My guitar collection - G&L

 
 

Is the idea of using Filter’Tron like pickups in a Tele-style body new? Certainly not. In fact, the Fender Custom Shop released their limited edition ’La Cabronita Especial’ in 2010, with 20 in a single pickup configuration and 40 with 2 pickups. The latter had a rather steep MSRP of $5,260. Here, for only a fraction of that price, G&L riffs on the same idea with an ASAT Special with TV Classic pickups. This rather plain looking guitar has an alder body, finished in Fullerton Red, chromed Saddle-Lock bridge, and rear-loaded controls akin to those on the ASAT ‘Junior’ and ASAT ‘Special’. The only 2 differences with the Fender Custom Shop version are the absence of a pickguard and the separate tone control instead of Fender’s proprietary S-1 switch technology. The hard-rock maple #1 neck has a clear satin finish, 9½” radius maple fingerboard, Jescar Medium Jumbo 57110 frets, 1¹¹⁄₁₆” nut width, G&L branded Schaller closed tuning machines, and no model decal on the headstock. No other information in this model in general or this guitar in particular is available.

 

ASAT Special ‘Cabronita’ prototype

The story behind this guitar

Year:

Serial number:

Neck date:

Body date:

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The first time I became aware of the existence of this guitar was early in 2018 when it appeared on Reverb. Little did I know it would be for sale on Reverb another 3 times that same year, in almost all cases because the respective seller wanted to flip the guitar for profit. In contrast, the previous owner, Chris Callahan, had purchased it in early-August for a particular project he participated in to get that Gretsch vibe. As he told me, it worked great. But it was all he needed it for. So in September it moved into this collection for about the same price he paid for it. According to the included spec sheet, this guitar was completed 10/12/2015, more than 3½ after the ASAT Deluxe Semi-Hollow TV Jones prototype, the first G&L with TV Jones pickups. Is the ‘Cabronita’ a true prototype? I believe so given the “SAMPLE” marking found both on the spec sheet as well as the neck heel. Still, although I know of only 3 G&L guitars with TV Jones pickups, all different in some essential aspect, I might be wrong. Trying to read the crossed-out markings, apparently the neck was intended to be used on an ASAT Z-3 in Blue metallic Flake finish, DFS (i.e. steel block) vibrato unit, and tracking ID 330054-1. Instead it ended up on this guitar, likely in last minute fashion. Although branded as an ASAT Special, clearly the bridge pickup is mounted at a completely different angle more akin to the ASAT Deluxe. The ‘Cabronita’ honors its nickname: it is impish, devilish, and downright dirty. Until you turn down the volume that is, which causes crystal clear tones to appear with a bell like chime. Tom V Jones is justifiably lauded for his pretty much perfect recreation of the Filter’Tron.

The story behind this guitar

2015

CLF075150 (prototype)

none marked ‘MCNK’, ‘FUL RED’, ‘FILTERTRON’, ‘SAMPLE’

MAY 19 2015

D’Addario EXL110 Nickel Wound Regular Light (10-46)