Asat Deluxe

[darwinohm]

I have kind of been lusting for an ASAT Deluxe with a DF. I have been doing research and they have a Mahogany body with a Maple cap and are supposed to satisfy the Les Paul type dude. I have an F-!00 Return which it turns out to be all of that and then some. The pickups are the big difference as the Deluxe has the SD humbuckers and the F-100 has the MFD humbuckers. So, I am cooling off on the Deluxe and If I were truly looking for the LP sound I would get an LP. I sold my last LP and do not want another. Can anyone set me straight on this or what am I missing. I was just looking at expanding my horizons a bit. Any ideas appreciated. AG&B is getting an ASAT in Gold Sparkle with a Bigsby. When I walked in there the other day they said my guitar was on the way. Thanks-- Darwin.

[Craig]

I have kind of been lusting for an ASAT Deluxe with a DF. I have been doing research and they have a Mahogany body with a Maple cap and are supposed to satisfy the Les Paul type dude. I have an F-!00 Return which it turns out to be all of that and then some. The pickups are the big difference as the Deluxe has the SD humbuckers and the F-100 has the MFD humbuckers. So, I am cooling off on the Deluxe and If I were truly looking for the LP sound I would get an LP. I sold my last LP and do not want another. Can anyone set me straight on this or what am I missing. I was just looking at expanding my horizons a bit. Any ideas appreciated. AG&B is getting an ASAT in Gold Sparkle with a Bigsby. When I walked in there the other day they said my guitar was on the way. Thanks-- Darwin.

There is the EMG 85/81 humbucker set option for the ASAT Deluxe and of course you can get the Bigsby Vibrato option, too.

Hope this helps.

[darwinohm]

Thanks Craig, that is what I wanted to know.-- Darwin

[Jim P]

Darwin, perhaps my favorite guitar is the ASAT Deluxe, and while it doesn't sound exactly like a Les Paul, it's very much in the same realm regarding tone, far more than any MFD-equipped guitar will take you. The stock JB/59s are ok, but IMO there are nicer-sounding pups out there. I haven't tried the EMGs as Craig pointed out, but I have tried pickups that aren't as evenly matched in terms of output as the Duncans. The lack of having two sets of volume and tone controls undoubtedly attribute to this. All in all, though, if you're looking for the LP tone in a G&L, I honestly feel as though the Deluxe will get you the closest. Plus, if you can find a light one, it beats the heck out of wearing a boat anchor wrapped around your neck.....LOL. I bought this one a while back, and it weighs in at about 7.3 pounds. And yes, it's become my LP-style guitar when I don't care to take out my LP:

[darwinohm]

Boy is that a looker Jim! I am not looking for any particular sound as such, but am looking for something different. I have a guitar with active EMGs so I am not looking for that either. Thanks for your input and you have confirmed what I was hoping to learn. My F-100 Return is very special to me and I probably would not gig it. I have been very fortunate in that none of the guitars that I have gigged in recent years have been damaged. If you make it over this way I would like to meet you Jim. Thanks--- Darwin

[Jim P]

If you make it over this way I would like to meet you Jim. Thanks--- Darwin

I'd like to meet you, too! Since summer is nearly upon us - hopefully, that is - I'm sure we'll be coming over to the Cities two or three times. I'll be sure to let you know when we do. But man......long winter, huh? It makes me wonder why we live where we do. I don't think I can use the excuse that it "builds character" any longer.......LOL.

Thanks for the nice comment on the guitar, too. It probably wouldn't have been my first choice for color, for I went after the sound and the weight, but it turned out to be a great find! It's indeed a player, so that's what counted for me.

[sickbutnottired]

Darwin,

I just got a Deluxe about a year ago. I have to say that Jim is right on. I think the stock PU's are solid-but there is definitely room for a good tinkerer to improve. With my setup, I am in love with the bridge pickup sound, I have got a pretty good blend going, but the neck I am not wild about. So I am thinking about an upgrade.

So if you other Deluxe owners have done upgrades that you love...throw them out so Darwin knows how much he needs a gold sparkle deluxe w/ bigsby. Oh yea, I am curious, as well.

[darwinohm]

SBT, thanks for your thoughts on the Deluxe. I think they are a cool looking guitar with the figured top. I am still semi lusting but the GAS is under control. I am not due for another guitar just yet!-- Darwini

[sirmyghin]

I don't think you will ever get a Deluxe to satisfy an LP bug if that is what bit you. The long scale won't get you there, it imparts different qualities. They sure do look nice though. Then again a G&L has a more agreeable neck typically, and nicer bridges by far. Typically better fretwork though both are plekked (and I have heard Gibson finally got the hang of it being used properly lately). What I would like to see is something like a Gibson LP BFG, bucker bridge, p90 neck. But in this case, bucker bridge, ASAT special neck, damn that would be a sexy machine! Throw a trem on it (DFS in my preference) and go the whole nine yards. No reason it can't be done with fair ease as they have routing for both bodies and pickups on hand, and the bodies are identical. Would probably still take persistance to get them to do it though... Better luck just getting your own H sized P90, probably. Then again we saw some 3 pickup asat specials recently, so maybe things are changing.

[darwinohm]

Sirmy, I am not looking for an LP sound. I traded a beautiful LP and it was probably my last. I have the F-100 return and with the MFD buckers it has about anything I could want including drop dead, gorgeous looks. My thing is that G&L has the best body woods that you could imagine. I have looked at custom Carvins and I really like them but the resale is not good. I am just looking for something cool to add to the stable. I have guitars with all kinds of pickups and probably have different sonic capabilities way over my head but when I start looking at the woods, finish and overall workmanship, I keep coming back to G&L. They are stunning to look at and the rest is only a bonus. I cannot get this from Fender unless I went to their custom shop at an atrocious price. I am always looking for something different. Like you Sirmy, my recent ASAT Special needed a shim to get it to where I really want the action. I sit on the couch and play it in the mornings and it is sweet, almost unbelievable. When you plug them in, it is just a bonus. I could never be a guitar salesman because I would bring them home myself ( the American G&Ls). How does Tim Page handle this??? Thanks for your input Sirmy---Darwin

[sirmyghin]

I wouldn't call G&L resale very good either, but I don't worry at all about resale. The catch on Carvins is you have to like the neck, they effectively have one (signature models aside). I have my qualms with that company as a whole, and despite a few good instruments from them, they have made a lot of small errors on mine. They tend to hide behind a really good finish department would be my comments in general. You seem to be a sucker for lookers (and go through such heresy as leaving them near unplayed!) but don't let carvin fool you. Their attention to detail could improve a lot. I honestly doubt I will ever order another one.