Return of the Son of ASAT Jr.

[tomanche]

How cool is this? Maybe it's old news to some of you here, but I just found today that ProGuitarShop.com did a custom order of ASAT Special Deluxes---without the maple top. So what they get is a mahogany body ASAT with the standard MFD pups (not overwound like Jr. and 20th Ann.) in it, plus the mass and tone of the saddle lock bridge (instead of the tune-o-matic style). Kind of a combo of ASAT Jr. and 20th Ann.!! Way cool, and they ordered them in a bunch of colors. Oh, that Tobacco Burst over Mahogany!! Cool video demos there too; there's more than one! Here's one I particularly like: http://proguitarshop.com/g-l-asat-speci ... 61473.html
And look at all the colors: http://proguitarshop.com/guitars/g-l-guitars.html
Hats off to G&L for doing so many great custom orders with their dealers!

[Ledergeist]

For sure my favorite looking T-Style geet. If I ever go down that path, it would be with something similar. Thanks for posting that...

[Ivo]

That looks very good!
Great instruments for that price.

Now that a dealer can create their own variants, the function of the 'Custom Creations Department's Special Built Instruments' becomes a bit outdated.

[jwebsmall]

How cool is this? Maybe it's old news to some of you here, but I just found today that ProGuitarShop.com did a custom order of ASAT Special Deluxes---without the maple top. So what they get is a mahogany body ASAT with the standard MFD pups (not overwound like Jr. and 20th Ann.) in it, plus the mass and tone of the saddle lock bridge (instead of the tune-o-matic style). Kind of a combo of ASAT Jr. and 20th Ann.!! Way cool, and they ordered them in a bunch of colors. Oh, that Tobacco Burst over Mahogany!! Cool video demos there too; there's more than one! Here's one I particularly like: http://proguitarshop.com/g-l-asat-speci ... 61473.html
And look at all the colors: http://proguitarshop.com/guitars/g-l-guitars.html
Hats off to G&L for doing so many great custom orders with their dealers!

I came within days of buying the clear red one that Andy's playing in the video.
It would have been my first G&L. It was sold before I could decide. I ended up
with the Legacy in my avatar which I'm very happy with. My second G&L
was a used Tribute Invader XL to check out the #3 neck to see if I could live with
it and I fell in love with the Invader too. I'm going to upgrade to possibly to either
a USA ASAT or USA Invader. Still haven't made up my mine yet. I forgot how
much I liked this no top ASAT Special Deluxe. I have some time yet because I'm
saving up for it. I'm going to get a big wad saved so I don't have to skimp on
options. I may end up with the no top though and pocket the difference.

[Craig]

That looks very good!
Great instruments for that price.

Now that a dealer can create their own variants, the function of the 'Custom Creations Department's Special Built Instruments' becomes a bit outdated.

Actually, G&L has been doing special builds for dealers for quite some time now, at least since 1999 and possibly earlier than that.

I don't see the function of the CC Special Build Instruments as becoming a bit outdated. The dealer special builds complement the CC Special Builds,
with one being designed outside of the factory while the other is designed within the factory.

Here is what is posted on the G&L website regarding the Custom Creations Department:

The G&L Custom Creations Department brings together a team of our most experienced craftsmen, in a venue where they find inspiration to explore ideas and
freedom conventional production requirements. The only requirement is that every CCD instrument must embody distinctive tonal or visual characteristics which sets
it apart from the range of custom-optioned instruments that are built on a regular basis. While CCD instruments are not regularly available for order, these instruments
are build to the same superb standard of craftsmanship as our ongoing line of hand-crafted G&L instruments.

Originally, the Custom Creations Department team intended to produce only Limited Edition instruments, where a fixed number of a particular instrument would be produced.
While CCD builds Limited Edition instruments, they have chosen to give themselves more flexibility with the Special Build concept. The Special Build formula allows the Custom
Creations team to decide when to build some of anything instrument they wish, without obligation to build a substantial number of instruments or even complete them within any
particular time period. Ultimately, they want to build a greater variety of instruments to offer to discerning G&L enthusiasts.

Just my $0.02.

