G&L ASAT

1997 G & L ASAT. Tele style body, 2 MFD single coils p'ups with adjustable pole pieces, one is RWRP, so they are humbucking in the middle position. String-thru-body bridge, 3 color sunburst, quartersawn, one-piece, hard rock maple neck Made in U.S.A.

This guitar is like a Tele, but without that ice pick in the ear treble that most Teles have. It is more midrangey and chunky sounding. Doesn't sound thin at all. You can get a little overdrive with it in the middle humbucking position, but to get real gone you probably would need a pedal. I play it through a '77 Hiwatt DR-504 head and a Reeves 2 x 12 cabinet with Vintage Purple speakers. You can't get a bad sound out of the guitar. You probably would need a Tele to get those piercing Roy Buchanan volume swells. It doesn't do that. The pickups are shielded, so 60 cycle hum is not a problem. It's a great guitar for rock, country, and blues.

I bought the guitar new from a pawn shop. It was still factory sealed with the cellophane on it. The action was terrific. No manufacturing flaws that I can see.

This guitar is solidly built and will last a lifetime. I'm going to miss it when it's gone.

N/A

I own a number of other guitars, mostly P-90 equipped. This is a well-built, relatively inexpensive professional quality guitar that looks and sounds great. When I am in a better financial position I will get another one. No regrets with my purchase.

1988? Model. Alder body and one-piece maple neck. 3 bolt neck plate.

standard ASAT specs.. 2 soapbar singlecoil MFD pickups

Black with Black hardware.

These pickups are pretty much my favorite ever. I also had a F-100 with the humbucking MFD pickups that split into single coils.

Much warmer and fuller than a strat or tele in my opinion but also cuts like single coii pickups do.. basically the best of both worlds, though if you REALLY needed super distorted metal action and were the only guitarist in your band, you might want a guitar with humbuckers.

once i brought it to my tech for set up it how plays and sounds and is built AMAZINGLY. this is an early (3 bolt) GL from the leo fender era (when he was still with us) and these are just amazing, handmade guitars.

this guitar is over 20 years old and is solid as a rock.

never dealt with them

ive been playing for over 20 years and have had about that many guitars.. this is THE best guitar I've ever had.

Happy New Year 2007
written new years eve


I have the basic ASAT with 'soapbar' type pickups.

I love the playability. I keep a med. action, not low, for the tone.

This guitar has wonderful sustain, the whole thing just vibrates.

It likes Diadderio 10's changed once a week or else the 1st string
may sitar. I bend alot and the 1st string acually gets bent.
My guitar doesn't like bent strings. So to keep it happy I change strings often.

When it comes to tone, for me, this guitar is it.
I play it by no accident

Funny but none of my guitar heros play this ax.
But, I think they should.
Strats sound like strats. Teles sound like Teles.
These guitars both tend to spit notes at you. They are slinky, spanky
Texas approved standards of tone.

The ASAT tone is kinder, warmer, and in my opinion more vocal and throaty tone than the Strat or Tele. Much more. Notes do not spit. But
warmer, like in the neck p/u you hear the wood, like in an archtop. Air, you hear the depth and openness. And it howls and moans and screams with distortion.

I do confess that I love the neck p/u the most. Almost exclusively.
But the bridge does great Jimmy Page Les Paul, really amazzzing. But it's not long before I'm back on that fat neck.
It's like a hot tub of tone I tell ya.

It's the only guitar I own that I haven't torn apart and rebuilt.
It's like what could I do to improve on this design. Nothing.

I keep it tuned up

My guitar is around 15 yrs old now and my frets are wearing a little maybe time for the real guitar tech in this area for some TLC

My guitar always works good.

They replaced my neck about five years ago.
Great work.
All done within two weeks.

I bought this guitar becouse of the tone. Simple.

It turned out the playability was great, it just melts in my hands.

Other guitars sound great. The Les Paul with Burstbucker p/u is a great guitar.

But I ain't rich and as great as that guitar sounds, it doesn't sound better than the ASAT. They are really different beasts and do things the other can't. So maybe I should own both, or a good cheap copy of the Paul that will get me 95% of the way there.

I feel Leo Fender and George Fullerton realized their best work with the ASAT. I'm very happy to be wearing out one of my very own.

