G&L Tribute S500 

Jon, I’m so impressed with your reviews and your accolades for G&L guitars I bought an ASAT Tribute several months ago and fell in love. Now I’ve purchased an S-500 and again live at first riff! Can’t thank you enough for your unbiased reviews. Keep ‘em comin’!😊

Made me emotional. Rare a RU-vid player has feeling

Bit of a no-brainer between the Fender guitars and the G&L, especially at the price-point. The tones you were getting were exquisite.

Once had a mid-90s S-500 in "cherry" red. Beautiful guitar, but I just couldn't bond with it. I love my mid-90s ASAT Special and my ASAT Classic S (alnico). I've owned roughly 9 G&L guitars and nothing less than excellence with every one of them.

You can pull the middle Tone knob up and it does the same thing as the dip switch to give you access to all 3 pickups. Figured I'd let everyone know.

power of the Ceramic Pickups and magical touch of the Jon!

My tribute s500 has a pull switch on the middle knob that has the pickup blending like the USA model FYI. love this guitar!!!

Hi Jonathan. I think maybe you forgot to mention the control knob functionality... CONTROLS: 5-position pickup selector, volume, treble, bass (PTB™ system), push/pull expander on treble pot enabling additional pickup combinations of neck+bridge or all three pickups together. It has a push/pull knob tone shape function. Very useful for extra tones. Thanks

Bought my blueburst maybe 15 years ago for $1100. Still mint...took it apart today to clean the pots. Love this thing. A really good guitar becomes a part of you

I’m a huge fan of the G&L S-500. The fit & finish of mine rivals anything Fender has produced (in the same price range) for the last 4 decades; certainly with any consistency on their part. Plus, the coil splitter function allows this Super Strat to achieve the most beautifully clacky Strat sounds. My only concern has been the neck. It is chunkier than I like. I’ve seriously considered shaving it some to be more like my Soloist but I don’t want to damage it.

I just bought this guitar, good value

I have the s500 tribute in vintage white. It is by far my favorite strat I've ever owned. I've owned multiple mim and American strats and the creamyness of this strat beats any of them. I don't know maybe I just got lucky but this guitar is my number one go to besides my diamond maverick with pearly gates.

Another wonderful demonstration of how awesome the G&L guitars are. Incredible playing as always. Thank you for sharing. 🤠🎸🤘

Just bought a G&L Tribute S500 in Irish Ale finish. The middle knob has a pull up pot which changed all the sounds on all the positions into like a split coil, thinner kind of sound, more legacy like.

Just ordered one from Sweetwater. Can't wait to hear it in person!!!! The one that I'm getting has poplar body and rosewood fret board.

You are so convincing that I just bought it, I found 2nd hand for half the price and I'm picking it up tommorrow

I bought the same one a few days back. Sounds amazing. Love the neck. It’s super comfortable to play with. I was quite skeptical about the Brazilian cherry fingerboard but it looks and feels pretty good while playing. Really happy with the guitar and the sizzling hot MFD pickup tones.

Thinking of picking this up as a Strat copy for my Arsenal. Thanks for the video.

I went to a store in order to buy a prs silver sky. I plugged it and although I saw many reviews I didn't like at the store, it also felt 'cheap'. I also tried shur, and secheter and a american strat, the start felt like a toy to me. And after all this, last one I saw this one. Beautiful dark blue with white shining pick guard. The build quality is astonishing. What a beautiful guitar. And it's sounds great. I can't believe it cost me 550 usd.

I honestly prefer the tone of ceramics over alnico! I'm running super duper cheap 90s squier pups in my partscaster and they sound amazing although I've been thinking of putting some used silver sky pickups in it just because they sound like butter and I don't want to buy a silver sky when all I want are the pickups off of one and not the super wide neck lol!

Cool Video Jon, I have this model in a tobacco burst, love it Very nice playing

Sounds like the $2500 version in your hands. Really great playing thanks so much!!!

Great sounding guitar and very tempting. I still have the USA Deluxe model in the top of my wishlist, i will keep on saving rather than go for a lower model and regret it. Fantastic playing as always Jonathan.

G&L guitars so good

I always enjoy your demos and playing, Jon! I just ordered one of these, also in Sonic Blue. The description for mine says it's poplar, with a rosewood fretboard. I can't wait until next week! Update: I've had mine for a couple of months now and really enjoy the playability and the sound of the MFD pickups. The info I've found online indicates that the fretboard radius on these is 12 inches, not 9.5. My example has a very flat neck!

Nice soft Jazzy backing tract!

