Best Mid Priced Strat?... Fender Vs G&L - Mexican Standard Vs Tribute S-500. In Depth Comparison.

Рет қаралды 31,361

Күн бұрын

An in depth comparison of a Mexican made Fender standard strat and the Indonesian made G&L Tribute S-500. I go into back to back tone tests, feel, quality, components etc.
TIME STAMPS
PART 1: INTRO & TONE COMPARISONS
00:00 Intro
00:47 Fender and G&L, guitar models, £co$t, pickups, recording set up.
Sound Comparisons
* BRIDGE *
- Rhythm Dirty 1
03:06 G&L
03:48 Fender
- Lead 1
04:28 G&L
04:35 Fender
- Lead 2
04:43 Fender lead 2
04:50 G&L
- Rhythm Dirty 2
04:58 G&L
05:54 Fender
- Rhythm Clean (Funk)
06:29 Fender
06:52 G&L
* NECK *
- Rhythm Dirty 1
07:25 Fender
08:22 G&L
- Lead 1
09:16 Fender
09:39 G&L
- Rhythm Dirty 2
10:04 G&L
10:45 Fender
- Lead 2
11:28 G&L
12:05 Fender
- Rhythm Clean
12:50 Fender
13:31 G&L
- Lead Clean
14:34 G&L
14:49 Fender
* MIDDLE *
- Rhythm Dirty
15:03 Fender
15:40 G&L
- Lead 1
16:10 G&L
16:35 Fender
* BRIDGE/MIDDLE *
- Rhythm ,Volume Rolled Off
17:02 Fender
17:38 G&L
- Single Note Rhythm, Volume Rolled Off
18:11 Fender
18:23 G&L
* NECK/MIDDLE *
- Rhythm ,Volume Rolled Off
18:36 G&L
19:09 Fender
- Lead
19:40 G&L
20:29 Fender
PART 2: FEEL, QUALITY, BONNIE PICTURES AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
21:10 Weight, wood
22:32 Neck radius and profile, frets
25:10 Vintage saddles… I don’t get it. Moan. Block vs vintage saddles.
27:23 Bridge, G&L’s superior dual fulcrum system
28:25 Most versatile? Fender’s volume, tone, tone Vs G&L’s PTB (passive treble bass) system
31:43 Most versatile 2: G&L’s push/pull pot neck selector - Telecasterish tones
33:44 Which one to recommend?
35:08 Thoughts on sound comparisons - most powerful, most stratty, most clarity, warmest, bitiest, various vague words used to describe tonality and playability is king.

Пікірлер: 111

@scottguitar2 5 жыл бұрын

TIME STAMPS PART 1: INTRO & TONE COMPARISONS 00:00 Intro 00:47 Fender and G&L, guitar models, £co$t, pickups, recording set up. Sound Comparisons * BRIDGE * - Rhythm Dirty 1 03:06 G&L 03:48 Fender - Lead 1 04:28 G&L 04:35 Fender - Lead 2 04:43 Fender lead 2 04:50 G&L - Rhythm Dirty 2 04:58 G&L 05:54 Fender - Rhythm Clean (Funk) 06:29 Fender 06:52 G&L * NECK * - Rhythm Dirty 1 07:25 Fender 08:22 G&L - Lead 1 09:16 Fender 09:39 G&L - Rhythm Dirty 2 10:04 G&L 10:45 Fender - Lead 2 11:28 G&L 12:05 Fender - Rhythm Clean 12:50 Fender 13:31 G&L - Lead Clean 14:34 G&L 14:49 Fender * MIDDLE * - Rhythm Dirty 15:03 Fender 15:40 G&L - Lead 1 16:10 G&L 16:35 Fender * BRIDGE/MIDDLE * - Rhythm ,Volume Rolled Off 17:02 Fender 17:38 G&L - Single Note Rhythm, Volume Rolled Off 18:11 Fender 18:23 G&L * NECK/MIDDLE * - Rhythm ,Volume Rolled Off 18:36 G&L 19:09 Fender - Lead 19:40 G&L 20:29 Fender PART 2: FEEL, QUALITY, BONNIE PICTURES AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS 21:10 Weight, wood 22:32 Neck radius and profile, frets 25:10 Vintage saddles… I don’t get it. Moan. Block vs vintage saddles. 27:23 Bridge, G&L’s superior dual fulcrum system 28:25 Most versatile? Fender’s volume, tone, tone Vs G&L’s PTB (passive treble bass) system 31:43 Most versatile 2: G&L’s push/pull pot neck selector - Telecasterish tones 33:44 Which one to recommend? 35:08 Thoughts on sound comparisons - most powerful, most stratty, most clarity, warmest, bitiest, various vague words used to describe tonality and playability is king.

