G&L CLF Research S-500 Electric Guitar - Tobacco Sunburst w/Rosewood FB

For decades, guitarists have turned to the G&L S-500 for a classic design with added versatility and a bold sound thanks to its MFD pickups, Passive-Treble-Bass tone circuit, and expander switch. These enhancements give the S-500 levels of grit, energy, and sophistication that other, similar guitars just can’t reach.

The new CLF Research S-500 pauses to consider the history unfolding on Fender Avenue in the late 1970s. It’s a sort of retro-futurist dream, imagining Leo Fender’s late ‘70s Magnetic Field Design pickup technology and Dual Fulcrum vibrato system packaged on a model that could have predated the earliest G&L guitars produced in 1980. For the journey back in time, John R. McLaren has substantially modified the pickups from the current production S-500 spec, including the coil bobbin aperture, length of pole pieces, wire turns, and more. John sought to create a softer, sparklier sound without losing the sense of smoothness and strength expected from an S-500.

Dave McLaren’s #Project1979s500 is the prototype for this model, with its development shared with followers of the CLF Research pages on Instagram and Facebook. Interaction with the fans inspired Dave to draw together functional and styling elements prepared at CLF Research in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, including a 3-ply black pickguard and beautiful machined CLF knobs. Even the headstock is based on the original G&L design, modified to fit Kluson tuners and sporting a ‘70s-flavored “go faster” logo.

The CLF Research S-500 has a look, sound, and vibe that takes us back to the golden age of Leo on Fender Avenue, home of what he considered his finest creations.