Date my Asat Leo Fender Signature

[rod]

Hey guys. Just picked up an Asat Leo Fender Signature guitar. I was wondering if you guys could help me date it.
The guy I bought it from said it was a 90's guitar and that his father had picked it up second hand in the States.
I think in may be older but wanted to see what you guys think. It's blond with 2 large black pickups & pickguard, both have
G&L stamped on them. It has a 3 bolt neck plate too.
The serial number is G023656.
Would this be an Asat classic?

[Elwood]

Sounds like it is an ASAT (not a classic). Does it have a black or chrome bridge?
It could be a late 80's or early 90's (Leo era) given the serial.
Most the post Leo era ASAT's had chrome bridges, if yours is black, then it's
probably a pre-BBE ASAT.
If you ever remove the neck, you'll be able to say for sure.
I bet she sounds sweet

Elwood

[Craig]

Sounds like it is an ASAT (not a classic). Does it have a black or chrome bridge?
It could be a late 80's or early 90's (Leo era) given the serial.
Most the post Leo era ASAT's had chrome bridges, if yours is black, then it's
probably a pre-BBE ASAT.
If you ever remove the neck, you'll be able to say for sure.
I bet she sounds sweet

Elwood

I agree with Elwood that it is likely an ASAT not an ASAT Classic. If it is a Signature Series model, it will have the Leo Fender signature decal located on the upper body bout.
See this post in our G&L Knowledgebase: Leo Signature Series decal.
Please post some photos, see: Tutorial: Posting photos.

Also, see these posts in the G&L Knowledgebase:
Serial number significance
Production List of G&L Instruments (USA)

Hope this helps.

[rod]

Here you go guys, some pictures
https://www.slickpic.com/share/DxjEgEMV ... per&viewer

[Elwood]

Nice looking ASAT (*Special?),
Congrats!

* When the Chrome Saddle-lock bridge was first offered on the ASAT, that variation was the 'ASAT Special'.
It could be yours is an early 'Special'. When the black crinkle was discontinued, the name was shortened to
just 'ASAT'.

[rod]

Thanks Elwood. Would you be able to guess at what year it is maybe. I'm bringing it in
for a setup later today. I'll ask them to take pictures of the neck and pocket and post them.

Rod.

[Elwood]

I'll guess 1990(ish)

[Craig]

Here you go guys, some pictures
https://www.slickpic.com/share/DxjEgEMV ... per&viewer

Here are some of the photos inline:









The pickguard is not the original factory guard. It would have come with a white metal powder-coated guard.

Here's a snippet from the 1988 "Real Ones" brochure:


From our Gallery:

Page 1 from the July 1, 1990 Pricelist:


1992 "No More Signature Series" Letter:


Looking forward to seeing the neck and pocket photos. Once you get the dates, please add your ASAT Signature to our G&L Registry.

Hope this helps.

[rod]

I was given a date over the phone. I did ask for photos but not sure if the tech got them. I'll find out tomorrow hopefully.
The guitar was dated September 1988 so that's just made my day that's its been confirmed as a pre BBE

[rod]

So just got the guitar back from the tech. It needed a bit of work.
Frets were worn down and needed to be polished and levelled and a lot of
sanding also the nut needed to be replaced.
Didn't get pictures of the neck but i was told the body was stamped with
the 13th of Sept 1988.
The neck had two dates 3rd of June and the 30th of Sept 1988.
So i take it the guitar was assembled on the 30th Sept.
The neck looks new now. I'll post some pictures when I get home
tonight.

Rod.