Good Demo, thanks. I just watched this after having played around, guess what did what. Then reading the spec and being slightly baffled - but the Fender demos made it plainer. Comparing models gone by only helps if you know them. I just parked a 54 Strat with one tone for all and reversed polarity centre pick-up. It didn't have the utpah of my Vintage single-cut, but that was too fatty for overdrive clarity. I digress. This Sonic Blue Tribute S500 came to me in a swap for a Martin acoustic - long story and you've alredy clicked away... FIRST IMPRESSIONS are that I can get false harmnonic squeals OK, just about anywhere that either Strat or V100 produce; with a robusticity somewhere in between that ers towards the humbucking spectrum. Good, if like me you play dirty blues rock. As yet I have to use the bass/treble cut switch correctly, but it was on for the above selections, namely bridge or centre pick-ups only (or howeber that cut switch reconfigures - it's a tad of both I think with bias towards whichever way the 5-way switch is set. Sorry if that's not clear, but we're on the same page if so. It hefts nicely in the hand, the C neck (specs say 12" not 9.5 radius) feels modern, crispy but not sticky. The frets feel humungus and tall, but after a 50s Fender... They made me a bit clattery and the bass action seems uppish; but that's all adjustable or a mater of familiarity. I've owned it less than four hours. It's light and well balanced on knee or strap. That rosewood fretboard is notable against my maple. I think it helps take some gritty edge off. I've never been a fan of coloured bodies or not-quite-Strat headstocks but that's niggly, taste: if I'd bought new I'd have gone for the redburst whatever. The vibrato isn't as stable as suggested with light use. The only reliable one I ever used (and I've tried most) was a Washburn Wonderbar. In tune for months after swinging the HM20V round like an eejit. The volume knob is too stiff for normal use, let alone violining which is part of my style. I think there's a bad connection in the switch - it goes quiet. Switch cleaner might sort it, if not I can solder - it looks shitty but it's solid. I like the pickup magnetic field idea. I think that helps gibe me my Start (sweet, responding to touch) and my V100 (fat mids, pushing overdrive channels but without going into mush). I'll yap on some more after it's done a few gigs and rehearsals - if it can cut it, which I think it will:) (THU MBS UP EMOJO)

Very cool ! Sounds fantastic for $450 US. Very affordable.

Jonathan, that soft blue colour is my dream strat colour, (but with maple fingerboard)By the sound of it in this video, it reminds me of the Musicman Sabre I have that used to belong to my brother(whose name was Jonathan)in the sense that it sounds ball-park similar to a strat, but more muscular and hard edged, depending on setting.A truly wonderful basic all-round rock ,pop, or r&b platform to thicken with overdriven or clean boosted tones in a more efficient way than how a strat could do, even if a strat might beat it 2 - 1 in natural vintage style sparkly fender cleans.I wish I knew what that colour was called, then I would get a maple necked squire classic vibe strat in that clout and start playing around with pickups!

S500’s have the Gilmore switch configuration to have the bridge and the neck pickup engaged simultaneously by pulling up the middle tone knob FYI

Hi Jonathan !.. Thanks for sharing !.. This G&L sounds gooOood !.. Nice guitar, affordable ... I like it !.. 👍🏼 ❤ 🕊

I used to have a G&L S500 American made, regret that I sold it. I picked up one just like yours, and it really is very good. You could do any gig with it, clean or dirty. Because the tone knob is difficult to pull up, I replaced the knobs with tele style knobs, like the American S500s, and now it is easy to access the other pickup combinations. It would be hard to find a better playing, better sounding guitar for anywhere near it's price.

I have a legacy and Asat, they are keepers.

And you play a cool slide as well! far out.

Awesome guitar and playing

making a 600 dollar guitar sound like a 6000 fender cs! amazing!

These really are a fantastic quality guitar. My neighbour has one and they are dripping in quality. Pity it’s a left handed version as he wouldn’t get it back 😂😂 great opening and video thanks Jon😊👍👍

Are you sure about the material? G&L website says Poplar body and rosewood fingerboard? or did they change the materials for new ones?

Very nice guitar.

This very guitar is my next axe!.

This S500 tribute is a serious competitor for Made In Mexico Fender Players Series sold twice this price. Seems better than Squier Classic Vibe Strat at same price. How would you compare this S500 to your Harley Benton ST62DLX , selling half of this price ? I love the sonic blue finish, having a MIM Fender Strat with that color. I'm not a fan of the MFD tones, bit to fat and biting for my strat taste, but your fingers make them sing melodiously.

Can you do a review of Sire's Larry carlton strat? It is almost the same price as this G&L but has a roasted maple neck and some pretty great hardware.

Cool...I have a White 1983 G&L S-500 with Ebony Fingerboard. Your sounds are just about identical on the Tribute. Don't know how to describe it other than that the S-500 has added sweetness sound to the MFD pickups. Not like my American Fat Strat at all. Two different breeds all together and nothing compares to the G&L if you are going for that sound. Ha just found the original receipt from Bronans Music. I paid 600.00 plus 35.00 for the case.

