About to order a Blues Boy, seeking thoughts on options

GuitLvr · Post by **GuitLvr** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 7:57 pm

Howdy Y'All,

So I am about to order myself a G&L ASAT Bluesboy

, but I'm interested in some of your opinions regarding options. My head is spinning

! This is what I am thinking of ordering:

Solid body ASAT bluesboy, swamp ash, Blackburst w/ black pick guard
Ebony Fretboard, Satin finish
Standard frets
Locking tuners
Graph tech nut

Any opinions out there regarding:

solidbody vs. hollow body?
belly cut?
single coil (classic ASAT) vs. humbucker in the neck position? (I could only locally find a classic tribute to play, but I really liked it, and I liked the neck single coil...it was very mellow)
Fretboard/neck finish (I love the ebony boards on my other guitars, and I hate sticky finishes on the back of the neck!)
tuners?
nut?
Color scheme? I'm not inclined to spend extra for a figured top, but swamp ash can have some nice grain, so I was thinking something semi-transparent...also, I thought black burst might be unique. I like the idea of modding it out a little and getting the humbucker in the neck, but in the end, I still want it to be a spanky tele, ya know? I've been playing a long time (mostly blues, jazz, and rock) and I only gig a couple times a month these days, usually jazz stuff.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts...much appreciated! I've had a Fullerton sig model in my stable for a few years and I love it....got the bug now for a USA tele! I have to say though...that tribute I played was better than I expected!

keep pickin,

Rob

suave eddie · Post by **suave eddie** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 8:46 pm

I ordered a blueburst ASAT Classic with ebony board last summer. I think G&L makes some of the best looking 'burst' finishes out there. The pickups on the Tribute Classic you tried are identical to the U.S. models so you won't notice much difference sonically. The Tributes have different electronic hardware and far fewer options available. I've never played a Bluesboy, but several people here own them and they can probably tell you more about what differences to expect between the Classic and Bluesboy neck pickups.

suave eddie · Post by **suave eddie** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 9:00 pm

The SC-1 in my avatar started its life with a large MFD in the bridge and the existing SD '59 humbucker in the neck. I never could get used to the imbalance in output between the pickups, so I finally replaced the bridge with what you see now, a SD JB humbucker.
I don't know how balanced the Seth Lover neck p/u is with the ASAT Classic bridge, but the people who rave about the Bluesboys usually talk about the middle/both pickup setting as the best sound anyway.
I love the sound of the neck p/u on my Classic.

GuitLvr · Post by **GuitLvr** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 9:19 pm

Sweet! I'm not usually a big fan of blue on a guitar, but that blue burst looks beautiful...that's really close to the look I was thinking of (just in blackburst or maybe tobacco). Really helpful man, thank you. How is the fretboard? I did like that single coil in the neck on the tribute...very different than the bridge. The bridge totally had that spanky, twangy tele thing going on, which I want, but the neck was super warm without much high end...real mellow, and nice for jazzier stuff. Thx again!

suave eddie · Post by **suave eddie** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 9:29 pm

How is the fretboard?

I ordered the ebony board more for how it fit with the visuals than anything else. I personally don't discern much difference in sound between different materials in the fretboard, although many claim to. The ebony feels real nice. I can switch between my maple and ebony guitars without giving it any thought.

louis cyfer · Post by **louis cyfer** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 11:06 pm

if you play jazzy stuff, the bluesboy will work great for you. that seth lover is mellow. the balance between the pups is great, and the middle position on the switch is indeed dreamy. i would not recommend the locking tuners or the graphtec nut on the bluesboy. the tuning is perfectly stable without those. big yes on the bellycut. i love the semni hollow if you don't go with the belly cut. yes on the satin finish. what do you mean by standard frets? the swamp ash g&l is using is always spectacular. which neck are you planning on? 1, 1a, 1b, 1c?

