My guitar collection - G&L
In mid-March 2013, G&L listed another batch of prototypes on their (previous) website. One particular model sparked an almost immediate debate on the Guitars by Leo website: an ASAT Deluxe with TV Jones pickups. In particular, the TV Classic pickups are very popular replacement/upgrades for Filter’Tron pickups found on Gretsch guitars with which this style of humbucker is most associated. Since Gretsch guitars are usually semi-acoustics, it is nice G&L also used a semi-hollow body, finished in Clear Orange and completely made out of African mahogany (khaya) with a single f-hole in the top. Stylish clear plastic mounting rings are used for the pups, giving the body something extra. It has the standard chromed Saddle-Lock bridge while the volume control, tone control, and 3-position pickup selector are all rear-loaded. What in particular sparked my interest was the neck: light tint gloss finished hard-rock Eastern maple #1 neck with 12” pau ferro fingerboard, Jescar Medium Jumbo 57110 frets, 1⅝” nut width, and Sperzel closed tuning machines. The small CCD logo on the back of the headstock seemingly indicates it to be an official Custom Creations Department instrument. That enigma was solved after taking off the neck: it turns out to be initially produced for a Korina Junior II providing an explanation for both the presence of the pau ferro fingerboard as well as the decal. And although there is no date stamp in the neck pocket, peeking underneath the neck pickup one finds “Sample” and “see Steve” written in the cavity with a Sharpie. Like for the ASAT Classic Korina prototype as well as the ASAT Deluxe Korina prototype, the “Steve” in question is likely Steve Grom, then director of manufacturing and Custom Creations. However, the spec sheet, indicating the instrument was completed February 9, 2012, is signed by general foreman Spencer Brown who took over the signing duties when Steve left G&L for ESP in December 2012. Consult the “Prototypes” page for additional information and links.
ASAT Deluxe Semi-Hollow TV Jones prototype
The story behind this guitar
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As before, the old G&L prototype webpage was updated not in one fell swoop. I had completely overlooked the first update and missed out on the spalted alder Z-3, also in Clear Orange finish. But as soon as I learned about this one a couple of days later, I contacted James Schultz, co-owner of Seattle’s The Guitar Store and G&L dealer at the time. It turned out he had it already ordered. You see, James is one of the biggest G&L nuts I have ever met, and I mean that in the most positive terms. Like me, he is very enthusiastic about all the experiments G&L is willing to do whether it is by using uncommon wood species, finishes, pups (as is the case here), and anything in between. So just a couple of days before my birthday I spent a wonderful late afternoon in his shop which was then chock full of many of the prototypes listed on the archived page above. Everybody was eagerly anticipating the opening of the case. After which all jaws collectively dropped. The Custom Creations Department gray poodle interior case is classy. Plus the guitar looks gorgeous and the TV Jones pups look entirely at home. How does it sound? Clear, ballsy, open, and with attitude. Not as open as I initially expected I honestly admit (I had Chris Isaac tones in mind), but after playing her a couple of days and dialing in a more rockabilly/surf sound, she fits the bill perfectly.
The story behind this guitar
2012
CLF063940 (prototype)
07/21/2011
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