Summer of 1996 production date. American made NOT a tribute. Beautiful Clear finished ash. Rosewood on Maple neck(not bi-cut).

Bridge design, bridge saddles, tuners, neck constructution, and hand made quality are all G&L US Trademarks. They aren't noticable at first...they make the guitar play and sound better, the only features of a guitar that actually matter.

Sounds the way all teles should, nice and full at the bridge a little twangy at bridge. Tone control @9 can take off the extra edge of the bridge pickup that can become harsh at times.

Usually run it to my H&K through a 95Q wah.

Now if I had a Mesa Heartbreaker, or something boutique to use it with...I can't imagine, probably really a 9 or 10.

Got it used. At the age of 10 it appears used, the non chromed pieces are a bit tarnished..frets are still great, action still sits nice and low.

Handmade, hand inspected 10 years ago at the factory...nothings changed!

Great, as I said the typical hardware that isn't plated tarished (the machine head; head screws for example, and the pickup poles, otherwise its built "like a brick ____house".

Strings break...you always need a back-up, I'd suggest anything from G&L for those duties too ;)

**One folly these guitars have is the output jack, they go south..but you do get some warning as they start intermitantly...if you ignore it and don't get it fixed, it will go caput...but at least you get your warning!**

Never had to bother em. Purchased from mountain music in Hamilton Ontario, they gave me a free output jack to replace the crumy one..so I'll give them a thumbs up, I've bought a bunch of stuff from them and never had any sort of problem they aren't happy to resolve.

I've wanted a tele since I started playing 10 years ago. I've played at least 1000 teles, mostly fenders. None grabbed my attention like the G&L. Since I first played it, I've loved every minute of it!


People seem to have some misinformed opinion that G&L's are knock off Fenders. G&L was the Godfathers of the Solid body coming back to their masterpieces 30 years later to add the finshing touches. The Corona Custom Shop has got NOTHING on the good ole boys back in Fullerton!!

The reviewer before me just about said it all. Very good review.

I have the P-90ish type pickups. I got the guitar probobly in '92.
I went to the local north of San Francisco killer music store in Cotati.(Zone). The store was thriving and they had such a selection
Anderson, PRS, Gibson, Fender and G&L.
I found my faves and took them in a private room. I also had my own Gibson 335 Dot Neck Pro. The 335 was one of the first guitars eliminated but I was mad at it anyway. It came down to the ASAT and the Fender Tele. I just had to give it to the ASAT. It's a warmer, kinder type of Tele. Not so brutal on high notes. I sold the 335 on the spot to get that paticular ASAT.
The action is not fast but high. I mean it's fast enough but to get that pure vibration off the fret you need higher action.
I have had problems with sitaring on my 1st string when strings get to be one week old. A little filing and now it seems ok.
I'm giving it a ten even though it's bare bones. Great tone pot.
Nice clean sweal in the volume pot. No wah effect (bummer)
I slightly bend the neck for an elastic chorus effect. It seems to hold up fine. I'm not hard on it. I had a harder nut cut for it.
I cut a pickguard out of redheart wood. The toggle switch has abalone inlay. Looks bare bones with style.
I feel the build quality is consitant thruout.

The P-90 style p/u in the neck position is quite possibly the finest
electric guitar tone I've heard.
I use the Line6 Podxt Live going into one or two Tech21 'PowerEngine 60' speaker/poweramp cabs. The Line6 accuratly models amps and the Tech21 accuratly reproduces the Podxt. I favor the Fender amps, the Vibroverb, the Showman, and the '64 Deluxe - my fave. Well it's my fave with the ASAT. This is a marraige in Fender heaven. The biggest, warmest, most wood toned Fender solid body. Nothing like it.
Not Strat nor Tele but A-fter S-trat A-fter T-ele.
I prefer not to think of it as named after a weapon of mass destruction.
The ASAT in my opinion was Leo's finest, and last great guitar.
He came out with the Z3 noizzze canceling pickup but it wasn't even close to what the ASAT could sound like, just quieter. The ASAT can be noizzzy at times.
At the local blues jam I go to, I see all kinds of botique gear. People putting the last minute tunings on their axes and showing it off. I hear a lot of Strat and Les Paul and PRS. NO guitar ever sounds as good as my ASAT. My amp allows me to dial in any amp tone
and all I use that for is to showcase the ASAT. It's a killer blues sound and translates into Ford or Scofield or Frisell or Steve Kimock
it does him very well. The amp helps and my brain helps. I try.