@mrredritehand 4 жыл бұрын

First time viewer, and you play nice brother. Love your tone and style, and I'm feeling them licks! Great Job!

@wayneholman1761 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you,I have been researching both strat and G&L,G&L all the way now for me...

@jeg1972 4 жыл бұрын

Exceptionally good in-depth review, KZfaq doesn't really like long videos, but I look forward to this type of informed and knowledgeable insight.

@charlie-obrien 3 жыл бұрын

I have both Fender and G&L guitars. I have found that you can match any sound of the Strat with the G&L MFD pick ups. But the Strat won't ever match the range of the G&L. Both guitars and pick ups were designed under Leo Fender and both brands are top of the industry, but if G&L were allowed to put his last name on the head stock, most people wouldn't ever look at another "Fender" again.

@fredriksvard2603 2 жыл бұрын

But look at them. One is an eyesore, one is not.

@charlie-obrien 2 жыл бұрын

@@fredriksvard2603 I may have bought a guitar or two in the past partially because of looks. But I never kept one for that reason.

@fredriksvard2603 2 жыл бұрын

@@charlie-obrien i did, lol, and i sold a few because i didnt want to see them in my living room

@ElmanAuthement 2 жыл бұрын

@@fredriksvard2603 Beauty is in the eye of guitar holder. While I agree, if I had my choice, I wouldn't pick the colors of the G&L in the video, I've seen worse. But that's just my preference.

@Malcolm701 2 жыл бұрын

@@fredriksvard2603 Guitars are really for playing, not so much for looking at.

@user-fr5pp7jz8r 3 жыл бұрын

One of the best guitar video in KZfaq. It's very useful.

@christopherramirez4131 3 жыл бұрын

just bought the S-500 coming in tomorrow, can't wait!!!!

@Chimp_No_1 4 ай бұрын

Many thanks for this excellent review ! Very helpful !

@davecarsley8773 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the demo. I just ordered one of the G&L Tribute S500s... Can't wait to get it in a few days.

@scottguitar2 4 жыл бұрын

Cheers man and happy new guitar!

@mrredritehand 4 жыл бұрын

You like it? I have 4 strats and been looking at these. MF got me on "stupid deal of the day" showed me the Tribute S-500 for $300, so I said oh hell yeah. But they sent me just a G&L Tribute Strat, "Irish Ale" was the color scheme and they looked identical. But one is mahogany and the other nat-who knows, no MFD pickups or special electronics. So I sent it back before it even arrived, "they", (musicians friend) swear that was the deal, but I know what I bought, you know it was different than a standard strat and had mfd pickups, mahogany ect. I tried to get a couple guitars I wanted and pay just the extra $50 difference. But they wouldn't deal with me. I never bought anything from there, and definitely never will now. The old bait & switch, for real. They still haven't refunded my $300 either and it's been a couple weeks. Musicians Friends my ass!

@charlie-obrien 3 жыл бұрын

@@mrredritehand That experience sucks, but don't let it sour you on the S-500, those MFD's are the real deal and the Tribute is such a well featured and built guitar. Keep an eye on Reverb for a B-stock or a recently built used one. G&L is such a well kept secret that they don't command such high prices and that means you can get a great value there. BTW, Irish Ale is a killer look on those S-500's.

@ActuallySettle 5 жыл бұрын

I want to let you know, this is an outstandingly useful review.

@scottguitar2 5 жыл бұрын

much appreciated man

@miguelangelmillahueiquebas789 11 ай бұрын

Excelente y gran revision ..ha sido un positivo aporte muchas gracias

@Davie2802GV 5 жыл бұрын

Looking good bruv. Lots of luv x

@waltergardner3008 3 жыл бұрын

You video made me decide to buy the G&L. I like the warmer tones with less breakup. Especially liked the middle pickup sound of the g&l.

