G&L CLF Research S-500 Electric Guitar Honey Burst

The CLF Research S-500 by G&L brings Leo Fender's visionary spirit to life with upgraded versions of his Magnetic Field Design pickups and Dual-Fulcrum vibrato system. Loaded with sonic possibilities, this retro-futuristic instrument lets you craft and refine your tone with surgical precision thanks to its Passive Treble-Bass controls and expander switch. Whether you're searching for crystalline cleans, gritty overdrive or something in between, the S-500 serves up an array of balanced, articulate sounds to suit your style.

MFD Pickups Provide a Versatile Foundation

At the heart of the S-500 are Leo Fender's Magnetic Field Design single-coil pickups, re-engineered for enhanced warmth and sparkle. The bridge pickup cuts through the mix with focused midrange and airy highs, while the neck pickup delivers rounded lows and bell-like chime. Choose the middle pickup for snappy funk tones or to fill out chords. With the expander switch engaged, you can access the deep growl of the bridge and neck pickups together or all three pickups at once for a stratospheric jangle.

Dual-Fulcrum Vibrato Offers Fluid Performance

Leo Fender's Dual-Fulcrum vibrato system gives you masterful control over pitch with its smooth, responsive action. Forged brass saddles transfer string vibration efficiently for singing sustain, while the heavy-duty steel baseplate keeps the entire bridge stable. Whether you prefer dramatic divebombs or subtle shimmers, the Dual-Fulcrum vibrato delivers on command.

Passive Controls Shape Your Tone with Ease

While simple in design, the S-500's Passive Treble and Bass controls are remarkably effective tone-shaping tools. Separate treble and bass knobs allow you to attenuate high and low frequencies independently for precise contouring of the MFD pickups' naturally balanced voice. Roll back the treble for a rounder, jazzier sound or cut bass for a punchy edge. With a bit of experimentation, you'll be crafting custom tones in no time.

Retro Styling Meets Modern Playability

From its vintage-tinted neck and Kluson tuners to the 3-ply pickguard and "go faster" headstock logo, the S-500 looks like a long-lost relic from Leo Fender's workshop. Yet its comfortably modern C-profile neck, 9.5" radius fingerboard and medium jumbo frets provide a fast, familiar feel for contemporary players. As Leo himself said, "The looks don't make a guitar play or sound good." The S-500 proves his point, blending retro-cool style with thoroughly modern tone and playability.