Do you like G&L guitars?

[Mojohand40]

I really want to like them, there is a local dealer who carries quite a few and I've tried several tele-likes over the last two years or so. I just don't like them as much as Fenders. They are very well finished and nicely built, but I just don't like them personally. It might be that I'm just to used to Fenders.

[Johnny Caster]

Originally Posted by TG

Or 'Totally indifferent'.

Then I could have voted too.

I think I did that on my strat poll, but there's no real point if you think about.

[tkcrabby]

I had an SC-3 about 12-15 years ago, it was ok but seemed very small in size, almost like a toy,,,, I sold or traded it ,, can't remember for what BUT a few months back I got this Asat Classic Semi Hollow, that I got used in a trade for a Warmoth Strat,,,,,,,,,,,, the last owner "relic-ed" it a bit as far as the control plate and the knobs,,,,,,,,, I'm in the process of replacing those pieces with new ones ,, the last owner also had a third pickup installed which I absolutely LOVE. Plays and sounds GREAT!!!!!!!!

Here's a picture of it !

[Geo]

No here but very nicely made ones.

[trag-o-caster]

I used to like 'em. I bought a Skyhawk out in Calif. in the early 80's and I played the livin' daylights out of it until about ten years ago, when I swapped it for a Legacy, which is even more Strat-like than the 'hawk. At the time, I considered myself a Strat man mainly for the 3 PU's, and the 5 way switch.

Then, a revelation!

I bought a used Fernandes TE-1N for $250 that just ATE THOSE G&L'S ALIVE. I traded the Legacy for some much needed PA cabs, and never looked back. I've since owned three other Teles - all Fender except my Parts-o-Caster.

Now, I don't think that G&L is a bad guitar. It's just whatever your used to, and I'm just not. They sure are purty though!

[Fatmanstratman]

In a word?

NO.

[collinsman]

Nice guitars, playability is where they really shine, pups are hotter that the stock Fenders IMHO. Do I own one ? - nope, but I'm excepting donations.

[Wild Rice Chris]

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

I like the Leo era ones.

I'm with you there Mark. I've had 3 Leo-eras that have been excellent (down to one '82 L-1000 bass now) and one '96 L-2000 bass. I've played a few dozen more recent ones and I have not liked the feel very much. They can be made to play very well, but they don't ring the same or feel comfortable to me. I've been a flipflopper on this, liking the ones I owned but none of the others. The '94 bass is quite good, but not exactly what I want out of a fretless. It will be going, but I did buy a set of MFD pickups to build my next fretless.

I did not vote.

[manc]

chicago slim and blackasatclassic sum up G&L guitars nicely. Your average asat classic has more magic than your average fender tele. More responsive controls and better quality hardware.Generally better quality woods and more impressive finishing.I personally like the headstock.I like fenders too but too many that i pick up are just average guitars.Dont know how anyone can say they have less soul than a fender, in my opinion G&Ls provide you with far more purchase satisfaction.

[0le FUZZY]

chicago slim and blackasatclassic sum up G&L guitars nicely. Your average asat classic has more magic than your average fender tele. More responsive controls and better quality hardware.Generally better quality woods and more impressive finishing.I personally like the headstock.I like fenders too but too many that i pick up are just average guitars.Dont know how anyone can say they have less soul than a fender, in my opinion G&Ls provide you with far more purchase satisfaction.

...Well that settles it, gonna haff ta change the name of this here forum.

...Sign up and discuss watt ever guitar blows up yer skirt I reckon.

...Next poll = Teisco vs TELECASTER ? (Sumbody sumplace that don't count gonna like the Teisco better I reckon)





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[neocaster]

Originally Posted by manc

chicago slim and blackasatclassic sum up G&L guitars nicely. Your average asat classic has more magic than your average fender tele. More responsive controls and better quality hardware.Generally better quality woods and more impressive finishing.I personally like the headstock.I like fenders too but too many that i pick up are just average guitars.Dont know how anyone can say they have less soul than a fender, in my opinion G&Ls provide you with far more purchase satisfaction.

Welcome, manc. Glad to have you on this here telecaster appreciation and discussion board. Glad to see you found that link we left you on the G&L fan site...

I kid, I kid. Your opinion is welcome here. Here's mine. Dollar for dollar, U.S. ASATs and U.S. Telecasters are both pretty equally out of my reach, at least new. I've played an ASAT classic (just one, and only for a few minutes), and while the feel of it was pretty close to what I'd call magic, I think I'd have to spend some time with it to get a sound I could live with every day. They're nice guitars, and I completely understand why people feel so strongly about them. I also think that similarly priced, similarly assembled Fenders have as much or more purchase satisfaction.

I've never played a Tribute series, so I couldn't make a valid comparison between it and a CIJ Fender.

[Wild Rice Chris]

Originally Posted by jwells393

Very unique way they do that truss rod.

Truss rod is changing:
http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/gldp/messages/23156.php3

Originally Posted by Johnny Caster

I should have added a third option for 'Yes, but not the headstock'.

Personally, I wish Fender had created some new ideas and continued the evolution rather than "re-invent" his old ones. Telecaster -> Stratocaster -> Jazzmaster -> Jaguar -> ???. Not to mention all the ones inbetween (Musicmaster, Duo-sonic, Bass VI, etc.). I mean who would have guessed that the ??? would be a telecaster with an ugly headstock among other odd features. It could have been so much more, even if he didn't have the name still (which is a shame).

