Factoids and Trivia

The G&L Interceptor was introduced in 1984 as a stunning Super Strat style guitar. Born during the peak of Heavy Metal music’s popularity, the first two versions of the Interceptor had wild looking X-shaped bodies. According to G&L researcher Gabe Dellevigne, the design was a collaborative effort between George Fullerton, Dale Hyatt, Steve Reed, and Lloyd Chewning. The guitar was available with two pickup configurations:  three MFD single coil units from the Skyhawk or two Offset MFD humbucking units from the Cavalier. It is interesting to note that G&L often used a two-tone color scheme for the finishes on many X-body Interceptors, but the earliest units (made when the model was considered a limited edition) had flame maple bodies. In fact, all the X-body guitars had solid maple bodies without exception, but the early ones were flame maple. Gabe explains that Leo Fender didn't like a guitar body with a "cap" as he wanted to keep glued surfaces to a minimum. The X-body Interceptor proved unpopular so very few were made prior to its discontinuation in 1986 due to lack of sales. My friend, Jos van Schagen, wrote a comprehensive history of the X-body Interceptors, if you are interested in more information.

 Body:  Solid; 2-piece maple

 Finish:  Clear Red/Black, nitrocellulose lacquer

 Neck:  2-piece maple, bolt-on

 Fingerboard:  Ebony; pearloid dot markers

 Number of Frets:  22

 Pickguard:  None

 Bridge:  G&L Dual Fulcrum Vibrato, chrome

 Nut:  Plastic

 Tuners:  Schaller Mini, chrome

 Pickups:  Three G&L Magnetic Field Design single coil with adjustable pole pieces

 Controls:  Master volume, master tone, 5-way pickup selector switch

 Scale Length:  25 1/2 inches

 Neck Width at Nut:  1 5/8 inches

 Body Width at Lower Bout:  13 1/8 inches

 Body Depth:  1 5/8 inches

 Weight:  n/a