G&L ASAT

[GGJaguar]

One G&L that I had on my bucket list is a custom-ordered ASAT semi-hollow (aka "thinline" for Fenderphiles). But, other shiny things have distracted me and now to order one would be (IMHO) too expensive in addition to a near 1 year wait time. I had one many years ago, but it had a very thick metal flake finish that deadened the responsiveness and sound a bit. What I wanted this time around was a Belair Green ASAT S.H. with double bound body, bound ebony fretboard, matching headstock, vintage tint neck and Bigsby B5. One showed up that's close enough. It's from the first full year of production for this model (already 24 years old!) - Clear Orange (a favorite of mine) with a single bound body (top only), bound ebony fretboard, non-matching headstock and Bigsby B5. In fact, it's kind of Gretschy looking. The lack of matching head is no big deal with the Clear Orange finish, but the lack of binding on the back is a bit of a disappointment (I'll survive). It sounds like most ASAT S.H. models - aggressive and bright with slightly scooped mids. A fun guitar and one to check off the bucket list.

 

[AcornHouse]

Big fan of G&Ls. Here’s my ‘93 Legacy. After I got it (used), I quickly got rid of the Fender Amer. Std. Strat I had. No comparison.

 

[Coop47]

Beautiful guitar - G&L makes some nice stuff. I agree, the orange is even more beautiful in person.

Here's mine - either a '94 or '95.

 

[zulu]

Oh, man. That is sharp GG.

 

[jp]

Gorgeous guitar! Ever since I sold my Strat, I've been eyeballing G&Ls hoping the right one pops up on Reverb for me. Glad to see yours did!

 

[JohnW63]

My friend had a G&L Comanche that looked a lot like this:

I never got to play it.

 

[LeFinPepere]

Beautiful guitar - G&L makes some nice stuff. I agree, the orange is even more beautiful in person.

Here's mine - either a '94 or '95.

But....have got an amp? (Just kidding, the sight of that lovely Ampeg Gemini II makes me merry! ) G&L, c'est très bien!!!

 

[GGJaguar]

My friend had a G&L Comanche that looked a lot like this:

The Comanche (and ASAT Z-3) is unique. Those z-coil pickups sound like single coils but are hum canceling (like a P-Bass). But... they don't sound like a typical Strat-style alnico. They are more neutral so they don't color the sound as much.

 

[twocorgis]

I have two G&L basses that I love, and they really are better than their corresponding Fender models, at least the modern ones. First is a shell pink JB with an empress wood body (7.2 pounds!), and a maple neck, and the other is a beautiful blue burst ASAT with an ebony board that looks a lot like this one.

It's a bit heavy, and I'm looking for ways to tame the neck dive, but the pickups sound terrific.

 

[LeFinPepere]

This is my Comanche! (BGUF special with Charentaise slipper!)

 

[mad dog]

This is my third G&L. The first two were ASAT Classics, one from '94, the other much later. Some of those earlier ones really were all that. I was always curious about ASAT Specials. Heard a guy play one in a blues club and it sounded so good, different. Anyway, found this '96 up in VT:



Recent tax bills had me listing some guitars for sale, the ASAT Special being one. Spent hours yesterday playing it, and there goes that plan. I can't let it go. Too nice an instrument, sounds way too good. Volume up, with some trem or vibrato ... it's a huge sound. Shakes the walls.

G&Ls were always a tough sell on the used market. Still true now. Meanwhile, spend some time with a good one, it becomes very hard to understand why more guitarists don't play them.

 

[dbirchett]

I like your ASAT, I picked up this one several years ago. A previous owner had switched the HB pickups for some Harmonic Design Z90s.

 

[JohnW63]

Stop making me look at Reverb.

I keep asking " Will a USA made one sound THAT much better than my Tribute one? " I know the pickups are USA G&L pickups, so I can't say.