tuning stability, and according to some has a sound that is more mellow than a traditional bridge. It allows the player to bend notes up as well as down. See also Tremolo arm. The G&L "Saddle-Lock bridge" utilizes a small Allen screw on the side of the bridge, to reduce side-to-side movement of the individual string saddles. The design, and the bridge's beefy dimensions, aim to prevent loss of sustain due to this sideways motion by locking the saddles together. The "Tilt Neck Mechanism" designed and patented by George Fullerton. This feature is no longer used, and was a carryover from Music Man production. The "Bi-cut neck design" involved cutting the neck lengthwise perpendicular to where the fretboard is later installed, routing a channel for the truss rod, then gluing the two neck pieces back together. As G&L moved production to CNC machines, this method was phased out. Models In 2003, G&L introduced the Tribute series to the US market as a more affordable alternative to the USA built products. Tribute G&L's were made in Korea by Cort Guitars using USA hardware, and electronics in many of the guitars. Some non-original parts were also used on value-based models, such as those sold exclusively through Guitar Center. The pickups used are all originally made by G&L in Fullerton, California. Production of the guitars has since moved to a Cort facility in Indonesia. Before 2003, Tribute guitars were briefly produced in Japan for non-US markets, shifting to South Korea. The Tribute series is offered in many of the same body shapes as their original creations although some use hardware and pickups designed by G&L but sourced in Asia. The Asian sourced hardware is generally considered good quality and roughly comparable to US offerings. The Tribute SB-2 was offered briefly but was discontinued, however, it was reintroduced late 2006/early 2007. The JB-2 was introduced to the Tribute series at the same time. As of 2020, the Tribute line contains many of the standard offerings from G&L including the Commanche, S-500, Legacy, various ASAT models, Doheny and others. Notable users Tom Hamilton (Aerosmith) Ben Gibbard Gustavo Cerati Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains) Elliot Easton Marissa Paternoster Jake Cinninger Mark St. John See also Fender Musical Instruments Corporation Music Man Bibliography References External links G&L Tribute Series G&L guitar registry Guitar manufacturing companies of the United States Guitar pickup manufacturers Bass guitar manufacturing companies