Actually, he didn't want to rehash the old designs and was forced into it to get more sales. Look at the different stuff from the early 80's, quite a variety. Sure, many of them look like traditional shapes, but all of those shapes have a very functional approach to the design (including the Fender ones you describe). The evolution was in hardware and electronics. The pickups and controls are not intuitive to many life-long tele players, but that doesn't make them bad.

Originally Posted by david henman

...the trem bridge. very clumsy and overly complex design. impossible to tune, because it cannot find the zero point. don't believe me? ask any guitar tech who has tried to set one up.

otherwise, the tone, playability and build quality are all second to none.

-dh

I had an '82 S-500 and the trem was my favorite I've played (for my style of wangbar use). Perfect return to pitch, easy to set up, huge range, great arm feel. YMMV.

Originally Posted by do not be afraid

on example of his "bright ideas" are the mfd humbuckers. the mfd pickups have a completely different sound than other pickups! they're louder than most "vintage" pickups, but they're also brighter, and bassier, with that "hi fi" sound i mentioned earlier, and can be "shaped" much more dramatically by tone controls, equalizers, etcetera, and, most importantly, a player's playing, and does all of this without relying on active circuitry like EMGs, etcetera. quite a remarkable design, and still "bleeding edge" today!

i understand that this stuff isn't for everyone, and, heck, it might not even be for me, but, i don't think it's fair to say that he ran out of ideas!

Well said, I agree!

I have never owned a tele-shaped G&L, but have seen a Broadcaster in concert a few times with John Prine and worked on a few ASATs. They aren't teles. Which does not make them bad guitars.

[Tool user]

Originally Posted by Brutalblues

...be still, my beating heart! I just re-read this whole thread and saw your (above) reply!

You will live to regret that move. You mighta shoulda bought the ASAT outright. But to each his own... (that's me crying, not you)

Truth is, the '69 was in nice shape but was otherwise just an average guitar. I tried to make it work for five years, but it just never resonated. I've regretted selling other old Teles a lot more than that one. I made a good return on that guitar.

Will it continue to appreciate? No doubt, but I've got bigger regrets to fry!

[Chicago Slim]

I have to say, that as much as I like G&L's materials and quality, over Fender, I do prefer the Fender C shape neck. I wish that I could bolt a Fender neck, on one of my ASAT Classics. I recommend that anyone intersted, play the G&L, that you're cosidering buying. The necks are different, and vary from guitar to guitar.

[casterway]

Originally Posted by Colo Springs E

If anyone speaks English out there and would like to translate, I'm curious what the h3ll he's talking about...

Translation:I don't like them.

Seriously, if anyone around here knows Tele's, it's 0le Fuzzy. What's the count in the Tele Shack, Fuzzy? Over 70?

[ajitaw]

I actually really didn't even like Fender's tele, I work at a shop and we carry G&L... the ASAT is an incredible guitar, super consistent in it's setup and playability. I was a day away from having them make me a custom ASAT Z-3 when I just happened to find the best Tele I have ever played hehe... and it's a Fender so hey what do I know!

[gtrman911]

No, I love G&L's.

I love;
the quality
the feel
the nearly indestructable finish
the satin necks
the pups
the cases
the value @ used

I have 4 USA's (3 classics and 1 special)
...never played a Tribute model, tho.

here's 1

can't show you just one...

[dogcityrocker]

I picked up a 2005 ASAT Tribute Classic semi-hollow a few days ago. I am blown away by it. I picked it up thinking I would mod it with new pickups, electronics etc. Granted, Ive only been playing it a few days, but so far I see no reason to change a thing.

[angelcoon]

I was certain I wanted an ASAT Classic or Bluesboy. Was willing to overlook the headstocks ...

Played an American made ASAT and a Tribute ASAT Special, and didn't like the feel (as another post said, it was hard to bend the strings). It also seemed that the ASAT pups were a little on the weak side.

There and then, I decided that I was hopelessly hooked on Fenders ...

'coon ...

[Sargeslide]

My Main gig git is a ASAT Classic, Blonde, Blackguard, Maple neck. I bought it used at GC for 400$, not a scratch on it. I'll put it up against anything remotely Tele. The sound, comfort and playability is amazing. I could care less about a headstock shape, I don't play up there. This one rings and sustains so beautifully that I am trying to find another, but, I have not found another used one around here. I won't buy one off Ebay, I need to play them before I buy them. Leo said long ago that ASAT's and the like were updates that he wanted to do. Like all brands of gits, you will find some amazing axes, and some real dogs. Did I get lucky? I hope so!

Sargeslide

[gtrman911]

400$ USED @ CG!!!
USA model?
you stole that!

last week the had a USED Tribute selling for $749 (I KID U NOT!)
i tried to tell the guy, but he wouldn't have it.
oh, well, i tried.

and ANGELCOON, the ASAT pups were weak?<<<<..too, too weird. (i think that's the first time i ever heard anyone say that!)...btw, you're supposed to have them mounted UNDER the strings

[zombywoof]

Sounds like many of you have never played a G&L Interceptor. Odds are if you ever get your hands on one, you would be taking it home. These are phenomenal sounding and playing guitars and the ergonomics are better than any guitar I have ever picked up.