NGD-Months Early

[darwinohm]

The saga begin two weeks ago when I received a call from Tim at AGB. He told me about a special wood they were able to get 15 guitars in and would I be interested in having one built. I now know the name of the wood, it is Equatorial Mahogany, lighter in color and very light in weight. He went on to explain that it may be 6 months out but what would be my preference. I thought about it and called him back and ordered a hollow BB with f hole, I requested no pickguard but I received a call back saying the Bluesboy had to have a pickguard. So, Tortoise it was, I wanted a GOT gloss neck, # 1 with locking tuners. I initially wanted a Gloss finish in the guitar but reconsidered satin. I also wanted a Alnico in the bridge which presented a problem but the factory would wind a special one to match the Seth Lover. I also ordered an ASAT Special and I didn't tell Ginny about this as time was in my favor.

The plot thickened when Tim called me mid last week telling me that much to their surprise, 5 boxes showed up last Wednesday and they were an assortment of guitars and basses, all Equatorial wood and he asked me to take a look at them in case I wanted to change anything on my order. I stopped out on Thursday and looked at them and they were beautiful. They had an L-2000 that was unbelievably light in weight, in fact the neck felt heavy. I also did not like the satin maple neck on some of them as they looked bleached out compared to the body in my opinion. I left without changing anything on the build that I wanted.

We gigged both nights this weekend here in the cities and yesterday I took Steve and Terry (bandmates) out there to look at them as Steve was interested in in an ASAT Special. They had just received another Alnico Launch on Wednesday and I opened the box. It was stunning but willpower kicked in and I made it home safely. Saturday, when I walked in both Corey and Tim (AGB) were smiling. They had just received another shipment. I looked at the boxes and there was a Bluesboy so we opened it to see what it looked like. My jaw dropped when I opened the case as it was the one that I had ordered.

I show up at home with the new Bluesboy. The build date was 9/27/12. Steve bought the Alnico Launch Butterscotch and I had some 'splainin' to do. I have had a lot of reasons for buying a guitar but Ginny had never heard this one before! Boy is she a sweetheart as I am still here. Long story, but it is true. We gave it a test drive after our gig until 6AM this morning and the Alnico really sounds good with the Seth Lover. It is probably less than 7 lbs, almost in Parker territory.Here are some pictures and this is a perfect example of time in my favor!-- Darwin

[GGL Stop]

Darwin, that is a fantastic looking guitar. I'm not big on the gloss fret board, but looks good on yours. I am considering getting the Honey Ale 2012 Special Collection BluesBoy. Very nice guitar my friend. Break her in good. it must have been overwhelming to hold off on those other ASAT's. GAS is a hard thing to handle some times even if you are taking medication for it. By the way that is a beautifully matched two piece as well. The only way I could tell was by the butt strap post photo.



Stop

[blargfromouterspace]

Nice! That finish does look thin - I wonder if its the same satin stuff they use on the necks?

[willross]

Stunning...

[Craig]

The saga begin two weeks ago when I received a call from Tim at AGB. He told me about a special wood they were able to get 15 guitars in and would I be interested in having one built. I now know the name of the wood, it is Equatorial Mahogany, lighter in color and very light in weight. He went on to explain that it may be 6 months out but what would be my preference. I thought about it and called him back and ordered a hollow BB with f hole, I requested no pickguard but I received a call back saying the Bluesboy had to have a pickguard. So, Tortoise it was, I wanted a GOT gloss neck, # 1 with locking tuners. I initially wanted a Gloss finish in the guitar but reconsidered satin. I also wanted a Alnico in the bridge which presented a problem but the factory would wind a special one to match the Seth Lover. I also ordered an ASAT Special and I didn't tell Ginny about this as time was in my favor.

The plot thickened when Tim called me mid last week telling me that much to their surprise, 5 boxes showed up last Wednesday and they were an assortment of guitars and basses, all Equatorial wood and he asked me to take a look at them in case I wanted to change anything on my order. I stopped out on Thursday and looked at them and they were beautiful. They had an L-2000 that was unbelievably light in weight, in fact the neck felt heavy. I also did not like the satin maple neck on some of them as they looked bleached out compared to the body in my opinion. I left without changing anything on the build that I wanted.

We gigged both nights this weekend here in the cities and yesterday I took Steve and Terry (bandmates) out there to look at them as Steve was interested in in an ASAT Special. They had just received another Alnico Launch on Wednesday and I opened the box. It was stunning but willpower kicked in and I made it home safely. Saturday, when I walked in both Corey and Tim (AGB) were smiling. They had just received another shipment. I looked at the boxes and there was a Bluesboy so we opened it to see what it looked like. My jaw dropped when I opened the case as it was the one that I had ordered.

