Is this the first ASAT Deluxe made?

[timothyfrancis]

G'day all.

May I ask for an opinion on a GL ASAT DELUXE 1996 I am wanting to purchase.

It is being sold as the "#1 ASAT Deluxe" prototype. Not a production prototype but the 1st prototype guitar.

The guitar dealer is very established ( seventeen years plus ) and trades high end collectables as well as quality second hand guitars. The shop is a major destination in Sydney Australia for travelling artists.
I have no reason to doubt him personally or what he believes this guitar to be.

I would just like to know a little more about this type of guitar.
From the photos you can see that one of the pickups is non standard issue and some of the components are missing. There is very very slight wear to suggest that there was a tone knob at some stage. Don't know about the switch.

The serial is stamped G049960.

There is number #1 scribed on the neck/neck pocket in ballpoint or similar blue pen. There are '96 date stamps.
I am sorry but I didn't photograph this neck when I was shown it. Again, I have no reason to doubt the authenticity of the marking " #1 "

At the end of the day I love the guitar, the way it feels and the sounds it makes. It would just be nice to know it was also a bit "more" special.

Any comments you may have about it would be much appreciated.

[image]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/14713953/gl_deluxe_1.jpg[/image]

[image]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/14713953/gl_deluxe_2.png[/image]

[Katefan]

Don't know why/how they think its a prototype - it may be BUT I do know that the '#1' denotes what type of neck it is - #1 = 1 & 5/8" nut width & a 12" radius.
Should the dealer be assuming its a prototype based on the this bit alone they are dead wrong. Check out the knowledge base here on the site and or ask Craig (webmaster) where to find info on different neck types… Don't mean to sound harsh on the dealer - there isn't heaps of info on G&l's (other than this site) and most guitar books are pretty inaccurate and/or do not go into detail…

I bet - looks like a nice axe.

Cheers,

KF

[yowhatsshakin]

All I can add to the above is that the Deluxe was introduced in 1995. During 1997, G&L transitioned to a 4-bolt neck. So it is one of the early ones. There aren't too many of these 3-bolt ASAT Deluxes and it adds about $100US to the value according to the Blue Book.

- Jos

[blargfromouterspace]

I'll echo what the other guys have said - "#1" in the neck pocket almost certainly refers to the neck shape.

There definitely would have been a tone knob and a coil split mini toggle switch at some stage.

My guess at a value would be around $900-1000 Aussie dollars, no more. Yes, its an early one, but there are bits missing and at least one non-original pickup. Not a big deal, but enough to keep the value about in line with any other used G&L.

[Craig]

Here's the factory info from Dave McLaren:

Hi Craig,

Our records show that G046690 is an ASAT Deluxe in Clear Red with rosewood board, shipped on November 14, 1996 to Australia. While that is an early example, I do not see any note that it was a prototype. Moreover, there are several ASAT Deluxe guitars with substantially lower serial numbers. I suspect the #1 is written on the heel of the neck, and it refers to it being a #1 neck shape, which at the time simply meant the neck has 1 5/8” nut width and 12” radius.

Thanks, Craig.

Dave

Hope this helps.

[timothyfrancis]

Thank you Katefan, Yowhatsshakin, Blargfromouterspace, Craig and David.

I am very grateful for your time, info and comments.

I really like the guitar however I get the feeling that it isn't quite worth the asking AUD $2500.

At least I know what my next guitar is going to be.

Peace and happiness to you all.

T

[blargfromouterspace]

I really like the guitar however I get the feeling that it isn't quite worth the asking AUD $2500.

$2500 is crazy! There was a very nice looking Deluxe on ebay for a long time that sold a couple of weeks ago for about $900. If you really like the guitar I'd try bargaining with the guy selling it, given this new information

[Fumble fingers]

yes correct him on his info , heck send him here .... non stock early model 900.00 would be a fair price for both of you , he just might not realize it yet but it is what it is , even if it was mint original its just not a high price guitar ..... it's still a nice guitar that could be put back to stock , he just way off on the value

[patricks]

$2500 is crazy!

Crazy, yes. Given that it's Sydney, though, it's not surprising

[timothyfrancis]

Thank you. I now feel like I may have been a bit of a mark.
T

[timothyfrancis]

Sydney. Man just try buying a house here.