G&L

collapse expand iconDescription

The G&L ASAT Special just might be the quintessential G&L guitar, viewed by many as Leo's ultimate single-cutaway. Back in 1985, Leo Fender launched this model under the G&L Broadcaster name, which prompted a response from Fred Gretsch of Gretsch Guitars over the name just as it had thirty-five years earlier. History buffs will recall that the Broadkaster name is owned by Gretsch, and once again, a Broadcaster from Leo was required to have its name changed. This time around, the name became "ASAT," which is US military shorthand for an "Anti-Satellite" missile.

The ASAT Special, as the model became known, features jumbo single-coil Magnetic Field Design pickups, each with a narrow bobbin aperture for a coil that is shallow yet wide. In this regard, an MFD jumbo single coil is similar to a P-90 or Jazzmaster pickup, yet the MFD principle provides a punchier bottom end and brighter top end sparkling with harmonics. Leo further departed with the past with the addition of his innovative Saddle-Lock bridge which transfers string energy right into the body end-grain for an incredibly resonant instrument. The result is one of the most versatile guitars ever, serving up ballsy twang to searing blues to smooth jazz tones. What's more, this ASAT Special is offered in either a traditionally G&L Swamp Ash body for maximum attack, or a mahogany body for that righteous ˜80s G&L blend of jumbo MFD power mellowed by the high porosity of mahogany. Two great ASAT flavors, yours for the picking.

Case sold separately.
G&L Tribute ASAT Special Electric Guitar Gloss Black
G&L Tribute ASAT Special Electric Guitar Gloss Black
G&L Tribute ASAT Special Electric Guitar Gloss Black

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • Swamp Ash body (Blueburst) or Mahogany (Tobacco Sunburst)
  • Hard-Rock Maple neck with Rosewood fingerboard
  • Leo Fender-designed jumbo G&L MFD single coils made in Fullerton, California
  • 3-position pickup selector, volume, tone
  • 18:1 ratio, sealed-back tuners
  • Leo Fender-designed G&L Saddle-Lock bridge
  • Case sold separately

collapse expand iconSpecs

  • CONSTRUCTION: bolt-on
  • SCALE: 25-1/2"
  • PICKUPS: Leo Fender-designed jumbo G&L MFD single coils made in Fullerton, California
  • BODY WOOD: Swamp Ash (Blueburst) or Mahogany (Tobacco Sunburst)
  • NECK WOOD: Hard-Rock Maple with Rosewood fingerboard
  • NECK WIDTH AT NUT: 1-5/8"
  • NECK RADIUS: 9"
  • NECK PROFILE: medium C
  • FRETS: 22 medium jumbo, nickel
  • TUNING KEYS: 18:1 ratio, sealed-back
  • BRIDGE: Leo Fender-designed G&L Saddle-Lock
  • CONTROLS: 3-position pickup selector, volume, tone

collapse expand iconWarranty

Limited 10 year warranty on all guitars.

Featured Articles

collapse expand iconReviews

4.83

12 Reviews

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Jamming7
  2. Practicing7
  3. Recording7
  4. Rock Concerts6
  5. Small Venues6
Cons
  1. Flat Sound1
  2. Fret Buzz1
  3. No cons - I knew what I wanted & I got it!1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced7
  2. Professional Musician4
Pros
  1. Fun To Play11
  2. Good Feel11
  3. Good Tone11
  4. Solid Electronics9
  5. Good Pick Up8
  • WOW!

    5

    submitted4 years ago

    bySteve

    fromNew Jersey

    This was my first experience playing and owning a G&L guitar and OH.MY.LORD! I ordered this kind of on a whim not knowing what to expect as I was looking for an alternative to a Tele and also a guitar with P90 pickups or in this case something that resembles P90 pickups like these MFD pickups on this guitar do. I found a good deal on one, pulled the trigger, couple days later it came in and I was immediately blown away! This thing exceeded, or better yet shattered all expectations I had. Literally everything about this guitar is incredible. From the way it came in perfectly set up, the amazingly comfortable/easy to play on neck, PHENOMENAL pickups, beautiful sustain, insanely wide variety of tones, it's the guitar I had no idea I needed in my life/collection. I refer to it as my hybrid guitar. I can get the Tele-like tones that I've always searched for and felt like I couldn't ever find in a regular Fender model, punchy P90-like tones in the middle position, Strat-like tones in the neck pickup while still having that P90-like sound, and a bridge pickup that takes all types of gain, overdrive, and even distortion so well. It's become my go-to guitar with a jam band that I play with from time to time. The other guitar player that I play with in that band plays a Gibson Les Paul with pickups and a mahogany body that is just in your face loud and I found it very hard to stand out and be heard with any of my other guitars until I started bringing this to your jam sessions/practices. Between the high output MFD pickups and body material this guitar hit the nail right on the head for me. It's a perfect fit if your someone like myself who is used to playing Strats and playing that kind of Strat style. Sometimes with other types of guitars I feel as if I often find myself having to step out of my comfort zone being a Strat guy but with this guitar I never have to leave that comfort zone at all or hinder my style of play. I absolutely LOVE my ASAT Special!

