ASAT Deluxe Tribute spotting (Guitar World Sept 2012)

[jwebsmall]

This is not the first time Paul has used the ASAT Deluxe tribute to demo
amps and pedals:

[youtube]oU198008GNE[/youtube]

I think Paul must like this G&L ASAT Deluxe tribute a lot.

It sounds really good through the THR10.

Does Craig know when the carved top a USA ASAT Deluxe is going to be offered.
He mentioned before that G&L was thinking about it if I remember correctly.

Also has G&L considered a 42 mm neck width for the tribute line?

[Craig]

Does Craig know when the carved top a USA ASAT Deluxe is going to be offered.
He mentioned before that G&L was thinking about it if I remember correctly.

Also has G&L considered a 42 mm neck width for the tribute line?

Steve mentioned last year they had it on the CNC programming list for 2012. I have not heard
any more about it since then. When I do hear, I will post about it.

Here is the current neck width offerings for Tribute Series guitars:

41.3mm = 1 5/8" (1.63") Tribute ASAT models, Legacy, S-500, Comanche, Will Ray Signature
42.9mm = 1 11/16" (1.69") Tribute Ascari models, Fiorano
44.5mm = 1 3/4" (1.75") Tribute Jerry Cantrell Signature

42.0mm = 1 21/32" (1.65"): that's .7mm wider than the 1 5/8" width, which manufacturers uses a
42mm neck width?

[jwebsmall]

ESP typically uses 42 mm (1.65") nut width.

Fender has various tele's and strats spec'ed at 42 mm.
For example the reissue vintage '57 strat and '52 tele
(and many others like the Fender Custom Shop - custom deluxe
strat and tele)

The latest PRS pattern regular necks (custom 24)
have gone back to 1 21/32" (i.e. 42mm) nut width.

You will notice that the Fender high priced models like
American Standard and Deluxe are spec'ed at 42.8 mm.
I presume that is because older guys buy them.

I used to be able to play a 1 5/8" neck but now my
index finger will swell over night after playing a gig
with that nut width. I've wanted to buy a Tribute ASAT
deluxe for awhile now but I just can't live with it. In fact
I had to trade in my USA legacy that was stock 1 5/8"
because I just couldn't play it for any length of time
without wrenching my finger. I bought the legacy off
the rack thinking maybe I could manage. But I finally
had to give it up. I even sold my Music Man Axis because
of the 1 5/8" nut and my Rickenbacker 360 because of the
1 5/8" nut. It' s just too narrow now.

Double stops on a 42 mm aren't hard so going from 41.3 mm
to 42 mm isn't going to be noticed by most people except
those with extremely small hands (and/or young teens).
Most guys in the middle age group are never going to know
the difference. And if they do then please don't these same
people turn around ask what's the big deal about 0.7 mm?
If it is no big deal why not go to 42mm then. The older guys
will have to special order a USA G&L and by pass the tribute
line altogether (except for the new ones - I was considering the Foriano
but really prefer the ASAT Deluxe instead).

With 42.8 mm double stops start to get challenging. So if nothing
else if G&L had a USA neck option of 42 mm nut width it would be nice.
If it is either 41.3 or 42.8 I'll go for the latter and forego the tributes.

Maybe a poll for those who special order (not the 1 5/8" stock guys) choosing

1 21/32"
1 11/16"
1 3/4"

I'm guessing for the long scale it will come down in two groups.
Guys with really big hands voting for: 1 3/4".
Guys with old hands otherwise voting for: 1 21/32".
I could be wrong but it would be nice to know. There must
be a reason Fender and PRS are using 42mm - no?

The 1 11/16" seems to be ideal for short scale, i.e. 24.75" and
1 21/32" for the long scale, i.e. 25.5".

I guess it is not a big deal. I'll either order a stock Invader or Tribute
Foriano or else special order a USA 1 11/16" (except I prefer the Paul
Gagon pickups to the Seymour Duncans in the ASAT Deluxes USA).
(Can't wait to hear the Fender-Gagon pickups in the new ASAT
Classic Alnico.)

P.S. The boat profile necks were nice too (feel and awesome tone)
- too bad they are gone.

[Cannon01]

Speaking of spotting this guitar...Craig, do you have any update on when the shipment(s) of these Tribute ASAT Deluxe Carve Tops will be in? These cannot be found and word from my dealer is shipments of other Tributes came in over the summer, but this guitar was not included. I ask because I ordered one last December and can't wait to get it!

[Darth Invader]

Hi,

We've been getting ASAT DCTs in and filling backorders. At the moment we've actually caught up and have some in stock, though it looks like we'll be backordered again within days. However, we're getting them in monthly and in good quantity, so I don't expect any lengthy delays.

The challenge will be to get some on the walls of dealers, as it seems that many of them are sold before they arrive, leaving nothing for inventory. Hopefully that'll get sorted out soon as well.

Thanks for your patience!

Dave

[Craig]

Does Craig know when the carved top a USA ASAT Deluxe is going to be offered.
He mentioned before that G&L was thinking about it if I remember correctly.

Also has G&L considered a 42 mm neck width for the tribute line?

Steve mentioned last year they had it on the CNC programming list for 2012. I have not heard
any more about it since then. When I do hear, I will post about it.

Here is the current neck width offerings for Tribute Series guitars:

41.3mm = 1 5/8" (1.63") Tribute ASAT models, Legacy, S-500, Comanche, Will Ray Signature
42.9mm = 1 11/16" (1.69") Tribute Ascari models, Fiorano
44.5mm = 1 3/4" (1.75") Tribute Jerry Cantrell Signature

42.0mm = 1 21/32" (1.65"): that's .7mm wider than the 1 5/8" width, which manufacturers uses a
42mm neck width?

I recently found out that the Tribute guitar necks listed with 1 5/8" nut width ARE actually 1.65" (42mm).

However, I still have not heard about this as an option for the US models.