GuitLvr · Post by **GuitLvr** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 1:48 am

Thanks for the comments....those were my thoughts exactly on the p/ups, and I'm definitely interested in the belly cut (though not traditional?)....not so much the semi hollow. I figured for another $80, why not do the graphite nut and locking tuners...can only help tuning stability, right? By standard frets, I just mean the medium jumbo frets that come standard on the G&L's. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the neck profile....I was just going to go for the standard classic "C" (neck 1 I believe) since I think the tribute I played had that neck, and it was pretty comfy and seemed to fit the tele style. However, I don't really have the nuances of the G&L necks decoded. I wish I knew what neck was on my Fullerton, because it's great...starts in a "V" at the nut and tapers off to a "C" by the 12th fret (I think it's the "modern V"?), however, I don't think that neck would feel quite right on the tele. Again...would love to hear comments on the neck profiles! Thx

Ahryn · Post by **Ahryn** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 2:30 am

Locking tuners make string changes a breeze and I haven't had a lick of trouble with my graphite nut, Neck 1 is the 12" radius one so it is probably not the "traditional" tele feel but is pretty comfy.

2 is the more traditional one but seeing as you are the one playing on that neck go for the one that is the most comfortable for you, If V is your comfort zone go for it but if you liked the tribby than C might be a better fit for you.

louis cyfer · Post by **louis cyfer** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 2:48 am

i'd go for the number 1 neck. it's a little beefier than some others, but i think it does wonders for the tone. on a non trem guitar the graphite nut will not add any tuning stability, not will the locking tuners. string change is fast with locking tuners, but the G&L/schaller split post tuners, the string change is already a breeze. . the graphite nut actually effect the tone to my ears, but only the open strings. on a non trem guitar i just go for the bone nut and standard split post tuners.

astutzmann · Post by **astutzmann** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 5:01 am

my bluesboy is a 2008. I have the locking tuners, but Louis is right, for a non trem guitar, they are not needed. I have a bone nut as well, works great. For my legacy, I have graphtec nut and locking tuners, works great for the legacy.

I have the standard neck, 7.5 radius on bluesboy, 12 on legacy, both great for each style of guitar.

One option (expensive) you might want to consider is stainless steel frets, I have those and an ebony board on my special, really nice.

If I was going for blackburst (awesome colour by the way) and an ebony board, I might consider no pickguard..................

Only thing, I wish G&L would have all black hardware, it would really complete that guitar nicely.

GuitLvr · Post by **GuitLvr** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 10:59 am

Interesting comments. I have to say I don't agree about the nut per se....my experience with some of my other guitars (non-trem) is that you get a little more sustain on open strings and tuning stability if you bend alot....two things I definitely plan to do with this bluesboy! I agree the locking tuners are probably overkill, but I may add a hip bender later, so both those options may be somewhat useful.

the neck stuff is interesting. It turns out that the Tribute I played had a 9" fretboard radius, similiar to a vintage tele. I loved it and it played great....ringing, open, and nice for bending. However, it seems that the standard fretboard on the USA bluesboy is 7.5", and they don't offer a 9" option...bummer. 7.5 seems a little thin for bending, and I'll be choking the life out of this guitar

...I'm inclined to go for neck 1 with the 12" radius, or maybe 1A for a little slimmer "C"...my hands are on the small side. I would really like the 9" or maybe even a compound radius option.

Stainless frets are a thought, they will certainly last longer. I definitely like the no pickguard idea....I often take them off my other guitars cause they look so much cooler

. Black hardware would be sweet!

thanks for the comments, please keep them coming they are very helpful when you can't find actual examples to play....ordering a guitar I haven't played makes me nervous

GuitLvr · Post by **GuitLvr** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 11:22 am

Man...I also just noticed that the USA bluesboy comes with 12:1 ratio tuners, but the tribute has 18:1? I tell ya, those tributes are great bang for your buck. I think schaller locking tuners are 16:1?

