Edwards/ESP vs G&L Tribute

[Dr Anatta]

Wondering who here has owned either of these. I'm looking to buy a spare/backup guitar, and I happened across Edwards when I did a search for ESP. According to the wisdom of the Net (which isn't really) Edwards is made by the ESP folks. But I've heard good things about the G&L tribute series. I'm kinda' tired of Fender, and thought these might make good alternatives.

I really don't want to spend more than 700 *max* on a used guitar. But it needs to be something that can be used on jobs/gigs in case something happens to my guitar (currently my only). I'm not real sold on brand names, my guitar I've been using for years is just a partscaster. But I would like it to be a good guitar.

 

[savofenno]

Wondering who here has owned either of these. I'm looking to buy a spare/backup guitar, and I happened across Edwards when I did a search for ESP. According to the wisdom of the Net (which isn't really) Edwards is made by the ESP folks. But I've heard good things about the G&L tribute series. I'm kinda' tired of Fender, and thought these might make good alternatives.

I really don't want to spend more than 700 *max* on a used guitar. But it needs to be something that can be used on jobs/gigs in case something happens to my guitar (currently my only). I'm not real sold on brand names, my guitar I've been using for years is just a partscaster. But I would like it to be a good guitar.

For 700 you can get a very good G&L! ESP/LTD is not bad either, but for that much i would take G&L.

I own 2 G&L Teles, Bluesboy Thinline and ASAT Classic, i need more.

(link removed)

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They cost 400 and 500 in USA.

 

[Dr Anatta]

Thanks. I should mention that the ESP is not the actual brand. As I understand it, Edwards is made by the same company/factory, but is made to the standards of the high end ESP guitars, not the less expensive LTD's, etc.

I've heard nothing but great things about the Japanese guitars for the fifteen years. And the G&L are now made in Indonesia, and I have no idea what kind of QC G&L is doing. Maybe I need to see if there's a G&L dealer with some Tribute models I can go try.

 

[JD0x0]

The Indonesian tributes are good. I own 3. An ASAT Deluxe HB, Legacy FMT, and Jerry Canrtrell model superhawk. All 3 were purchased online from Musician's friend for a steal price of $300 each.
For $700 you could get 2 G&L Tributes, if you shop around.

The Indonesian Tributes are more comparable to US Fender than MIM Fender, in build quality, IMO.

 

[Chud]

I got an ASAT Deluxe on the stupidest Stupid Deal of the Day there ever was. I should have bought 2. QC for G&L Indo seems spot on as mine was just about flawless when it arrived, and it's long past the honeymoon phase and it's still one of my first picks off the wall.

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/bad-dog-...etimes-just-doesnt-pay-follow-these-does.html

 

[Dr Anatta]

Wow, that's great news guys! Comparable to US Fender no less. I had US G&L's in the 80's and 90's, and still kick myself for selling them all off. I'd rather have a G&L than a Fender, I just like the way they do things more than I do Fender.

Question - are the nuts plastic or bone?

I'm still considering the Edwards, even though they cost more, as they have a bone nut, and come with Duncan pickups, really solid electronics and hardware.

Decisions, decisions...

 

[Dr Anatta]

I got an ASAT Deluxe on the stupidest Stupid Deal of the Day there ever was. I should have bought 2. QC for G&L Indo seems spot on as mine was just about flawless when it arrived, and it's long past the honeymoon phase and it's still one of my first picks off the wall.

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/bad-dog-...etimes-just-doesnt-pay-follow-these-does.html

Question there, Chud. On the guitar in that thread - is it real or photo quilt?

 

[Chud]

Question there, Chud. On the guitar in that thread - is it real or photo quilt?

Real flamed maple top. And it's glorious.

A couple more pics:

 

[deytookerjaabs]

You have to play them first. Just play a Fender then the G&L (if it's a Fender style Edwards you're looking for).

The G&L Tributes are stock with just about the biggest fretwire in the biz, many have thin necks with a 12" radius but some have 9" whereas the Edwards Tele/Strats are more conservative with smaller wire and 7.25" or 9" radius. That's a total matter of preference. The G&L will have a real thick finish too but some do have a satin neck and the Edwards will have lacquer that resembles the feel of those "Nash" guitars rather than a Fender custom or AVRI.

Edwards (japan) seem real consistent and likely have better quality control than G&L Tribute models across the board. I've played some nice tributes but I've also run into some awful ones..notably a couple months back one of those butterscotch ASATs where the neck was caked in so much finish that the jumbo's were almost completely covered up; like a poor example of a CBS Fender. Level those frets just once and you're left with a fret in a pool of finish. They also have a small reputation for truss adjustment issues too, so watch out.

As for pickups, psshhh, total crapshoot, G&L pickups are quite lovely and their vintage style pickups are as good as anything else as well. I'm sure the SD's on the Edwards are nice too.

And, if you're really tired of the Fender feel don't get a 25.5" bolt-on at all.

 

[Dr Anatta]

You have to play them first. Just play a Fender then the G&L (if it's a Fender style Edwards you're looking for).

The G&L Tributes are stock with just about the biggest fretwire in the biz, many have thin necks with a 12" radius but some have 9" whereas the Edwards Tele/Strats are more conservative with smaller wire and 7.25" or 9" radius. That's a total matter of preference. The G&L will have a real thick finish too but some do have a satin neck and the Edwards will have lacquer that resembles the feel of those "Nash" guitars rather than a Fender custom or AVRI.

Edwards (japan) seem real consistent and likely have better quality control than G&L Tribute models across the board. I've played some nice tributes but I've also run into some awful ones..notably a couple months back one of those butterscotch ASATs where the neck was caked in so much finish that the jumbo's were almost completely covered up; like a poor example of a CBS Fender. Level those frets just once and you're left with a fret in a pool of finish. They also have a small reputation for truss adjustment issues too, so watch out.