[Ivo]

"Ultimately, they want to build a greater variety of instruments to offer to discerning G&L enthusiasts."
Now that the special builds for dealers is becoming more and more common (and I think this will grow in the future), the statement above becomes less urgent. Of course G&L can continue doing that, but it gets more ordinary than before. The most recent Special Built dates from over three years back. The need to make them is getting lesser.
I don't say that this is a poor thing! Letting the dealers (and customers) think along is a good developing.

Perhaps it's an idea to pay more attention to the Limited Editions, and make those instruments the real 'flagships'. Like really the best they can make, build by the most experienced craftsmen from G&L (More attention to detail, It would take longer to built, and will cost more obviously). When such an instrument leaves the factory, it can't get any better.

[JasonM]

The PGS No Top Special Deluxe is a badass.

I love mine and I can't wait for my nex G&L.

Tobacco Burst

[Michael-GnL-Michael]

"Ultimately, they want to build a greater variety of instruments to offer to discerning G&L enthusiasts."
Now that the special builds for dealers is becoming more and more common (and I think this will grow in the future), the statement above becomes less urgent. Of course G&L can continue doing that, but it gets more ordinary than before. The most recent Special Built dates from over three years back. The need to make them is getting lesser.
I don't say that this is a poor thing! Letting the dealers (and customers) think along is a good developing.

Perhaps it's an idea to pay more attention to the Limited Editions, and make those instruments the real 'flagships'. Like really the best they can make, build by the most experienced craftsmen from G&L (More attention to detail, It would take longer to built, and will cost more obviously). When such an instrument leaves the factory, it can't get any better.

Ivo,

What are you basing this observation on?

ProGuitarShop.com has done several of these.

Other than Buffalo Brothers, have you seen other dealers doing it?

[jwebsmall]

The PGS No Top Special Deluxe is a badass.

I love mine and I can't wait for my nex G&L.

Tobacco Burst

This is stunning! This tobacco burst finish is always the first to sell out every time
ProGuitarShop gets a new batch of ASAT Special Deluxe no tops in.

P.S. What might be your next G&L - just curious - I like your taste in guitars and finishes.

[Ahryn]

I love my ASAT Special deluxe no top, I am really glad I ordered one for my first G&L and I can say from experience that PGS is an awesome place to order G&Ls.

Mike you might have missed it but midlothian music ordered something called an ASAT 3, I am sure more dealers are going to get on the special order bandwagon.

http://www.gbase.com/powered/geardetail ... em=2851701

[Ivo]

Geez, I feel like I have said something indecent!

What are you basing this observation on?

It's based upon the Final UN Report Investigation in the CCD - by the Special Build Committee. (#36.396 ver.3a)
The full PDF document contains over a thousand pages, but I will summarize it for you.
Seriously, any dealer can do what ProGuitarShop does, and they will. Look what fantastic unique instruments you can get for just under a thousand dollar, it makes you stand out from the other dealers. If I was a dealer, I know I would. It gets more and more attention these days, so you will be seeing more of this. In meantime, CCD hasn't been producing Special Builds for more than three years.
It's just an observation, that's all. If you still don't believe me, then I direct you to the above mentioned full report.

[Michael-GnL-Michael]

Geez, I feel like I have said something indecent!

What are you basing this observation on?

It's based upon the Final UN Report Investigation in the CCD - by the Special Build Committee. (#36.396 ver.3a)
The full PDF document contains over a thousand pages, but I will summarize it for you.
Seriously, any dealer can do what ProGuitarShop does, and they will. Look what fantastic unique instruments you can get for just under a thousand dollar, it makes you stand out from the other dealers. If I was a dealer, I know I would. It gets more and more attention these days, so you will be seeing more of this. In meantime, CCD hasn't been producing Special Builds for more than three years.
It's just an observation, that's all. If you still don't believe me, then I direct you to the above mentioned full report.

