a toy to me. And after all this, last one I saw this one. Beautiful dark blue with white shining pick guard.
The build quality is astonishing. What a beautiful guitar. And it's sounds great. I can't believe it cost me 550 usd.
cool!!!
@@JonIsJustTooLoud
First I must admit that I am not a great player as you are, not even close. I connect it to a nux-mg400, and it feels very aggressive to me, unlike here in your review. Maybe the pick ups just too loud, and here your playing is delicate.
Maybe I should lower the pickups or am doing something wrong?
I just sounds so aggressive, there so no ringing at all, it's so loud. Should I lower the pickups?
@@rubickon just try playing softer...dynamics is the key..Come to the live stream later and we'll discuss more
I subscribed good review, cheers
Welcome to the channel!!✌️❤️
I have a legacy and Asat, they are keepers.
cool ✌🤓
Very cool ! Sounds fantastic for $450 US. Very affordable.
It is✌️❤️
Hi Jon. Thanks for the review. I just bought this exact guitar and am in love. Do you share your tone setups anywhere?
No i don’t ✌️❤️
Amazing playing Mr. J!! As usual!!
Which do you prefer between this one and the Tribute Legacy HSS and why?!
Thanks
Thanks...well both are really different guitars....The legacy is actually a Strat.. The S500 is a more powerful sounding guitar with almost the same tones as the legacy..but a bit more bite and gain✌🤓
This very guitar is my next axe!.
✌♥
I honestly prefer the tone of ceramics over alnico! I'm running super duper cheap 90s squier pups in my partscaster and they sound amazing although I've been thinking of putting some used silver sky pickups in it just because they sound like butter and I don't want to buy a silver sky when all I want are the pickups off of one and not the super wide neck lol!
✌♥
Sweeeeeeet !!!!
Thanks Ross!✌❤
I used to have a G&L S500 American made, regret that I sold it. I picked up one just like yours, and it really is very good. You could do any gig with it, clean or dirty. Because the tone knob is difficult to pull up, I replaced the knobs with tele style knobs, like the American S500s, and now it is easy to access the other pickup combinations. It would be hard to find a better playing, better sounding guitar for anywhere near it's price.
You are correct✌♥
Awesome review of this beauty! But are you sure it's basswood body? On the G&L website it shows Sonic Blue over Nato body, 3-ply White pickguard, tinted gloss neck finish, Brazilian Cherry fingerboard...
Trust me .. it is , on this particular guitar
Jonathan, would you review a Tagima Stella DW? They look incredible, and I'd love to hear one in your hands.
we'll see...✌💚
Good Demo, thanks. I just watched this after having played around, guess what did what. Then reading the spec and being slightly baffled - but the Fender demos made it plainer. Comparing models gone by only helps if you know them. I just parked a 54 Strat with one tone for all and reversed polarity centre pick-up. It didn't have the utpah of my Vintage single-cut, but that was too fatty for overdrive clarity. I digress. This Sonic Blue Tribute S500 came to me in a swap for a Martin acoustic - long story and you've alredy clicked away...
FIRST IMPRESSIONS are that I can get false harmnonic squeals OK, just about anywhere that either Strat or V100 produce; with a robusticity somewhere in between that ers towards the humbucking spectrum. Good, if like me you play dirty blues rock.
As yet I have to use the bass/treble cut switch correctly, but it was on for the above selections, namely bridge or centre pick-ups only (or howeber that cut switch reconfigures - it's a tad of both I think with bias towards whichever way the 5-way switch is set. Sorry if that's not clear, but we're on the same page if so.
It hefts nicely in the hand, the C neck (specs say 12" not 9.5 radius) feels modern, crispy but not sticky. The frets feel humungus and tall, but after a 50s Fender... They made me a bit clattery and the bass action seems uppish; but that's all adjustable or a mater of familiarity. I've owned it less than four hours.
