G&L Espada HH and Espada HH Active: Based on lost Leo Fender design

02 Aug 2023 by Jef |

4,4 / 5,0 | Approximate reading time: 2 Minutes

G&L Espada HH and Espada HH Active · Source: Instagram/G&L

Previous Next

These new G&L Espada HH and Espada HH Active models are based on the lost Leo Fender design dating from 1969. Now, they are available as part of the CLF Research Guitars range. Equipped with twin humbuckers and some great features.

Espada

The G&L CLF Research Espada HH and Espada HH Active models are two variations of the design that Leo Fender created back in ’69.

This lost design is now available with some interesting wiring options and twin humbuckers. Previously it has been available as a split single coil model only.

Visually, they are practically identical, except that the Espada HH has uncovered pickups whereas the Espada HH Active has covered pickups.

Honeyburst

Espada HH

First up is the Espada HH and this model comes with either an alder body in a black or white finish or an ash-bodied model in Honeyburst or Cherryburst finish. The burst finishes come with either a white or black pickguard.

Both versions come with a hard rock maple neck with a 9.5”-radius Caribbean rosewood fretboard fitted with 22 frets, white pearl block inlays and a bone nut.

Hardware includes a set of Kluson tuners and Leo Fender’s G&L Saddle-Lock bridge.

Espada HH Black

Passive Humbuckers

The HH model has a set of G&L’s AW4470Z and AS4255Z alnico humbuckers. These are controlled with volume, treble and bass controls, as well as two toggles for coil-splitting and a kill switch.

All of the controls are mounted on the curved control plate, which is large enough to accommodate all those knobs and switches.

MSRP – USD 2099

Espada White

Espada HH Active

The HH Active model sports a set of AS4255C and AW4368C humbuckers, combined with a Micro-Preamp. For active duty, the kill switch of the passive Espada HH models above is replaced by this active preamp.

This preamp has a three-way mini-toggle to control the various preamp modes of passive/active/active-bright.

Espada HH Active Cherryburst

The guitar is the same as the HH model above, with the same wood, hardware and colour options. Just users have that active control option instead.

MSRP – USD 2199

Verdict

Working out which version is better for you will probably come down to how you use your guitar. Active circuits can certainly be useful live and in the studio for some guitarists.

Overall, I can see these new HH and HH Active versions of the Espada being more versatile than the previous single-coil models.