@denniscastillo706 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comparison, really helped me to go for the G&L. Also that riff at 3:19 where you show the bridge pickup... Love it, is it from a song?

@russellwagner9892 2 жыл бұрын

Great demo! Shows each guitars strengths and weaknesses. You guitar-skill mojo is much like mine.

@vladimirkolosov8836 2 жыл бұрын

Omg thank you so much for this video. You helped me to choose between the two. It will be Fender )

@Thebarbariantruckershow 3 жыл бұрын

Just picked up a natural color G&L S500 with a flamey tortoise shell pick gaurd today. I haven't had the chance to play it yet but I can't wait

@JG-ux7of 5 жыл бұрын

As neutral as you tried to be, the G&L was the clear winner. I own several Fenders, I've been a Fender lover since I started playing. My first guitar was a Fender blacktop Strat, I have a Fender tattoo and I haven't been able to deny that G&L are the better guitars. The pickups have more output and the bass and treble cut allow for more control. The S500 is the Strat for the 21st century. It can do just about anything and it has the working musician in mind. The Legacy is a Strat with a more modern radius and improved trem and bass treble pots vs 2 tone pots and an icepick at the bridge.

@functionform 5 жыл бұрын

It almost sounded like there was a treble bleed on the g&l too. It does sound incredible.

@lionhead7497 4 жыл бұрын

Are you saying that the Tribute has a more traditional neck then? I own a USA GL ASAT bluesboy and really love it except for the neck. Maybe its the 12" radius. I feel its too wide and shallow. Wish it either was more narrow or more chunky. Looking to buy the S500 but the neck profile is holding me back, unless the tribute comes with a more traditional fit neck.

@benlemcke2863 4 жыл бұрын

@@lionhead7497 it has a 12" radius as well.

@brianmiller3974 2 жыл бұрын

I agree

@julie-annesikkens2020 3 жыл бұрын

I have to say, apart from the helpfull review, your playing is exceptionally great O.o

@tomdameek 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much for your help. This is exactly what I was looking for. It’s the G&L for me. I prefer to solo and I really love a good trem too. I’ve been torn between the player and s500 for ages.

@AfterAugustine 3 жыл бұрын

The build quality of the Indonesian G&L is the equivalent to the American Specials and the MFD pickups are American so you’re getting a far superior guitar with American made electronics

@lostgroovemusic8494 Жыл бұрын

Great video I had a g and l Indonesia made blue one it was a heavy Strat but well worth every penny for sure. I like older Mexican Strats I try newer ones player ones not for me hit and Miss and things I don’t like bout players Strats are lot of stuff. What year your old standard? Lovely colour too.

@cheenu711 2 жыл бұрын

The G&L is half the price and twice the guitar, at least based on your comparison. My second guitar was a Kramer and I've fallen in love with the neck. It's a 12 inch radius and my hands don't hurt after long hours of practice. On the other hand on my strat with the 9.5 inch radius and rosewood fingerboard, it is considerably harder to play fast and do bends.

@Steven_SK 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent comparison. I’d have either but like the Fender classic sound a wee bit more.

@scottguitar2 4 жыл бұрын

Cheers. I was surprised by how much I liked the Fender and expected to much prefer the G&L

@xunliu8696 2 жыл бұрын

I directly jump to “feel” part. I know tone is very objective and the important aspects for me is how comfortable is the neck, the making of the frets, the noise of the wiring

@telekinetic6472 3 жыл бұрын

Solid review - thanks so much for thorough run through - I've leaned towards G&Ls bridge and pick ups versatility for a while but love the sweet Strat sound too ( but still not sure of bridge /tuning stability even with later Mexican 2 screw version.. ..the latest S500 tribute comes in an almost white sonic blue..but not with maple fretboard ...just Pao Ferro (my kes Paul and G&L bass are both rosewood)...Im considering getting local shop to do a neck swap with another s500 mode that does have the maple neck ...l ...but it may cause other issues??.. finer factory adjustments ...may need re-addressing ? Not sure... ( I'm also in love with the polar white Mexican strat player series .. that has the maple neck and matte finish...which is what I want ( I know I should just focus on sound versatility MFD PU + PTB system and the feel (ie.bridge stability / 12 inch radius ) of the G&L...do you think the neck swap idea is a troublesome endeavour?

