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Merging Classic Design and Modern Innovation





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Our Product Research Team





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Guitarists at Sweetwater enjoy G&L CLF Research guitars so much because they exhibit classic earmarks that made Leo Fender’s instrumental conceptions so continuously groundbreaking. The CLF Research S-500 exhibits these touches and pays homage to an era that saw so much history unfolding ? the late 1970s. For the base, you’ll find a sonically pleasing tonewood combination of okoume for the body, hard-rock maple for the neck, and delightfully playable maple for the fingerboard. The CLF Research S-500 also sports three Magnetic Field Design (MFD) pickups in the classic SSS configuration and a G&L Dual-Fulcrum vibrato tailpiece. Select '70s-inspired touches like crinkle powder-coated aluminum pickguard and a headstock referencing an original G&L design finish this guitar off with vintage mastery combined with modern innovation.





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PTB tone system ? tone knobs you'll love





The more we play with G&L's PTB tone system here at Sweetwater, the more we realize how useful it is to have a low-cut control on an electric guitar. The PTB tone system essentially includes one traditional tone knob to roll off high frequencies, and another tone knob to roll off low frequencies. The bass roll-off is especially useful in high gain applications like fuzz pedals, tightening up low-end punch and keeping your tone from getting too muddy. It's also a great way to add guitar overdubs to a mix without adding too much low-mid frequency content.





Serial CLF2404009


Serial CLF2404009


Single-coil trio delivers amazing tone





The trio of MFD pickups in the CLF Research S-500 is a tone-chaser's dream. Ever pushing the boundaries, Leo Fender designed the MFD with a thicker magnet and fewer coils. The result is a tighter magnetic field with an increased output that translates to big tone. This higher output doesn't compromise the classic glassy single-coil tone nor the detail in notes they are known for. Each pickup also features individually adjustable pole pieces that give you even further control on shaping the tone of these pickups. In addition to the familiar five-way pickup selector, the Fullerton Deluxe S-500 offers a mini-toggle switch to give you access to two additional pickup modes ? neck plus bridge pickups, and all pickups on.





G&L CLF Research S-500 Electric Guitar Features:


Pays homage to the Fender Avenue history of the '70s


Magnetic Field Design (MFD) single-coil pickups generate deep lows, punchy mids, and sparkly highs


Modern Classic neck profile with 9.5-inch fretboard radius plays fast and smooth


22 medium-jumbo frets


PTB (passive treble and bass) tone controls give you high-cut and low-cut options for an endless array of tonal combinations to explore


Dual-Fulcrum vibrato designed by Leo Fender offers expressive potential with impressive tuning stability


Crinkle powder-coated aluminum pickguard and headstock based on an original G&L design for true vintage flare