thoughts on the two?

[Horax]

I'm currently ready to buy, and am in between teh following:

1) blue burst ASAT Classic with MFD (smaller) from 2002
2) ruby red metallic special with jumbo MFD's from 2016 in new condition

Caveats: 1 has maple fretbaord that I prefer, but is a 12" radius. 2 has the better radius but is rosewood
Also, case for 2 is much nicer.
New vs used...
cost, 1 is about 100-150 less than 2

What would you do?

[FZTNT]

Buy them both.

Tom

[Horax]

Buy them both.

Tom

If I had that kind of money, trust me, I would.

[WitSok]

Personally #2 would be my first choice. Both are great choices, but as others have commented the large MFDs are "special"... The Ruby Red Metallic is really sharp in my opinion. I would think the neck radius would be more important than fingerboard material. Looling forward to hearing what you decide... And of course pictures!

Cheers, Dan

[john o]

go for the '16 ruby red special with jumbo mfd's. you will not regret it.

[Elwood]

+1 for the Special

[sam]

I would go with the Special. As far as 12 radius neck, I was set on the 7.5 until I got a 12 and these play exceptionally well. Now I have a couple of both styles. It is easier to do bends and the feel comes quite natural after playing it a few times.

just my .02

[SouthPaw]

Ruby red for me, no contest...
And then start saving for the blue one.

[blargfromouterspace]

I'd wait for the right one. As soon as you compromise you're string yourself up for disappointment. You guys in the US are prett lucky with the selection on eBay/Reverb any given moment, waiting a month or two isn't unbearable. Mostly.

[Horax]

I just wish I had an actual dealer that carried some in stock that was anywhere near me.

Has anybody custom ordered one? Do the prices go up a lot if I order direct from the factory?
Also, can I call the factory to get a quote?

[WitSok]

You cannot order from the factory direct. Must go through an authorised dealer or distributor. I have two built to order G&Ls through a dealer near me. I would say the quote I was given was basically MAP (minimumm advertised price) for both guitars. The reason I say this is the cost waa very close to the MAP cost I got from the G&L guitar generator - even though the generator wasn't up to date with the latest price list / option list. Could I have got a similar USA G&L for less from current dealer stock? Probably if he has been sitting on the particular guitar for quite some time. But if they had just recieved it, the cost probably would be much different. That's beauty of how G&L is setup... Essentially every guitar (even thoses in dealer inventory) are built to order so you can get what you want at a very reasonable price compared to other USA made guitars built by the comperition to their (the competition's) factory specs.

Dan

[WitSok]

G&L Guitar Generator:

http://www.glguitarsgenerator.com/Guitar_index.html

USA Finish Options:

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

USA Guitar Options:

http://www.glguitars.com/instruments/us ... guitar.asp

Take some time an play around on the generator and you can get a good idea what a build to order USA G&L will run versus what you can get from current dealer stock.

Both of my special orders were made through Music Source in Grayslake, IL. I have no affiliation, just a happy customer.

http://www.musicsourcegrayslake.com/

I haven’t used any of the following and have no affiliation, but I think these are some of the more frequent online dealers that frequently make special orders for customers (or at least I see them on the listed on the pictures shown on G&L’s Facebook page):

http://davesguitar.com/
https://musicstorelive.com/
https://www.americanguitarboutique.com/
http://www.upfrontguitars.com/home.php
https://www.riffcityguitaroutlet.com/

To find other G&L dealers check this link. The pull down menu at the top will let your search by state. The two hyperlinks are for Canadian dealers and Premier Dealers. Note, not all USA dealers are premier. Premier refers to, “G&L Premier Dealers offer an unparalleled selection and provide superb service. They're also given priority in receiving new models and have exclusive access to special instruments. To help you find the best selection, Premier Dealers are categorized as follows:

Premier Dealers for Made in Fullerton Guitars have a minimum of 12 guitars in stock including select Leo Fender Originals: ASAT Special, ASAT Classic, S-500 and Comanche.

Premier Dealers for Made in Fullerton Basses have a minimum of 8 basses in stock including select Leo Fender Originals: ASAT Bass, L-2000, L-2500, SB-2.

Premier Dealers for Made in Fullerton Guitars & Basses meet both of the requirements above.

Premier Dealers for Tribute Series have a minimum of 12 instruments in stock.

http://www.glguitars.com/us%20dealers/index.asp

If you are interested in special ordering a guitar to your specs, hopefully this info will help you find a dealer to place your order and help you determine what specs you want to choose.

Cheers, Dan

[Horax]

thanks everybody!

I actually just went ahead and purchased the brand new ruby red special....NGD thread will occur when it arrives next week.

[themikeaustin]

Seeing as you already have a high-level Tele, you made the right choice. Here's a comparison of the AS Tele and the ASAT Classic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBLHEQZEt70

You will notice that the ASAT MFD does not sound like an AS Tele. I think that's good, as I don't play country music, nor do I play like Roy Buchanan or Albert Collins.

In your other thread, I listed some YT videos that demo the ASAT Special and, if you haven't already, you should check them out.

The jumbo MFD pickups grow on you.

Mike

[dalto]

Congrats and good choice. The ASAT Special is a fantastic guitar

[meursault]

I'd wait for the right one. As soon as you compromise you're string yourself up for disappointment. You guys in the US are prett lucky with the selection on eBay/Reverb any given moment, waiting a month or two isn't unbearable. Mostly.

+100000

I'd add : try them ! They're pretty different despite the mfd pups... i have both, both are great but the sound is not the same... the classic sound more like a telecaster, spanky, more high mids and treble... the special sound more full but cut less in a mix (of course it depends of the band configuration)... more bass and low-mids, there's a jazz vibe in it i think !

[glvourot]

Great choice as regards to the ASAT special. Large MFD's are unique and underrated pick ups. They sound great in SC-2's as well. They respond fantastically well to the volume and tone knobs. Post pictures when it arrives !