It may seem like you are being unfairly scrutinized but many people reading these posts have no idea what is fact and what is hyperbole. Not that you are being accused of anything intentionally deceitful, it is important to refrain from making unfounded claims heavily influenced by personal excitement and hopeful thinking. If you are put off when your words are questioned perhaps you ought to use more consideration when choosing them. To say you believe this ought to catch on because it seems like a good idea is one thing, however, to suggest it is catching on and growing in popularity without evidence to support it is just presenting an assumption as though it is based on actual events. You say it gets "more and more attention these days so you will be seeing more...", I ask again what are you basing this on? It's a logical question. The dealer build concept has been around for a while. Sure any dealer can do this but the number of dealers that have taken the opportunity as of the moment you made the statement is the difference between observation and assumption, truth and fantasy.

[jwebsmall]

My experience with 2 local retail dealers is they want to move the G&L stock they have on the rack.
In both cases they are authorized dealers of other brands including the custom shop of you know who.
They don't get many G&L enthusiasts in asking detailed questions.

I'm sure both will readily take my order when I have the exact configuration and cash
in hand. I've bought high end guitars from both and I have a personal ethic I don't
try out a guitar at a retailer and then go buy it on line to save money. I like to
support my local dealer. But I'm questioning now whether I'm going to go to
the local dealer if they behave like a mail order outlet order desk and seemed to be
bothered when I ask a lot of questions.

For example without ProGuitarShop's no tops listed online I would have never known
they existed. And without Guitar Adoptions I would have never known that Old School
Sunburst was a finish option. And without Guitar Asylum I wouldn't have know that
the ASAT classic S is a production model or the upcharge for the stainless steel fret
option. I ordered locking tuners from the local dealer and they were 3 times the upcharge
listed on Guitar Asylum web site. Now I go into the local dealers with the option charges
in hand for configurations and one adjusted his quote to be in line (a considerable amount).
I want to support my local dealer but lately I'm getting better service from reading the websites
and answered emails from the online stores. Now it is a question of who is benefiting the other.

Just my 2 cents.

[Michael-GnL-Michael]

I have had similar experiences.

I get the feeling dealers prefer to not be bothered with custom ordering for individuals and I wish I could bypass them.

It is more work for them. They have to take the time and it is ongoing until the product is completed and accepted by the customer.

I already knew more about what I needed to know than every dealer of 5 I contacted. IOW, none are that knowledgeable and have to get back to you after contacting the factory. This is a waste of my time if only I could speak to a dedicated person at the factory myself. It also leaves more room for something to go wrong.

Guitar Asylum's options are not reliable. They show some options that are not available and outdated.

You benefit from looking at all of these online but none can be relied upon, including those claiming they keep their website up to date. Even G&L is often behind.

[Ivo]

I have the same problem over here in het Netherlands, John. I first have to convince the importer that there is a Korina G&L in the making, after a few day's of sending links to prove that they exist, I 'm permitted to order one through a local dealer, and the only thing this dealer has to do is hand over the case. And you have to understand that I paid almost double for what they go for in the US. You can forget about trying one, or even seeing one i.r.l. The same goes for almost all USA models. Tributes is what they have in stock.

[jwebsmall]

I have the same problem over here in het Netherlands, John. I first have to convince the importer that there is a Korina G&L in the making, after a few day's of sending links to prove that they exist, I 'm permitted to order one through a local dealer, and the only thing this dealer has to do is hand over the case. And you have to understand that I paid almost double for what they go for in the US. You can forget about trying one, or even seeing one i.r.l. The same goes for almost all USA models. Tributes is what they have in stock.

Wow - I do understand. I can't get either dealer here to stock the Ascari GTS or Fiorano GTS tributes.
But that got me thinking if they are an order desk only why should I feel duty bound to buy
from them? In this case the online store is doing the stocking, photographs of the actual instrument
and offering a return policy - in other words they are doing more to service me the customer than
the retail outlet. I would never order one intending just to try it out and very likely to send it back.
I would only order one on line if I intended to keep it unless it was otherwise defective or misrepresented.
I'm still inclined to support my local retail store if for no other reason than to support G&L's
presence in the market place so more people are exposed to them incidently who might not
otherwise know about G&L. I went for almost 4 years of guitar buying before discovering
G&L. I could have saved myself kissing a lot of toads if I had found the princess sooner!
But I don't want to buy on impulse either. I want to wait for a cooling off period to give
time for the G.A.S. to dissipate to know if I really do want one. If it's more than a passing
affection I'll buy one.

