Skip Navigation Website Accessibility
UpFront Guitars and Music LLC

** NEW DATE for Songwriters Round! Come listen and learn! **
Sunday, Feb 16th 3-5:30PM

Tues-Thur 12-6pm
Fri 10am-6pm
Sat 10am-4pm
508-657-1817
Gift Certificates Available-click here!
 
 Why UpFront?  |  Contact Us  |  View Cart  Family owned and operated 
Thank you for your support!Thank you! ...for voting us GOLD Winners in the Quest for the Best 2024! Come in for a free Quest magazine with all the area's best!

 


G&L ASAT Classic Alnico Tobacco Sunburst 2024 Electric Guitar w/Gig Bag *Authorized Dealer*

While G&L is known for their MFD pickups, for some players the touch sensitivity and nuance of a traditional Alnico design better suits their needs. Luckily G&L also makes a great set of Alnico pickups for their popular ASAT Classic. Players who want the feel and build quality of a G&L, but the traditional response of an Alnico pickup: Your guitar is here.

This new G&L ASAT Classic Alnico features:

  • Tobacco Sunburst on Swamp Ash 6.8 pounds
  • Rear body contour
  • G&L Modern Classic satin finish maple neck
  • Maple fretboard, 9.5" radius,1-11/16 nut width
  • .830" deep first fret, .870" at the 12th
  • Medium jumbo frets
  • 3-ply parchment pickguard
  • G&L Alnico “ashtray” bridge pickup assembly
  • G&L Alnico neck pickup
  • Volume and tone controls
  • G&L split and drilled tuners
  • G&L padded gig bag
  • Made in Fullerton, CA


The original Tele neck pickup was meant to mimic a bass guitar tone. If you've played a true "vintage" neck pickup, they sound as is if you are playing under a pillow. Over time they have gotten progressively cleaner, but getting the right mix of output, clarity, and tone is a tricky balance. But G&L did a nice job creating a blend of all three characteristics. Like all Tele pickups, it's got a slightly compressed attack, but a nice round tone and good clarity with none of the high end murkiness of lesser pickups. Don't expect the glassy punch of a Strat, as the ASAT Alnico neck pickup thrives on producing smooth round tones that are well suited to rhythm or soulful lead work. Adding some distortion produced interesting results: The neck pickup responds with a crisp crunchy character that does not get all soft and mushy. Certainly more suited to mid-gain tones than all-out crunch, once you apply a little muscle there is plenty of soul on tap.

The ASAT Alnico bridge pickup is also a very faithful rendition of this classic design: Bright, twangy, and impeccably clear. It's not overly icy even with the tone control full up. Once again, choosing mild amounts of overdrive provides a very dimensional sound with lots of sparkly high end content that does not get overly sharp or edgy. It's great for roots rock, and Tom Petty or Wallflower fans will find a lot of reasons to pick up this guitar.

The combination of both both pickups produces some of the best sounds the ASAT Alnico has to offer: Bright and twangy, with plenty of pop, and wonderful string-to-string definition. The high end is clear, but not to the point of being fatiguing over time. And for rhythm it's articulate and jangly in the best tradition of The Byrds or again Tom Petty. If you squint, you can hear some Rickenbacker in there but without the quirky neck and big body.

Playing-wise, we stuck with their popular Modern Classic profile, which is their "Slim C" profile with a wider 1-11/16" nut and 9.5" radius. It's just the ticket for those looking for a traditional Fender feel, and while G&L still offers several neck options, the Modern Classic is the runaway favorite. 

While this guitar can certainly hold its own at a gig, it's touch sensitivity and expressive nature also makes it a natural for recording and session work. We'd probably always play it with a little gain, as the textures and overtones are rich and very habit forming. For the player who loves the workmanship, feel and playing dynamics of a G&L, but wants the classic sound of vintage style Alnico pickups, the ASAT Classic Alnico is an excellent choice.