G&L ASAT Z-3 Honeyburst Swamp Ash w/Rosewood fretboard Z3

This custom USA G&L Z-3 features the following:

• Honey Burst finish on Swamp Ash, 7 pounds
• Original Leo Spec. 1.625" body depth
• Rear contour for extra comfort
• Satin clear G&L 'Modern Classic' neck, 1-11/16" nut width, 9.5" radius
• Indian Rosewood fretboard
• Medium jumbo frets
• G&L split and drilled tuners
• G&L Z-Coil MFD pickups
  
• 3-Ply Parchment Pickguard
• G&L Saddle Lock bridge for outstanding bell-like sustain
• 5-way pickup switch for traditional Strat type pickup combinations
• Pull volume for neck+bridge or all three
• Deluxe hard shell Tolex case

The G&L Z-Coil pickups are typically associated with the more popular Comanche guitar, but in the ASAT they take on a quite a different character. A chunkier body and saddle lock bridge design results in a sound that is a little less aggressive than the Comanche, with a sweet top end and more substantial lows. In addition we specifically like how Swamp Ash compliments the Z-coils; as it provides a sweeter top end and a more restrained midrange response that enhances the overall balance. Looks great too.

These are dual coil pickups, where the side-by-side arrangement of the coils creates true single coil sound, but with a lot more output and a broad, flat response (and lower noise). The Z-Coils have tremendously good balance, and there are no dead spots anywhere in across the tonal spectrum. As a result you do lose a little of that glassy midrange scoop characteristic of a traditional Legacy-type single coil, but the benefits are great sensitivity to playing style and excellent pedal performance. 

Working the pickup switch, pull volume, and the tone controls, the Z-3 can elicit everything from twangy country, smooth and articulate clean tones, chicken pickin' or neck tones that are reminiscent of an ES-335. The in-between position are strong, clear, and have that wonderful out of phase quack without sounding thin and anemic. If you like switch position 2 and 4 on your Strat, the Z-3 will knock your socks off. The Z Coils also love pedals, and the strong output and even response of the MFD pickups creates big, articulate rock tones with great string-to-string definition and lots of harmonic content. Using a Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive pedal we got nice fat lead and rhythm tones that were crunchy and detailed but never harsh. Not as glassy as a traditional single coil, but more substantial in the manner of a humbucker but with greater midrange clarity and note separation..

The neck on this guitar is the standard Modern Classic decked out with a bold Indian Rosewood fretboard. The Modern Classic profile blends a slightly wider nut width with G&L's Slim C profile, and a 9.5" radius fretboard. The wider nut reduces the chance of string falloff, and the slimmer profile and 9.5" radius keeps the extra width from feeling cumbersome. G&L makes several different neck profiles, but the Modern Classic has really been a hit with players of all types.

The G&L ASAT Z-3 is really a breed unto itself. You get all the familiar 5-way sounds that you'd expect out of a three pickup guitar, plus the Nashville-ready neck+bridge combo just by pulling the volume knob. Plus you get the low-noise enhanced dynamics of the Z-Coil pickups that just ooze power, detail and clarity. A true chameleon wrapped up Leo's classic T-shape, the G&L ASAT Z-3 is worth a serious look.