This is one reason why this forum is so valuable. I first found BBE pedals and then
learned about G&L. I checked in with the forum for almost a year before finally trying
my first G&L at the second dealer. The first dealer had them but up on the wall
where you could play them (understandable) and kept trying to switch sell me
to a PRS which I finally bought and later resold. I'd rather have a G&L. But I had
to overcome all this inertia to finally find my way home to G&L. It's a miracle I
ever made it.

It sounds like you had even bigger hurdlers to jump over including the higher prices
and never having seen one. All I can say is we must have been meant to play G&L.

[jwebsmall]

It's hard to know what a guitar is going to sound like from youtube
videos with all the player skill levels in performing and knowing
how to record a guitar's sound, or how the amp is dialed in.

I'll play a bunch of youtube videos with the window in the
background while I'm working on writing software. Every
once in a while a guitar playing will catch my attention
and I'll check to see the model.

After repeated listening to even poor recordings and having
learned what the guitar can sound like in the flesh with
a good amp dialed in correctly I've improved my ear
into detecting potential even in a poor video with
poor audio. It's like I'm developing into an old school
A/R guy who can listen through a poor demo to identify
whether song composition has potential or not.

I have found after repeated exposures over time I
can filter out the good from the bad and I'm getting
better at it as I continue to train my ear. I have
to learn to hear below the surface dynamics to the
root character of what I'm listening to then factor
back in how bad the recording is to extrapolate a
quality of potential rating. Still holding one in the
flesh is the acid test. But it sure is better than a shot in
the dark ordering a guitar sight unseen. The GAS passions
do dissipate over time if you are patient and wait
it out for them to pass (at least for the model you
are gassed about). This has saved me from
making a few mistakes along the way. I never
knew about the GAS phenomena until I got into
buying guitars 4 years ago. I had seen others
go into this collection mode of human behavior
(almost an addiction) but never had the time or
money before to experience it first hand. It's like
mid life crisis. I never had one because I couldn't
afford to have one. But the GAS phenomena
appears to be a universal component of human
nature. So now armed with a better understanding of
my own appetites and how they are unleashed I factor
that back into the equation to try to make my
assessments more realistic instead of passion
of the moment driven like some kid in the back
seat of a car on his first solo date. If I'm not
careful I'll analyze the fun right out of rock 'n roll.

[Ahryn]

jwebsmall posts like that are what makes me wish there was a "like" button on this site like Facebook.

I hear you when it come to YT videos I watched tons and tons of them before I made my decision and only a handful captured the true experience of what an ASAT sounds like, more then a few I had to shut off after a few seconds of play because some people should not make YT videos.

[JasonM]

The PGS No Top Special Deluxe is a badass.

I love mine and I can't wait for my nex G&L.

This is stunning! This tobacco burst finish is always the first to sell out every time
ProGuitarShop gets a new batch of ASAT Special Deluxe no tops in.

P.S. What might be your next G&L - just curious - I like your taste in guitars and finishes.

Thanks, I love it!

My next one is a toss up between a No Top Legacy Deluxe, Tobacco Burst, Rosewood Board and Natural Wood Binding or a Semi Hollow Comanche. I'm not really sure the color scheme on the Comanche or if I wan it with or without the F Hole. I'm also wondering what the sonic differences would be with or without the F Hole?

#1b Neck

Jason

[jwebsmall]

jwebsmall posts like that are what makes me wish there was a "like" button on this site like Facebook.

I hear you when it come to YT videos I watched tons and tons of them before I made my decision and only a handful captured the true experience of what an ASAT sounds like, more then a few I had to shut off after a few seconds of play because some people should not make YT videos.

There are a lot of YT (YouTube) videos I initially thought that if I were the guitar's manufacturer I would secretly pay the bloke to take his videos down and not post any more.

There is a dealer out in Colorado who makes all the G&L's sound nearly identical in tone. It's his amp and recording settings evidently or the limited bandwidth of his video camera that sucks the life out of the guitars to the point where they all sound the same. LOL But then I realized how valuable these videos are for ear training.
It's like the old picture exercises we used to work as kids where you have to pick out the items hidden in plain sight.

