G&L Musical Instruments Reportedly Shuts Down

G&L Musical Instruments, the guitar company founded by Leo Fender in 1979 based in Fullerton, California, appears to have gone silent after 45 years of operation, though no formal announcement has been made.

Speculation surrounding the guitar brand began circulating online in late October after posts on a G&L fan page suggested that the company had ceased operations. On Oct. 31, the rumors intensified as evidence hinted at a quiet shutdown. Reports surfaced of staff furloughs, an impending sale, and large amounts of G&L parts and materials being discarded into dumpsters throughout the month.

Adding to the speculation, sources online claim that Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) may have purchased G&L’s intellectual property, including trademarks associated with the “Leo Fender” name. Neither G&L or Fender has issued an official statement addressing these reports.

According to The Orange County Register, G&L’s parent company, BBE Sound Inc., has officially dissolved.

“According to the California Secretary of State’s online business search tool, BBE, which was the parent company of G&L, terminated its corporate status with the state on Tuesday, Oct. 28,” the outlet reported. “As well, the fact that loads of the company’s parts and materials have been tossed into dumpsters throughout October only adds to the circumstantial confirmation that G&L, this last direct connection to Leo Fender’s instrumental genius, has gone dark.” MI — Kimberly Kapela