I show up at home with the new Bluesboy. The build date was 9/27/12. Steve bought the Alnico Launch Butterscotch and I had some 'splainin' to do. I have had a lot of reasons for buying a guitar but Ginny had never heard this one before! Boy is she a sweetheart as I am still here. Long story, but it is true. We gave it a test drive after our gig until 6AM this morning and the Alnico really sounds good with the Seth Lover. It is probably less than 7 lbs, almost in Parker territory.Here are some pictures and this is a perfect example of time in my favor!-- Darwin

Very nice indeed!!! I think you just created a new model for G&L, "ASAT Classic Bluesboy Alnico
Semi-Hollow".

Regarding Steve's Butterscotch guitar, that would be an ASAT Classic Alnico, it is not the ASAT Classic Alnico Launch Edition.
The ASAT Classic Alnico Launch Edition only comes with a Western Sugar Pine body and Autumn Burst finish.

[louis cyfer]

wow. beautiful. btw, a bluesboy does not have to have a pickguard, as mine is proof, although i believe i am still the only one without a pg. it would have looked even more awesome without a pg.

[KenC]

Congrats Darwin! That's one beautiful guitar. I love the bookmatched two-piece body, even if it only shows on the ends.

Are they doing GOT necks again?

Ken

[Craig]

wow. beautiful. btw, a bluesboy does not have to have a pickguard, as mine is proof, although i believe i am still the only one without a pg. it would have looked even more awesome without a pg.

Yes, it can be ordered without pickguard per Dave's reply to your question in a previous post and
it's also mentioned in the Are there any "off menu" G&L options? post.

[Craig]

Are they doing GOT necks again?

Ken

They never went away since their introduction as an option.
G&L did expand the tint offering, see Comparison of Neck Finishes.

Hope this helps.

[Craig]

The saga begin two weeks ago when I received a call from Tim at AGB. He told me about a special wood they were able to get 15 guitars in and would I be interested in having one built. I now know the name of the wood, it is Equatorial Mahogany, lighter in color and very light in weight. He went on to explain that it may be 6 months out but what would be my preference. I thought about it and called him back and ordered a hollow BB with f hole, I requested no pickguard but I received a call back saying the Bluesboy had to have a pickguard. So, Tortoise it was, I wanted a GOT gloss neck, # 1 with locking tuners. I initially wanted a Gloss finish in the guitar but reconsidered satin. I also wanted a Alnico in the bridge which presented a problem but the factory would wind a special one to match the Seth Lover. I also ordered an ASAT Special and I didn't tell Ginny about this as time was in my favor.

The plot thickened when Tim called me mid last week telling me that much to their surprise, 5 boxes showed up last Wednesday and they were an assortment of guitars and basses, all Equatorial wood and he asked me to take a look at them in case I wanted to change anything on my order. I stopped out on Thursday and looked at them and they were beautiful. They had an L-2000 that was unbelievably light in weight, in fact the neck felt heavy. I also did not like the satin maple neck on some of them as they looked bleached out compared to the body in my opinion. I left without changing anything on the build that I wanted.

We gigged both nights this weekend here in the cities and yesterday I took Steve and Terry (bandmates) out there to look at them as Steve was interested in in an ASAT Special. They had just received another Alnico Launch on Wednesday and I opened the box. It was stunning but willpower kicked in and I made it home safely. Saturday, when I walked in both Corey and Tim (AGB) were smiling. They had just received another shipment. I looked at the boxes and there was a Bluesboy so we opened it to see what it looked like. My jaw dropped when I opened the case as it was the one that I had ordered.

I show up at home with the new Bluesboy. The build date was 9/27/12. Steve bought the Alnico Launch Butterscotch and I had some 'splainin' to do. I have had a lot of reasons for buying a guitar but Ginny had never heard this one before! Boy is she a sweetheart as I am still here. Long story, but it is true. We gave it a test drive after our gig until 6AM this morning and the Alnico really sounds good with the Seth Lover. It is probably less than 7 lbs, almost in Parker territory.Here are some pictures and this is a perfect example of time in my favor!-- Darwin

Very nice indeed!!! I think you just created a new model for G&L, "ASAT Classic Bluesboy Alnico
Semi-Hollow".

Regarding Steve's Butterscotch guitar, that would be an ASAT Classic Alnico not the ASAT Classic Alnico Launch Edition.
The ASAT Classic Alnico Launch Edition only comes with a Western Sugar Pine body and Autumn Burst finish.

