THE LENARD F-4G
After 8 years of research and study I have finally got my prototype made!
But first a bit of history to see how it all got started.
The Tele came out in 1950 ...the Strat came out in 1954 but in 1952 Leo was working on both the first Precision bass and a new guitar. It started by using the best of the Tele but added a double cut to create a better balance and better access to the upper frets. The upper horn from the Precision Bass found it's way into this Strat prototype but the lower cutaway was not used until the 1957 on the Jazzmaster. The Tele bridge PU was loved by everyone but something was needed to replace the neck PU. A new headstock was borrowed from the custom made Bigsby guitar. You will note the one on the F-4G is actually the same size as the Tele. Making it that narrow means the point where it turns back up starts at the D string tuner and not at the A string tuner like the wider Strat headstock. The stop tailpiece later became the top of the whammy design In 1954 when the Strat came out. You could choose either the the stop tail piece or the whammy in 1954.
At this point I would like to thank Trev Wilkinson who worked with Leo Fender every day for 2 years up until his death for supplying me with both documented and undocumented
information on Leo's designs and the reason for them.
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A GIBSON ???
Oddly enough I am not trying to create the missing link in Fender guitars but I was trying to design a Fender like guitar for Gibson players to not replace but add to their Gibson LP or SG etc.
Gibson lovers and for that matter Fender lovers are often in 2 different camps. Both think they have the 'perfect' guitar and will even taunt and ridicule each others choice.
BIG BUT ...In spite of this a Gibson guy usually owns recordings by ...and admires guys like Hendrix that play Fenders. So secretly a Gibson guy would love a Tele or Strat sound to use on a few tunes. Many are not sure which. They really do not need or even want a whammy and last but most important they want a 24 1/2" scale neck with a medium C shape and a 12 1/2" radius with medium Jumbo frets.
They would love a Fender vibe for the 'look' but after years of bad mouthing Fender they do NOT want to be seen playing a clone. LOL
So ...the F-4G ticks all the boxes.
It is totally accurate Fender early 50's spec for wood, hardware, PU's, tuners etc.
It is also handmade.
Finally a Gibson guy will not play junk ...but wants a cheap price since this will be a second guitar.
OUCH !!!!
I am hoping for this ...handmade guitar to be $875.00 USD or even cheaper.
I may even get it down if I can order small batches instead of one at a time
to closer to $795.00 US.
If you want to read the whole story about this guitar Google the Blog ...
The Second Best Guitar on the Planet
Any plans to make basses? That's a really cool looking guitar!
ReplyDeleteIt is good idea. I was planning on 2 more guitars first but you convinced me to finish off the second guitar and get to the bass. The body will probably look a bit similar to the F-4G. For a start a P. bass is bullet proof and with the PU in the middle adding a Jazz PU at the bridge is damn useful if not original.The big difference would be to add a '59 Gibson EBO 'Mudbucker' at the neck. the Fender PU's give you all the definition and balz you need but for a truly deep bass sound the 'Mudbucker'is killer.
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