BillEvans1956 · Post by **BillEvans1956** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 11:37 am

Envy...
http://guitarsbyleo.com/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=5097

Good luck. Bill

GuitLvr · Post by **GuitLvr** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 2:41 pm

I put in my order!

Here is what I finally decided on:

Classic Bluesboy
Swamp Ash / Black Burst (took a chance!)/ T/S pickguard (to match my strat which is nitro blonde w/ t/s guard). No contours...gotta stay a little tele/planky/trad, ya know?
Neck #1 (wanted the bigger radius and like the feel of the classic "C" on the tribute)
Ebony fretboard
Graph Tech Nut
Locking Tuners (wanted finer tuners, these are 16:1 as opposed to the 12:1 stock tuners)
reversed controls (I would think more people would be interested in this....the tone control sweep is voiced so nicely, you can totally do wah wah effects if you can reach it!)

Thanks for all your help fellas, I'll be sure to register and post pics when I receive her in....*gasp*...15 weeks!!

darwinohm · Post by **darwinohm** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 3:00 pm

Maybe they will deliver it early. Looking forward to seeing it! I think you have set a new recent record here for deciding on your order in one day. Congrats!!!! -- Darwin

GuitLvr · Post by **GuitLvr** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 3:11 pm

I figured I better decide quick or else I would be debating forever!! I'm still second guessing....just called the dealer and asked about getting the headstock painted!

?? He seemed to think it would look cool with a blackburst on the headstock, but I'm not so sure what it will look like...I mean, ebony board, burst headstock, and satin on the back of the neck?

darwinohm · Post by **darwinohm** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 3:55 pm

I think that would be a perfect touch. Matching headstocks are always classy.-- Darwin

louis cyfer · Post by **louis cyfer** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 4:37 pm

GuitLvr wrote:I put in my order!

Here is what I finally decided on:

Classic Bluesboy
Swamp Ash / Black Burst (took a chance!)/ T/S pickguard (to match my strat which is nitro blonde w/ t/s guard). No contours...gotta stay a little tele/planky/trad, ya know?
Neck #1 (wanted the bigger radius and like the feel of the classic "C" on the tribute)
Ebony fretboard
Graph Tech Nut
Locking Tuners (wanted finer tuners, these are 16:1 as opposed to the 12:1 stock tuners)
reversed controls (I would think more people would be interested in this....the tone control sweep is voiced so nicely, you can totally do wah wah effects if you can reach it!)

Thanks for all your help fellas, I'll be sure to register and post pics when I receive her in....*gasp*...15 weeks!!

what do you mean by reversed controls? i can't find that as an option.

astutzmann · Post by **astutzmann** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 4:38 pm

Congrat and I agree with Darwin, congrats on asking questions and making a decision, awesome. You are going to love it!

Ahryn · Post by **Ahryn** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 5:05 pm

Good choices man, your gonna love that #1 neck.

But now is the second hardest part, waiting for it to be built.

GuitLvr · Post by **GuitLvr** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 7:56 pm

louis cyfer wrote:
GuitLvr wrote:I put in my order!

Here is what I finally decided on:

Classic Bluesboy
Swamp Ash / Black Burst (took a chance!)/ T/S pickguard (to match my strat which is nitro blonde w/ t/s guard). No contours...gotta stay a little tele/planky/trad, ya know?
Neck #1 (wanted the bigger radius and like the feel of the classic "C" on the tribute)
Ebony fretboard
Graph Tech Nut
Locking Tuners (wanted finer tuners, these are 16:1 as opposed to the 12:1 stock tuners)
reversed controls (I would think more people would be interested in this....the tone control sweep is voiced so nicely, you can totally do wah wah effects if you can reach it!)

Thanks for all your help fellas, I'll be sure to register and post pics when I receive her in....*gasp*...15 weeks!! :
what do you mean by reversed controls? i can't find that as an option.