@telekinetic6472 2 жыл бұрын

@Davey dave Dave hey Dave - I didn't end up purchases yet as had some other budget constraints - did go and test the S500 and the med Strat ...both nice ..S500 bridge and pick ups win ...those newer comanchie tributes have a nice roasted matte neck so I was thinking they might be the win (even tho z coil looks weird it makes sense re noiseless etc)

@Luchodela 11 ай бұрын

Great video. For me the S500 wins, but a tougher comparisson would have been to put a Fender Player MIM against a G&L Tribute Legacy...have you tried to compare both? Thanks!

@AkimidaAkimtaro 3 жыл бұрын

I love my gnl S500 tribute.

@Nobody92421 4 жыл бұрын

The MFD's are MUCH higher output. Roll back the volume a little to make it sound like the Fender. ; )

@shen7256 4 жыл бұрын

Cheers, Ive been torn between these two. Fender for me👌

@papawx3 2 жыл бұрын

The advantages you get with the Tribute guitars over ANY Fender is a value that makes it a buy. The bridge/vibrato system are USA made, as is the pickups and wiring. G&L's PTB controls are hard to top. Plus, with the MFD pickups, they are height adjustable. Not even in the same league. BTW; I own more Fenders than I do G&Ls, but that is about to change!

@schlo9358 4 жыл бұрын

how did you mic?

@monmixer 2 жыл бұрын

I'm buying the G % L. I have wanted a guitar with a tremolo in my older age. Wasn't my thing in the past.

@timogronroos4642 4 жыл бұрын

I have both Fender Stratocaster and G&L Tribute S-500. I'm using Tone settings in S-500 all the time to fine tune the sound. In Fender Tone settings are useless. In some tests you made, you could have made S-500 sound more similar with small Tone adjustments. S-500 pickups are much hotter, but you have more versatility. Both nice guitars though.

@charlie-obrien 3 жыл бұрын

It's true. I also have both Fender and G&L guitars and the range of tone you can dial in on the G&L , with the knobs is pretty impressive and you can also easily adjust the MFD pick ups to get the exact sound you want. In short, you can dial in a "strat sound" on your G&L, but you would be hard pressed to do the reverse without getting new pups on the strat and even then who knows?

@orryfishburne5326 4 жыл бұрын

I swear by G&L now. I just purchased the Tribute S-500 Sonic Blue model about a week ago and its my favorite guitar i have ever owned. I never owned a Fender Strat myself but ive played some of my friends American made Strats and actually a vintage 70s Strat (same friend's dad's guitar) but i have to say that i like G&L better from the Fenders ive had the chance to play. The MDF pickups sound sooooo good, and that volcrum bridge works very well and holds tune no matter what u throw at it. Or at least when its new it does. Lol. I like the brighter tone the MDF's have over that traditional stock Strat tone. I love the way it feels and plays too.

@charlie-obrien 3 жыл бұрын

If you ever want to dial in a Strat sound on your S-500 just set the treble at around 7 and the bass at 10. It's amazing the versatility of those MFD's. Also you can easily adjust the individual pole pieces on them, to scoop the mids and such. Man, once I tried that it was like a whole new guitar!

@orryfishburne5326 3 жыл бұрын

Charlie OBrien yea man i love the MFD pickups. I usually use them in either the 2nd position being neck and middle with the treble rolled off a bit to get that strat sound or i use all three pickups at once. Its such a versatile guitar. I havent messed around with the pole pieces yet though. I actually really like the way they are set from the factory, but i like having the option. The only thing i dont like about the guitar which is a very small thing is how the strings angle towards the tuner heads unevenly. The low e to g strings ramp upwards in angle then the b and high e are low due to the string tree. Thats so minor that its nothing tho

@sjarman 3 жыл бұрын

Your comments on the Fender vintage saddles were right on the money :) I hate those things - they're a rubbish design. I swapped them out on my Strat.

@tarkett8529 5 жыл бұрын

The S500 is a smoother punchier sound because of the MFD pickups, if you want that more traditional Strat sound the Legacy is that.

