My guitar collection - G&L

 
 

Upon introduction in 1985, G&L listed the “Superstrat” Invader with only the Kahler™ 2320 flat mount fine-tuner vibrato. However, starting late-1987, one could also opt for a Leo Fender Vibrato (LFV) only adding $35 to the MSRP. This Invader has the 1st generation “Pat. Pend.” version of the LFV. A Schaller bridge humbucker is combined with 2 Skyhawk Magnetic Field Design (MFD) single-coil pickup operated by a wiring harness providing separate pickup on/off switches, volume control, and tone control. The (Black) soft maple body is mated with a hard-rock maple (pre-BBE) #3 neck with 12” radius ebony fingerboard and 1¾” nut width, Leo Fender string lock mechanism, and G&L branded Schaller closed tuning machines. Consult the “Superstrat” page on how the 1996-2017 BBE-era Invader series of instruments differed.

 

Invader w/Leo Fender Vibrato

The story behind this guitar

Year:

Serial number:

Neck date:

Body date:

Strings:


With the 3rd style Interceptor HSS with (2nd generation) Leo Fender Vibrato already in the collection, this model initially had a very low priority. But this specimen, which has previously been owned by (old) Guitars by Leo member West Side Duck, unexpectedly popped up on Reverb in early-2017 offered through Rockin’ Robin Guitars in Houston, TX. The fact it has a 1st generation Leo Fender Vibrato was a major attraction, especially when comparing its price to other similar Invaders listed at the same time with that version of the vibrato. In the day, the Schaller humbucker was frequently swapped out for a different, more powerful humbucker. The mounting ring on this one, with its single screw for height adjustment on either side, seemed to be an indicator of such a swap. But no, it is the stock pickup with a “10/85 -2-” date sticker. The guitar is well-played and shows the appropriate scars. The vibrato feels much stiffer though, I think because the springs are non-original (Fender) springs. As can be expected from such a rock monster, the sound is powerful, with a remarkable good balance between the humbucker and single-coils. No matter what pickup(s) you turn on, you have your hands on a versatile tone machine.

The story behind this guitar

1987

G020694

MAY 7 1987

APR 29 1987

D’Addario EXL110 Nickel Wound Regular Light (10-46)