It's light and well balanced on knee or strap. That rosewood fretboard is notable against my maple. I think it helps take some gritty edge off. I've never been a fan of coloured bodies or not-quite-Strat headstocks but that's niggly, taste: if I'd bought new I'd have gone for the redburst whatever.
The vibrato isn't as stable as suggested with light use. The only reliable one I ever used (and I've tried most) was a Washburn Wonderbar. In tune for months after swinging the HM20V round like an eejit. The volume knob is too stiff for normal use, let alone violining which is part of my style. I think there's a bad connection in the switch - it goes quiet. Switch cleaner might sort it, if not I can solder - it looks shitty but it's solid.
I like the pickup magnetic field idea. I think that helps gibe me my Start (sweet, responding to touch) and my V100 (fat mids, pushing overdrive channels but without going into mush).
I'll yap on some more after it's done a few gigs and rehearsals - if it can cut it, which I think it will:) (THU
MBS UP EMOJO)
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Can you do a review of Sire's Larry carlton strat? It is almost the same price as this G&L but has a roasted maple neck and some pretty great hardware.
We will see✌️❤️
Yes great idea !
Hi Jonathan, wonderful video. If you had to choose between the s500 and ASAT, which one would it be and why?
The S500..I'm amore of a strat guy✌♥
Love the content Mr Koh very good 👌 so would you compare it very closely to the tribute legacy in all areas? Basically the same guitar? Asking as I have small hands and like a thin neck and also I've never played a maple fretboard and always wondered, they just look smoother, thoughts on this? Thank you
No.. it’s not the same guitar.. the MFDs on the S500 has a slightly higher output and bite. I like most of the fretboards that are available.. essentially the Maple, Rosewood and ebony.. they are all good and comfortable.
@@JonIsJustTooLoud OK thank you good sir, and do the MFD's come with the s500 straight from factory?
I like the fretboard on yours, is it from citymusic? The ones at guitar center have a lighter brown fretboard
Yes it is!!✌️❤️
I love my Tribute S500! I really lucked out and found one used in great condition for just under $200. After playing multiple examples of S500s and Legacies, do you prefer one over the other? I guess the only really appreciable difference would be MFDs vs alnicos?
Yes both these sets of pickups sound Tay different. The alnico V of the legacies sounds like you typical strat.. Really clean and very nice. The MFD (ceramics) sound a tad fatter with more output✌️❤️
@@JonIsJustTooLoud would you say you can get similar typical strat sounds on the s500 by rolling the volume, or manipulating the tone control? Thanks! And great video. I've watched it like 4 times in 2 days
@@nathanjmartin19 leo created the PTB system for the MFDs (S-500 pickups). The bottom tone control work as treble pass, it cuts some of the harsh (mid-low) frequencies of the MFD to get more "strat" sound.
The body is mahogany on the Tribute S-500.
This is basswood...✌❤
@@JonIsJustTooLoud it depends on finish. Sonic blue, Irish Ale and Vintage White are nato. Check out G&L website.
Got this exact guitar. Love it but agree neck is glossy. I totally prefer satin necks but cant take brillo to it just yet....
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Is it the sonic blue with the dark fretboard? If so, can I ask where you bought it from? I'm looking for that one but some are misleading and have a lighter rosewood fretboard.
Bought from guitar guitar uk and fretboard lighter. Not a fan of the lighter look but guitar is ok
Hey Mr. Koh! I’m 18 years old and an absolute beginner to the guitar. It’s always been something I’ve been interested in, and I feel that it could become my most passionate hobby. What would you recommend to a beginner in terms of guitars and equipment? I’m interested in learning how to play songs like the one you played here as well as develop my own style. Thank you!
