NGD: G&L ASAT Classic 'S' Alnico

[dalto]

About a month ago when I was searching for something else I acquired GAS for a 3-pickup t-style guitar. After not giving it very much thought at all I decided I needed a G&L ASAT Classic 'S' Alnico.

Putting aside it's unfortunately long name I own a few other G&L guitars and have been pleased with price vs quality they offered. It arrived sooner than expected and looks and feels just like it should.

I have never played a 3 pickup t-style guitar before receiving this one. It definitely can produce some interesting tones. I need to spend quite a bit more time with it to get a better feel for what it can do.

 

[haggardfan1]

That's really sharp looking. Happy NGD!

 

[TeleTown]

Well done! Congrats and enjoy......

 

[BuckNekkid]

Nice! I just KNOW there's a G&L in my future...

 

[John C]

Pretty guitar! Are those kicking tuners as well?

Let us know how you like the G&L alnicos - what are they close to among the Fender pickups, etc.

 

[dalto]

Thanks everyone!

Those are G&L locking tuners. I am a huge locking tuner fan. When I find guitars without them, I install them.

Once I have more time with the G&L alnicos I will report back. I am enjoying it so far.

 

[boris bubbanov]

It is gorgeous!

Please tell us how the switching positions are set up on this model.

++

++

I feel like I am asleep at the wheel here. G + L got rid of the Delrin Block and installed Fender style ferrules. When did this happen? Where was I?

 

[dalto]

It is gorgeous!

Please tell us how the switching positions are set up on this model.

Thanks!

There is a 5 position switch that works just like a strat. Additionally, there is a push-pull knob which combines the neck and the bridge. So it basically is offers 7 combinations.

neck
neck + middle
middle
middle + bridge
bridge
neck + bridge
neck + middle + bridge

 

[John C]

It is gorgeous!

Please tell us how the switching positions are set up on this model.

++

++

I feel like I am asleep at the wheel here. G + L got rid of the Delrin Block and installed Fender style ferrules. When did this happen? Where was I?

I think the change to Fender-style ferrules happened in late 2015 or early 2016. I noticed noticed it on dealer sites about a year ago.

I also read on guitarsbyleo that they are changing the serial number format again. They had gone from the plates back to decals in August, and now starting last month the numbers are laser etched into the headstock and start with 2 digits for the year, then 2 digits for the month, then 3 digits for the number (after the "CLF" prefix) with "Fullerton, California" under the number. The example shown was "CLF1702006" in the middle of the back of the headstock.

 

[dalto]

I also read on guitarsbyleo that they are changing the serial number format again. They had gone from the plates back to decals in August, and now starting last month the numbers are laser etched into the headstock and start with 2 digits for the year, then 2 digits for the month, then 3 digits for the number (after the "CLF" prefix) with "Fullerton, California" under the number. The example shown was "CLF1702006" in the middle of the back of the headstock.

Indeed they have, my guitar has the new serial number format and placement.

 

[BigDaddyLH]

Those are G&L locking tuners. I am a huge locking tuner fan. When I find guitars without them, I install them.

I've got locking tuners on my ASAT but I never tried to track down who made them. Do you know?

 

[dalto]

I've got locking tuners on my ASAT but I never tried to track down who made them. Do you know?

The G&L branded locking tuners appear to be drop in replacements for Schaller 1 pin but I compared them side-by-side and they are definitely different from the Schallers. I have not been able to find where they source them from but I would love to know if you find out.

Some of my G&L guitars also shipped with Sperzel branded locking tuners although I am not sure if they still do that.

 

[John C]

It seems like G&L used Sperzels almost exclusively for a couple of years in the early BBE era, and then would mix them in from time to time sense then. Currently Sperzels only seem to show up on leftys.

I thought that the G&L logo tuners were made by Schaller (based on their 1-pin style), but maybe they are sourcing them from somewhere else now.

 

[bsman]

A Nashville by any other name would sound as sweet! And that one sure LOOKS sweet!

 

[dalto]

Oops, I wrote 2-pin above originally but they are 1-pin. I should probably stop posting and working at the same time.

It seems like G&L used Sperzels almost exclusively for a couple of years in the early BBE era, and then would mix them in from time to time sense then. Currently Sperzels only seem to show up on leftys.

I thought that the G&L logo tuners were made by Schaller (based on their 1-pin style), but maybe they are sourcing them from somewhere else now.

They are compatible with the Schaller pin placement but they didn't look or feel the same to me. I think I took some pictures when I had both Schallers and G&L tuners out of the guitar I will see if I can find them when I get home.

 

[LongLiveRock54]

Freakin Beautiful!!

 

[tery]

Wow ! you are so lucky ... Congratulations !

 

[John C]

Oops, I wrote 2-pin above originally but they are 1-pin. I should probably stop posting and working at the same time.


They are compatible with the Schaller pin placement but they didn't look or feel the same to me. I think I took some pictures when I had both Schallers and G&L tuners out of the guitar I will see if I can find them when I get home.

The guy who runs "guitarsbyleo" checked on the tuners and he said that G&L told him they were Schallers, but everyone on that board thinks the current ones (both locking and non-locking) look different so maybe Schaller has changed them up a little bit.

 

[dalto]

The guy who runs "guitarsbyleo" checked on the tuners and he said that G&L told him they were Schallers, but everyone on that board thinks the current ones (both locking and non-locking) look different so maybe Schaller has changed them up a little bit.

Last year I wanted to replace the non-locking tuners on a couple of my G&Ls so I decided to get some Schaller tuners and some G&L tuners to compare. Below are some rough pics I took of each. They look pretty different to me. That being said, they both fit and they both work.

 

[John C]

Hmm - seeing the "K" in the stamping on the back of the G&L - I wonder if that stands for "Korea". I suppose Schaller could have a contract with a Korean manufacturer to produce tuners under license, or G&L could have found a Korean source and just didn't tell that Craig guy who runs guitarsbyleo.