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G&L ASAT Special Shoreline Gold Rosewood pickguard delete

As fresh as it was when first released, the G&L ASAT Special features Leo Fender's signature Magnetic Field Design (MFD) pickups. They deliver full frequency response and a bouncy, touch sensitive attack that is reminiscent of a vintage pickup but with much greater output and even response. This guitar conjures the sounds of the Strat, Tele, and even Jazzmaster, creating a uniquely versatile instrument

This custom ordered G&L ASAT Special features:

  • Alder body Shoreline Gold finish, 8.2 pounds
  • Original Leo Spec. 1.625" body depth
  • Rear Body Contour
  • Scraped wood binding
  • Pickguard delete option
  • 'Modern Classic' neck, 9.5" radius, 1-11/16" nut width
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Medium Jumbo frets
  • G&L split and drilled tuners
  • (2) G&L Large MFD pickups
  • G&L Saddle Lock Bridge (set screw on the side locks the saddles together for better sustain)
  • Volume and Tone Control, 3-way switch
  • G&L deluxe tolex hardshell case
  • Made in the USA

We really like G&L's Shoreline Gold finish, and it looks sleek when keeping it simple, so we went for the pickguard delete option. The slightly thinner "Original Leo Spec" body has been standard for a couple years now, (the original Tele is 1-7/8" thick) and rear body contour -- belly cut for the plus-sized player -- makes it comfortable on stage, the couch and anywhere in between. The scraped wood binding completes the package.

The G&L large MFD (magnetic field design) pickup is unique to the G&L brand. Developed by Leo Fender at G&L, it employs a fairly low resistance coil (~5K range) and ceramic bar magnet construction. That may sound like a P-90 but not really; and unlike conventional high output pickups, the MFD combines strong output and wide frequency response. The MFD has the touch sensitivity, dynamics and slightly scooped midrange of great vintage single coils, but with greater tonal flexibility and output. The neck pickup has a glassy quality that is clean and articulate with a nice slightly hollow Strat tone on the upper frets. But its broad frequency response and strong low end makes it very versatile, and it can easily mimic a rounder Tele or even a Jazzmaster-ish vibe. Roll off the tone control, and it takes on a warmer character, while still retaining definition. The MFD is not just different, it's a real improvement; and the ASAT large MFD is one of the sweetest and most versatile neck pickups available in any guitar.

The bridge pickup has plenty of jangle and twang without being too sharp, and is great for clean, crisp rhythm playing. It's very much like a traditional Tele pickup, but with a top end sweetness that many Tele pickups lack. While not voiced for hard rock, the bridge has plenty of output, and with a good pedal produces a sparkly crunch that is great for roots music or a little Tom Petty. There is a lot of high end content on tap, so rolling off the tone control a bit yields a thicker, warmer sounding tone. Both pickups together create that familiar twang and cluck that you'd expect, and with great clarity. But there's a sweetness to the top end that keeps it from getting too bright or tiring. Pickers will love this position, and so will rhythm guitarists and fans of California rock like the Byrds and Eagles.

The neck on this guitar is the standard Modern Classic profile which 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.

G&L's MFD pickups make this guitar great for blues, roots, or country, but it also has the output and presence to grind out tasty rock crunch. Once you've gotten used to the clarity, power and versatility of G&L's MFD pickups, conventional single coil pickups sound a little thin and uninspiring. The G&L ASAT Special looks familiar, but it stretches beyond the humble roots of its classic predecessors to render both traditional and modern sounds, with Custom Shop workmanship at an off-the-rack price.

We are an authorized G&L Premier dealer located in Bellingham, Massachusetts, and this is a new guitar with all tags, tools, paperwork and certificates. We have over 25 G&L’s in stock at all times, and please feel free to browse our other listings, or contact us for information on a custom order.