G&L Tribute ASAT Special Electric Guitar, Brazilian Cherry Fingerboard

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A mahogany body with MFD single-coil pickups and a Saddle-Lock bridge gives the G&L Tribute ASAT Special electric guitar a powerful-yet-mellow resonance.

What's special about this item?

Feature: What it does:
C-shaped neck profile Comfortable, rounded oval shape
G&L Magnetic Field Design pickups Designed by Leo Fender for flat frequency response
Hard rock maple neck Extremely strong; bright tonal character
Mahogany body Rich, warm, focused sound; added sustain

The G&L Tribute ASAT Special Electric Guitar just might be the quintessential G&L guitar, viewed by many as Leo's ultimate single-cutaway. Back in 1985, Leo Fender launched this model under the G&L Broadcaster name, which prompted a response from Fred Gretsch of Gretsch Guitars over the name just as it had thirty-five years earlier. History buffs will recall that the Broadkaster name is owned by Gretsch, and once again, a Broadcaster from Leo was required to have its name changed. This time around, the name became "ASAT" which is US military shorthand for an "Anti-Satellite" missile.

The ASAT Special, as the model became known, features jumbo single-coil Magnetic Field Design pickups, each with a narrow bobbin aperture for a coil which is shallow yet wide. In this regard, an MFD jumbo single coil is similar to a P-90 or Jazzmaster pickup, yet the MFD principle provides a punchier bottom end and brighter top end sparkling with harmonics. Leo further departed with the past with the addition of his innovative Saddle-Lock bridge which transfers string energy right into the body end-grain for an incredibly resonant instrument. The result is one of the most versatile guitars ever, serving up ballsy twang to searing blues to smooth jazz tones. What's more, this ASAT Special is offered in a Mahogany body for that righteous '80s G&L blend of jumbo MFD power mellowed by the high porosity of Mahogany. Two great ASAT flavors, yours for the picking.

The Tribute Series ASAT Special brings read more the magic of Leo#s own reinterpretation of the single-cutaway bolt-on guitar, all at a price attainable for every working musician. Once you play a G&L Tribute Series, you'll never look back. read less

- Construction: bolt-on
- Scale: 25 1/2"
- Pickups: Leo Fender-designed jumbo G&L MFD single coils made in Fullerton, California
- Body Wood: Mahogany
- Neck Wood: Brazilian Cherry fingerboard
- Neck Width At Nut: 1 5/8"
- Neck Radius: 9"
- Neck Profile: medium C
- Frets: 22 medium jumbo, nickel
- Tuning Keys: 18:1 ratio, sealed-back
- Bridge: Leo Fender-designed G&L Saddle-Lock
- Controls: 3-position pickup selector, volume, tone

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 714-897-6766

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (4 ratings)
Submitted January 27, 2020 by Paul A. L in Englewood, CO

"G&L ASAT Special is a Tribute Series All Star"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
First let me say that I'm high prejudiced in favor of this guitar. I own four other Fender Telecasters but the ASAT Special often draws me in first. I also own two G&L Tribute Basses and a Fender Bass and I can honestly say as a whole the G&L Tribute Series offers exceptional value. Every single one I own is an all star for tone, playability, and value. They give up little or nothing to their US made counterparts.I just purchased my second ASAT (Irish Ale) because week ago I traded my first one for an Epifani bass cabinet I was looking for. That was a blow but I also knew it could be easily replaced and it was in less than 1 week. The new one arrived today.The finish is flawless but I will also offer a caution. Models with a Mahogany body may be a bit on the heavy side and I mean Les Paul type heavy. Mine is a little over 9lbs. That's about a pound more than my last one but not shocking for an all Mahogany body and as a bassist as well I can live with that since my basses weigh about the same. Neotech and Levy's both offer nicely padded 3.5" neoprene straps that act as a weight relief due to their stretch. I use them on all of my basses and my Les Paul and I will use one on my ASAT as well. If that still won't cut it for you weight wise consider one of the models with a Basswood body. They may be a bit lighter.I love Leo's MFD pickups and these are the very same US made pickups used on G&L US models. To me they're 1/3 Tele single coil and 1/3 each P90 and mini-humbucker. Very read more unique sounding with higher output but they also have an amazingly sweet high end. They're extremely versatile and also hum canceling when both are combined. The neck is a nice full chunkier "C" profile that's very comfortable to play and the fretboard is a 9 1/2" radius in Brazilian Cherry. It's a nice look with the Irish Ale finish.For an import model the hardware is also exceptional. The tuners are smooth and stable, solid electronics with very smooth pots, and the Saddle Lock Bridge is another unique and useful feature. That is also the same bridge used on their US models. For the money I cannot think of any better Tele style guitar to recommend that the G&L ASAT Special or the ASAT Classic and Bluesboy.I've knocked G&L themselves down one star for mfg. support simply because I feel they should do a better job of inspecting their imports when they arrive. Any issues I've had have been minor and quickly resolved but they should have been caught during an inspection. However, I can still recommenced their products regardless.

Musical Background:
Over 40 years experience as a semi pro bassist/guitarist/vocalist

Musical Style:
Classic and Country Rock, R&B/Soul, Blues, Roots Rock, Latin Pop, and more
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