Take a look at Thomann’s website and check out some of the Harley Benton guitars.. they are good affordable guitars for beginners ✌️❤️
Boss katana and an ibanez az es. You want a consistent manifacturer since you won't be able to tell of a guitar is good or a lemon that you'll struggle with endlessly thinking it's your skill level that's rhe problem (which it will be too). HB:s are cool because you can find a gem for peanuts but in my experience, the good to bad ratio is about 1 to 4. I also don't think beginner guitar = cheap guitar. You're much more likely to keep at it with a beautiful instrument that you're proud of owning. And if you sell a fender or gibson, you'll basically get back what you paid for it. Both HB and ibanez entry level models are more or less worthless used.
I have enjoyed your G&L reviews and ended up getting a legacy tribute. I have thought about upgrading parts like the tuning machine, nut, knobs, but not sure what fits a G&L and how to find that out. Have you upgraded anything on your tributes?
I don’t own any tributes.. they are Fullerton Deluxe guitars. I have upgraded some parts but they are ordered directly from G&L✌️❤️
@@JonIsJustTooLoud thanks for the reply
G&L S500 Tribute are Nato (magohany variant), not basswood and you forgot the most important part : the push-pull on the treble knob which gives you some plus pickup combinations.
Yes the push-pull was highlighted by someone else...As for the body wood...not all guitars used the same wood. This one is made of basswood
making a 600 dollar guitar sound like a 6000 fender cs! amazing!
Lol✌️❤️
It's leo fender design after all
Are you sure about the material? G&L website says Poplar body and rosewood fingerboard? or did they change the materials for new ones?
@@Bikeadelic appointments are subjective to change..✌🏻❤️
I once had a SC-3 which evolved into the S-500
Cool
The tone sounds great. Here's the big question. Considering tone and playability, which do you prefer... this guitar or the Schecter Nick Johnston model? Especially for someone with small hands. Thank you!
The NJ ✌️❤️
@@JonIsJustTooLoud Thank you so much!!!!!!!
This S500 tribute is a serious competitor for Made In Mexico Fender Players Series sold twice this price. Seems better than Squier Classic Vibe Strat at same price. How would you compare this S500 to your Harley Benton ST62DLX , selling half of this price ? I love the sonic blue finish, having a MIM Fender Strat with that color. I'm not a fan of the MFD tones, bit to fat and biting for my strat taste, but your fingers make them sing melodiously.
Thank you Gilles..
The alnico ii equiped made in china classic vibe 50's strats are much closer to the quack and chime of a vintage strat than a legacy or s500.
But it's a case of different not better.
If you find the s500 sound to fat you can lower the pole pieces individually as well as adjust the ptb controls for a more alnico 5 type strat sound.
Dude! You changed the name of your channel!!
Lol for a while now!!!😂
Hey Jonathan, how do the Harley Bentons stack up against a tribute or a mexie fender?
In your personal opinion. All I really care about are the neck and fretts
Hi.. I get questions like this so often. And the range gets wider and wider. In the end, guitars are very personal instruments. What might be comfortable for you might not be for me. You will have to decide, once you have the info that you need either from the web or from reviewers like me. Stay safe✌️❤️
@@JonIsJustTooLoud Thanks Jonathan. I am an experienced player (which means I am broke lol). My question relates to build quality. An opinion?
Thanks again for you pleasant and informative channel.
Would you recommend this guitar or g&l tribute asat classic bluesboy semi hollow
either one will do...it depends on what genre you are going after
Hi Jonathan, what practice amp do you recommend?
Preferably an amp that lets you learn about playing with one. You have to make the decision✌️❤️
Sire S7 or G&L. Great videi
Sire
Great review.for your opinion what sound more straty ? S500 or strat mexico standard?
Both of them are great strats ✌️❤️
@@JonIsJustTooLoud And if you need to choose only one for you?
Doesn't this tribute version of the guitar feature a 12 inch neck radius instead of a 9.5 inch radius? is this a deal breaker? I am a beginner and I don't know which fretboard radius to learn on.
9 1/2" ✌💚
Is any diff in sound between poplar and sassafras body wood?
