Custom Order ASAT Classic w/ SLB

[Michael-GnL-Michael]

It appears as though you can special order an ASAT Classic with a Saddle Lock Bridge. I am wondering how the bridge pickup is mounted or really how it looks without the boxed steel bridge. Does the factory have a special pickguard made similar to the ASAT Special except for the smaller pickups? Could I get a middle pickup like a Classic S? I have not seen that as an option. In theory, could I order a guitar configuration like anything I have seen built by G&L provided it does not include Leo's or George's signature or a special one-off item?

The problem with these custom orders is that no one anywhere including the G&L website has an accurate / up to date list of options. I am not impressed with the local dealer in my area. I have more confidence in my own ability to research and put together an order than anyone I have talked to. I hate having to work through people who know less than I do and I know I do not know all that much. It is a hindrance to say the least when I am investing the time and money. I want to talk to someone that has the answers, not someone that hears something, relays it to someone else and gets back to me while I hope they understood what I wanted.......and then once I get that answer I may have new questions to run through this series all over again. I also don't like having to discuss options verbally without anything on paper in front of me. This is an inefficient workflow model. All of this would go smoother if ANYONE could provide an up to date list of options and their prices so the customer would have a solid foundation from which to start. I would like an old fashioned order form with options I check off.

[Lifesonfan2112]

Guitar Asylum has the best online system for customizing your G&L but it's not perfect either. G&L's official website should be exactly like Carvin's.

[Craig]

It appears as though you can special order an ASAT Classic with a Saddle Lock Bridge. I am wondering how the bridge pickup is mounted or really how it looks without the boxed steel bridge. Does the factory have a special pickguard made similar to the ASAT Special except for the smaller pickups? Could I get a middle pickup like a Classic S? I have not seen that as an option. In theory, could I order a guitar configuration like anything I have seen built by G&L provided it does not include Leo's or George's signature or a special one-off item?

The problem with these custom orders is that no one anywhere including the G&L website has an accurate / up to date list of options. I am not impressed with the local dealer in my area. I have more confidence in my own ability to research and put together an order than anyone I have talked to. I hate having to work through people who know less than I do and I know I do not know all that much. It is a hindrance to say the least when I am investing the time and money. I want to talk to someone that has the answers, not someone that hears something, relays it to someone else and gets back to me while I hope they understood what I wanted.......and then once I get that answer I may have new questions to run through this series all over again. I also don't like having to discuss options verbally without anything on paper in front of me. This is an inefficient workflow model. All of this would go smoother if ANYONE could provide an up to date list of options and their prices so the customer would have a solid foundation from which to start. I would like an old fashioned order form with options I check off.

Hmm, where did you get the idea that you could special order an ASAT Classic with a Saddle-Lock bridge?

The G&L website DOES have the most current options page that is available today. You should be able to get the prices of each option from any G&L dealer.
The "Uniquely Yours" program does require you to work wtih the dealer AND them thru the factory to see if the factory will be able to accomodate your request.
It sounds like you are not comfortable with this type of program, so you have limited yourself to the standard options which are listed on the G&L website. Using
this current list of options, the dealer should be able to give you the prices of each option based upon the G&L Dealer price list. If you are custom ordering a
G&L instrument, you will need to work with the dealer to finalize the order. There is just no getting around working with a dealer on a custom order.

Hope this helps.

[Michael-GnL-Michael]

Hmm, where did you get the idea that you could special order an ASAT Classic with a Saddle-Lock bridge?

Guitar Asylum's Website

The G&L website DOES have the most current options page that is available today. You should be able to get the prices of each option from any G&L dealer.
The "Uniquely Yours" program does require you to work wtih the dealer AND them thru the factory to see if the factory will be able to accomodate your request.
It sounds like you are not comfortable with this type of program, so you have limited yourself to the standard options which are listed on the G&L website. Using
this current list of options, the dealer should be able to give you the prices of each option based upon the G&L Dealer price list. If you are custom ordering a
G&L instrument, you will need to work with the dealer to finalize the order. There is just no getting around working with a dealer on a custom order.

Hope this helps.

The last time I saw the subject mentioned the options listed on the G&L webpage omitted at least the item someone was looking for. This was just this past week. I cannot recall others specifically but I have noticed several options not listed that have been acknowledged as available here since joining the forum.

If I cannot use an order form, either online or on paper I'd like to place an order like ordering take-out...........walk in, grab a menu, ask questions, order, pay, etc. This requires an accurate menu and someone that can answer my questions on the spot. Having to wait for them to call the factory and get back to me is one aspect I do not like and I think most of it could be avoided if the right people had accurate information available to them. With dealers few and far between people rely more on the internet yet even the go-to dealers do not keep their websites up to date.

[Xochitl]

I'm sorry to say that the GA order form is not adapted to each model. It looks more like a (falsely interactive) general menu that may charge you for standard specs on your guitar. For example, I was looking at the ASAT special and by going with their menu the ASAT classic bridge is the norm and I would be charged extra for the saddle lock. Even there, the best is to contact the dealer; their website could only gve you a hint if you use it critically.

[Craig]

Hmm, where did you get the idea that you could special order an ASAT Classic with a Saddle-Lock bridge?

Guitar Asylum's Website

Ah, I see how you could think that, since they have left off some important qualifying detail. Their build your own customize drop down menus need to be modified for each
model. Take a look at the G&L US Guitar Options page and you will see that important qualifying detail.

