DIfferences between ASAT and ASAT Special

[ChinoGee]

Hello friends, it's my first post here!

First, congratulations for this amazing website and forum: and I'm absolutely not an expert in G&L guitars, but this is a great ressource.

I'm french and I just bought my first G&l guitar, a beautiful 1993 blonde ASAT Special in fantastic condition. I'll put it in the registry very soon!

Here are some pics of the beast:



But having bought it second hand from a guitar shop, I've got some questions:

1/ I've no Certificate of Authenticity for it, it has been lost. I've got of course the serial number (in the G034 range), and I sent an email to G&L to have a copy of the CoA, but I received no reply yet. I can't contact them by phone, my english is too bad, I'm french you know!

So, is it possible to have a copy of the CoA for a 1993 G&L guitar?

2/ I've got the original G&L hard case, but not hte case candy. Is it possible to buy all the candy somewhere?

3/ when I bought it, it was sold as an ASAT SPECIAL.

But according this list, or the GGJaguar's description, the ASAT SPECIAL was introduced in 1992, and when we see the 1992-1993 and 1993-1994 catalogs which are on the GBL site (where there are both the ASAT and the ASAT SPECIAL), the only differences between the 2 models seem to be in the hardware only: chrome for ASAT SPECIAL (w/ white pickups covers), and black for ASAT "standard".

And my ASAT has got black hardware (except the tuners) as you can see on the above pics, so do you think it's an ASAT instead or an ASAT SPECIAL?

[Craig]

Hello friends, it's my first post here!

But having bought it second hand from a guitar shop, I've got some questions:

1/ I've no Certificate of Authenticity for it, it has been lost. I've got of course the serial number (in the G034 range), and I sent an email to G&L to have a copy of the CoA, but I received no reply yet. I can't contact them by phone, my english is too bad, I'm french you know!

So, is it possible to have a copy of the CoA for a 1993 G&L guitar?

2/ I've got the original G&L hard case, but not hte case candy. Is it possible to buy all the candy somewhere?

3/ when I bought it, it was sold as an ASAT SPECIAL.

But according this list, or the GGJaguar's description, the ASAT SPECIAL was introduced in 1992, and when we see the 1992-1993 and 1993-1994 catalogs which are on the GBL site (where there are both the ASAT and the ASAT SPECIAL), the only differences between the 2 models seem to be in the hardware only: chrome for ASAT SPECIAL (w/ white pickups covers), and black for ASAT "standard".

And my ASAT has got black hardware (except the tuners) as you can see on the above pics, so do you think it's an ASAT instead or an ASAT SPECIAL?

As you have seen, the ASAT and ASAT Special model names have been used for both. If you check our
G&L Registry, you will see that.

I would consider yours to be the ASAT model. There is no way of knowing if the chrome tuners were
factory supplied (either as a special order or perhaps the stock black tuners were out of stock) or
a previous owner replaced the original with the chrome ones.

Your guitar is in excellent condition and has the Blonde finish on the Swamp Ash body.

I suggest sending another email to Chris Robosan and ask if he can include the case candy with your
replacement COA. He probably will not have the Owners Manual, but you can get the online PDF version
here.

Hope this helps.

[ChinoGee]

Hi Craig,

thank you very much for your reply. I think it's an ASAT as well, and not a "Special" one, so thanks for your expertise. I'm new in the G&L world, I'm a Strat man, but I looked for a muscular Tele, and when I hear the sound of an US ASAT with its big MFD pups and saw the quality of the craftmanship I knew I need one.

Concerning the the CoA and the case candy, I just contacted Chris Robosan (at the repairs@glguitars.com email adress).

Thanks once again for your help, and I'll try to post other photos of this great ASAT very soon, in the "Porn" section of course!

Just a last question: the blonde ash finish was listed as a "premium" (or "premier") finish on the G&L catalogs. The premier finish was it the cheapest finish, or the most expensive, only availbale on order?

[Michael-GnL-Michael]

...Just a last question: the blonde ash finish was listed as a "premium" (or "premier") finish on the G&L catalogs. The premier finish was it the cheapest finish, or the most expensive, only availbale on order?

The Premier finishes cost more as does the Swamp Ash wood.

That is a beautiful guitar. I have an ASAT Classic with that color scheme.

[ChinoGee]

The Premier finishes cost more as does the Swamp Ash wood.

That is a beautiful guitar. I have an ASAT Classic with that color scheme.

Thans a lot for this info Michael, greatly appreciated! Actually, I thank the Premier Finish was the cheapest finish, so I was wrong, it's a great surprise! Ans that's truye, this 1993 ASAT in blonde ash finish is really beautiful, I love his look.

[astutzmann]

I have an asat special. I could be wrong, but I believe the difference between the two is just that the special has a rear route for the pots and the switch, that way you do not need the plate to hold them on the front like a normal tele.

[astutzmann]

ha, I am playing mine now and its a mahogany body with a maple cap, so I think the maple cap is also on the special but not on the asat. Also, mine doesnt have a pickguard.

