flame map cap on ASAT classic bluesboy semi-hollow

[jwebsmall]

Today I played a ASAT bluesboy (unplugged) that was semi hollow (no f hole) with
a flame maple cap on a swamp ash body with a soft V neck. It sounded
out of this world lovely. The wood had a singing sweetness unplugged.

I A/B'ed it to another ASAT class semi-hollow with F hole with swamp ash
but no maple top also unplugged and it didn't have the singing quality.

I don't mean just brighter either.

I'm trying to figure out whether this particular guitar is a gem or whether
all the maple caps have this effect on semi hollow ASAT's.

Other brand solid body guitars (including PRS) I have never cared for the
maple cap because I think it confuses the purity of the note - it doesn't
ring as true. But on this ASAT it was as clear as a solid body with no cap
but singing. What I'm trying to describe is similar to the difference between
a single coil and a humbucker. To me maple caps are akin to humbucking
and no cap akin to single coil (in purity of note). This ASAT had the brightening
up of the maple but retained a singing quality and had a vintage strat kind of
sweetness (the only way I now how to describe it). It was incredible!

If this is not usual then I need to go back and buy that particular guitar
(but it's way over my budget). I picked my legacy out of a lineup too of
supposed co-equals but it was different and spoke to me. Since I don't
have any other ASAT's with caps I have nothing to A/B it to. Also this
V neck today was rounded over (I've played other V's and it
definitely was a V but thick and a subtle V so much so the store clerk didn't
know what neck it had - this may have contributed to the sound). My
legacy has a U neck and it was definitely not a U neck.

I think I saw this exact guitar either in the gallery or on a factory slide show?
It is a black burst bluesboy, flame maple cap, rosewood finger board and black
head stock face. This may be one of a kind. The owner of the store did say
it was the best G&L they ever had in (in an email this past week). So that
is why I drove to the store today to check it out (long drive). The owner
was off but he was not exaggerating.

[darwinohm]

Jweb, I have several ASAT chambered models and in general they are very resonant. I have an ASAT special swamp ash that just sings. It is also very sweet plugged in. I also have a chambered Telecaster that is very resonant and is also ash. I believe that the chambered guitars in general are more resonant and I have no idea why. I have bought several guitars that I have not plugged in and if they are resonant unplugged, I am sold. I have no idea what effect the maple cap has but if they are resonant unplugged, that is good enough for me and I have not been disappointed yet. If it sounds good it probably is. I have a chambered Hamer with P90s and it sounds very nice, both plugged and unplugged.-- Darwin.

[jwebsmall]

Darwin,

This was a beauty. Here's the dealer link for anyone interested because it is a bit out of my price range.

http://www.classicaxe.com/product_detail.php?id=345

I"m zeroing in on the configuration I want though, i.e. ASAT semi-hollow.

John

[thunder100]

I'm trying to figure out whether this particular guitar is a gem or whether
all the maple caps have this effect on semi hollow ASAT's.

Basically ASAT's(had all together 4 now have the final one) sing,but not all to the same level

Even in CNC times ther are still differences.But other then this ,it could be that this one was played a lot in the shop.To my experience all played a lot and that constantly sing more(sound better more sustain)On the contrary-living in Europe-shipping guitars over here 1,5 month USPS makes even very good ones arrive a bit dead.

If you like it,it suits you and it is somewhat in your financial reach-->I would take it

Roland

[sirmyghin]

This could be as simple as the capacitance of the electronics is just so that the guitar is resonating with the cable used and passing a better signal. You can't really put a finger on these things, if that one works and sings, save yourself the guess work and buy that one. Not one made to be 'identical' to it. That one specifically.