G&L ASAT Classic

[Kmaz]

In pricing this guitar, the ASAT Classic seems like a great value for the money. I think I'd prefer one over an American Std Tele from Fender.

 

[mad dog]

Me too. Got one new in '94. It's my first choice open tuning and slide guitar, due to a wonderful neck p/u. Truth is, it could be a first choice for anything. Not much you couldn't do with this guitar.

Not all are equal. I tried several before finding this one. Same as with any other model.
MD

 

[Sprinter]

The Asat Classic is a great guitar! I prefer the Asat Classic Custom. It has an Asat Special pickup in the neck position.

Sprinter

 

[Bo Faulkner]

A used ASAT classic is the best tele on the planet (for the money of course) I am in love with mine

 

[Boris Bubbanov]

I've got 2; they're great value for money, especially barely used.

I switch the bridge out for a Tele 3 barrel type, with compensated saddles. And I install a Tone Block from Vince Stadler (Taipantone) in aluminum or brass in place of the factory Delrin block.

Now, the frets are not small and you will have to pay attention as to whether the one you are buying is 7.50 radius or 12 radius.

 

[cruster]

Had one that I shouldn't have sold. Solid quality and great value.

 

[b2sc]

Mine's defintely a keeper. I swapped out the pups with some boutique tele pickups and it nails the vintage tele sound. Mine has a HUGE boatneck; bigger than a Nocaster which I really like.

There was a Nocaster for sale locally I was going to sell this ASAT for. I went to demo the Nocaster at the seller's home and brought this ASAT for comparison. I was quite surprised I liked the ASAT over the high end Fender (in pretty much every aspect) and just walked away from the Nocaster and haven't thought about one since. ASAT is the way to go.

 

[HurricaneJesus]

Now, the frets are not small...

If it's anything like mine then this is an understatement! Great guitars for the money, though, and you'll pretty much never fret out on one of these suckers.

 

[THebert]

The Asat Classic is a great guitar! I prefer the Asat Classic Custom. It has an Asat Special pickup in the neck position.

Sprinter

Nice! G&Ls are great values.

 

[Kmaz]

G&L offers some nice finishes also...

 

[Bo Faulkner]

Mine has the vintage radius and big nice frets.. has a very easy action. I really like the stock pickups

 

[bgood]

Is that ASAT special pickup similar to a P90? I'm thinking about swapping out the neck bucker in my Bluesboy.

 

[Jef Bardsley]

It's similar in construction. Leo borrowed a few things like the grounded backplate, adjustable pole pieces, and of course the wide coil. However, it has one ceramic magnet that magnetized vertically, very different from Gibson's two horizontal alnico magenets.

The result isn't all that much like a P-90, it's more like a huge Strat pickup on steroids. It definitely sounds like Leo wound it, but it has more output, more harmonics and detail, and IMHO, is the most sensitive pickup to playing nuances I've ever used.

If that sounds appealing, go for it. If you just want a single coil version of your humbucker's tone without the honk of two coils, then a P-90 would be better. Either will give you more bass and treble. Neither will fit in a humbucker route, however.

 

[Kmaz]

Which neck option should you go for on a G&L if you're looking for their largest profile? Can you get a fat neck G&L with the vintage radius?

 

[Sprinter]

Here's a link to the G&L neck options: http://www.glguitars.com/instruments/USA/options/guitar.asp


Sprinter

 

[gtraddict]

Which neck option should you go for on a G&L if you're looking for their largest profile? Can you get a fat neck G&L with the vintage radius?

Their biggest neck to me is the #1v by far, I have 3 with this neck option

 

[Kmaz]

gtraddict, how does the 'V' shape feel? Very prounced 'V' or kind of a boat shape? Thanks

 

[bgood]

It's similar in construction. Leo borrowed a few things like the grounded backplate, adjustable pole pieces, and of course the wide coil. However, it has one ceramic magnet that magnetized vertically, very different from Gibson's two horizontal alnico magenets.

The result isn't all that much like a P-90, it's more like a huge Strat pickup on steroids. It definitely sounds like Leo wound it, but it has more output, more harmonics and detail, and IMHO, is the most sensitive pickup to playing nuances I've ever used.

If that sounds appealing, go for it. If you just want a single coil version of your humbucker's tone without the honk of two coils, then a P-90 would be better. Either will give you more bass and treble. Neither will fit in a humbucker route, however.

Thanks for that info. I've got an SG classic for my P-90 fix. I think I like the idea of a super strat neck PUP. Sometimes I love the bucker and other times not so much. I think I'd be happier with something else in there. that MFD seems right - and it looks very cool in those pics. I'll have to find one so I can play it.

 

[SouthpawGuy]

Hi Kmaz, I have an ASAT Classic Custom, the neck is chunky with the 12" radius fingerboard, frets are medium jumbo by Dunlop. It also has a satin finish birds eye neck and fingerboard. The neck MFD is wound extra hot for that model and sounds different to standard MFDs and also the large rectangular ones found in the ASAT Special. The body also has the rear contour or belly cut.

pics ...

 

[Kmaz]

Yes, that's the G&L I'd love to own right there. I really like that Natural Gloss finish, but not sure about the 12" radius. Does it work well with the thick neck shape?

Thanks for the pics!