It has been quite a while since I did a guitar tout for all y'all. But I believe it is time ...
Did you know that between the last ASAT Classic Commemorative Edition released around May 1993, when the settlement with FMIC kicked in and limited the total number of these guitars to 350 instead of the intended 1,000, and the mention of a “ASAT Classic with full body binding on top and bottom, Rosewood or Maple fingerboard with Birdseye maple #2 neck” listed in 5 different see-thru finishes on the October 1, 1994 price list, another limited run of guitars saw the light of day as a dealer issued Special Edition? The year 1994 was the 22nd year of existence of Daddy's Junky Music, with several stores in the New England area. To commemorate the anniversary, founder and owner Fred Bramante commissioned 22 guitars. These guitars look exactly as spec'ed in the aforementioned price list: a double-bound body with a Bird's Eye maple #2 neck with maple fingerboard. A least that's what I think because all 3 I have seen have these specifications.
Here some more for the body:
The date stamps are not optimally readable. I make out dates from August 1994 which jibes with an invoice from Daddy's Junky Music included with one of the 3 I now exist and is dated October 1994.
But it could be 1993, an assessment solely based on the use of Japanese source 250kΩ potentiometers in the wiring harness which were typically used in the 1992-1993 time frame, just after BBE Sound had taken over operations at G&L. But it should be noted I have a guitar from 1997 where one of the pots is still of the Japanese sourced variety.
And if it is 1993, would these bodies be left-overs intended for the Commemorative Edition but never completed as such? Tell me how you read them.
The #2 neck of mine only has a mild Bird's Eye maple figure to it.
But the kicker is the serial number. Instead of the usual stamped 'G' formatted numbers, the chrome plate reads "DADDY'S 22nd ANNIVERSARY" above the G&L logo and, similar to the format on the Commemorative guitars and basses, "7 of 22" underneath.
The reason the Japanese pots were dropped for CTS potentiometers was many problems with QA. But on this surprisingly light guitar, they work just fine and make it roar.
K, not much else to say. Now you know they exist. With webmaster Craig's help the model was added to the Registry and I added #7, #8, and #9. If you know of any others, and especially whether they have a rosewood board or any other finishes but Cherryburst, I would love to know. Because after all, except for the serial number, that would make these "Daddy's 22nd Anniversary" guitars exactly like the description of the bound ASAT Classic listed in the aforementioned October 1,1994 price list.
- Jos