Your's would be an upgrade to ash.

[ChinoGee]

Well, according the 1993-1994 pricelist, the only difference between the ASAT "standard" and the ASAT SPECIAL is on the hardware, black on the first, chrome for the second:



On the1993-1994 catalog:



But I've seen several ASAT (or ASAT SPECIAL?) which have the black pickup covers and the black hardware but chrome tuners... Very confusing!!!

[astutzmann]

yes you are correct, I just looked at the website, www.glguitars.com and what I was confusing, asat vs asat special, is actually asat special vs asat special deluxe which you do not have in your picture.

Sorry for the confusion!

Nice guitar by the way, I am just sitting here playing mine with a little reverb on and I just love the sound of the pickups, playing in middle position, NICE

[astutzmann]

here's mine

http://gallery.me.com/astutzmann#100332 ... olor=black

I really wanted a black bridge like yours, congrats on that. If it were me, I would put black tuners on it, but that's me. I wish mine had all black hardware, looks sharp!

Congrats again

[ChinoGee]

here's mine

http://gallery.me.com/astutzmann#100332 ... olor=black

I really wanted a black bridge like yours, congrats on that. If it were me, I would put black tuners on it, but that's me. I wish mine had all black hardware, looks sharp!

Congrats again

Thanks!

The black bridge seems to be one the speificity of the ASAT Standard guitars, whereas the ASAT SPECIAL have got chrome bridge. Concerning the tuners, the ASAT SPECIAL has got chrome tuners, and the ASAT has got black tuners, at least in theory, because look at this lefty 1994 ASAT, listed on this site as an ASAT SPECIAL, which has got satin chrome tuners like mine:



I think a lot of people use the name "ASAT SPECIAL" (even when it's not really an ASAT SPECIAL) for 3 reasons in my opinion:

1/ the differences beween ASAT and ASAT SPECIAL are subltes, so it's not easy for those who don't really know the G&L guitars to distinguish an ASAT "standard" from an ASAT SPECIAL. It's pretty confusing, and that's why I created this thread!

2/ I think a lot of people consider that the post 1992 ASAT with big MFD are automatically ASAT SPECIAL, whereas a such type of ASAT can be an ASAT Standard or an ASAT SPECIAL, depending on the building date and the hardware. See this listing for example: it's seems it's an ASAT, not an ASAT SPECIAL.

3/ I think also that the indication "SPECIAL" allows for many people to make the distinction between an ASAT (either standard or an actual Special) and an ASAT CLASSIC or DELUXE.

Anyway, I just put my ASAT on the registry!

[KenC]

According to George Fullerton, in "Guitars from George and Leo":

"In about 1993, the ASAT was split into two models, the ASAT Standard and ASAT Special. The ASAT Standard continued with the powder-coated black hardware (bridge, control plate, knobs and tuners), along with the black pickup covers. The black powder-coated pickguard gave way to a three-ply plastic one, but optional pickguards were offered just as on the ASAT Classic. The ASAT Standard's body wood became alder insead of swamp ash.

The ASAT Special, on the other hand, came with a swamp ash body and all chrome hardware, as on the ASAT Classic Signature model. The ASAT Special's standard pickguard was three-ply white, which it remains today (note this was written in 2005). All the same pickguard choices were offered."

So, the difference between the models is all in the color of the hardware (aside from the upgrade to swamp ash, which yours has). Same pickups, same construction, same wonderful sound.

I believe the bodies were automatically upgraded from alder to swamp ash when a premium finish was applied. I know that was the case in the late '90s (my '98 ASAT Classic is blond over swamp ash). I would guess the tuners could have been upgraded to chrome when it was ordered, or substituted due to a shortage of black tuners as Craig suggests. My '86 ASAT has original chrome tuners, from a time when ASATs all had black but all of the other models had chrome. Do your tuners have a G&L logo on the back? If so, they are either original or a replacement with factory parts.

Whether it's an ASAT Special with the body hardware and trim swapped out, or an ASAT with upgrades, it looks like you have a very "special ASAT" there!

Ken

[KenC]

I'm a Strat man, but I looked for a muscular Tele, and when I hear the sound of an US ASAT with its big MFD pups and saw the quality of the craftmanship I knew I need one.

I preferred Strat-type guitars for years, until I got my first ASAT. My preferences changed very quickly after that!

Ken

[kakerlak]

For what it's worth, I haven't seen too many black tuners past the very early '90s. I think the only 100% of the time accurate diff b/w ASAT and ASAT special is black crinkle bridge and control plate.

[Lefty]

...Just a last question: the blonde ash finish was listed as a "premium" (or "premier") finish on the G&L catalogs. The premier finish was it the cheapest finish, or the most expensive, only availbale on order?

The Premier finishes cost more as does the Swamp Ash wood.

That is a beautiful guitar. I have an ASAT Classic with that color scheme.

I too, have a ASAT Classic with that color scheme - It's one of my favorites!

[ChinoGee]

Thanks Ken for all those precious infos, greatly appreciated.

