Date my Asat Leo Fender Signature

Mon May 29, 2017 11:30 am

Hey guys. Just picked up an Asat Leo Fender Signature guitar. I was wondering if you guys could help me date it.
The guy I bought it from said it was a 90's guitar and that his father had picked it up second hand in the States.
I think in may be older but wanted to see what you guys think. It's blond with 2 large black pickups & pickguard, both have
G&L stamped on them. It has a 3 bolt neck plate too.
The serial number is G023656.
Would this be an Asat classic?

Re: Date my Asat Leo Fender Signature

Mon May 29, 2017 3:32 pm

Sounds like it is an ASAT (not a classic). Does it have a black or chrome bridge?
It could be a late 80's or early 90's (Leo era) given the serial.
Most the post Leo era ASAT's had chrome bridges, if yours is black, then it's
probably a pre-BBE ASAT.
If you ever remove the neck, you'll be able to say for sure.
I bet she sounds sweet :)

Elwood

Re: Date my Asat Leo Fender Signature

Mon May 29, 2017 3:54 pm

Elwood wrote:Sounds like it is an ASAT (not a classic). Does it have a black or chrome bridge?
It could be a late 80's or early 90's (Leo era) given the serial.
Most the post Leo era ASAT's had chrome bridges, if yours is black, then it's
probably a pre-BBE ASAT.
If you ever remove the neck, you'll be able to say for sure.
I bet she sounds sweet :)

Elwood


I agree with Elwood that it is likely an ASAT not an ASAT Classic. If it is a Signature Series model, it will have the Leo Fender signature decal located on the upper body bout.
See this post in our G&L Knowledgebase: Leo Signature Series decal.
Please post some photos, see: Tutorial: Posting photos.

Also, see these posts in the G&L Knowledgebase:
Serial number significance
Production List of G&L Instruments (USA)

Hope this helps.
:ugeek:

Re: Date my Asat Leo Fender Signature

Mon May 29, 2017 10:34 pm

Here you go guys, some pictures
https://www.slickpic.com/share/DxjEgEMV ... per&viewer

Re: Date my Asat Leo Fender Signature

Mon May 29, 2017 11:12 pm

Nice looking ASAT (*Special?),
Congrats!

* When the Chrome Saddle-lock bridge was first offered on the ASAT, that variation was the 'ASAT Special'.
It could be yours is an early 'Special'. When the black crinkle was discontinued, the name was shortened to
just 'ASAT'.

Re: Date my Asat Leo Fender Signature

Tue May 30, 2017 12:49 am

Thanks Elwood. Would you be able to guess at what year it is maybe. I'm bringing it in
for a setup later today. I'll ask them to take pictures of the neck and pocket and post them.

Rod.

Re: Date my Asat Leo Fender Signature

Tue May 30, 2017 1:39 am

I'll guess 1990(ish)

Re: Date my Asat Leo Fender Signature

Tue May 30, 2017 10:03 am

rod wrote:Here you go guys, some pictures
https://www.slickpic.com/share/DxjEgEMV ... per&viewer


Here are some of the photos inline:

Image

Image

Image

Image

The pickguard is not the original factory guard. It would have come with a white metal powder-coated guard.

Here's a snippet from the 1988 "Real Ones" brochure:
Image

From our Gallery:

Page 1 from the July 1, 1990 Pricelist:
Image

1992 "No More Signature Series" Letter:
Image

Looking forward to seeing the neck and pocket photos. Once you get the dates, please add your ASAT Signature to our G&L Registry.

Hope this helps.

:ugeek:

Re: Date my Asat Leo Fender Signature

Tue May 30, 2017 12:59 pm

I was given a date over the phone. I did ask for photos but not sure if the tech got them. I'll find out tomorrow hopefully.
The guitar was dated September 1988 so that's just made my day that's its been confirmed as a pre BBE

Re: Date my Asat Leo Fender Signature

Thu Jun 01, 2017 6:37 am

So just got the guitar back from the tech. It needed a bit of work.
Frets were worn down and needed to be polished and levelled and a lot of
sanding also the nut needed to be replaced.
Didn't get pictures of the neck but i was told the body was stamped with
the 13th of Sept 1988.
The neck had two dates 3rd of June and the 30th of Sept 1988.
So i take it the guitar was assembled on the 30th Sept.
The neck looks new now. I'll post some pictures when I get home
tonight.

Rod.