The G&L Custom Shop affords the G&L enthusiast an opportunity to get a master-built instrument with personal attention to detail priced well below other manufacturer's custom shop offerings. And while the Custom Shop is not an "anything goes" proposition, it does allow the buyer to color outside the lines, and specify a wider range of personal preferences. This NAMM special has a one-off Denim translucent nitro finish and Gotoh 3-saddle bridge with no side edge. Nitro is thinner -- and more fragile -- than modern poly finishes, and is felt to resonate better than more production-friendly modern finish chemistries. Even after letting the guitar sit in the packing box for a couple days, imagine our surprise to find it already "aged" courtesy of Mother Nature and FedEx!
While G&L is known for Leo Fender's dynamic MFD design pickups, they wind some pretty nice traditional Alnico models too. G&L's Alnico pickup has good bite and attack with none of the mushy feel that sometimes comes along with this chrome-covered design. There is plenty of Tele® character, but it trades some of that soft bell-like tone for better picking dynamics and response. Finger picking brings out plenty of country cluck, but it can get funky too without missing a beat.
G&L's Alnico bridge pickup has excellent clarity and sparkle, with no harsh high end brittleness. It's well balanced with lush strumming characteristics, and works well for rhythm or snappy country twang. It's all in how you approach it; and depending on how you pick -- or fingerpick -- this pickup rewards a varied technique. It's also worked really well with the tone control, and rolling it down just made the tone warmer, but never dark or muddy. With the right control settings, parts that would normally be "neck" territory sounded warm and rounded with a detailed, sweet high end. As we say: You paid for those knobs....use them.
The PLEK-finished quarter sawn Modern Classic neck sports and extra level of personal attention, and a thin gloss nitro gloss finish. For those who are concerned about the feel of a glossy neck, the nitro necks have decidedly less "stick" than the poly finishes. When the going gets hot, you can keep going. The full range of G&L profiles is available from the Custom Shop, but the Modern Classic has been such a hit, few players request otherwise.
Less well known that the MFD-equipped ASAT Classic, the ASAT Classic Alnico has its own charms in terms of sensitivity, nuance and response to playing dynamics. The tone is traditional, but G&L has nicely exorcised out the traditional drawbacks of overly compressed neck tones and shattered glass treble response at the bridge. Factor in the Custom Shop fit, finish and feel, and this Nitro Warrior is right at home for country, jazz, funk or pop.
Voted Best in Music 2023!! Thank you!
