G&L Fallout Satin Frost Old School Tobacco

The USA-made G&L Fallout is packed with high quality features and upgrades:

• Old School Tobacco finish w/ Satin Frost Top Coat, Alder body, 6.4 pounds
• G&L 'Slim C' neck profile - 25.5" scale with 12" fingerboard radius
• Maple fretboard
• Satin vintage tint neck finish
• G&L split and drilled tuners
• Medium jumbo frets
• 3-ply Cream pickguard
• G&L P-90 neck pickup
• G&L AW4368C humbucker bridge pickup - Chrome cover
• Hefty G&L Saddle-Lock bridge
• 3-way pickup switch
• Volume and tone controls
• Pull tone control to split bridge pickup
• Plek laser guided fret finishing
• Delux tolex hardshell case

G&L's satin frost option can be applied to any finish, and it reacts differently with each one, making it somewhat what of an "experiment" when trying it on something new. We like how it slightly lightens the Old School Tobacco burst, and the neat thing about satin finishes is that they really hide smudges and fingerprints.

Developed by Gibson in the late 40's, the P-90 is known for punchy tone and chunky mids. It was standard on the Les Paul and many jazz models up until the introduction of the PAF. Sadly, P-90's get a bad rap for being dark and one-dimensional, but that's more a function of trying to make them "hot". Not a problem here; and with a mid-6K DC resistance G&L's P-90 has both excellent clarity, a smooth top end, and more meat around the notes than Fender-style single coil. Given some overdrive, the P-90 thickens up and takes on a somewhat creamy tone, but without the woody or mushy feel that you sometimes get with a humbucker. We are fans of P-90's, and this particular version deserves a spot in your guitar lineup. It's a great pickup for when you want "more" but still want to hear all the details.

We chose the optional AW4368C covered humbucker for this build, and it's become one of our favorites. With larger gauge wire and fewer windings than the standard AW4470 open-coil pickup, it's got slightly less output, a more balanced response with less midrange emphasis, and the chrome cover acts to give it a smoother top end. While open-coil pickups are often the choice for getting more snap out of a set neck guitar, with a bolt-on longer scale you've got all the attack and definition you need. We love it: It's got plenty of mid-frequencies to rock your favorite pedal, but cleans up great with plenty of detail and sweetness.

Both pickups together produce the bell-like clean rhythm tones often associated with this combination. The sound is Tele like, but a little fatter with slightly less edge. Percussive and snappy without being fatiguing, it's got a bit of Gretsch or Rickenbacker twang that works well for country, roots rock and lush rhythm strumming. For lighter moments you can pull the tone control for leaner and cleaner split bridge setting that blends well with neck pickup, or by itself it does a credible job for crisp rhythm and picking.

The standard neck on the Fallout is G&L's 'Slim C' profile. It has a flat-ish 12" radius, and a 1 5/8" nut width that was standard on all G&L's for years. Similar to a USA Fender, it's great for players that prefer a slimmer feel, or those who simply like being able to really wrap around the neck or play complex licks in upper register. And thanks to the Plek fret finishing and non-compression dual-action truss rod, the neck is consistent top to bottom, and sets up quickly.

The G&L Fallout gives players a serious alternative to the typical choices for high quality electric guitars. By combining these two famous pickup styles you get a fresh sonic option that gives you an alternative voice in a sea of sameness.