G&L CLF Research Skyhawk Guitar, Pharaoh Gold Firemist
Player's Perspective
After a few CLF Research releases that lit the bass world on fire (in a good way), G&L is adding some CLF guitars to the mix and boy have they hit it out of the park with these. The first introduction in the six-string CLF research world was the Skyhawk. An awesome doublecut design that takes the 3 single-coil design and puts a definitive G&L spin on it.
Tonally, it's going to sound quite a bit like an S-500. This is a smooth, versatile, Leo Fender-designed, American crafted S style guitar, but with enough twists to really set it apart and a price tag way below what it should be. This guitar is a testament to the fact that the S-500 has found its own voice in the single-coil, double-cut world. With the characteristic single coil top-end shimmer but a beefier midrange than you might be used to, the S-500 pickups have a unique and fully realized tonal identity that will enhance a whole range of styles and sit in a mix a bit better in more modern applications, or with distortion.
But unlike the S-500, this has a unique, sleek, curvy, and we think very sexy body shape. The slimmed down body profile is not only extraordinarily comfortable to play, but looks really cool. The control plate and knobs are also a nice touch that harkens back to G&L's early days along with the red plastic switch tip. The beautifully figured Caribbean rosewood fretboard on this one complements the pharaoh gold finish really well.
Stand out from the crowd with an old school Leo Fender design that has been brought into the 21st century!
Item Details
The new CLF Research Skyhawk™ brings back the best of 1980s CLF style and packs it with today's G&L performance.
It starts with George Fullerton's evolved double cutaway with a hint of offset, a slim waist and generous curves. This very comfortable body is complemented by his arched pickguard shape, his most pleasing iteration of the form.
The experience heightens with the tactile delight of those beautiful CLF knobs shimmering from an authentic CLF powder coated control plate. A 3/16" diameter stainless steel CLF vibrato arm continues the period look and feel. And of course, there's the legendary tone of those MFD single coil pickups shared with the modern S-500. Unlike the Skyhawks of the 1980s, the CLF Research Skyhawk leaves no tones behind, thanks to the addition of the S-500's mini-toggle expander with colored cap. The theme continues up the neck, thanks to the rounded, fast shape of the G&L Modern Classic profile with 9.5" radius paired with the slick feel of an old gloss finish. The original CLF/G&L Skyhawk headstock features a CLF string retainer and original style logo artwork.
Specifications
BODY
- Model: CLF Research Skyhawk
- Color: Pharaoh Gold
- Body: Alder
- Pickguard: 3-Ply Black
NECK
- Construction: Bolt-On
- Fretboard: Caribbean Rosewood (Chechen)
- Neck: Maple
- Scale: 25.5"
- Fretboard Radius: 9.5"
- Profile: Modern Classic Neck Shape - 1 11/16” nut width with 1 5/8” string spacing allows a generous edge roll for superb comfort without string fall-off. Fairly slim with mild taper from 0.820” at 1st fret to 0.870” at the 12th fret.
- Frets: Medium Jumbo, PLEK
ELECTRONICS
- Pickups: G&L S-500 MFD Single-Coils
- Controls: Vol, Treble, Bass
- Mini-Toggle: Pickup Expander
- Pickup Selector: 5-Way Blade Switch
HARDWARE
- Bridge: G&L Dual Fulcrum Vibrato
- Tuners: G&L Standard
MISCELLANEOUS
- Case: G&L Black Tolex Hardshell
- G&L Owners Info and Specs Sheet Included
- Serial #: CLF2007410
- Instrument Weight: 8.3 lbs.
Overall Condition
Music Store Live is proud to be an authorized dealer for G&L. This CLF Research Skyhawk is 100% brand new and is being sold with a full manufacturer's warranty. Photos are of the exact guitar you'll receive.
Our in-house guitar tech will inspect, test, set up, and clean all of our instruments on site prior to shipping. All of our instruments are guaranteed to be fully functional upon arrival.
Music Store Live is proud to be one of the top authorized G&L dealers in the world. We do our best to stock inventory that our team of experts feels are the best combinations of specs so you don't have to wait for a custom order from G&L. With that said, if you haven't found what you're looking for, we would be happy to custom order a G&L for you. There are lots of options to pick from so you can piece together your dream instrument. It’s easy (and affordable) to get exactly what you want via the a-la carte USA Custom ordering process. Finish, body wood, fingerboard, pickguard, bridge, neck profile, neck finish, nut type, frets, tuners, binding – there are nearly 1 million possible combinations of specs on a G&L. They also have a custom shop where virtually anything you desire is possible and is built by their most talented luthiers. We love helping our customers make their dream guitar, so don't hesitate to reach out to us if you want to make your custom G&L a reality!