@guillaumequeruel2346 3 жыл бұрын

Or you just ave to roll off bass cut knob...

@PerpetuallyTiredMusician 3 жыл бұрын

The MFD pickups in the G&L have individually adjustable pole pieces. Meaning you can Eq each pickup by slightly raising or lowering each pole piece. You can literally scoop or mid bump them individually. I also want to echo what others have said. Rolling off the volume a smidge and rolling off the treble to about 6-7 ISH makes the G&L very strat sounding. Ty for a very good comparison video. Stay safe

@arnyarny77 4 жыл бұрын

you should have done the usa versions

@2000SkyView 3 жыл бұрын

Did you try turning down the volume on the G&L to match the tone on the Fender pickups? For that "bite" or "pop".

@REBELSCL 3 жыл бұрын

I'm leaning towards the G&L... I prefer Ash as a tone wood. I prefer the G&L pickups too.. a question. Did either of these guitars exhibit the dreaded 60 cycle hum??

@ThePainkiller9995 3 жыл бұрын

wood doesnt make a difference to the human ear on electric guitars. it's mostly about the pickups

@kame9 4 жыл бұрын

i have g&l S500, wich is similar to tribute, but have another pickups and pull pot, and have more versavility 3 pick combo or bridge + neck.

@orryfishburne5326 4 жыл бұрын

I have the G&L Tribute S-500 Sonic Blue and that push pull in the Bridge+Neck configuration sounds OUTSTANDING!!! I love it. The Tribute S-500 is the Indonesia made S-500 but it still has the American made MDF pickups.

@charlie-obrien 3 жыл бұрын

The nice thing about G&L is that even if you buy a "Tribute series", made in Indonesia, you still get the USA made pick ups. Best import deal on the market.

@AndyDion 4 жыл бұрын

Great comparison video. I love Fender and G&L but they are different in a lot of ways. The G&L MFD pickups, the PTB electronics, dual fulcrum bridge are some of the big differences. I use my G&L ASAT all the time- just recorded a CCR cover on my channel- kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mbdjfbF4xri-gYk.html

@arnyarny77 4 жыл бұрын

short and simple ..usa G&L..you are welcome!

@daviddalziel884 3 жыл бұрын

You can’t get that style of MIM Strat anymore with the ceramic pickups and six point trem you can only get the Player ones which have much brighter pickups than the old ceramic ones . I did a comparison of Teles -Player , Classic Vibe and G and L ASAT Tribute -G and L the winner , pickups are way better than the other two .

@duarteestelita7257 3 жыл бұрын

nice run through man. pity you didn’t play any arpeggiated finger picked and plectrum stuff. i was hoping to compare that, with a few chords. i sincerely don’t understand why G&L has not a way more solid presence in the market. thanks for the video ;) cheers from Portugal

@anthroknight 4 жыл бұрын

You did a great job, but I think the real problem is the tones that you chose to focus on. I might be in a real minority here, but wit these two guitars I would have concentrated in beautiful cleans, then edge of breakup, then bluesy and classic rock tones rather than the grungy (?) sounds you went for. I think you would then have heard the clarity of single notes even across complex chords and it would clearly have been to the favour of the G&L not the Fender. I have both but admittedly the USA versions (and the Legacy not the S500) and I can say that without a doubt, you'd need to go to a custom shop Strat to get even close to the tonality and playability of the G&L. And even then I'm not sure. G&L all the way for me. And for what it's worth, I really like the slightly modified headstock :) Kepp up the great work.

@ewilson9650 3 жыл бұрын

G&L every time

@user-ui4on7wx9q 11 ай бұрын

For me it's the G&L S-500 Fender is outdated, that's me I love the G&L.

@khikekx3561 4 жыл бұрын

A correct comparison would have been between a Stratocaster and Legacy, since the S500 has another type of pickups. Even so, I think that there are so many good buying options, it's crazy to pay for a 21-fret guitar since it's a design out of time and Leo Fender demonstrated it in the Legacy designs where I never use the old 21-year formula frets since all are 22 frets

@DKprojects9 4 жыл бұрын

I disagree. The G&L MFD single coil pickups use a ceramic magnet just like the MIM Fender Single coils so this is actually a pretty good choice for comparison. If he had been using the newer Fender Player series then the Legacy would have been more appropriate comparison since both of those use Alnico magnet single coil pickups. I do agree on the fret thing tho. Only reason to get MIM Fender now days is if the used price on one is really cheap and or you prefer ceramic single coils.