  • Don't buy a fender Tele until you've played one of these!

    5

    submitted4 years ago

    byFrederick C

    fromProspect, CT

    The guitar came perfectly set up from the factory. Tone is Tele on steroids with Leo's USA made MFD pickups. The electronics include a volume compensation circuit for no loss of highs when you turn down. That is a big plus. The neck is fast, action is low with no buzz, nut is well cut, the saddle lock bridge is Gibralter like in it's stability and the wy it locks into the body eliminates string thru holes. The set screw to lock the saddles in place is genius. The bridge essentially becomes a one piece unit. No rattles or sympathetic vibrations.

  • A real Fender without the baggage

    5

    submitted4 years ago

    byRaphael F

    fromWilmington NC

    I got my first G&L back in 1999, it was an S-500, and was the single finest strat i ever owned. Here we are, and I finally decided, after all these years, to treat myself to an ASAT. The bridge system alone is worth it, as I have never experienced sustaine like this. The craftsmanship is brilliant, and the tone, THE TONE! If you're in the market for a tele, get therealdeal, get an ASAT.

  • This guitar is EXCELLENT!

    5

    submitted4 years ago

    byROBERT D.

    fromST.LOUIS, MO.

    THIS GUITAR HAS EXCELLENT FRETWORK AND EXCELLENT SOUND!

  • What a sweet guitar!

    4

    submitted5 years ago

    byMarkR

    fromDrexel Hill, PA

    I love this guitar. The neck feels great and the pickups are amazing. The only negatives are a bit of fret buzz and the volume knob didn't turn smoothly.

  • If I had to choose only one guitar, this would be it.

    5

    submitted5 years ago

    byChris

    fromCasselberry, Florida

    The G & L AS AT is now my favorite guitar. I own other guitars, Gibsons, Fenders, Epiphones, Squires, Ibanez, but this one is so solid and comfortable in sound and feel that it just feels like a natural extension of where my playing comes from. I've been a professional working musician for over forty years, and this guitar just feels right right off the bat. I never waste my time writing reviews, but this guitar made me want to write a glowing report.

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collapse expand iconQ&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • asked byMarv

    fromMonterey park

    Does this have the back belly contour?

    Does this have the back belly contour?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    No, this is a Tele body.
  • asked byRay

    fromundisclosed

    What is the weight of the guitar?

    What is the weight of the guitar?

    Open Reply - Beau
    8.75 lbs.
  • asked byBaba

    fromSpringfield, MO

    Where is this guitar made?

    Where is this guitar made?

    Open Reply - Ronald
    This is made in Indonesia.
  • asked byRay

    fromMarion, NC

    Is this item being sold as new, used or open box?
What is the actual weight of this guitar?
If I buy it, can it be returned for full refund, if not as advertised?

Thanks,
Ray

    Is this item being sold as new, used or open box? What is the actual weight of this guitar? If I buy it, can it be returned for full refund, if not as advertised? Thanks, Ray

    Open Reply - Ronald
    the only ones we have are new, so they will be in box. It is 13lbs. And we have a 45 day return policy where if you aren't happy with it you can return it.
  • asked byCharlie

    fromFarmington NH

    I want to buy a G&L ASAT Tribute Special. They are currently out of stock. Expected to ship April 27. I have a guitar I wish to use as a trade. Can I have one of these guitars sent to the Portsmouth NH store and bring in my trade when it arrives? Do I have to pre order or wait till the guitars are available?

    I want to buy a G&L ASAT Tribute Special. They are currently out of stock. Expected to ship April 27. I have a guitar I wish to use as a trade. Can I have one of these guitars sent to the Portsmouth NH store and bring in my trade when it arrives? Do I have to pre order or wait till the guitars are available?

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    We cannot send out a guitar until it has been paid for. It would have to be pre ordered for us to send one.
    Open Reply - Ronald
    You will have to preorder it, but you can check it out at the store and if you don't like it, return it right then and there.
  • asked byEric

    fromPennsylvania

    What country was it made in?

    What country was it made in?

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    This is made in Indonesia
  • asked byidk

    frommonongahela pa

    where is this guitar made ?

    where is this guitar made ?

    Open Reply - Ronald
    Indonesia.