Sneferu,
Your friend's ASAT is from late '87 or '88. The logo puts it no earlier than '87, and the plastic string tree by the D tuner puts it no later than autumn of '88 (although stragglers are always possible with Leo-era G&Ls). I used to own one that was identical to your friend's, and had date stamps from September and October '88. It was an incredible player.
Sneferu wrote:It looks like a Broadcaster with an ASAT headstock. Was there a change over period from Broadcaster to ASAT where this guitar could have been made?
Broadcasters had plastic pick guards. That feature continued into the first year or so of ASAT production, but was replaced in '87 with black crinkle guards like the one on your friend's guitar. The string trees on Broadcasters and early ASATs were also different. Here's one on an ASAT from May '86:
Here's what the single-ply plastic PG looked like, again from a very early ASAT (the strap button was not original):
Broadcasters also only came with a black finish and matching headstock. During the changeover from Broadcasters to ASATs, the only difference between the models was the headstock color and decal (and of course Leo's autograph in the neck pocket). It was pure chance whether any given instrument became a Broadcaster or an ASAT. Ash bodies started showing up around the time that Broadcaster production ended.
There is a good chance that your friend's ASAT has a maple body. If that's the case, the only differences between it and a Broadcaster are cosmetic.
Salmon wrote:Is there a way to search neck "plates" as opposed to neck dates?
No. I believe the chronology on G&L's website is based on the first (rather than the lowest) serial number used during each year. It only works as a rough guideline, as the plates (and before 1983, the bridges) were pulled at random from bins. I have an F-100 with Sept/Oct '80 date stamps, which has a serial number lower than the "first" G&L according to the chronology (my F-100 is G000504, while the official "first" G&L is G000530). G&Ls had been shipping from the factory for three months before mine was built.
On the subject of serial numbers, my '86 ASAT with both stamps from May (the one in the headstock photo) is G021093, while the one with May/June stamps (in the pick guard photo) is G017616. The Candy Apple Red '88 ASAT I sold was G023772.
Your friend's ASAT is most likely from around the middle of 1988, looks very sweet, and is most likely an excellent player. I hope this helps!
Ken