I choose high action for sustain and overall good tone. I use .10's
I can match the extra depth a Strat gets by tuning down 1/2 step- without having to tune down. The guitars sound is huge.

I had to replace the plug for the guitar cord. The guitar itself is a tough ol gal.

I had a rosewood neck put on. I shipped the guitar to them and had it back in two weeks with a beautiful new neck.

One night at a club I saw 'Lil Bit, a guitar singer that at the time was in Johnny Otis's band. She was such a soulful singer and she could really play guitar. She had an ASAT and an old twin and I was BLOWN away by her tone.
The next day I took my 335 down to Zone Music in Cotati,Ca. and got me my own ASAT. BYE BYE 335. That was the day I found my electric guitar voice. 'Lil bit "aka Gail Muldrow" also bought her ASAT at Zone I found out.
This is not my only electric guitar. I have others. I also play a lot of acoustic guitar. But the ASAT is still my favorite.

Telecaster style created by the man that created the telecaster. Mine is a 1987 model which means it was one of the early ones made whilst Leo was still at the helm.

Ash body, P90 style pups, maple neck and fingerboard, 3 way selector with tone and volume controls. Fixed bridge and bone nut.

"Now I hate to give anything a 10, but...". How often is that written on this site! Will 10 it is anyway.

I have been playing seriously for over 10 years and in that time I have owned a lot of guitars. My rule: own only one guitar at a time. Otherwise you never get the best out of them.

I have had every conceivable guitar going. I thought I had found my holy grail when I got an Anderson Classic. Wrong. The ASAT is better.

But what does better really mean? Is it easier to play than the Anderson? No harder. It is louder than the Anderson? No quieter. Is it prettier than the Anderson? No it is quite ugly. So what is it? Mojo. This guitar just drips mojo!!

I don't need a guitar to be easy to play - I need a guitar than inspires me to play. I need a guitar that I can rely on in a live situation. The ASAT does it in spades. I would be so sorry if it went missing, but I wouldn't cry - you see this guitar is a free spirit and I would never stand in the way of it's own self exploration.

The best thing about these guitars is - despite the rave reviews on this site and a few others - everyone passes them buy, so shops can't shift them. This means they are dirt cheap!! FANTASTIC!!!

Next time you see one (bare in mind not many were made in 1986/87 - which are the only years worth having) have a go. The sound produced through a valve driven amp is so complex, so full of heritage it is absolutely overwealming. You to will be trading in your current pride and joy glad you did.

Yes: Blues, Country, Funk, R&B, Jazz, Rock etc.
No: Metal

Superb

Superb. I don't even use a soft case let alone a hard case for it these days - no need.

Who knows? Different owners now anyway so they wouldn't even know what I was talking about.

IT'S A TEN!!!!!!!

Tele-style solid ash body in Honeyburst finish. Pearl pickguard. Maple neck and fretboard. 22 frets. Chrome hardware. "Soapbar" shaped MFD ceramic single coil pickups. 3-way pickup selector switch. I'm not sure of the radius of the fretboard, but I think it's 7.5". It's a bit more round than my S-500, which is probably a 12" radius.

Comes with black plastic fitted case, warranty papers, and all tools needed for setup and adjustments.

It was probably made in '99. It has the 4-bolt neck with truss-rod adjustment at the headstock. My friend got it in 2000. He never played it and kept it in its case under his bed for a year. Then I bought it from him in 2001.

My only gripe is the nut. It came strung with either 9s or 10s. I play 11s. I've had the nut filed out a little bit to compensate for the larger strings, but it's still not quite right. Eventually I'll get a new nut and it will be perfect!

Oh, and factory straplocks would be nice too. The original strap buttons are excellent, but I replaced them with Schaller straplocks anyway.

It comes with excellent G&L non-locking tuners. Changing strings is very easy. The only thing better would be Sperzel locking tuners.