I didn't see reversed controls as an option, but my dealer is asking them to do it for me. The reason is that when I was playing the tribute, I noticed how wide the sweep was on the tone control, and it was really cool to ride it for wah type effects/ornaments. Problem was, it was too far from the strings to keep a pinky on it while simultaneously picking, and I also like to do volume swells, so I'm asking that they just reverse the controls so the volume pot is nearest the strings, followed by the tone, and the toggle last, furthest from the bridge. The dealer thought it wouldn't be a problem...if for some reason it is, it's easy enough to DIY.

Thanks for your help....it's was tough not to get a hollow body or contours, but your comments were very helpful and really helped me think it through!

15 weeks....ugh!!

Regards,

Rob

louis cyfer · Post by **louis cyfer** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:33 pm

i got it. i have mine like that, but i have a slant switch control plate, because if you reverse with the straight switch, it becomes pretty hard to switch from the neck position. also the tone pot is moved away from the switch just a little to give clearance.

GuitLvr · Post by **GuitLvr** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:58 pm

ahhh....exactly what I'm talking about! Do you have a pic? Did you do that mod after purchase? If so, where'd you get the slant plate?

louis cyfer · Post by **louis cyfer** » Wed Jan 04, 2012 10:34 pm

GuitLvr wrote:ahhh....exactly what I'm talking about! Do you have a pic? Did you do that mod after purchase? If so, where'd you get the slant plate?

i got it from mark rutters. i got another one from luxxtone, but those are not officially for sale yet. i am actually considering replacing the neck pup with a fralin twangmaster, get a little brighter edgier tone from the neck pup, but still with the fatness of a p90.

GuitLvr · Post by **GuitLvr** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 3:22 pm

Thanks for the info Louis, I was able to secure on from Luxxtone!

louis cyfer · Post by **louis cyfer** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 7:27 pm

GuitLvr wrote:Thanks for the info Louis, I was able to secure on from Luxxtone!

great. i actually gave him the one to trace, so you are getting a copy of mine. jerry is a good guy, great service.

GuitLvr · Post by **GuitLvr** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 10:35 am

I noticed that Luxxtone's is nickel plated, and Mark's is chrome plated (probably nickel-chrome....I have to ask him). Have you had any tarnish issues with mark's? I also noticed his are engraved, which I'm not fond of.

louis cyfer · Post by **louis cyfer** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 1:12 pm

GuitLvr wrote:I noticed that Luxxtone's is nickel plated, and Mark's is chrome plated (probably nickel-chrome....I have to ask him). Have you had any tarnish issues with mark's? I also noticed his are engraved, which I'm not fond of.

i just stopped bu7 and talked to jerry yesterday, he told me about your order. i haven't had an issue with mark, but the luxxtone ones look great, he has both steel and aluminum, both look phenomenal. one of mine is actually not plated, the one you see on the bluesboy, it is just polished aluminum. i polished it myself, looks very nice that way too.

GuitLvr · Post by **GuitLvr** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 11:33 pm

Cool...I feel like part of a club! The highly regarded "reversed control plate with angled toggle switch" club. I'll have to inquire about the (stainless?) steel...he told me he only had nickel plated. Thanks a bunch for your help...

BTW...finally posted a pic of my George Fullerton, check it out:

I've been thinking about putting new pickups in it (maybe a stacked humbucker in the bridge?)...any suggestions?

louis cyfer · Post by **louis cyfer** » Sun Jan 08, 2012 12:26 am

the steel one is still nickel plated. the best strat pup right now to me are the klein jazzy cats. they are a low output pickup. depends on what you are looking for in sound. give me some clues on what type of playing, tone you are after, i might be able to help.

