my new axe -- almost, not quite a tele

pistolsteve · July 6th, 2008, 05:54 PM

After much painful deliberation, I pulled the trigger on a new axe yesterday. Had been trying to decide between a Standard MIM Tele on the low end, and a Baja on the high end. About a week ago, I stopped by a G&L dealer on a whim, and fell in love with their stock of Tele-style ASATs.

Went out yesterday, tried the ASATs, then went to another store to try out (once again) the MIM and Baja. I ended up buying a G&L ASAT Tribute Bluesboy (semi-hollowbody). The photo below is not of my particular instrument, but that's what it looks like -- clear orange finish, pearloid pickguard. I'll try to get some pics of my actual guitar up soon.

I really, really like this instrument. I've been playing the same Ibanez Roadstar for about 20 years, so this is my first new guitar in a long time, and my first really nice quality electric ever.

The tonal variety is awesome. I had originally thought I would get the standard ASAT with single coils in both bridge and neck positions, but fell in love with the Bluesboy's neck-position humbucker.

This guitar is a blues machine, but also gets some really nice jazz tones out of the neck humbucker. Depending on amp settings, it gets some better-than-reasonable "twang" out of the bridge and middle position settings. Even compared with the four-position S-switching Baja, I felt like I got more of the sounds I like out of this Bluesboy. (I'm mainly a jazz and blues guy, but want the ability to do some chicken-pickin' should the need arise; all my bases are covered with this axe).

The bridge position single coil is HOT, HOT, HOT, but can be toned down if necessary with the very responsive tone knob. Neck position humbucker is just sweet. It can get a little muddy on some amp settings, but all-in-all, I"m glad I opted for this particular setup, although the twin single coil ASATs are really nice too.

To top if off, she's beautiful. Wasn't sure about the really light satin finish on the neck, but I like the way it feels after two days of playing. Faster than I thought it would be. Once some palm sweat gets mixed in with some lemon oil, I think it'll just get better. The semi-hollow body resonates beautifully, and I love the clear orange finish, although it's probably not for everybody.

Anyway, just wanted to brag on my new axe. I can't get enough of it. Just need a decent tube amp to go with it now so I can really coax out the Bluesboy's natural sound. I'm currently playing through a Fender G-Dec, but it'll do for now. Definitely can tell the difference between the ASAT Bluesboy and my old Ibanez, even if I am playing through a somewhat gimmicky modeling amp.

If anyone has questions, reply to this thread or PM me.

Hope I'm still welcome on the TDPRI with my new not-quite-a-Tele.

R.B. Huckleberry · July 6th, 2008, 07:45 PM

Still one of Leo's. Close enough for me!

degsycaster · July 6th, 2008, 08:36 PM

That's Tele enough for my liking

HOBBSTER01 · July 6th, 2008, 08:38 PM

"Twang on Brother"

NEPATelecaster · July 6th, 2008, 10:19 PM

SA-WEET. You're O-K in my book. Welcome!

boris bubbanov · July 6th, 2008, 10:40 PM

Looks mighty sweet to me!

Now, I'm told that the MFD bridge pickup is G + L made at the plant in Southern California. But which humbucker have they given you; I can't imagine it being a SD Seth Lover like all the USA G + L Bluesboys (and some of the new ones) have, but is it the G + L bucker you get on the USA guitar if you do not order the Seymour Duncan?

Much obliged.

pistolsteve · July 6th, 2008, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

Looks mighty sweet to me!

Now, I'm told that the MFD bridge pickup is G + L made at the plant in Southern California. But which humbucker have they given you; I can't imagine it being a SD Seth Lover like all the USA G + L Bluesboys (and some of the new ones) have, but is it the G + L bucker you get on the USA guitar if you do not order the Seymour Duncan?

Much obliged.

I'm pretty sure the humbucker is a G&L Alnico V humbucker (that's according to documentation of the web).

And you're correct. The single coil in the bridge is an MFD.

refin · July 6th, 2008, 10:48 PM

Nice!!

Rick Towne · July 6th, 2008, 10:51 PM

I went through the same comparison, only left-handed, twenty years ago. That was my first ASAT, and there have been more.........

Colt W. Knight · July 6th, 2008, 10:53 PM

Love the color, and I bet that is a sweet blues axe.
Doesn't the "L" in "G&L" stand for Leo Fender, or is that something I made up in my head?

CatfishStudios · July 6th, 2008, 10:54 PM

Good Choice....players choice!......As far as Im concerned...G&L Bluesboys are more Tele than some that hold the Fender name.

telefunk · July 7th, 2008, 12:08 AM

Sweet - love that colour combination.

winny pooh · July 7th, 2008, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colt W. Knight

Love the color, and I bet that is a sweet blues axe.
Doesn't the "L" in "G&L" stand for Leo Fender, or is that something I made up in my head?

Yeah George(Fullerton) and Leo (Fender),

Nice guitar!

July 6th, 2008, 07:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
R.B. Huckleberry TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Massachusetts Age: 38 Posts: 28 3 Photos	Still one of Leo's. Close enough for me! __________________ These are my principles. If you don't like them...well, I have others.

July 6th, 2008, 08:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
degsycaster Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2006 Location: Suffolk, England Age: 38 Posts: 557 42 Photos	That's Tele enough for my liking __________________ "They were still booing him when we were on"

July 6th, 2008, 08:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
HOBBSTER01 Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: North GA. Posts: 612	"Twang on Brother" __________________ The Hobbster

July 6th, 2008, 10:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 8,528	Looks mighty sweet to me! Now, I'm told that the MFD bridge pickup is G + L made at the plant in Southern California. But which humbucker have they given you; I can't imagine it being a SD Seth Lover like all the USA G + L Bluesboys (and some of the new ones) have, but is it the G + L bucker you get on the USA guitar if you do not order the Seymour Duncan? Much obliged. __________________ Bubban0v

July 6th, 2008, 10:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
refin Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Florida Panhandle Age: 52 Posts: 1,988	Nice!! __________________ "For You,Lord,are good,and ready to forgive,and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You." Ps. 86:5 http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/refin_music.htm MASTER VOLUME? WHAT'S A MASTER VOLUME?

July 6th, 2008, 10:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
NEPATelecaster Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Archbald - NEAR Scranton PA Age: 34 Posts: 1,094	SA-WEET. You're O-K in my book. Welcome!

July 6th, 2008, 10:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
Rick Towne Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 819	I went through the same comparison, only left-handed, twenty years ago. That was my first ASAT, and there have been more.........

July 6th, 2008, 10:53 PM	#10 (permalink)
Colt W. Knight Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: West Virginia Age: 24 Posts: 2,157	Love the color, and I bet that is a sweet blues axe. Doesn't the "L" in "G&L" stand for Leo Fender, or is that something I made up in my head?

July 6th, 2008, 10:54 PM	#11 (permalink)
CatfishStudios Banned Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon , United States Age: 33 Posts: 727	Good Choice....players choice!......As far as Im concerned...G&L Bluesboys are more Tele than some that hold the Fender name.

July 7th, 2008, 12:08 AM	#12 (permalink)
telefunk Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 259	Sweet - love that colour combination. __________________ "Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder"