G&L Fullerton Deluxe Rampage 24 Jet Black 2024 Electric Guitar w/Gig Bag

It's back! The G&L Rampage has a long history at G&L and at one time was a signature model for Jerry Cantrell. That association is gone, and for several years so was the Rampage. G&L has now brought the Rampage back as a Fullerton Deluxe (non-option) model, and for hard rocking G&L fans the future is looking bright.

For the new Rampage, G&L has developed a 24-fret version of their Modern Classic neck profile, and changed the body from Maple (an unusual choice to begin with) to the more common Alder. The Kahler tremolo is gone in lieu of the more ubiquitous Floyd Rose, and the Seymour Duncan TB-4 is replaced by G&L's similar AW4470. Lastly, G&L has added black hardware and a sculpted neck pocket heel to the Skyhawk/F-100 body

Single pickup guitars have a particular vibe, and maybe it's the lack of magnetic pull of a neck pickup that gives the instrument a freer more open sound. In this format G&L's AW4470 pickup is remarkably balanced with very even response across the spectrum, and no upper midrange bump common to high output pickups. We've always felt the AW4470 was less edgy than the TB-4 (JB) and for for whatever reason even more so in a single pickup format anchored by a Floyd. 

As a result the Rampage does very well with clean tones, which sounds a bit out of character. But dynamics is part of music and there is more to life than one-dimensional chugging. But once you do hit your favor stomp box or lead channel the Rampage develops a smooth crunch with a warm top end and excellent sustain. It's less aggressive than we expected, but our rig is normally set up for a single P90 LP Junior style guitar. Tweaking the amp settings livened up the response, but the Rampage is not overly nasty by nature. You can make it nasty, but there is more to the Rampage than just a bad attitude.

For 2024 G&L has brought back the Plek machine, and while 100% of G&L production may not make a visit to the Plek, Rampage models will. This is never a bad thing, and as expected the Rampage exhibited excellent playability. The 24-fret version of the Modern Classic neck is not super shreddy thin/flat, but the 12" radius is plenty quick and good for power chords and bends. 

The Rampage was one of the few hard rock guitars in the G&L lineup and it's reputation is likely larger than it's production numbers would indicate. But it's nice to see it back in the catalog, and surprising to find that is has way more personality and possibilities than you would expect from one pickup and one knob. Keeping it simple has its benefits.

This USA G&L Rampage features:

• Jet Black finish on Alder, 8.0 pounds
• Matching black headstock
• G&L Modern Classic neck profile, 12" radius, 1 11/16" nut width
• .820" depth at the first fret, .870" depth at the 12th
• Natural Satin Finish on Hard-rock Maple neck
• Medium Jumbo Frets
• Sperzel non-locking tuners
• G&L AW4470 Alnico 5 humbucking bridge pickup
• Volume control 
• Floyd Rose floating vibrato with locking nut
• G&L Gig bag
• Made in USA