[jwebsmall]

I love my ASAT Special deluxe no top, I am really glad I ordered one for my first G&L and I can say from experience that PGS is an awesome place to order G&Ls.

Mike you might have missed it but midlothian music ordered something called an ASAT 3, I am sure more dealers are going to get on the special order bandwagon.

http://www.gbase.com/powered/geardetail ... em=2851701

I've seen this ASAT 3 referred to as the ASAT trinity else where on the forum. If memory serves me I think the man from Buffalo Brothers said this was the most versatile of all ASAT's.

There was an ASAT 3 from yesteryear that had 3 S500 MFD's instead of the ASAT Special MFD's.
That ASAT 3 sounds fantastic IMO.

[youtube]TwMVsWmQB_c[/youtube]

He calls the ASAT 3 a tele killer.

Scott Grove reviews this ASAT 3 above and has extensive online music lessons:


http://www.freewebs.com/groovymusiclessons/

I've ordered every guitar lesson he has and slowly working my way through them.
They are really good and cut to the chase learning how to play practical stuff!

I particularly like his guitar reviews.

http://www.freewebs.com/groovymusicless ... eviews.htm

[Craig]

I love my ASAT Special deluxe no top, I am really glad I ordered one for my first G&L and I can say from experience that PGS is an awesome place to order G&Ls.

Mike you might have missed it but midlothian music ordered something called an ASAT 3, I am sure more dealers are going to get on the special order bandwagon.

http://www.gbase.com/powered/geardetail ... em=2851701

I've seen this ASAT 3 referred to as the ASAT trinity else where on the forum. If memory serves me I think the man from Buffalo Brothers said this was the most versatile of all ASAT's.

There was an ASAT 3 from yesteryear that had 3 S500 MFD's instead of the ASAT Special MFD's.
That ASAT 3 sounds fantastic IMO.

[youtube]TwMVsWmQB_c[/youtube]

He calls the ASAT 3 a tele killer.

Scott Grove reviews this ASAT 3 above and has extensive online music lessons:


http://www.freewebs.com/groovymusiclessons/

I've ordered every guitar lesson he has and slowly working my way through them.
They are really good and cut to the chase learning how to play practical stuff!

I particularly like his guitar reviews.

http://www.freewebs.com/groovymusicless ... eviews.htm

The Midlothian School of Music "ASAT 3" is really an ASAT S-3 with specific options they chose.
The Buffalo Brothers "ASAT Trinity" is based upon the ASAT S-3, too.
The guitar in the YT video is an "ASAT III". BTW, the GbL_LE guitar is based upon the ASAT III.

Check out these lists in the G&L Knowledgebase General G&L Questions sub-forum for the details on all of them:

Production List of G&L Instruments (USA)
List of Regular Production ASAT-style guitars
List of Special Edition & Non-Production ASAT-style guitars

Hope this helps.

[Michael-GnL-Michael]

I love my ASAT Special deluxe no top, I am really glad I ordered one for my first G&L and I can say from experience that PGS is an awesome place to order G&Ls.

Mike you might have missed it but midlothian music ordered something called an ASAT 3, I am sure more dealers are going to get on the special order bandwagon.

http://www.gbase.com/powered/geardetail ... em=2851701

Yes I have seen those and did not remember them. Ironically I was looking to special order one like the one with the mini toggle in that video when I learned something similar was reintroduced as a regular order item.* Thanks for the heads up. This is what I was asking about..........other dealers taking advantage of this. Sometimes people simply start to pay more attention themselves and mistake that for trends. I am just looking for actual events to define what is truly happening.

Thanks again.

*I forgot though I was that interested because I get very intense when researching and I have changed plans many times as I learn what is available and what is not.

[jwebsmall]

Is the ASAT III in the YT video then basically an S-500 masquerading
in an ASAT Special body? It sounds huge, Twang City USA.

[Craig]

Is the ASAT III in the YT video then basically an S-500 masquerading
in an ASAT Special body? It sounds huge, Twang City USA.

See my previous post for links to details on this model.

Hope this helps.

[suave eddie]

Here's another one.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-USA-G-L-ASA ... 45fe1e7534