(SOLD) G&L ASAT Special Semi-Hollow Sunburst 2003
G&L ASAT Special Semi-Hollow, sunburst over flame maple, made in USA 2003. G&L was started in the 80s by Leo Fender and longtime collaborator George Fullerton; their designs were Leo's final offerings to the world and are among his finest work. This particular example was a one-off custom order. These days, G&L have a Custom Shop, but back in 2003, they didn't, but you could still order a guitar built to your specs and wait for the magic to come together if you had the cash and patience. It's got some standard G&L goodness: the super playable modern C shape neck with jumbo frets and a 12" radius, trademark sensible high-mass bridge and the excellent 'Nearfield' pickups. It's also got some unique touches: AAA grade birdseye maple neck, a gorgeous flame maple top, single-ply maple binding around the body and some handy locking tuners. After doing a setup on this I plugged it in for a test run, and oh boy: the thing sounds huge. The NF pickups deliver this tight, thick, tuneful low end with a percussive punch, paired with a shimmering sweetness in the top end and a breathy, expressive midrange. It's gorgeous for rhythm work, as the clarity really brings all the notes in a chord to life, but also excels for lead stuff, especially in the country to blues spectrum. The body being so light and the neck being such a premium piece of wood make for a lively playing feel; the thing pings and growls and sings back at you with every little touch. The two tone sunburst finish is classy, allowing the maple grain to do the talking, and the vintage tinted maple binding around the outside really ties the whole thing together perfectly. This is a superb instrument, it really is. You'll be very happy indeed.
Model: G&L ASAT Special Semi-Hollow
Made: Fullerton USA, neck date 2003
Serial: CLF32676
Finish: sunburst over flame maple, gloss poly
Body: alder, semi-hollow construction, flame maple top
Neck: two piece AAA grade birdseye maple, rosewood board, 12" radius, 25.5" scale, modern C profile
Weight: 3.175kg
Mods: none
Pickups: G&L MFD single coil x2
Accessories: non-original hard case
Cosmetic Condition Notes: The headstock has some minor dimples and scuffs on the end and both edges, no major marks. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and glossing from play on the back only. The back has no major marks, minor dimples in the middle of the body and in the elbow area and bottom edge, as well as some minor surface scratches on the horns. The sides have minor dimples on both horns and the elbow area, and a dent and some scuffs near the jack. The front has some light surface scratches along the back edge behind the bridge, some dimples near the jack and in the elbow area and some light play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: very good Condition (8/10)
Playing Condition Notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.
Fret Life: 8/10, minor wear only