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G&L Doheny Matcha Green 2022 Electric w/sHardshell Case *Authorized Dealer*

If green is your cup of tea, check out this Matcha Green Doheny. The G&L Doheny has become a solid favorite in the G&L lineup . Inspired by the famous SoCal Surfer Beach, this guitar is the long-awaited evolution of Leo Fender's offset design. With its own 21-fret Modern Classic neck, specially developed Magnetic Field Design (MFD) pickups and their precision Dual Fulcrum Vibrato, this guitar is not a copy, but pure G&L. Leo's sexy ground-breaking shape never gets old, and it looks particularly sharp with the pearl block inlays.

Pricing reflects new 2024 MAP pricing

This G&L Doheny is nicely appointed with the following standard and optional features

  • Matcha Green finish on Alder, 8.4 pounds
  • Parchment pickguard
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Pearl Block Inlays 
  • G&L 'Modern Classic' neck profile, 9.5" radius, 1-11/16" nut width
  • G&L locking tuners
  • (2) Wide-bobbin MFD pickups
  • G&L Dual Fulcrum Vibrato
  • Passive treble-bass tone system, 3-way switch
  • G&L non-compression truss rod for consistent, even relief
  • G&L deluxe tolex hardshell case
  • Made in USA with G&L custom build sheet

Leo Fender developed the Jazzmaster around 1959 as the top-line guitar in the Fender catalog. In terms of going after the "jazz" market it was flop, and the somewhat fussy bridge and signal-robbing rhythm circuit were innovative, if not particularly practical. So when G&L finally tackled the offset design they did it the G&L way, reflecting Leo Fender's ever-evolving refinement of his original designs.

The big deal of course are the new pickups, a wide bobbin version of the Magnetic Field design. The low resistance coil and strong ceramic magnet has greater output than a conventional single coil, but without sounding like a "hot" pickup. In short they have all the hallmarks of the MFD design: Strong output, exceptional clarity, note separation, and touch sensitivity. The neck pickup has ample, bouncy low end and a top end that is clear but not sharp. Dare we say...jazzy. Use the passive bass and treble controls, and you can get anything from warm lush rhythm to spanky funk. For sake of comparison, the Doheny MFD is brighter and more percussive than the ASAT Classic, but fuller and not as scooped as the ASAT Special.

The bridge pickup is "surf-ish", but certainly more full and less twangy than a true Jazzmaster pickup. It's got the right flavors, but won't drill you with icy high end. It's naturally brighter than the neck pickup, and we remind you to work those tone controls to sample the full range a capabilities. Like the neck pickup, the top end has an inherent sweetness that makes it shimmer when strummed broadly. Both pickups together are a luscious combination of warmth and chime, and bring out some of the best qualities of the MFD design.

Pedal performance is a strong suit to the Doheny, and the broad frequency response and ample output of the JM style MFD's bring out the best from both distortion and modulation effects. Using both our trusty Lovepedal Kalamazoo and JAM Tubedreamer 88, we got great crunch that is brimming with harmonic detail and devoid of harshness or jagged peaks. This is an offset you can really rock with.

Another big departure from the original Jazzmaster is G&L's Dual Fulcrum vibrato. While this may be a deal-breaker for diehard JM fans, it works great and can alter pitch both up and downward, and reliably return to tune. And we opted for locking tuners just in case you get carried away. The block inlays and matching headstock work great on the Doheny giving it a high-end look.

The Doheny is not a rehash of some other G&L, and Large Jazz MFD's have their own character that lends themselves easily to Pop, Rock and Funk. Plus they love pedals, so rockers can get in the game too. G&L's PTB controls work great with these pickups, and there is a big payoff in exploring the range of tonal options.

The Doheny is another example of G&L respecting tradition, but making it better and more usable (as Leo would have wanted it). They say insanity is doing the same thing an expecting a different result. The Doheny is not the same thing.