I don’t know
wow $437 USD? that was an incredible deal or maybe prices jacked up in the past year. They're selling for $650 on Sweetwater now
Cool✌️❤️
Can s500 sound as legacy? MFD pickup more powerful then the single in legacy
It will sound different ✌️❤️
Are the pickups silent or close to it?
It’s probably more quiet than a normal single coil✌️❤️
Hello, I just bought this same guitar but have no idea how to put the whammy bar in and lock it in place. Does anyone know how to do this?
Put the whammy bar like how it’s done in the video. On the side of the whammy socket, there a Allen screw .. use the small Allen key to tighten.
@@JonIsJustTooLoud Thanks for replying, It seems like my guitar did not come with the screw to lock it in, will have to contact the dealer sadly. Love your review btw
Hey Jonathan, great demo. The tone reminded me of Clapton from his Cream days
I had a question to ask:
Are pickups very noisy? As in, do the MFDs have less 60 cycle hum?
Hope you respond, and I would love a review on the G&L Tribute ASAT Special. That guitar looks very unique
There is still 60 cycle hum..but less than the normal singe coils✌♥
Comparing the Fullerton S500 to the Tribute is there a clear difference? For 3 times the cost over the tribute... does the Fullerton deliver?
It depends.. to be safe.. get the Fullerton if you can✌️❤️
I have a 2015 option ordered G&L S500. The advantage is you can specify different size/shape necks and radius on the USA - as well as neck, fretboard, and body material type - and you get a choice of frets as well. My S500 has a alder body with a hardrock maple neck with Jescar silver frets.
I like the tributes a lot but build quality and QC while ok is not at the same level as the USA version. Nor are the necks as confortble to play if you have become accustomed to rolled edges - but that's a preference only - vintage Fenders don't have rolled edges either.
Sound wise - you'd be hard pressed to tell a tribute from a fullerton.
Cool...I have a White 1983 G&L S-500 with Ebony Fingerboard. Your sounds are just about identical on the Tribute. Don't know how to describe it other than that the S-500 has added sweetness sound to the MFD pickups. Not like my American Fat Strat at all. Two different breeds all together and nothing compares to the G&L if you are going for that sound. Ha just found the original receipt from Bronans Music. I paid 600.00 plus 35.00 for the case.
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Where this guitar are made?
Indonesia
Great guitar but I think the jumbo MFDs are even more unique
Yes ✌️❤️
One question please..... Legacy or s500.....…? Thank you.
Its really your choice.. I would take the S500
@@JonIsJustTooLoud
Thank you.
I have this in Irish Ale. It's a great guitar for $600, but I find the neck to be a little too glossy and hard to move around on. Still, it's hard to find this quality for this price.
Hit the back of the neck light sand paper or brillo part of dish sponge. Breaks up gloss a bit and really makes it smooth. It’s what I do and helps a ton on gloss necks
@@AndyDion Thanks for that. I'm concerned about messing the finish up too much. Does this visually affect it?
@@ExplodingPsyche ua-cam.com/video/XLWUqYQGUSs/v-deo.html
@@ExplodingPsyche no just do it really lightly- lots of UA-cam videos on it too- look up Phillip McKnight
@@AndyDion I'll do that. Yeah, Philip has some good videos. Thanks again.
No push pull?
Nope
@@JonIsJustTooLoud that's strange because it's supposed to have it.
In Germany at first 399€ and now 569€, it's to much imo.
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@@JonIsJustTooLoud Now about 700€.✌
At the moment I am searching for an “affordable” Strat-style guitar, because I am not willing to spend more than $650-700 on a guitar. So, the Tribute S-500 or Yamaha PAC612?
go for the G&L✌♥
Too bad you can’t keep all the guitars they loan you to demo. You’d be stocked up.
Lol.. if you can only see my living room !
Your specs are wrong.
Body: Mahogony
Neck: Maple with Rosewood Fingerboard
Why do you say that? As I stated in a previous comment not all tributes are the same . These are the specs for this particular guitar.. if there are mistakes , I will inform you all.