2007 ASAT Special Odd Neck Radius

[MJ Slaughter]

I took my new to me 2007 ASAT in for a little fret tweaking and found that the radius is more like 9.5" rather than 12". I looked up in the archives and saw that from 1098-2008 the #1 necks, like I have, were 12" as they are today. I asked the tech if he was sure so he put the 12" gauge on the fretboard and there is definitely space on each end. 9.5" gauge seated properly. What's up with that? It doesn't bother me really because my preference is in the 9.5-12" range anyway but I find it odd that the radius could be something that G&L doesn't even offer. Then or now.

[Fumble fingers]

my 1998 ASAT Classic has a 9.5 .... my 1996 S 500 , 2000 Comanche , 2013 SC2 and 2013 Legacy all have the 12 ... I thought the 9.5 was still available ??

[Craig]

I took my new to me 2007 ASAT in for a little fret tweaking and found that the radius is more like 9.5" rather than 12". I looked up in the archives and saw that from 1098-2008 the #1 necks, like I have, were 12" as they are today. I asked the tech if he was sure so he put the 12" gauge on the fretboard and there is definitely space on each end. 9.5" gauge seated properly. What's up with that? It doesn't bother me really because my preference is in the 9.5-12" range anyway but I find it odd that the radius could be something that G&L doesn't even offer. Then or now.

my 1998 ASAT Classic has a 9.5 .... my 1996 S 500 , 2000 Comanche , 2013 SC2 and 2013 Legacy all have the 12 ... I thought the 9.5 was still available ??

9.5" fretboard radius has not been an official fretboard option on US G&L models. See: What are the USA neck size options, past and present?.
It would likely be a 7.5" radius (#2 neck). Do you have a 7.5" radius gauge, to check it?

[MJ Slaughter]

I haven't seen anything to indicate they had or have 9.5" but that doesn't mean much. This is where I was getting my info from:

Historically as early as 1980, G&L has offered neck options on its guitars and basses.
The options on the F-100 included fingerboard radius (7.5- or 12-inch) and fingerboard
wood (ebony or maple). The 12-inch radius was a no-cost option on all G&L guitars
(except the student SC series) beginning in 1982 and 1983.

In 1984, three neck options were offered:

#1 (1 5/8 inch nut width, 2 13/64 inch butt width, 12-inch radius)
#2 (1 5/8 inch nut width, 2 13/64 inch butt width, 7.5-inch radius)
#3 (1 3/4 inch nut width, 2 13/64 inch butt width, 12-inch radius)

From 1986 to 1991[*], the options were expanded to:

#1 (1 5/8 inch nut width, 2 13/64 inch butt width, 12-inch radius)
#2 (1 5/8 inch nut width, 2 13/64 inch butt width, 7.5-inch radius)
#3 (1 3/4 inch nut width, 2 13/64 inch butt width, 12-inch radius)
#4 (1 3/4 inch nut width, 2 13/64 inch butt width, 25-inch radius)
#5 (1 3/4 inch nut width, 2 21/64 inch butt width, 25-inch radius)

The #1, 2, 3, and 4 necks were no-cost options and the #5 was a $25 special order.

In 1997, the options were changed to:

#1 (1 5/8 inch nut width, 2 13/64 inch butt width, 12-inch radius)
#2 (1 5/8 inch nut width, 2 13/64 inch butt width, 7.5-inch radius)
#3 (1 3/4 inch nut width, 2 13/64 inch butt width, 12-inch radius)
#4 (1 11/16 inch nut width, 2 13/64 inch butt width, 12-inch radius)

From 1998 - 2008, the options were changed to:

#1 (1 5/8 inch nut width, 2 1/4 inch width at body joint, 12-inch radius)
#1V - V-shaped rear (1 5/8 inch nut width, 2 1/4 inch width at body joint, 12-inch radius)
#2 (1 5/8 inch nut width, 2 1/4 inch width at body joint, 7.5-inch radius)
#3 (1 3/4 inch nut width, 2 1/4 inch width at body joint, 12-inch radius)
#4 (1 11/16 inch nut width, 2 1/4 inch width at body joint, 12-inch radius)

Beginning in 2009, G&L has expanded their neck shape offerings.
Also note that #3 and #4 neck nut widths changed.
See the Option pages for details on G&L's main website:
Click here for USA Guitar Options.
Click here for USA Bass Options.

Beginning in 2013, the Jerry Cantrell Signature models (Rampage and Superhawk) have a custom #4 Neck Profile,
listed on the Custom Build Specification Certificate as: #4a G&L Extra Wide Super Slim C - 1 3/4" Nut Width,
14" Radius .770" depth at first fret, .850" at 12th fret (+/- .015" tolerance upon completion).

