G&L L-1000 CLF Research Butterscotch Blonde Frost 2025 Electric Bass Guitar w/Gig Bag

G&L's CLF Research line honors the designs and innovations of Leo Fender's CLF Research company, which ultimately became G&L. To honor these historic beginnings, the CLF Research L-1000 features the original '80 control plate, early head stock, and 'Slim C' neck profile. Now available as a Build-to-Order guitar we've outfitted this sharp L-1000 with a Satin Butterscotch finish and a Western Sugar Pine body for both light weight and smooth response.

This new G&L L-1000 features:

• Butterscotch Blonde Frost on Pine, 8.4 pounds
• CLF Slim C Profile satin vintage tint maple neck
• Rosewood fretboard, 9.5" radius, 1 5/8" nut width
• .800" deep at first fret, .900" at the 12th fret
• Medium jumbo frets
• White Pearl Face Dots
• G&L Heritage Magnetic Field Design (MFD) Humbucker pickup
• Volume and passive Treble and Bass controls
• Hand-wired full-size pots
• Three position pickup selector - Parallel, Split and OMG mode (bass boost)
• Massive patented Saddle Lock Bridge (a locking saddle screw clamps the saddles together for better sustain)
• G&L Ultra-Lite tuners
• G&L Deluxe Gig Bag
• Made in Fullerton, CA

The CLF Research L-1000 concept offers a window to G&L's past without compromising modern day build consistency. G&L still operates in the same buildings that spanned the majority of Leo's prolific career. His office remains the same as the day he left, and making a limited number of guitars a day, the factory is no cookie-cutter operation. The G&L family is committed to preserving Leo's legacy.

So what's up with Pine? Pine has been used in guitar manufacturing since the early days, and was the original material for the Telecaster. More recently, Fender has used Pine in place of Swamp Ash on some Strats and Teles. While the grain of Pine is not as figured as Swamp Ash, Pine in generally lighter in weight and the lower density of Pine yields a smooth and even response across the spectrum. Yes, it's a softer wood than Ash or Alder but any guitar will ding if you drop it. 

The L-1000 features G&L well-known passive treble and bass controls, offering both high and low frequency roll-off. The 3-position toggle switch works similar to their Fallout bass. In the parallel mode there is a pleasant midrange thickness with a smooth top end that takes any metallic edge off what is otherwise exceptional clarity. Sonically it's somewhat similar to a P-bass, no doubt somewhat due to its dentral mounting location. It's a great setting to use with a pick when you want a clear tone and crisp articulation without a bunch of pick noise.

The single coil (middle) mode ups the top end response and leans out the middle. It's a classic JB tone with distinct note separation, and great sensitivity to playing dynamics. It's a primo setting for slap players, or if you just like to use your fingers. Adding a touch of high end roll-off creates a bright-but-silky tone that cuts without being harsh.

The single coil with boost ("OMG" mode) uses a low pass filter to emphasize the bass frequencies. It adds quite a bit of low end fullness to go the clear top end of the single coil mode. It gives the L-1000 a big rich sound without feeling out of balance (the even response of pine helps here too). It bears repeating that the passive controls on this bass are really good, and you've got the ability to trim the L-1000 to the characteristics of your particular rig.

We did not know what to expect of the L-1000, and cynics might assume it's just a re-package of an existing model; or as they say in the automotive world, "badge engineering". However, the CLF L-1000 really impressed us with its clarity, sense of openness, and highly flexible control package. It's not "half" an L-2000, and while it lacks the humbucker grunt of the Kiloton, it's more expressive and nuanced.

We an authorized G&L dealer in Bellingham Massachutts and have good selection of G&L instruments in stock at all times. Feel free to browse our listings or contact us about a special order.