For example:

Bridge Options:

G&L Dual Fulcrum Vibrato: optional on all ASAT guitars except models in the ASAT Classic range.

DFS Vibrato Upgrade: for Dual Fulcrum Vibrato adds 1018 cold-rolled steel bridge block and stainless steel saddles, both machined from billet materials.

G&L Saddle Lock fixed bridge: optional on F-100, S-500 models, Comanche models, Legacy models, and Invader models.

Bigsby Vibrato: available on models in the ASAT family, except ASAT Classic models. Not available on left-handed guitars.

The last time I saw the subject mentioned the options listed on the G&L webpage omitted at least the item someone was looking for. This was just this past week. I cannot recall others specifically but I have noticed several options not listed that have been acknowledged as available here since joining the forum.

I don't recall this, so could you be specific about which option item has been left off the current list? I will then make sure that Dave is aware of this omission and he will have it updated.

Hope this helps.

[Michael-GnL-Michael]

Sort of on topic, in the production list there is this entry:

ASAT "Classic S" 2010-present standard production model (with a reverse wound MFD neck pickup, beginning in Feb. 2011)

Doesn't the ASAT Classic S have a reverse wound S-500 middle pickup with reg. wound MFD neck and bridge pickups?

The ASAT Classic S is not shown on the G&L website as a current model.

I also read in the production list that some "one-offs" of the Classic S Special Build were made after initial limited run. What was the story of these one-offs? Could a customer request one? Did the factory see some leftover parts and throw one together then notify dealers? Generally. how would anyone know whether having a one-off of a model built was a possibility?

[Craig]

Sort of on topic, in the production list there is this entry:

ASAT "Classic S" 2010-present standard production model (with a reverse wound MFD neck pickup, beginning in Feb. 2011)

Doesn't the ASAT Classic S have a reverse wound S-500 middle pickup with reg. wound MFD neck and bridge pickups?

See the Gallery entry Album: ASAT Classic S Wiring Diagram and Picture Diagrams. See the comments in the ASAT Classic S Revised diagram for details of the change made.

The ASAT Classic S is not shown on the G&L website as a current model.

I have submitted this along with some other omissions and changes, which need to be made to the
G&L website to Dave McLaren. He has submitted them to his web developers.

I also read in the production list that some "one-offs" of certain models have been made after initial limited runs. What is the story of these one-offs? Can a customer request one? Is it the dealer who inquires just for the sake of inventory? Does the factory see some leftover parts and throw one together then notify dealers? How would anyone know whether having a one off of a model built was a possibility? There could be a different story behind each one but I am most interested in the ASAT III that had the SLB.

I'm not sure about these one-offs. They may have been prototypes for dealer reps to show to G&L dealers for feedback.
I'll see what I can find out. Stay tuned.

Which ASAT III are you referring to? There are a number of them in the Gallery in the Album: ASAT and Broadcaster models.
And of course there is the www.guitarsbyleo.com Limited Edition. For a summary of the ASAT III, see List of Regular Production ASAT-style guitars. Also check Greg Gagliano's G&L web pages. He has several ASAT III entries there, too.

Hope this helps.

[Michael-GnL-Michael]

Sort of on topic, in the production list there is this entry:

ASAT "Classic S" 2010-present standard production model (with a reverse wound MFD neck pickup, beginning in Feb. 2011)

Doesn't the ASAT Classic S have a reverse wound S-500 middle pickup with reg. wound MFD neck and bridge pickups?

See the Gallery entry Album: ASAT Classic S Wiring Diagram and Picture Diagrams. See the comments in the ASAT Classic S Revised diagram for details of the change made.

I think that is saying what I described. It does not state it has a reverse-wound neck pickup. It is saying it has the neck and bridge pickups wound identically. At least one dealer selling the latest Classic S (Upfront Guitars) has described a reverse-wound S-500 middle pickup in their specs.

My solution was to make a new pickup for the Classic “S” where the neck pickup had the same wind/polarity as the bridge.

I also read in the production list that some "one-offs" of certain models have been made after initial limited runs. What is the story of these one-offs? Can a customer request one? Is it the dealer who inquires just for the sake of inventory? Does the factory see some leftover parts and throw one together then notify dealers? How would anyone know whether having a one off of a model built was a possibility? There could be a different story behind each one but I am most interested in the ASAT III that had the SLB.

I'm not sure about these one-offs. They may have been prototypes for dealer reps to show to G&L dealers for feedback.
I'll see what I can find out. Stay tuned.

Which ASAT III are you referring to? There are a number of them in the Gallery in the Album: ASAT and Broadcaster models.
And of course there is the www.guitarsbyleo.com Limited Edition. For a summary of the ASAT III, see List of Regular Production ASAT-style guitars. Also check Greg Gagliano's G&L web pages. He has several ASAT III entries there, too.

Hope this helps.

It took me a little time rereading the post after it went online and I had revised it to read as follows. It looks like you quoted the original version of my post which referenced in plural when it was only the ASAT Classic S Special Build that was done in one-offs after the initial limited run.

I also read in the production list that some "one-offs" of the Classic S Special Build were made after initial limited run. What was the story of these one-offs? Could a customer request one? Did the factory see some leftover parts and throw one together then notify dealers? Generally. how would anyone know whether having a one-off of a model built was a possibility?