Features Rating: A solid 9. Everything you need for fablulous Tele-tone! A few extras would make it a 10, but they are very minor.

One of the best sounding guitars I have ever played! Great for rock, blues, and country. Excellent twang, but if you use the neck pickup and roll back the tone a little, you can even play a little jazz. Great sustain and excellent defninition of notes in chords.

These MFD ceramic pickups are hotter and more versatile than standard Tele pickups. They also make less noise. They work well with pedals and processors, and you can play some high gain sounds with them too, although no one will ever confuse them for humbuckers. Besides, Tele and Marshall DO NOT go together!!!

I used to play thru a Rocktron VooDu Valve tube preamp/DSP into a Fender Hot Rod DeVille 4x10. Excellent Fender clean tone. Great crunch and blues leads too. Great ringing chords and enough punch to cut through any mix.

Now I play the guitar (with the same preamp) into a Peavey Delta Blues. The 15" speaker makes it EVEN BETTER! Awesome Tele twang with gut-shaking low end. It has a heart of chrome with the voice of a horny angel! ...name that tune :)

Sound Rating: It's absolutely amazing. A solid 10. You can't get a better slinky, twangy Tele sound for the money. If single coil twang is your thing, then this guitar is for you. If you like humbuckers, look elsewhere.

Beautiful finish. No flaws. Rock solid construction and a perfect neck joint. Great action with minimal fret buzz. The bridge and pickups are easy to adjust with the provided tools.

2 minor gripes. 1) Once again, the guitar came strung with 9s or 10s, but I play 11s. The nut needs adjustment for bigger strings. 2) Unlike all of the other parts, the output jack looks to be VERY difficult to remove or replace. The nut which holds it in place is set deep in the guitar where almost no tool can get to it. All other parts are easily accessible. And I don't expect to have any problems with the output jack or any other parts anyway.

Action, Fit, and Finish Rating: A nearly-perfect 9. A new nut and a re-designed output jack would make it a 10.

Absolutely dependable. I've played it almost every day for 3.5 years, and it looks as good now as when I got it. I take care of my gear, but I have no doubt that this guitar could take some hard road use.

Durability Rating: Indestructible under normal use. Absolutely a 10.

I've never dealt with G&L for service or support. The website has wiring schematics and manuals for download, which is a nice touch for those who like to do their own repairs and upgrades.

I've been playing since January of '98. Before this guitar, I owned a Gretsch BST-5000. I was cool and I wish that I still had it. I also had a Schecter custom tele that I could never get to sound quite right. I don't miss it very much. If this guitar were ever stolen or lost, I would definitely get another one.

I've tried a lot of other guitars. This is, bar-none, the best guitar I've ever owned and one of the best I've ever played. For this kind of quality and tone, you usually have to buy something custom made, and you will pay a lot more for it. You can't get a better guitar for the money than a used G&L.

Please note that I bought this guitar used and that I got an excellent price. I could never afford this guitar new or at list price. G&L guitars list for over $1000 dollars. I would certainly pay that much if I had the money, but it's great to know that they are available used for much less.

And one final note. People often say that a standard G&L is as good as a custom-shop Fender. But I think it's better, because it was Leo's last company. G&L is the "real" Fender now!

2000
semi-hollow body
2 high output, single coil pups
maple neck with rosewood fretbrd
Silver sparkle
tele body
stock from factory w/ case

Fender amps
boss pedals
noise can be heard with distortion boosted
middle position pickup select switch does cancel hum somewhat
bright sound, strong pickups...louder than the '51-52? reissue tele (fender)
one of my most fave guitars of about 20 different ones, fender, gibson, etc.

Set up was perfect out the door
everything adjusted fine
no flaws in my opinion

Rating 9
input jack replaced after a yr or two ..with aftermarket...shaft drilled out for the new one...works great
tech said, the design in this respect is bad...cavity is too small to comfortably fit stock jacks

finish is thick, seems durable, though I treat the guitar like a baby...

