Help with a G&L ASAT Tele.....

[ndpicker]

Hi. I ordered a custom built G&L ASAT Classic "Bluesboy" Tele back in February, and it arrived about 2 weeks ago. I've been tweaking different things to my likings (swapped out Seth Lover neck 'bucker for a SD Phat Cat P-90; been messing with the string action as well), and have finally got things set to where it feels like an "old favorite". However, I've found some things that I don't like, and want to change them.

First of all, as much as I like the bridge single coil, am I able to use Fender pickups (or any other boutique made pickups for that matter) as a replacement? I've only found one company saying that they have actual ASAT replacement pickups (Rio Grande), which has me wondering if they are different sized than the Telecaster pickup.

And second of all, I raised the string action substantially, as I do a lot of heavy blues bending, and the extremely low action that came from the factory just makes it impossible. As a result, after getting the guitar intonated, I now have the saddle screws on the bridge so close to the strings, that I am hearing the string hit the screw when I play a bit heavier. It wouldn't bother me, but it immediately deadens the tone of the string, which has me looking at installing different saddles, or even an entire bridge altogether. I've been looking at 2008 Fender bridges, and I see that the Tele saddles are a bit different than the ASAT's, and it looks to be a better setup. I'm sure I'd be able to put a whole new bridge on, but would I be able to simply swap out the G&L saddles for Fender, or even Allparts??

My custom built ASAT is a very good guitar....I'm just trying to make it the great guitar that I know it is. Thanks so much in advance!

[jwells393]

The reason you don't see many pickup companies saying their pickups will fit an ASAT Classic is probably because few people ask........... no demand. I see no reason why any telecaster bridge pickup couldn't be put in an ASAT Classic. The bridge plates are basically the same but the G&L is better quality ......... at least cosmetically.

Are you talking about G&Ls vintage style bridge with six saddles? What 2008 Fender bridge are you talking about?

Your screw problem ............. use shorter screws.

I'm having a hard time understanding what you are talking about. I think we need pictures.

[xhavepatiencex]

the replacements you are seeing are for the ASAT special, which is the pickups that are more p90'ish in size. The classic's are a standard size telecaster pickup as far as I know.

[Rick Towne]

I've had ASAT Classics for 15 years. Any standard Tele bridge pickup will fit. There should be no problem with getting a proper set up with the stock AC six saddle bridge. As noted above, some pictures might help us.

[Gibson]

Deleted.

[po-boy]

what they said -

any standard tele style bridge pup should work fine in a bluesboy bridge position - the asat replacment pups from rio grande that you are refering to are for g&l p90ish single coils - since this is custom order, what is your fretboard radius (what size neck did you order) ? only problem i have ever seen with blues style bending comes when using vintage style 7.5 in fretboard radius - their 12 in fretboard radius would have been much better choice for bending - understand their guitars are plekked at the factory now and should have no problems like you describe - sounds like a trip back to your point of purchase for a once over may be a good idea and let them call the factory to deal with any issues - a custom shop order shouldn't be giving your grief - good luck and hope things work out -



- i'm not a complete idiot ... some parts are missing -

[J. Hayes]

which might have more "gonad" to match the Phat Cat, you might consider a Duncan "Quarter Pounder" as they're hotter and fatter than a standard Tele pickup but they're still single coil. I have one in the neck slot on a partscaster..............JH in Va.