My guitar collection - G&L
After the release of the 25th Anniversary model, all tooling was available to produce the Magnetic Field Design (MFD) humbuckers again. The last time prior G&L had been using Leo’s patented MFD pups was on the F-100 model in the 1980s, but now it would be a waste not to use the opportunity. So the Custom Creations Department created this Limited Edition, with similar body shape as the old F-100, MFD humbuckers, Dual-Fulcrum Vibrato (DFV), and Schaller closed tuning machines. The solid mahogany body with a Premium Grade flame maple top has a special Port Wine finish and natural wood binding. The hard-rock maple neck has an 12” ebony fingerboard, Dunlop (Medium) Jumbo 6100 frets, and 1⅝” nut. Instead of the original headstock shape, this model sports the modern G&L hook. It has the modern passive F-100 wiring harness including a push-pull tone control to switch between humbucking and single-coil mode. Although announced in July 2007, production of the 100 instruments, of which this is #2, only started in October! It comes with a Silver Certificate of Authenticity and special tolex hardshell case. For more information, see its Rarebird section in the Registry of the Guitars by Leo (GbL) website and this archived snapshot from 2017 of its page on the then G&L website.
F-100 Return Edition
The story behind this guitar
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In early-October 2007, as every other GbL member, I was given the chance to obtain one when Tim Page, of Buffalo Brothers fame, had scored an amazing collection of G&L during a trip through the Pacific Northwest. Among the guitars were a couple of Phyllis model: ‘Blondie’ guitars and F-100 Return Editions; both Limited Editions and hence of interest to me. And all as good as new at a reduced price. But I did not bite. So much choice ... hard to make a choice ... no more choice to make. You snooze, you lose! But here is one nonetheless as another member to my Limited Edition collection in pristine condition, at an even better price. And this guitar is absolutely gorgeous. Compared to the 25th Anniversary model, the F-100 is even more of a screamer. With my Express 5:25 in the 5W Class A setting, it easily overdrives the clean channel when selecting the humbuckers at full volume. And then it cleans up nicely when you turn it down. Has a kind of Les Paul sonic aura to it. The single-coil tones are very useful. They are not like an ASAT or anything, but they do not sound as tinny as I have experienced on some other guitars and still have a nice quack in the middle position. If you need a single guitar to gig with, both the ASAT Trinity Special Edition and (pre-BBE) ASAT III w/maple fingerboard have some stiff competition from the F-100 Return Edition. This guitar only loses from the ASAT III by a whisker with the Trinity close on its heels in third.
The story behind this guitar
2007
CLF48104 (#2 of 100)
none, marked ‘f100 glossy’
OCT 25 2007
