Do all genuine G&L ASATS have Guitar by Leo on the headstock

[keithwm]

Hi folks. I've just bought a mint ASAT, semi hollow non bound two tone cherry sunburst. It appears to be a genuine G&L but it doesn't say guitar by Leo on the headstock (and it doesn't say Tribute). I've seen some very good Fender and Gibson fakes so I'm a bit concerned about the guitar - it was purchased from a UK chain of pawnshops (so has a warranty) but was seemingly quite cheap. Is there a way I can be sure it is a genine G&L and not a tribute that has had the transfer changed?

And yes - I might be being paranoid!

[astutzmann]

welcome

Would be great to see a pic of the headstock, front and back as well as the whole guitar. Serial number on the back is important

It should say G&L ASAT and maybe ASAT CLASSIC

Here's what the new ones look like

http://www.glguitars.com/instruments/US ... /index.asp

[keithwm]

Thanks for quick reply, I'm trying to get into my flickr account to add photos but it has locked me out and wants to send the password reset to an obsolete email address! I wil add photos as soon as I can.

[Craig]

Hi folks. I've just bought a mint ASAT, semi hollow non bound two tone cherry sunburst. It appears to be a genuine G&L but it doesn't say guitar by Leo on the headstock (and it doesn't say Tribute). I've seen some very good Fender and Gibson fakes so I'm a bit concerned about the guitar - it was purchased from a UK chain of pawnshops (so has a warranty) but was seemingly quite cheap. Is there a way I can be sure it is a genine G&L and not a tribute that has had the transfer changed?

And yes - I might be being paranoid!

The answer is no. See this post in the G&L Knowledgebase: "Guitars by Leo" missing on headstock....?.

Also, see: Serial number significance.

[keithwm]

Hi, thanks for the help. I'm still a bit concerned over this guitar, I can't find one of the same spec on the web (the closest is a tribute but its not supposed to be a Tribute). I'm having a problem getting enough relief in the neck and the top E is falling off the fretboard a bit to easily for my liking, although it could be the guitar doesn't like a set of 9 - 42's (I have ordered some .46 low E as its rattling a bit - hence trying to put a bit more relief in the neck.

I have managed to add some photos to Flickr (after one day of Yahoo messing me around) so if you get a change to have a look - and tell me what the model is - it would be appreciated. http://www.flickr.com/photos/40585738@N06/

Cheers

Keith Marriott

[darwinohm]

Keith, this looks like a real deal to me. American neck for sure and the body looks correct. It is a Asat Special Semi, I would guess mid 90's by the serial number. Nice Asat. The photo is taken a bit to the side but the string alignment appears to be good but cannot tell for sure unless the photo is straight on. Sounds like it needs a good setup. -- Darwin

[Elwood]

Nice looking SH ASAT,
Hopefully the new strings will give it the pull you need.
Is the neck tight to the body? There might be a shim in there.
There have been a few folks here that have solved back bow by either adding a washer to the truss rod,
or by holding tension to the neck while tightening the truss rod, sometimes that'll allow the truss to work a little more.

As far as the Low E falling off; it could just need a slight neck realignment . Is this a four bolt or three ?
Has the saddle lock set screw been tightened (it shouldn't change things alignment-wise, but some new owners miss this cool feature)?

...just some thoughts.

elwood

[Craig]

I guesstimate that build year is 1997 or 1998. So, use the setup info in the Gallery - Album: Instrument Manuals and Wiring Schematics - Album: Owner's Manual, Version 2.

[keithwm]

Thanks for the suggestions, the problem is I can't get enough relief in the neck (need more bow), I think it will need clamping and weighing down in the middle - not a job for me! I'll check the neck alignment but maybe a new nut with the strings closer togther might help - I do tend to pull down on the top strings a bit. If all else fails I'll try some 10 - 46 on it but I prefer 9-42.

[Fumble fingers]

Take it to a good tech ... I'm going through this with my 2000 Comanche with birdseye maple neck rose wood fret board , even with the nut all loose there is still not enough bow/relief .... several options available depending on conditions of the neck ... steam , heat pad and plaining the neck ..... my guitar neck has a slight twist , it's slightly worse on high E than low E , so in my case he is going to remove frets , tighten truss rod for back bow then plane fret board flat and straight just a touch , after plaining loosen truss rod and relief should be back , then replace any fret markers that get damaged then re-fret with stainless steel frets , sounds like a big deal but it really isn't that bad for someone that knows what they are doing , My Comanche is a real beauty so it's definetly worth fixing to me

[keithwm]

Might try some 10's first! The main reason for getting it is the lack of weight, I have a bad back and I have some nice guitars (British Patrick Eggles) but they are heavy.

[keithwm]

Just popped the neck off, August 2000 for the neck and I think July 2000 for the body - looks brand new!

[Fumble fingers]

My Comanche is a beauty too , It was sold to me as a 2006 , when I took the neck off it became a 2000 ...lol