@idea1511 4 жыл бұрын

Listened with eyes closed. I’d go with S-500.

@alexandertian8530 Ай бұрын

Fender, no doubts

@steveokon5431 2 жыл бұрын

Both are great, each a bit different

@felipehamouifurquim 3 жыл бұрын

This is a Legacy, but with 7 pickups positions instead of the normal 5?

@alandunn4459 3 жыл бұрын

No. Legacy has alnico 5 single coil pickups and the s500 has 3 mfd pickups plus a toggle or pull up knob to give 7 pickup configurations.

@thenovicenoisemaker 3 жыл бұрын

that fender is gorgeous

@elmanitasdeplomo 2 жыл бұрын

4.2 kg!? That’s insane! My jazz bass weighs around 4.7 and it’s the only thing I don’t like about it. No way I would but a ST type guitar that heavy.

@jah8859 4 жыл бұрын

G'day 265 here,

@Rockguitar-music 3 жыл бұрын

Nothing like fender

@hollywoodactress 5 жыл бұрын

What exact model is your fender strat?

@scottguitar2 5 жыл бұрын

Just an old Mexican standard

@benlemcke2863 4 жыл бұрын

@@scottguitar2 Basically what was replaced by the Player Series?

@scottguitar2 4 жыл бұрын

@@benlemcke2863 I think so. Ceramic PUs

@istvandejesus 4 жыл бұрын

Is really nice that you use Standard. That particular G&L model has ceramic PU also. Fair comparison.

@fredriksvard2603 2 жыл бұрын

The fender looks so much better, if that matters

@bradevans3815 Ай бұрын

Look at the S500 Blueburst, gorgeous.

@marwin5739 3 жыл бұрын

13:20

@Malcolm701 2 жыл бұрын

The trouble with Fender is that they insist on fitting staggered pickups which are totally wrong on todays neck radius which results in uneven volume output which is extremely annoying. With the G&L you get either the adjustable pole pieces or flat set pole pieces which match their necks. With most pickups you cannot safely adjust the height of the magnets without risking damaging the windings, so unless you retro fit new pups to your Fender you'd be better off with a G&L. Fender are basically stuck in the past.

@jimmieelbow8316 3 жыл бұрын

The G&L tribute legacy is more closer to the classic strat tone.. the s-500 is I find a more modern aggressive tone..,

@davesnothere2879 3 жыл бұрын

I agree my tribute legacy is in the mail can't wait 😊

@yonesmoloodi1886 4 жыл бұрын

G&L sounds superior

@markgowans 4 жыл бұрын

Please dont take this as a critisism of your video but I noticed a slight mistake right at the start when you were talking about the history of Fender & G&L. Right after Leo sold Fender to CBS he actually started Music Man and not G&L. Music Man went into difficulty and was then bought by Ernie Ball and became the company we know today. It was after this that Leo started G&L.

@scottguitar2 4 жыл бұрын

Not at all, always appreciate having the correct knowledge. Cheers

@scottguitar2 4 жыл бұрын

I can't find the bit you're referring to. Is it the bit at minute mark?

@markgowans 4 жыл бұрын

@@scottguitar2 Sorry I can do time stamps because I'm an old idiot lol but its right at the start at about 1 minute 10 seconds or so. You make the remark that G&L was Leo's company after he sold fender but musicman was in between these two. Interesting I've been thinking about getting a G&L for a while and I've decided to order the Tribute Comanche.

@monmixer 2 жыл бұрын

I can't believe you call the po po on the Fender strat saddle salesman.

@Alexedoff 3 жыл бұрын

S-500 Better!!!

@motofish312 Жыл бұрын

ASIAN AND MEXICAN INSTRUMENTS DO NOT COMPARE. TWO ENTIRELY DIFFERENT CONSTRUCTION PHILOSOPHIES! COMPARE ASIAN TO ASIAN AND AMERICAN TO AMERICAN FOR ACCURATE COMPARISONS.....