Normans Rare Guitars- ASAT

[mutts]

I believe this is a new video.

[Craig]

I believe this is a new video.

Actually it is a late 80's to early 90's ASAT Signature model (production from 1988-1992).

Sounds great!

Thanks for posting this, mutts.

[ChrisPbass]

That guitar sounds killer.............................

[tomanche]

Sounds nice, looks nice, but every time he says "early 80s" I roll my eyes...

[mutts]

I believe this is a new video.

Actually it is a late 80's to early 90's ASAT Signature model (production from 1988-1992).

Sounds great!

Thanks for posting this, mutts.

You're welcome. I thought folks here might appreciate it.
I don't know the year changes as well as you and other members but I was thinking that the signature models were released near the end of Leo's era. Surprised a dealer like Norman's would get the year wrong. It does sound nice though. A good demo.

[Craig]

I believe this is a new video.

Actually it is a late 80's to early 90's ASAT Signature model (production from 1988-1992).

Sounds great!

Thanks for posting this, mutts.

You're welcome. I thought folks here might appreciate it.
I don't know the year changes as well as you and other members but I was thinking that the signature models were released near the end of Leo's era. Surprised a dealer like Norman's would get the year wrong. It does sound nice though. A good demo.

Here is a good reference post in our G&L Knowledgebase: Production List of G&L Instruments (USA).

Hope this helps.

[glvourot]

Good post, the guitar sounded great. I guess there are a few that are less than 9 lbs....

[john o]

mine is 9 lb on the nose. alder body. #1 classic C neck. trade off is great tone. it's still lighter than my LP!

[mutts]

My '88 is very light. I think less than 8lbs. I always assumed they were all light due to the thinner bodies.

[Katefan]

Yeah, funny that one of the premiere vintage guitar dealers makes such a faux pas tho not too surprising given how little attention is given Leo-era instruments. Still, a wee bit of research online would quickly indicate the year of manufacture.

Cheers,
KF

[Kevin GnL]

'Early eighties' is maybe Norm thinking about what he's going to price it at, as he's not known for giving stuff away...

Talking about the weight of early ASATs, my '87 (one of the post-Broadcaster models) is, I'm sure, only around 7lb. I'll try to remember to weight it again and update here.

[RaymondTM]

How can I tell if mine is an ASAT Signature or an ASAT Classic Signature model? What is the difference? Thanks. S/N G025393.

[Craig]

How can I tell if mine is an ASAT Signature or an ASAT Classic Signature model? What is the difference? Thanks. S/N G025393.

See these posts in our G&L Knowledgebase:
Production List of G&L Instruments (USA)
List of Regular Production ASAT-style guitars (USA)
List of pickups used in G&L guitars


The difference between those models are the type of pickups and bridge type they have. All Leo Fender Signature models have the
Leo Fender signature decal on the upper bout of the body.

Hope this helps.

[RaymondTM]

Thanks, Craig. I guess I just don't know enough about all that. My guitar looks just exactly like the one in the video above in this thread: Early 1980's G&L ASAT Telecaster Blonde | Guitar of the Day. Same color, signature, everything. Except it's a late 1980s/early 1990, according to what I know. The registry info says Neck Date is Jan 1990 and the Body Date is April 1988. It does have the Leo Fender Signature, just as the one in the video. I don't know which pups are on it, and bridge type are called. They are just like the guitar in the video. I would post a photo, if it was allowed or I could figure out how. Thanks!

[Craig]

Thanks, Craig. I guess I just don't know enough about all that. My guitar looks just exactly like the one in the video above in this thread: Early 1980's G&L ASAT Telecaster Blonde | Guitar of the Day. Same color, signature, everything. Except it's a late 1980s/early 1990, according to what I know. The registry info says Neck Date is Jan 1990 and the Body Date is April 1988. It does have the Leo Fender Signature, just as the one in the video. I don't know which pups are on it, and bridge type are called. They are just like the guitar in the video. I would post a photo, if it was allowed or I could figure out how. Thanks!

For posting photos see: Tutorial: Posting photos.

Looking forward to seeing your guitar.

[sam]

There was some magic around that time. My 88’, no signature blondie, is on the heavier side at 8.7 but one of my favorite go to guitars!

[DanDoulogos]

That sounds identical to my (2000) ASAT Special (Semi-hollow).

I bought it on Reverb after having purchased my first G&L guitar (a Tribute ASAT Special). I was amazed by the tone and build quality of the Tribute, and thought, if this is the budget version, I have to see what the premium is like.

I wasn't disappointed.

This has been my favorite guitar since the day it came into my crib. I ended up selling that Tribute to a fellow player from my work. He was older than me and had a bunch of decent guitars, including an original, mint 60s Tele (that I insisted he leave for me in his will). We often talked shop at work and I boasted about the tone of both the Tribute and the US model, and boldly bragged that if I lent him even my Tribute for a week, he'd be begging me to buy it.

And that is exactly what happened. I sold it to him for what I had paid (new), having made another convert.