I assume I've got finallly an ASAT "Standard" (and not a "SPECIAL" model), but with premium finish (in this case, blonde on swamp ash body), and with chrome tuners instead of the black ones.

As you guessed Ken, I think at that time, order a premium finish allowed to have chrome tuners as well, like on the SPECIAL model.

Or maybe Kakerlak is right, from 1992 and the introduction of the ASAT SPECIAL, there were few black tuners, almost only chrome tuners. Look at this 1992 ASAT standard, with chrome tuners for example:





Whatever, I'm very happy to be the owner of this BEAUTIFUL 1993 premium swamp ash blonde finish ASAT: in my opinion, black hardware is more original and cooler than the chrome ones, and I like the satin chrome tuners.

By the way, I'm not at home Ken, so I can't tell you if there is the G&L logo on the tuners, I'll let you know as asson I come back. I'll take photos as well.

[kakerlak]

Looks like yours has the chrome Schallers, which is something G&L was using at the time. The dust covers/caps on the back will be stamped "G&L." Satin chrome (non-locking) Sperzels are also correct for the time. I have a '95 ASAT, w/ Sperzels and used to own a '96 ASAT Special w/ Schallers.

Schallers/'96 ASAT Special:




Sperzels/'95 ASAT:

[ChinoGee]

Looks like yours has the chrome Schallers, which is something G&L was using at the time. The dust covers/caps on the back will be stamped "G&L."

Yes, I confirm that the tuners are the chrome Schaller ones, with the "G&L" logo on the back. It seems they are here form the beginning and not replaced afterwards, but not sure though.

On the 1992-1993 catalog, the ASAT and ASAT SPECIAL are sold with Schaller tuners, whereas on the 1993-1994 catalog, the tuners are listed as Sperzel ones.

So concerning my ASAT with Schaller tuners, there are different possibilities:

1/ it's an ASAT "standard" (with its black bridge, black plate, black pups cover), but with chrome tuners. Chrome tuners are here maybe because the guitar was ordered with a Premium finish, so automatically, chrome tuners are installed instead of the black ones as Ken guessed. Or maybe the first owner asked for chrome tuners, or maybe the black tuners weren't available at that time.

2/ Or It's an ASAT SPECIAL, but with black bridge, black plate, black pups cover. Either the owner swapped out the original chromes equipement on the body for black one, but I find it rather unlikely. Maybe the owner ordered an ASAT SPECIAL with the Premium Finish, and asked for black stuffs on the body ( which looks great with the blonde finish, better than with chrome in my opinion).

I'm willing to think it's the first possibilty which is the most likely, but who knows...

Thanks anyway for all those infos, greatly appreciated.

[KenC]

One of the joys of older G&Ls is their uniqueness. I don't think there were any models that didn't have quite a bit of variability between instruments. Even the Broadcaster had different fingerboards and bridges. Here are a couple of somewhat blurry photos of my '86 ASAT, which was about a month too late to be a Broadcaster:





This one was built when all ASATs were supposed to have black tuners, a single-ply black plastic pickguard, and smooth black bridges, control plates and knobs. This one somehow ended up with a crinkle pickguard and all silver parts. These appear to be original, and I assume this is how the guitar left the factory. The chrome tuners, knobs and bridge were available on other models at the time (e.g., Skyhawks), and the crinkle bridge (in a different shape) was available on the S-500. My guess is that this instrument was either a test of how chrome trim and crinkle pickguards would look on an ASAT, or a special customer request. These features started showing up on other ASATs and ASAT IIIs about a year later.

Ken

[ChinoGee]

Thanks Ken, very interesting. It seems that each USA G&L is unique!

I asked Chris Robosan for the CoA (and the case candy), and I asked him if my ASAT is a standard or a special one, I wait for his reply.

Here is an other pic of my 1993 ASAT (I'll took new ones soon):



There are similarities with the 1986 ASAT pictured in this ad:

[ChinoGee]

According Chris Robosan from G&L, my guitar is an ASAT SPECIAL.

[Craig]

According Chris Robosan from G&L, my guitar is an ASAT SPECIAL.

Well, just consider it a transitional piece: from ASAT to ASAT Special.
No matter what you call it, it's all good!

[ChinoGee]

Bump for this topic, withis an other example of a great ASAT (Special?) with satin tuner (Sperzel) and black hardware (year 1994):

[KenC]

It's nice to see you back around here, ChinoGee! Is that '94 your second ASAT?

Ken

[ChinoGee]

It's nice to see you back around here, ChinoGee! Is that '94 your second ASAT?

Ken

Hi Ken, nice to hear from you!

Unfortunately, that nice '94 is not mine, I just saw it on eBay.

Actually, I own only one ASAT (the -beautiful!- 1993's at the top of this thread). But this 1994 looks great, I'd love to have it!!! But I bought recently a Martin D35, so I don't play electric at the moment.

But, I'd like to buy an other 1980's or early 1990's ASAT with those big MFD pups, I love them!
Problem is, it's hard to find an old US ASAT in France,

I think to install a 4 way switch for my 1993 ASAT as well.