GuitLvr · Post by **GuitLvr** » Sun Jan 08, 2012 1:12 am

This is a rock/funk/blues axe fer sure....I like the neck for blues, the middle/neck out-of-phase for that typical hendrix-y, strat rhythm sound, but was thinking about going humbucker in the neck for all out, high gain rock lead sounds....

louis cyfer · Post by **louis cyfer** » Sun Jan 08, 2012 2:44 am

GuitLvr wrote:This is a rock/funk/blues axe fer sure....I like the neck for blues, the middle/neck out-of-phase for that typical hendrix-y, strat rhythm sound, but was thinking about going humbucker in the neck for all out, high gain rock lead sounds....

remember the middle/neck position is not out of phase. people incorrectly think it is. i wouldn't put a humbucker in the neck. if you want a beefier bigger sounding sound that does the high gain rock well, i would go with the fralin blues special in the neck and middle and steelpole 43 in the bridge.

NickHorne · Post by **NickHorne** » Sun Jan 08, 2012 8:40 am

And you could consider the option (on a toggle?) of putting pup pairs in series instead of parallel, to make a big humbucker that still has a lot of single-coil about it. Lindy Fralin used to tape the magnets to prevent any chance of them getting connected to the coil, if you asked him nicely; then there's never going to be any issues with series wiring. Louis's Lindy suggestion sounds extremely tasty; I have Blues specials in an SRV Fender, and I can get "Mr Wonderful" - period Peter Green blues Strat that feels very nice indeed, as well as the more rock area. Series makes an even rockier racket, and also excellent for Ry Cooder and Keef. Fun. I'm sure having the steel-pole at the back, as Louis wrote, would be even better.

louis cyfer · Post by **louis cyfer** » Sun Jan 08, 2012 9:23 am

NickHorne wrote:And you could consider the option (on a toggle?) of putting pup pairs in series instead of parallel, to make a big humbucker that still has a lot of single-coil about it. Lindy Fralin used to tape the magnets to prevent any chance of them getting connected to the coil, if you asked him nicely; then there's never going to be any issues with series wiring. Louis's Lindy suggestion sounds extremely tasty; I have Blues specials in an SRV Fender, and I can get "Mr Wonderful" - period Peter Green blues Strat that feels very nice indeed, as well as the more rock area. Series makes an even rockier racket, and also excellent for Ry Cooder and Keef. Fun. I'm sure having the steel-pole at the back, as Louis wrote, would be even better.

there are some places that actually carry the taped magnet version in stock. i have that in my tele.

GuitLvr · Post by **GuitLvr** » Sun Jan 08, 2012 10:25 am

Cool, I'll check that stuff out. I meant to say "humbucker in the bridge position"....late and too much scotch

louis cyfer · Post by **louis cyfer** » Sun Jan 08, 2012 1:00 pm

GuitLvr wrote:Cool, I'll check that stuff out. I meant to say "humbucker in the bridge position"....late and too much scotch

the steelpole 43 is basically a p90 in the bridge that fits the start size. much better option, you still have the agressive side of the humbucker but with a little more edge. the sound is better imnsho than humbuckers, still can do everything a humbucker does and than some.

GuitLvr · Post by **GuitLvr** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:32 am

Just delivered, and she's a beauty! Setup out of the box was awesome, great playability and I am loving these pickups, especially the Seth Lover in the neck. The tone control is voiced nicely, I can totally do sweep/wah type effects with it. The reversed control plate didn't work out as the one I got wasn't drilled to the correct spacing for the G&L toggle (have to talk to Luxxtone about this) so I will have to modify it to use it. Couldn't be happier with the guitar though....the finish looks great, has some great grain that the blackburst really lets through. This guitar sounds so much better for jazz than I imagined....very versatile axe. Sweetness!

astutzmann · Post by **astutzmann** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:09 am

absolutely stunning, congrats!!

blargfromouterspace · Post by **blargfromouterspace** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:22 am

look at that grain - straight and tight. Bet it sounds goooooood. I still think the Bluesboy is one of the most versatile guitars out there - goes from country at the bridge via Gretsch-esque boinky twang in the middle, to smooth jazz at the neck. Fantastic guitar. Enjoy it

jakkanen · Post by **jakkanen** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:35 am

I like the woods and the coloring. This guitar is so close to being gorgeous, all it would take is a black pickguard.