[darwinohm]

Thanks everyone.

GGL- the factory did an excellent job on the body joining. This guitar feels like its made of balsa wood.

Jamie, i would described this as sealed. There is no build up of finish at all and there is no gloss anywhere.

Craig, thanks for the clarification on the Butterscotch, I had misunderstood. When I initially ordered the Bluesboy, I wanted an alnico but we talked about it and we knew it wasn't available. Kudos to AGB for convincing the factory to wind it. It is very well matched and they are really sweet together. I hope there is a demand as the tone in this rig is wonderful. Steve and I played it for a couple of hours and it was hard to put down. By the way, Steve was so impressed with the Alnico that he bought the Classic even though he was'nt looking for a guitar and he doesn't just buy things. He gigged it Saturday night and his Tele is retired!

Louis, G&L would probably do a one off without the pickguard but this was part of an order that is normal builds. A special build as such would put it out several months, which by the way was out understanding anyway. I wasn't ready for another guitar yet.

Ken, I don't think that they have ever discontinued GOT. I think it has been reformulated a bit and a light GOT in now available. I struggled with the GOT when ordering. After seeing the satin neck on some of them I am so glad I ordered the GOT. It really looks great with the wood am will only get better if the Mahogany darkens over time.

Will, this thing is Parker weight but I don't recall any lefties in the group. There were a couple of basses. Thanks Will.

Final note is that this Alnico Bluesboy really sings. This is my 3 rd Bluesboy and the only one I currently have and it is going nowhere!
I also have an ASAT Special with the same neck in Equatorial Mahogany on order and it could show up any day. If I decide not to take it, I will let you know when it arrives and you can work with AGB or PM me and I will let you know when it arrives.--Darwin

[Lefty]

Absolutely gorgeous!! A guy can never have too many guitars!

[darwinohm]

Thanks Lefty, you are right.

Ginny and I just weighed this thing and it came in at 6.2 lbs. I can feel that it is lighter than my Parker by a bit. It is the lightest guitar that I own.-- Darwin

Edit, used a different method of weighing and I believe this is more accurate.

[repoman]

Darwin - You surely lead a charmed life! That is one fine looking guitar.

I imagine the light weight would be attractive to a lot of folks. I wonder if that wood type could end up being a regular option?

Jeff

[louis cyfer]

nteresting

"Equatorial Mahogany is the trade name of an affordable alternative to Genuine Mahogany. Although not a true mahogany, it has a similar grain pattern. The color is consistent and average weight lower than both African and Genuine Mahogany"

[darwinohm]

That is interesting Louis. I was never fond of Mahogany because it was darker and I saw too much paneling used in basements and rooms when I was young. I think that your Bluesboy is as good as it gets. The lighter color/weight really appealed to me. After having it in my hands it is really a fine instrument. I initially had a problem with the satin, almost only sealed look when I first saw it. I thought I would be getting a high gloss body. After using, looking at it, and holding, it really grew on me. The weight is incredible. I never cared for the Gibson Les Pauls that were not gloss. The first thing that struck me was a JB that I looked at with this wood. I opened the case, lifted it up and it felt like a feather compared to a normal bass. I plucked the strings and the sustain and tone were unbelievable unplugged. I am curious as to what effect the heavy poly finishes have on these woods. I was never a believer that it made much of a difference in an electric guitar. It would take a lot of poly to fill the grain on this wood. Anyway, who knows where this wood was sourced from. I am confident it is legal and the weight is unbelievable. It is a very organic look and it grows on me. Ginny was not overwhelmed by the wow factor but it is growing on her. I never though I would own an unfinished looking guitar but here I am and I am not even sure how to take care of the wood but Craig is getting back to us on that. The tone of the Alnico is very well matched to the Seth Lover. I hope it becomes a standard offering as some of you will enjoy that. -- Darwin

Edit. After your post Louis, I did some research on Google. I found out some interesting information. I didn't realize that Mahogany (real) is becoming more difficult to source. African is also different. What I was stricken by is that several guitar makers are talking about the Equatorial Mahogany and use it. It appears to cost less than "real Mahogany" but it seems to be a good tone wood. Tom Anderson is using it and his opinion is that it is "no better/no worse" than the original Mahogany. It sounds like a good alternative. He likes it and that is quite an endorsement to me. I am glad that G&L is experimenting with some of these alternatives.

[meowmix]

Beautiful

[yowhatsshakin]

Wow Darwin! You lucky son of a gun And pretty good pickup combination. At least in that department 'Port&Chocolate' is no longer an aberration.

Congrats!

- Jos