G&L ASAT Classic

[FUNKYDUNKY]

Besides the obvious "play it in person and see if you like it" suggestions, what do ya'll think of this one? I love the look. Based on the price, I assume it's a G&L Tribute Series.

http://www.dalesguitarshop.com/?p=item&i=55

[schoolie]

I have that model. I paid $350 for it in 2005. It sounds great, but I warn you that it has the skinniest neck that I've ever played. The body on mine is quite heavy, but resonant. The pickups sound great, especially the neck! Also, the frets might need some attention. I think at $599 I would try to pick up a USA model used. That's a lot of corn for a tribute model.

[sonicland]

Yes, it's a Tribute. I've had one just like it for a couple of years now and it's fantastic. The pickups especially are very good and I don't ever see myself replacing anything, all the components are very good. I particularly like the bridge and the six individual brass saddles, so much that (good God man) I actually put an ASAT bridge on my Fender Tele. The price of these has gone up the last few years, $599 is a fair price for a well made guitar like this but it's not a particularly good deal. There are thousands of good guitars out there for $599 and this is as good as any of them IMHO. You could probably find one used in excellent shape for $350.

[resonator]

Originally Posted by schoolie

I have that model. I paid $350 for it in 2005. It sounds great, but I warn you that it has the skinniest neck that I've ever played. The body on mine is quite heavy, but resonant. The pickups sound great, especially the neck! Also, the frets might need some attention. I think at $599 I would try to pick up a USA model used. That's a lot of corn for a tribute model.

I agree. I went to a G&L Dealer who had a large inventory of Tributes and USA G&L's. I even brought my own amp. The Tributes were good guitars, but when compared to the USA built, there was a noticeable difference in Neck Feel, Fret Work and overall sound. I ended up buying a used USA Built ASAT Classic that is dead mint for $700. I have the action set extremely low with no fret buzz. The frets didn't need any work to get it there either. I love this guitar.

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by resonator

I agree. I went to a G&L Dealer who had a large inventory of Tributes and USA G&L's. I even brought my own amp. The Tributes were good guitars, but when compared to the USA built, there was a noticeable difference in Neck Feel, Fret Work and overall sound. I ended up buying a used USA Built ASAT Classic that is dead mint for $700. I have the action set extremely low with no fret buzz. The frets didn't need any work to get it there either. I love this guitar.

Make that 3 who agree.

The Tribute is not a bad guitar, but every time I play one back to back with the USA model I am so impressed with the USA ones.

If I am paying $ 700 for a nice used USA model, I would assign $ 250 as a fair used price for the Indonesian ones. It makes no sense that the USA ones can be found for such low prices (even $ 600, $ 500 on CL) but as long as this is true I simply must gravitate to these wonderful models. The analogy of cross shopping MIM Fenders against Custom Shop Fenders is apropos.

[schoolie]

When you also figure that the USA model comes with a nice, hard shell case, and the Tribute sometimes comes with a gig bag, it's a no brainer