I subscribed good review, cheers

Got this exact guitar. Love it but agree neck is glossy. I totally prefer satin necks but cant take brillo to it just yet....

G&L S500 Tribute are Nato (magohany variant), not basswood and you forgot the most important part : the push-pull on the treble knob which gives you some plus pickup combinations.

Dude! You changed the name of your channel!!

The body is mahogany on the Tribute S-500.

wow $437 USD? that was an incredible deal or maybe prices jacked up in the past year. They're selling for $650 on Sweetwater now

Jonathan, would you review a Tagima Stella DW? They look incredible, and I'd love to hear one in your hands.

Sire S7 or G&L. Great videi

Sweeeeeeet !!!!

I once had a SC-3 which evolved into the S-500

Awesome review of this beauty! But are you sure it's basswood body? On the G&L website it shows Sonic Blue over Nato body, 3-ply White pickguard, tinted gloss neck finish, Brazilian Cherry fingerboard...

Great review.for your opinion what sound more straty ? S500 or strat mexico standard?

Hey Mr. Koh! I’m 18 years old and an absolute beginner to the guitar. It’s always been something I’ve been interested in, and I feel that it could become my most passionate hobby. What would you recommend to a beginner in terms of guitars and equipment? I’m interested in learning how to play songs like the one you played here as well as develop my own style. Thank you!

Hi Jon. Thanks for the review. I just bought this exact guitar and am in love. Do you share your tone setups anywhere?

Hi Jonathan, wonderful video. If you had to choose between the s500 and ASAT, which one would it be and why?

I love my Tribute S500! I really lucked out and found one used in great condition for just under $200. After playing multiple examples of S500s and Legacies, do you prefer one over the other? I guess the only really appreciable difference would be MFDs vs alnicos?

Amazing playing Mr. J!! As usual!! Which do you prefer between this one and the Tribute Legacy HSS and why?! Thanks

The tone sounds great. Here's the big question. Considering tone and playability, which do you prefer... this guitar or the Schecter Nick Johnston model? Especially for someone with small hands. Thank you!

Can s500 sound as legacy? MFD pickup more powerful then the single in legacy

Love the content Mr Koh very good 👌 so would you compare it very closely to the tribute legacy in all areas? Basically the same guitar? Asking as I have small hands and like a thin neck and also I've never played a maple fretboard and always wondered, they just look smoother, thoughts on this? Thank you

I like the fretboard on yours, is it from citymusic? The ones at guitar center have a lighter brown fretboard

I have enjoyed your G&L reviews and ended up getting a legacy tribute. I have thought about upgrading parts like the tuning machine, nut, knobs, but not sure what fits a G&L and how to find that out. Have you upgraded anything on your tributes?

Hey Jonathan, great demo. The tone reminded me of Clapton from his Cream days I had a question to ask: Are pickups very noisy? As in, do the MFDs have less 60 cycle hum? Hope you respond, and I would love a review on the G&L Tribute ASAT Special. That guitar looks very unique

Great guitar but I think the jumbo MFDs are even more unique

Doesn't this tribute version of the guitar feature a 12 inch neck radius instead of a 9.5 inch radius? is this a deal breaker? I am a beginner and I don't know which fretboard radius to learn on.

Hello, I just bought this same guitar but have no idea how to put the whammy bar in and lock it in place. Does anyone know how to do this?

Hey Jonathan, how do the Harley Bentons stack up against a tribute or a mexie fender? In your personal opinion. All I really care about are the neck and fretts

Would you recommend this guitar or g&l tribute asat classic bluesboy semi hollow

Is any diff in sound between poplar and sassafras body wood?

Comparing the Fullerton S500 to the Tribute is there a clear difference? For 3 times the cost over the tribute... does the Fullerton deliver?

Hi Jonathan, what practice amp do you recommend?

In Germany at first 399€ and now 569€, it's to much imo.

I have this in Irish Ale. It's a great guitar for $600, but I find the neck to be a little too glossy and hard to move around on. Still, it's hard to find this quality for this price.

One question please..... Legacy or s500.....…? Thank you.

No push pull?

Are the pickups silent or close to it?

Where this guitar are made?

At the moment I am searching for an “affordable” Strat-style guitar, because I am not willing to spend more than $650-700 on a guitar. So, the Tribute S-500 or Yamaha PAC612?

Too bad you can’t keep all the guitars they loan you to demo. You’d be stocked up.

Your specs are wrong. Body: Mahogony Neck: Maple with Rosewood Fingerboard

3:00 - 3:15 sick af