ASAT III vs S-500

[themikeaustin]

All,

I have a mid-90s S-500. I've been salivating over an ASAT III. The one for sale posted on this site is my current object of lust. Scott Grove's demo of his ASAT III doesn't sound at all like my S-500, despite the fact that they have the same pickups in them. The ASAT III has much more quack, to my ears.

Is this merely a function of the mass of the ASAT body and the saddle-lock bridge, or am I missing something?

Anyone out there have both an ASAT III and a S-500? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Mike

[FZTNT]

Hey Mike,

Hope I can be of some help. I have both guitars. In fact, there are two ASAT III's listed on the site. Which one are you looking at, the red or black sparkle one? The black one is mine. I have a 1991 S-500 Signature , also for sale.
I find them to be quite different and the factor I think is the bridge. The saddle lock bridge sends the string vibration so deep into the wood that it just drips with meaty tone. The quack factor is there and perhaps a bit more pronounced than the S-500 but the 500 is a bit chunkier if that makes sense. Until you crank it up. I think they are two separate guitars in that the 500 is more of a true Strat made for serious rock and really needs to be cranked up to get its full potential whereas the ASAT III sounds great at any volume but can also dial in the Strat sound if you need to.

So it depends on the type of music you play. They can both do the power chords and shredding but the ASAT really shines in the picking and jazz realm and more mellow woodsy kind of play. It's a hybrid combination that like you said, only a few were made and they just don't make them like this anymore. If I had to choose one over the other for an all around workhorse guitar, it would be the ASAT III. I love the saddle Lock bridge. You can hear a difference between having he set screw tightened or not it's that sensitive. Although it's good to have both in your collection. You can never have too many G&Ls

Well I hope that helped a bit, and If its my ASAT you are looking at let me know if you want to see any more pics or other info.

Tom

[themikeaustin]

Thanks, Tom!

I'm primarily interested in the red one. If I bought either one, I'd probably have to sell one of my current guitars, so it's a tough choice.

I play mostly blues at this stage because it's technically simpler and I'm getting back into playing after a long abstinence. Back when i was more serious, my interests were more Clapton, Allmans, Dead, Hendrix, Santana, etc. My hope is to play in a hobby jam band.

I don't get to play through an amp very much because of my living situation. My main "amp" is an Eleven Rack through JBL powered speakers. I also have a Laney VC30-112. Occasionally, I rent rehearsal space for an hour or two so that I can play at "club" volumes.

I've yet to play my S-500 through an amp, but that should change soon. I also have a 2014 Classic S with MFD pickups, so having an ASAT III may be too much duplication. Then again, one can never have too many G&Ls...

Thanks again for your input!

[FZTNT]

I think it's a fine choice for the music you play now or the older stuff you mention, especially Santana due to the sustain. The red one listed is a pretty guitar. I do like the color. Mine is in a little better shape and the color is not one you see everyday. So either way you go, the main point is having fun and with the one ASAT you already have, you may want to venture into the Leo era guitars. There are quite a few out there that are going for very reasonable prices so check them out too.

Good luck and I hope you find a good solution to your GAS.

Tom