-Jukka

darwinohm · Post by **darwinohm** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 7:15 am

Spectacular looking wood and the color is very nice!-- Darwin

louis cyfer · Post by **louis cyfer** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 9:50 am

beautiful guitar, a pickguard swap and she'll be gorgeous. i am surprised the luxxtone control plate didn't fit, i have it on mine now instead of the rutters. what is it about the spacing that doesn't work? on mine the tone is a little farther from the switch than the original to give more room for access. talk to jerry though, he will take care of you.

GuitLvr · Post by **GuitLvr** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 12:38 pm

Ah, the pick guard! Ya know, the guitar is actually much blacker than the photos, and the pick guard looks really nice, plus it matches my fullerton

I fretted over not getting a black pick guard...you guys are killin' me!

The flipped control plate didn't work out because the screw holes were not drilled out to the spacing of the G&L toggle switch. Have to talk to Luxxtone about that, maybe G&L simply switched their toggle since he drew yours.

anyhoo.....freakin' love this axe man. Soooo sweet!

jacksonmoon · Post by **jacksonmoon** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 2:34 am

Bluesboy's are a great axe - even the Indonesian made Tribute models of which I have one and my son has another. All in all, I have 4 G&L's, the Tribute Bluesboy, A USA hollow body custom shop ASAT Special with Bigsby (more on that in a minute..) a USA Legacy Strat and the mother of them all, a solid body USA ASAT special which I have to say is one of the most brilliant guitars I have had the pleasure to own.

The hollowbody ASAT has a Bigsby which turns out to be problem. The Bigsby clangs down on the pickup selector Volume and Tone controls right in its sweet spot. I am going to my tech to see if he can replace the spring with a bigger version so I can get some clearance and a little more resistance on the mechanism. Right now, it looks awesome but doesn't do much - the Bigsby that is. The guitar itself is simply magnificent, as you'd expect from a USA G&L.

The point I'm trying to make is - do not add a Bigsby unless the pickup switch is moved to a Gibson location (top or bottom left of guitar) and the vol/tone knobs are moved on an angle towards the back end of the guitar. Then, the Bigsbby will hve room to do its job.

Good luck - hope you get a great axe.

Jackson Moon.

louis cyfer · Post by **louis cyfer** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 2:41 am

jacksonmoon wrote:Bluesboy's are a great axe - even the Indonesian made Tribute models of which I have one and my son has another. All in all, I have 4 G&L's, the Tribute Bluesboy, A USA hollow body custom shop ASAT Special with Bigsby (more on that in a minute..) a USA Legacy Strat and the mother of them all, a solid body USA ASAT special which I have to say is one of the most brilliant guitars I have had the pleasure to own.

The hollowbody ASAT has a Bigsby which turns out to be problem. The Bigsby clangs down on the pickup selector Volume and Tone controls right in its sweet spot. I am going to my tech to see if he can replace the spring with a bigger version so I can get some clearance and a little more resistance on the mechanism. Right now, it looks awesome but doesn't do much - the Bigsby that is. The guitar itself is simply magnificent, as you'd expect from a USA G&L.

The point I'm trying to make is - do not add a Bigsby unless the pickup switch is moved to a Gibson location (top or bottom left of guitar) and the vol/tone knobs are moved on an angle towards the back end of the guitar. Then, the Bigsbby will hve room to do its job.

Good luck - hope you get a great axe.

