G&L ASAT Classic S (Semi-Hollow) - Who has played one?

[rhythmicist]

I like the versatility of the ASAT Classic S and I have seen a couple of dealers order them in a semi-hollow (which is not a standard catalog offering).
Upfront Guitars had some really nice looking ones but sold them.

I have never seen a video demo of this model and was just curious to know if anyone here had played one. I was just wondering how different it would sound vs. the solid body.

[Jack Morrow]

Here's a couple of poor quality (iPhone) videos of my son with his ASAT Classic S semi-hollow

[video]http://youtu.be/_PTcwKgoJZs[/video]

[video]http://youtu.be/anr3hovKB4o[/video]

[rhythmicist]

Hello Jack, thanks for trying to post those. They don't seem to show up as videos for some reason (and I have a Mac).

What does he think of that guitar?

[Jack Morrow]

My son really loves the guitar. He has an ASAT Alnico S Launch Edition that was his "go to" guitar, but the ASAT Classic S Semi-hollow has taken over. I'm at work with no Wi-Fi, but I'll get a link later.

[Boogie Bill]

I haven't played the Classic S, but the semi-hollow ASATs I've played have all sounded great. (Keep in mind, I'm a Legacy guy, not an ASAT guy.) There SOMETIMES feels like the hollow has a little more "airiness' to the tone; a little more acoustic like. Personally, I don't think it is a significant difference. The lighter weight would be the most significant factor for most people, I would think.

And consider ordering a semi-hollow--with the top closed, no f-hole.

Choices, choices, choices....

Bill

[Craig]

I like the versatility of the ASAT Classic S and I have seen a couple of dealers order them in a semi-hollow (which is not a standard catalog offering).
Upfront Guitars had some really nice looking ones but sold them.

I have never seen a video demo of this model and was just curious to know if anyone here had played one. I was just wondering how different it would sound vs. the solid body.

The ASAT Classic S came out first in 2004 as the Custom Creation ASAT Classic S Special Build.
In 2008, the ASAT Classic 'S' was added to the standard production list, with a solid Swamp Ash body.
(Additional references: List of Special Edition & Non-Production ASAT-style guitars and List of Regular Production ASAT-style guitars (USA)).

Here is how G&L describes the ASAT Classic Semi-Hollow:

The semi-hollow body brings a certain “hi-fi” quality to the tone, softening the attack
and slightly scooping the mids for accentuated highs and lows.

Hope this helps.

[rhythmicist]

The videos work now. Thanks again for posting those.

p.s. I'm not sure which was cooler on that Voodoo Chile video, that guitar or that lead singer's dancing.

[Jack Morrow]

You're welcome. What do you think of the ASAT? Do you realize that the singer/dancer is Bill Homans, AKA Watermelon Slim? Duncan and Slim have performed Voodoo Child together many times. Slim actually sings it on Duncan's album, 'Coming Home'.

[rhythmicist]

Sounded nice and fat. He had it sounding more like a strat. Does he have any issue with feedback with it being semi-hollow?

[Jack Morrow]

Duncan will make it sound straty when playing Hendrix or SRV blues. He can get a lot of different tones out of that ASAT. To me, the ASAT Classic S allows for many tones. Before he got his first ASAT, Duncan took 3 or 4 guitars minimum to any show. Since he got the ASAT Classic S, he is content with 1 guitar unless he's doing 3 full sets. He plays through an AC15 and usually has a tube screamer as his only pedal. No feedback issues.

[supereiv]

Here is how G&L describes the ASAT Classic Semi-Hollow:

The semi-hollow body brings a certain “hi-fi” quality to the tone, softening the attack
and slightly scooping the mids for accentuated highs and lows.

Hope this helps.

I have a classic S from 2004, wich apparently comes from a couple of one-offs the factory let go (it is exactly like the custom creation but without the bird's eyes MN.). It is semi hollow w/o F hole, swamp ash maple (bi-cut) neck.
It sounds very differently opposed to my other asat. As usual it is painfull to decribe it, but let's say it's much smoother, the MFD's are less agressive because they have strong mids, and the SH construction creates a scoop in the midrange. The positions 2 and 4 sound a lot like Robert Cray if you will. His behavior is more tamed, more "normal" than the ASAT classic I have.
But it doesn't sound like a strat to me (the S-500 dlx sounds much closer IMO).
hope this helps.

[rhythmicist]

Here is how G&L describes the ASAT Classic Semi-Hollow:

The semi-hollow body brings a certain “hi-fi” quality to the tone, softening the attack
and slightly scooping the mids for accentuated highs and lows.

Hope this helps.

I have a classic S from 2004, wich apparently come from a couple of one-offs the factory let go (it is exactly like the custom creation but without the bird's eyes MN.). It is semi hollow w/o F hole, swamp ash maple (bi-cut) neck.
It sounds very differently opposed to my other asat. As usual it is painfull to decribe it, but let's say it's much smoother, the MFD's are less agressive because they have strong mids, and the SH construction creates a scoop in the midrange. The positions 2 and 4 sound a lot like Robert Cray if you will. His behavior is more tamed, more "normal" than the ASAT classic I have.
But it doesn't sound like a strat to me (the S-500 dlx sounds much closer IMO).
hope this helps.

Hey man thanks for chiming in on this one. You said yours does not have the f-hole. Do you think it would sound any different with the f-hole?

[supereiv]

you're welcome.
I think the f-hole doesn't change anything except aesthetic and maybe feedback ?
I wasn't fond of the semi-hollow concept until I found this very guitar, it's a perfect combination, though, as I said before, it doesn't sound like a strat, and it doesn't sound 100% tele, beware (it's maybe 95%). The s-500 middle pickup is wonderful on this axe !