As for pickups, psshhh, total crapshoot, G&L pickups are quite lovely and their vintage style pickups are as good as anything else as well. I'm sure the SD's on the Edwards are nice too.

And, if you're really tired of the Fender feel don't get a 25.5" bolt-on at all.

That's solid information there, thanks for that. I'm not tired of 25.5 scale length bolt on, I'm just tired of the the odd feel that many Fenders have. Some are solid and woody feeling, others are thin and plasticy seeming. And it's not a matter of it being a less expensive model. I played with a guy who had a custom shop Fender that was not good at all. I didn't say it to him, but I thought after playing it, "you paid too much". Maybe it's just Fender guitars are wildly inconsistent, I'm not sure. I'll have to find a local Tribute dealer here in DFW and go try some out.

 

[Teledelphia]

I have a MIJ Edwards Les Paul copy. It's not an ESP LP style like you see here in the States but a non-export model made for the Japanese market. It is a beautifully made guitar with impeccable QC, tone and playability. Edwards makes some really nice Tele style guitars for the Japanese market. The current Edwards Tele models I like are the E-TE-100TM (their version of an early 60's Tele Custom w/ double bound body and rosewood board) and E-TE-100m (50's style w/ maple board). Both have Duncan STR-2 / STL-2 pickups, vintage style Gotoh hardware, and a thin top coat of nitro over poly. As far as overall quality, the Edwards are pretty much equal to an American Standard Tele. If you can get your hands on a clean MIJ Edwards Tele you got yourself a really nice guitar, comparable to a USA made Fender or US G&L.

 

[Dr Anatta]

I have a MIJ Edwards Les Paul copy. It's not an ESP LP style like you see here in the States but a non-export model made for the Japanese market. It is a beautifully made guitar with impeccable QC, tone and playability. Edwards makes some really nice Tele style guitars for the Japanese market. The current Edwards Tele models I like are the E-TE-100TM (their version of an early 60's Tele Custom w/ double bound body and rosewood board) and E-TE-100m (50's style w/ maple board). Both have Duncan STR-2 / STL-2 pickups, vintage style Gotoh hardware, and a thin top coat of nitro over poly. As far as overall quality, the Edwards are pretty much equal to an American Standard Tele. If you can get your hands on a clean MIJ Edwards Tele you got yourself a really nice guitar, comparable to a USA made Fender or US G&L.

Wound up getting a USA G&L.

 

[Teledelphia]

Good choice.....Can't go wrong with a USA G&L. Love to see some pictures.

 

[boris bubbanov]

Wound up getting a USA G&L.

Excellent choice. As I was reading and saw you had a budget of $ 700, I immediately felt you may as well get the genuine Fullerton product. When ordered bespoke, they can be pretty pricey but I've found 5 new or NOS USA G + Ls

for far below their "list" price and the other, even easier approach was to just buy used USA G + Ls since their "retained" value is poor (or should we say used FMICs and Gibsons are overvalued?). I doubt you can find nice used USA G + Ls for $ 350 anymore but they're excellent value.

 

[bigben55]

I have a Tribute Bluesboy I bought used but mint, for $350. I put another $150 into it, not because I needed to but I wanted to. New pickups and better electronics (CTS pots, Fender CRL switch, switch craft jack). It's my most played guitar right now, and I have a USA G&L Legacy, have had another Tribute, 2 MIM Fenders and 2 USA Fenders.

The Indonesian Tributes are darn good guitars. IMO, BETTER than anything you can get for $350 gently used.

 

[Dr Anatta]

Excellent choice. As I was reading and saw you had a budget of $ 700, I immediately felt you may as well get the genuine Fullerton product. When ordered bespoke, they can be pretty pricey but I've found 5 new or NOS USA G + Ls

for far below their "list" price and the other, even easier approach was to just buy used USA G + Ls since their "retained" value is poor (or should we say used FMICs and Gibsons are overvalued?). I doubt you can find nice used USA G + Ls for $ 350 anymore but they're excellent value.

Yeah, it hit me one afternoon, "Why not search Craigslist for a US G&L?" and voila, there were three, one for 750.00 and two for 700.00. It plays nice, although I prefer a neck not quite as wide, more of a classic "C" neck. Kinda' wish I'd checked out the one that was the same color as yours on the far right. But still, for 700.00 I can't complain. It's an insanely light swamp ash, and it absurdly resonant. sounds great, although the neck pickup was replaced with a Cavalier Lion. I'm toying with replacing the bridge pickup with a spare Cavalier Nashville, as the MFD seems to somehow tie into the extreme resonance of the guitar.

In any case, what's not to love?

 

[bigben55]

I had that same pickup set in a MIM Tele, sounded killer. Next tele I get will have a Cavalier Nocaster and a covered Lioness in it.

Here's my Tribute Bluesboy. I know the strat knobs won't be everyone here's favorite but I prefer them.

 

[Dr Anatta]

I had that same pickup set in a MIM Tele, sounded killer. Next tele I get will have a Cavalier Nocaster and a covered Lioness in it.

Here's my Tribute Bluesboy. I know the strat knobs won't be everyone here's favorite but I prefer them.

So I'm not the only one who's ditched the MFD, huh?

At least you can see those knobs on stage. I keep the traditional knobs and use a dot of red nail polish on the knob, and a sharpie to mark the spot on the control plate.

 

[bigben55]

When I upgraded to CTS pots, I got strat pots. Added the small dots as knob markers. Works great on stage. I found plugged into a cranked 5E3, where clean is guitar vol knob at 6, you need to know where 6 is!