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..
The CLF Research S•500 is available in:
Cherryburst over Alder, 3-ply black pickguard, maple fingerboard
Honeyburst over Swamp Ash, 3-ply parchment pickguard, Caribbean rosewood fingerboard
**P.T.B.-Passive Treble and Bass Controls-Dramatically more effective than a standard tone control, treble and bass frequencies can be separately cut with this exclusive passive style circuitry via two separate tone knobs.
**Expander Switch-A mini toggle switch (push/pull knob on Tribute Series) adds two additional pickup selections when used in conjunction with the five-position switch. The switch is on when thrown towards the pickups (knob pulled UP on Tributes) With the five-position switch set to either extreme, a selection of the bridge and neck pickup is available. All three pickups can be selected when the bridge pickup coupled with the middle pickup or the neck pickup coupled with the middle pickup is selected with the five position switch.
Founded by Leo Fender in 1980, G&L USA instruments continue to be made in the historic G&L facility on Fender Avenue in Fullerton, California, the Birthplace of Bolt-on™.
The G&L name, stylized G&L logo, distinctive “hook” headstock design, ASAT, Magnetic Field Design and MFD are registered trademarks or trademarks of G&L Musical Instruments / BBE Sound, Inc.
† The personal name, likeness and signature of Mr. Clarence Leo Fender are property of G&L Musical Instruments / BBE Sound, Inc. and may not be used in any commercial capacity without prior approval. For enquiries regarding the use of the “Leo Fender” name, likeness or signature, please contact us. G&L is not associated with Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.
