Description
The Espada HH Active brings a shape that sat dormant at CLF Research for decades back into the spotlight, now built around a pair of G&L alnico humbuckers. The neck pickup stays smooth and articulate while the bridge unit adds bite, mirroring the voicing found across G&L’s other HH-equipped models.
Where the passive Espada HH keeps things simple with a kill-switch, the Active version swaps it for a 3-way mini-toggle that steps through passive, active, and active-bright preamp modes. Powered by G&L’s Micro-Preamp, this circuit acts as a buffer that isolates the pickups from cable loading, a fix Leo Fender engineered specifically to preserve high-end detail and harmonic complexity that typically gets lost through a standard cord run. Flip through the modes and you’ll hear the difference immediately, from split-coil single-tones with unexpected jangle to full humbucker output that stays tight and defined even under drive.
Controls are laid out on Espada’s wide control plate: volume, treble, and bass, each fitted with a chrome CLF Research knob, along with a coil-split mini-toggle for both pickups. Anchoring the bridge is G&L’s Saddle Lock hardtail, a design dating back to 1879 known for locking in sustain while staying comfortable under the palm.
Available finishes and configurations include:
- Jet Black / Alder / Caribbean Rosewood / 3-ply Black / Vintage Tint Gloss Neck
- Vintage White / Alder / Caribbean Rosewood / 3-ply Black / Vintage Tint Gloss Neck
- Honeyburst / Ash / Caribbean Rosewood / 3-ply Parchment / Vintage Tint Gloss Neck
- Cherryburst / Ash / Caribbean Rosewood / 3-ply Parchment / Vintage Tint Gloss Neck
G&L is not affiliated with Fender Musical Instruments Corporation; Leo Fender’s name and likeness are used with permission from G&L/BBE Sound, Inc.
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