Jackson Moon.

why is that guitar a custom shop? i didn't realize g&l has a custom shop, or actually the whole factory is a custom shop.

jacksonmoon · Post by **jacksonmoon** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 2:21 am

Well, there's a bit of story here. In 2009, I sent a specification through our local distributor to G&L for a custom made ASAT special. I was a former dealer. The spec list was considered and I received a quote at US$6995.00 for this one off ASAT. The price was way out of my range so I passed it up. This was in April 2009. In December last year (Dec 2011), I was looking around on eBay for used Telecasters and also searched for a G&L ASAT special with Bigsby.

I was nearly floored by the first result that came up, an ASAT Special with my exact specs, colour, neck, binding, tuners, Bigsby, semi-hollow etc. The only thing missing was a third pickup. Price was $1400.00 US dollars. After speaking with the seller, a legitimate second hand guitar dealer, I purchased the guitar and arranged to have it delivered to Australia. During delivery, there was an attempt to steal the guitar when it arrived at the couriers depot. It was only through the intervention of a dedicated staff member there that the guitar was found. It probably helped that my business has an account with the courier. Surveillance video caught the culprit and the guitar was retrieved and delivered after 2 weeks of bowel loosening waiting.

Upon opening the box the ASAT Special was everything I expected. One flaw aside (Bigsby clanging the vol/tone and p/up selector) it has its own unique tone, slightly thinner than the massive sound from my ASAT special solid body - more like something in between an old Fender Broadcaster and a 6120 Gretsch. Very unique and certainly its own voice.

I contacted G&L, gave them the serial number and they did not have this serial number on record. I contacted the seller who told me the original neck was damaged and he had it replaced with the same from G&L. He still had a photo of the old neck with the serial number which again proved untraceable at G&L. My theory is someone at G&L saw my original specs and liked them enough to build the guitar 'off the books', officially or unofficially, I don't know. The guitar made its way around when by some freak of timing, I spot it on eBay. It survived the trip over, an attempted burglary and is now safely locked away when not in use.

louis cyfer · Post by **louis cyfer** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 2:31 am

jacksonmoon wrote:Well, there's a bit of story here. In 2009, I sent a specification through our local distributor to G&L for a custom made ASAT special. I was a former dealer. The spec list was considered and I received a quote at US$6995.00 for this one off ASAT. The price was way out of my range so I passed it up. This was in April 2009. In December last year (Dec 2011), I was looking around on eBay for used Telecasters and also searched for a G&L ASAT special with Bigsby.

I was nearly floored by the first result that came up, an ASAT Special with my exact specs, colour, neck, binding, tuners, Bigsby, semi-hollow etc. The only thing missing was a third pickup. Price was $1400.00 US dollars. After speaking with the seller, a legitimate second hand guitar dealer, I purchased the guitar and arranged to have it delivered to Australia. During delivery, there was an attempt to steal the guitar when it arrived at the couriers depot. It was only through the intervention of a dedicated staff member there that the guitar was found. It probably helped that my business has an account with the courier. Surveillance video caught the culprit and the guitar was retrieved and delivered after 2 weeks of bowel loosening waiting.

Upon opening the box the ASAT Special was everything I expected. One flaw aside (Bigsby clanging the vol/tone and p/up selector) it has its own unique tone, slightly thinner than the massive sound from my ASAT special solid body - more like something in between an old Fender Broadcaster and a 6120 Gretsch. Very unique and certainly its own voice.

I contacted G&L, gave them the serial number and they did not have this serial number on record. I contacted the seller who told me the original neck was damaged and he had it replaced with the same from G&L. He still had a photo of the old neck with the serial number which again proved untraceable at G&L. My theory is someone at G&L saw my original specs and liked them enough to build the guitar 'off the books', officially or unofficially, I don't know. The guitar made its way around when by some freak of timing, I spot it on eBay. It survived the trip over, an attempted burglary and is now safely locked away when not in use.

a very cool story indeed. thank you for sharing it. i am glad you ended up with exactly what you wanted. i have been looking trying to find an asat special the way i want it exactly. there are none in the registry, but i don't know that it doesn't exist. i hope i get lucky like you.