[*] No data available for 1992-1996

[MJ Slaughter]

9.5" fretboard radius has not been an official fretboard option on US G&L models. See: What are the USA neck size options, past and present?.
It would likely be a 7.5" radius (#2 neck). Do you have a 7.5" radius gauge, to check it?

I'm going to pick the guitar up today and will ask the tech to check if it could actually be 7.5". Though I don't have the build specs on this guitar someone at G&L told me it should be a #1 neck based on the S/N.

[Craig]

It's not a Tribute is it? I believe they were 9" or 10" radius.
Tim

Good point, Tim.
If it is a 2007 Tribute ASAT Special the fretboard radius would be a 9" radius.
I'd like to see photos of the headstock, front and back. So, MJ Slaughter, when you get the guitar back, please post some photos.

Thanks.

[MJ Slaughter]

I will upload pics when I get it back but the headstock does have the dot in the back with a SN of CLF48815, on the front it says G&L ASAT Guitars by Leo.

[Zippy]

Brother, you can make a quick radius gauge with just a pen, some string, and a ruler on a piece of cardboard. Settle it quickly.

[MJ Slaughter]

I'm not going to be able to get by there until tomorrow afternoon at which time I'll ask him to recheck the radius. I'm certain the year is a 2007 because I pulled the neck when I got it and the S/N is a USA model. If an import played and felt this good I'd sell the USA model and save some money get an import. Unfortunately I never had a chance to play an import ASAT but considering this guitar came with the case as usual and for what I paid for it I wouldn't save that much on a new Tribute ASAT by the time I bought a case.

[Craig]

I'm not going to be able to get by there until tomorrow afternoon at which time I'll ask him to recheck the radius. I'm certain the year is a 2007 because I pulled the neck when I got it and the S/N is a USA model. If an import played and felt this good I'd sell the USA model and save some money get an import. Unfortunately I never had a chance to play an import ASAT but considering this guitar came with the case as usual and for what I paid for it I wouldn't save that much on a new Tribute ASAT by the time I bought a case.

After you posted the serial number, I contacted Dave to get the build specs on this guitar.
Here's his reply:

Hi Craig,

CLF48815
ASAT Special
Tobacco Sunburst
Rosewood
Shipped 12/1/08

Dave

Since there was no specific neck listed, it would have been built with the default spec neck which at that time, was the #2 neck.

In 2012, they changed the default neck spec to a #1 neck for all of the ASAT models which previously had the #2 neck spec. (reference post: http://guitarsbyleo.com/FORUM/viewtopic ... 887#p45887).

I expect that you will find that the neck radius is 7.5", once it's been measured.

Hope this helps.

[MJ Slaughter]

Thanks for the research Craig. Now I'm really curious and need to check the radius again with those gauges. His measurement of 9.5" being pretty much in the middle of 7.5 and 12 is odd.

Do you know if G&L keeps old build spec sheets in maybe PDF form that they could send to me?

[Ray Barbee Music]

Having seen a lot of radii measured on a Plek, I can tell you that manufacturer's stated radii are about as accurate as car manufacturer's stated EPA estimated gas mileage. It wouldn't shock me at all if a #1 or a #2 measured 9.5 at some point on the neck (probably near the nut for a #1, near the heel for a #2). In fact, Dave McClaren once told me that they radiused the tops of the frets on the 7.5s flatter than the board.

[Fumble fingers]

interesting thread .... my 1998 ASAT must be 7.5 then , it's curvey for sure ..... but my 1984/3 Cavlier seems to be in between my ASAT 7.5 and my other 12's , but the list posted doesn't show 9.5 in the years of the Cav .... I don't have a gage either but maybe the Cav's vintage frets make it feel different than my other 12's ??

[Craig]

In fact, Dave McClaren once told me that they radiused the tops of the frets on the 7.5s flatter than the board.

When was this? Pre-Plek or after they added the Plek?

[Ray Barbee Music]

That was in the old day of the GBL boards, so pre-plek. It would actually be easier to do with the Plek.

[Fred Finisher]

MJ,
Just a bit of trivia as far as the radius is concerned. Although I don 't know whether it was '84 or '85, the first 25" radius neck was made for Mark St. John. I don't know when we offered it as an option, but it was definitely before '86 that we made the first necks. We also made a couple of guitars for Alan Holdsworth and it is possible that his necks had the same radius. I remember painting those White but I'm not as sure about his neck options. The bodies were also Basswood.
Fred