G&L Guitars JB-5 Build To Order USA Lake Placid Super Light Weight

Born from Clarence Leo Fender’s CLF Research company, founded in 1966, the G&L brand and instruments marked the final chapter of his legendary career when they were launched in 1980. G&L instruments benefited from his lifetime of creativity and innovation, and throughout the 1980s, his groundbreaking new instruments became icons loved by musicians around the world.

Today, G&L instruments continue to be crafted in his historic factory on Fender Avenue in Fullerton, California – The Birthplace of Bolt-on™. Discover why Leo famously declared, “G&L guitars and basses are the best instruments I have ever made.”

A Legendary Heritage By the late 1970s, Clarence Leo Fender and his CLF Research company had completed his consultancy for CBS/Fender, designed and manufactured the original Music Man instruments, and were looking forward to launching a new brand.

Together with former Fender employees George Fullerton and Dale Hyatt, Leo launched G&L Instruments, incorporating advanced features derived from his decades of experience in redefining what was possible in an electric guitar and bass.

Since G&L introduced their made-in-Fullerton jazz-style bass, the G&L JB has won the hearts of bassists with its classic Alnico tones enhanced by the G&L Saddle Lock bridge, a Leo Fender innovation that delivers greater attack and sustain. The JB-4 retains the beloved Alnico sound, characterized by warmth and clarity, but with added attack and sustain thanks to the Leo Fender-designed Saddle-Lock™ bridge. This bridge ensures optimal string energy transfer to the body, resulting in an incredibly resonant instrument.

The bass captures the essence of classic bass design while incorporating subtle modern advancements. This balance makes it a versatile choice for players who appreciate tradition but aren’t afraid to move forward.