The Little Oddball That Could: A G&L Tribute Fallout Review

G&L Tribute Fallout Review: The Ultimate Versatile & Affordable Offset Guitar START A RIOT

Overview

The G&L Tribute Fallout is a modern reimagining of Leo Fender's classic 1983 G&L SC-2, a guitar beloved by new wave and indie artists for its comfortable, lightweight body and thrash-worthy reliability. The Fallout keeps that spirit alive but updates the formula for today's player, offering a unique pickup combination that delivers a surprisingly wide array of tones ("G&L Tribute Series"). It’s a stylish offset that punches well above its weight, aiming to be a versatile workhorse for players who want something a little different.

Key Features

Here are the specs for the current model, straight from G&L headquarters:

  • Body Wood: Poplar (Note: earlier models reviewed in 2014 used Mahogany)
  • Neck: Bolt-On Hard-Rock Maple with Medium C profile
  • Scale Length: 25.5"
  • Fingerboard: Rosewood or Maple with a 12" radius
  • Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo
  • Pickups: Paul Gagon-designed G&L AP4285B P-90 (neck) and G&L AW4470B Humbucker (bridge)
  • Controls: 3-position selector, volume, and a push/pull tone pot for coil-tapping the humbucker
  • Bridge: G&L Saddle-Lock
  • Tuners: 18:1 ratio, sealed-back

(Tribute Series FALLOUT)

Professional Reviews Summary

Professional critics are largely smitten with the Tribute Fallout's blend of quality, tone, and value. Reviews from 2014, when the model often featured a mahogany body, praised its high-quality construction and impressive attention to detail, noting that the neck pocket was impressively tight and the overall feel was very solid for an import model (Gill). The unique P-90 and splittable humbucker combination is consistently highlighted as the guitar's strongest feature. The neck P-90 is described as delivering warm, singing "woman tones," while the humbucker is surprisingly bright and percussive, capable of everything from snappy "chicken-pickin'" to snarling rock leads (Gill). MusicRadar called it a "weird hybrid" and "one cool guitar," praising its "comprehensive gamut of tones" and excellent value for the money (Horsley). It’s seen as a formidable instrument that can handle everything from jangly hooks to dirty riffs with personality to spare.

User Sentiment Summary

In the hands of everyday players, the G&L Tribute Fallout earns a reputation as a solidly built and tonally versatile guitar. Users on forums and retail sites frequently echo the professional sentiment that the pickups are well above average for this price point ("G&L Tribute Fallout"). A verified purchaser on zzounds.com raved about the neck feel and the pickup combination, calling it "probably one of the best guitars I've ever played" ("Verified Purchaser"). However, some long-term users suggest that while the core of the guitar is fantastic, there are a few weak links. The electronics, specifically the pots and switches, are sometimes cited as being of lesser quality than the rest of the instrument ("G&L Tribute Fallout"). One blogger who has owned multiple Fallouts suggests the stock bridge humbucker is the guitar's weakest point, but notes that a cheap pickup swap can elevate the instrument from "OK to freaking amazing" ("Building a better").

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Tonal Versatility: The P-90/humbucker duo with a coil-split offers a huge range of sounds, from warm and smooth to bright, snarling, and jangly (Gill).
  • Excellent Build Quality: Reviewers consistently praise the solid construction, tight neck pocket, and quality hardware like the G&L Saddle-Lock bridge (Gill, Horsley).
  • Great Value: It punches well above its price in terms of feel, playability, and sound (Horsley).
  • Comfortable and Stylish: The lightweight, offset SC-2 body shape is comfortable for long playing sessions and has a unique, cool aesthetic ("Building a better").

Cons

  • Weaker Electronics: Some users report that the pots and switches can feel cheap and may be candidates for a future upgrade ("G&L Tribute Fallout").
  • Bridge Pickup: The stock bridge humbucker has been described by some as a weak point that could be improved ("Building a better").
  • Inconsistent Specs: Be aware that body wood has varied over the years (Poplar on new models, Mahogany on many older ones), which can affect tone (Gill, "Tribute Series FALLOUT").

Ideal For

The G&L Tribute Fallout is ideal for the intermediate-to-advanced player looking for a versatile and affordable workhorse with a unique character. It's perfect for guitarists in genres like indie rock, punk, garage rock, and alternative who need an axe that can cover a lot of sonic ground without breaking the bank.

Competing Products

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Works Cited