ASAT neck question

[sshan25]

I have the opportunity to buy a recent US ASAT Classic. I'm pretty sure it has a 12 in radius neck (which l prefer). What year did G&L switch to this radius and how can l determine what year it was made? Thanks.

[Fumble fingers]

I am curious about this too ... my 98 ASAT Classic has more curve than my newer G & L's (2000 and up)

[KenC]

What year did G&L switch to this radius...

G&L has been using a 12" radius from the very beginning, on the F-100 Series I back in 1980. It's been an option for ASATs since the model came out in '86, but there may have been some special builds along the way that didn't allow options.

...and how can l determine what year it was made?

The only way to know for sure is to check the date stamps in the neck pocket. You could also search the Registry for the guitar's serial number (if it's been entered by a previous owner) to see if the dates are recorded. If the instrument is very recent, you should be able to tell the date from the serial number. I'm not sure how to do that though...my G&Ls are about 25 years old on average...

Ken

[Craig]

What year did G&L switch to this radius...

G&L has been using a 12" radius from the very beginning, on the F-100 Series I back in 1980. It's been an option for ASATs since the model came out in '86, but there may have been some special builds along the way that didn't allow options.

...and how can l determine what year it was made?

The only way to know for sure is to check the date stamps in the neck pocket. You could also search the Registry for the guitar's serial number (if it's been entered by a previous owner) to see if the dates are recorded. If the instrument is very recent, you should be able to tell the date from the serial number. I'm not sure how to do that though...my G&Ls are about 25 years old on average...

Ken

The ASAT Classic stock spec neck was the #2 (7 1/2" radius) neck from 1990 until about May or June 2012. G&L changed the stock spec neck to the #1 in June or July 2012.
However, as KenC mentioned, any of the optional necks could/can be ordered by a customer. For details on the various neck options over the years, see: What are the USA neck size options, past and present?.

For G&L instrument dating see: How do I determine an instrument's age? and Serial number significance.

Hope this helps.

[sshan25]

Thanks guys. It's going to involve a little more work than l had anticipated. I think it will be worth it in the end, though,

[sshan25]

I bought the ASAT. It's a great guitar. I believe it's a 2010. lt has a # 1 neck. I tried to set it up exactly as my '12 Legacy. When l set the same string height measurements at the 5th and 12th frets as the Legacy, the ASAT chokes out when l bend the high E and B around the 10th fret. What might cause the difference? Thanks.

[louis cyfer]

a high fret. you might want to have a professional set it up if you can't trouble shoot things like that.

[sshan25]

I thought l didn't have to consider things like high frets if the neck has been plekked.

[KenC]

I thought l didn't have to consider things like high frets if the neck has been plekked.

They can still pop out of the slot. I just picked up an '86 SB-1 (definitely not plekked!) that has the 20th fret popped slightly on the G-string side. It gives a bit of fret buzz at the 18th and 19th frets. A worse case could have notes choking out completely. Fixing that is not a major job for a good tech.

Ken

[Craig]

I bought the ASAT. It's a great guitar. I believe it's a 2010. lt has a # 1 neck. I tried to set it up exactly as my '12 Legacy. When l set the same string height measurements at the 5th and 12th frets as the Legacy, the ASAT chokes out when l bend the high E and B around the 10th fret. What might cause the difference? Thanks.

Weather can affect a neck regardless of whether or not it's been Plek'd.
Try setting it up to the current factory spec: Current Factory setup for G&L guitars with hardtail bridges.
Also make sure the neck is seated in the pocket. See: String alignment issues and a simple cure.

If those don't resolve the issue, seek out a competent tech to resolve it.

Once you get it resolved, let us know what was done.

Hope this helps.

[louis cyfer]

I thought l didn't have to consider things like high frets if the neck has been plekked.

it's been shipped, it's been played. frets wear. it could be a high 11th fret or a low 10th fret. either way, leveling, dressing and polishing would be a great idea. plekk is not the end all and be all of setups. my tech takes a freshly plekked guitar and improves it.