This new G&L Classic S in Cherry Burst has the following features:
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Alder Body
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Rear body contour for extra comfort
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G&L #1 Maple Neck, 12" radius
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Schaller drilled and split tuners
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Vintage gun oil neck tint
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Natural wood binding
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Dunlop 6100 medium jumbo vintage frets
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ASAT Classic Neck and Bridge Pickup
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S-500 Middle Pickup, reverse wound
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5 way pickup switch
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Pull volume for Neck+Bridge or All Three
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Plek® Fret finishing
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G&L fitted Tolex Hard Shell Case
We tested this guitar through our new BFF, a Fender Bassman reissue with pine cab and 4 Jenson P10R's, which is perfect for revealing deep twangy Tele® tones. The MFD-design ASAT Classic neck pickup really carries a lot of of punch. All the way up it is throaty, full bodied and great for lead work. Rolling off the volume a little really brings out those classic slightly hollow Tele tones, but with less compression and greater clarity. Like any MFD pickup there is great string-to-string separation, and chords shimmer with depth and clarity . The reverse wound S-500 middle pickup has more body and a little less high end response than a traditional middle pickup. But on the plus side it's not overly sharp or thin, which is often an issue with middle pickups. It's a very usable position all by itself, and good for blues or a full rhythm sound.
The G&L ASAT bridge pickup is true Jekyll/Hyde wonder that combines that wonderful chewy country twang, but is also one killer lead pickup. Compared to traditional design pickups is has more body, midrange, with no icy top end. When pushed with a some gain, it's an awesome lead guitar pickup with humbucker-like output but greater articulation, detail and harmonic content. From Tom Petty to Tom Morello, the ASAT bridge pickup can get you through the night. The in-between positions on Classic S have that out-of-phase cluck, but are a little warmer and more punchy than the typical Stratocaster®. Throughout the range, the MFD pickups add a touch more midrange and girth, providing that classic tone but with more body.
Pulling up the volume control lets you access the traditional neck+bridge pickup combination, which has that characteristic country twang that is perfect for shimmering rhythm playing, or a little chicken pick'n. Plus in position 2 or 4 you get all three pickups which yields a smooth, slightly warm timbre that is well suited for rhythm playing, and actually sounds somewhat like an ASAT Bluesboy in the neck position.
The G&L ASAT Classic is a versatile Country/Blues/Rock machine that combines the high output and broad frequency response of the G&L MFD pickups, with a highly flexible morph of Tele/Strat sounds that will make it your go-to guitar. For those that say you can't have it all, they just have not played the ASAT Classic S.
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