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Glen Campbell’s G&L Comanche

A look at the history behind many of the guitars Glen has used throughout his career.
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jay
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Glen Campbell’s G&L Comanche

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Glen's main electric 6 string was a G&L Comanche, beginning around 2008. He used it until he quit touring.
Glen Campbell and his G&L Comanche
Glen Campbell and his G&L Comanche
GC G&L.jpg (284.22 KiB) Viewed 8027 times
Brad Conyers, Glens guitar tech in the 2000’s, spec’ed out Glen’s Comanche, most likely in 2007/08. G&L customized Glen’s guitar from a stock Comanche configuration “except for the 2 knob (volume, stacked EQ pot with center detent) and the obvious WMP pickguard. maple neck, ash body, custom metal flake blue paint”.

Brad shared that the “Comanche's split single-coil Z pickups were a better combo for use with the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe amp (mexican, silver top) Glen was using. Glen preferred the attack (treble) the Comanche gave to his lower strings, and the feel of the metal knobs on smooth, quality pots. The bridge/tailpiece was more comfortable for his right palm.”

Brad gave the guitar to Glen at the BBC studios in London on the day they shot Glen's appearance on Jules Holland (most likely in October of 2008) (the show aired in October of 2008). It became his primary electric guitar until December 2012. Glen's custom shop Fender Stratocaster remained a backup, although they used it for TV & photos as it was less "distracting".
Glen in Concert with his G&L Comanche
Glen in Concert with his G&L Comanche
Glen G&L2.jpg (123.44 KiB) Viewed 8027 times

Brad states that “It was my greatest honor to build a guitar he truly loved. More importantly, it is blue.”

Lary Spears, G&L Guitars Sales Executive, shared that Brad Conyers and he are close friends and that Brad had run the idea by Lary about customizing a G&L for Glen. Lary added that G&L does not offer customized guitars, but he had always been an admirer of Glen and jumped at the opportunity. Lary knew that the G&L Comanche would be the ideal guitar, since it was so close, body-wise, to the Fender Stratocaster.

Lary remembers it taking about 6 weeks to build the guitar. He stated that the regular Comanche had 3 knobs and a tremolo bridge, but Glen preferred 2 knobs and a hardtail bridge, to give him more room to pick and the hardtail bridge also offered more sustain.
Glen Campbell's G&L Comanche
Glen Campbell's G&L Comanche
Glen's G&L Comanche.jpg (236.79 KiB) Viewed 8015 times
Although G&L got many requests to build out Glen’s Comanche from other customers, they never did.Therefore, Glen's G&L was the only one made. Lary shared that during his time at G&L, this was the instrument he was the proudest of. There is no doubt that he is a hardcore Glen Campbell admirer.

I would like to express a tremendous amount of gratitude to Brad Conyers and Lary Spears for taking the time to share this information with me.
Glen's Guitars on the Malibu Staircase
Glen's Guitars on the Malibu Staircase
Stairs G&L.jpg (385.15 KiB) Viewed 8027 times


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