N/A

40+ years of playing guitar
I had borrowed one of these from a friend and fell in love with it...so when he wanted it back I went and bought one new from Jim's , then bought one used from a private party with a bigsby...and then picked up the Blues Boy (G&L) Oh , Man! that is my favorite! Humbuck in the neck position, and high output tele type pickup in the bridge position..will have to do a separate review on the Bluesboy

This is a 1991 ASAT ash? cherryburst with black pickups with a white pickguard. (Now that it grew on me, I have no desire to change the pickguard.) It has The Leo Fender signature on the upper body 'wing'. Nice feeling maple neck w/maple fretboard. I bought it used three weeks ago and can't put it down. I'm a BIG fan of the 50's V shape neck, but this one has a great feel. Nice chunky bridge, pretty much standard stuff(tuners, etc) . I'll rate the features as 9 because it has all I need, but I know I'm old school, and don't like a lot of fluff.

I play 60's, 70' rock, blues, and worship music(which where I worship the styles run the gamut from Rock, through country, pop, and easy listening). This guitar can crunch with the best of 'em, yet twang nice and thin, and still fill the air with sweet sustain. Very versatile. I play through a Fender DeVille 2-12 and will use a pod for some modelling. It is a bit noisy with the bridge pickup only, and full treble dialed in, but back off slightly, and it's gone, but not the tone with it. I own an ES-335, a Tokai '56 lawsuit strat, and now this. This is the first guitar I've had since my beloved '69 thinline where the notes practically jump off the fretboard. I've been playing Bass and Guitar for 38+ years, and I've found a new friend.

The previous owner was a G & L collector, so set-up was fine. No real flaws other than a couple nicks in the finish(whattaya expect after 13 years?) Factory finish is great, especially for the age, no checking or cracking. ( I have an '82 G&L 2000E basss I bought new with lots of checking, so, I guess this ASAT has faired well). As others have said, the input jack is 'touchy' so I'll look into replacement.

This guitar will survive Armageddon. It is solid, as it was designed to be. Finish shows no signs of wear after 13 years. I can depend on it. I would and have used it w/o backup at a gig.

Have not dealt with G & L with this model, but previous experience has been more than satisfactory.

AS stated, I've been playing for 38+ years, both bass and guitar. I have a Gibson ES 335, a Tokai '56 lawsuit strat, and "Frankenfender" tele which is a'97 Fender Tele neck with butterscotch Squier body (ready to be sold now that I have the ASAT), a Martin DM w/fishman, G & L 2000E Bass, MusicMan Sting Ray5, Tacoma Thunderchief, Englehardt upright, Fender DeVille, Mesa Boogie D 180 w EV 15, Ashdown MAG 200, Hartke cabs, 15 & 2-10's Genz Benz UC4, POD, V-amp2, Bass V-amp, etc. I would definitely buy another if something were to happen to this one. I was looking at the Tribute series, and then this baby came along. My favorite feature is the wide palette of tones available, although I'm partial to the single coil sound anyway. There is nothing for me to hate about this guitar. If I were to give advice to someone, I would say buy an ASAT if you want that true, somewhat souped up Tele tone, and some of the best Leo Fender had to offer.

It plays great, it's stock except I cut a nice pickgard out of some purple heart wood. The tone pot is smokey and musical throughout it's sweep.The neck is fast and xl'nt fret work.I'm giving it a 10 because
in my opinion, it's got all the features and great ones at that, that a bare bones guitar like this should have.10 baby.

I play with my fingers, I play with a pick, and I use both together.
If you don't have good tone in your fingers, forget it.
I have excellent tone in my hands. The ASAT is the perfect sound for what I'm after.
Robben Ford, Bill Frisell, Sco, Steve Kimock. That's the sound I'm shooting for. Especially Steve's sound. He uses Dumbles and Two Rock Amps and thats a big part of his sound.
In my opinion, the ASAT is THE perfect Guitar for these sounds. Even though none of them use an ASAT. The ASAT can cop all those sounds with my amp setup.
It's simply the best guitar I've ever owned. I sold my 335 to get it.
It's the TONE - smokey and clean tone and moan.

Clean, fast, pretty

I've owned it for six years and it's just better. And I bend the neck like Frisell.

I have dealt with them. and they are great and helpful.

I've got to rate this high because I've found my voice in it.
I'd buy another in a flash if I had to.
And oh yea, I'll take on any strat any time, any place for a tone showdown.