Fender VS G&L - Tele and ASAT Tone Comparison!

[@alm574]

Im a G&L devote switched from Fender years ago. G&L has a fuller tone to my ears. We should all be grateful for Leo and his incredible designs.

[@ralex3697]

Agree but the USA made G&L

[@markperry7655]

Fuller tone. 🤠

[@taoxie258]

nice pun

[@MybeautifulandamazingPrincess]

Fender was the John Browning of guitars, both geniuses in their fields (and I love both guitars and guns)

[@garyc4019]

@@ralex3697 same pickups

[@waynepayne864]

my man leo fender made a whole ass company everytime he designed a telecaster

[@sEaNoYeAh]

For anyone who sees this there's a very good story behind the G&L ASAT and it's worth looking up. He was pushed back towards making an evolution of the Telecaster and swallowed is pride to create something that appeased players while allowing him to innovate.

[@empireentertainmentevents1353]

DARRELL.... most people dont appreciate what you did for the guitar playing maniacs world wide..... so I wanna say a big THANK YOU for all your hard work and effort!

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Thanks for the kind words! Glad to have you on the channel 👍

[@TheStrataminor]

Actually Dazza does a great job!! (Dazza is Aussie slang for Darrell)..!!

[@haus05]

Agreed

[@lueysixty-six7300]

@@TheStrataminor C'mon Aussie, C'mon, C'mon...! Hahaha.

[@garycrouse1918]

good ol cdn boy to boot ;-)

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

I've wanted to do this comparison for you guys for a LONG time! Enjoy! Tele: imp.i114863.net/MODOY ASAT: imp.i114863.net/rMzMd

[@AlexDD]

Thanks Darell!

[@mrkosmos9421]

I can't believe you just played metal on a Tele!

[@jwuonog]

Thanks for doing this! There aren't many good comparison videos.

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

😎👍

[@DarkArtsAstrophotography]

If this was a "which guitar sounds better" test, I would have to pick the G&L in most cases. The fuller tone is something that appeals to me more. However, for some of the examples you played, the Tele was the better choice. Those pieces needed that twang and spank that's unique to the Tele. When something calls for a Tele sound, there's nothing else that will get you there quite like a genuine Tele. It's hard to reproduce that classic tone with anything else, even something this similar. That said, with the pickups lowered, the G&L did sound much closer to the Tele. Not exact and not the Tele sound I hear in my head, but it would certainly get you by and still sound great.

[@davidwernsing8795]

I liked the G&L pickups more, they sounded more full on the bottom end.

[@jcoulter43]

I agree. I've never been a Tele shape fan even though I own one. The G&L pickups have that extra sound and adjustability that makes me like their tone just a little more. Also, the separate adjustable bridge saddles on the G&L along with the better tuners tips the scale for me too. Great video as always Darrell! You really showed what both guitars are capable of 👏🎸😎

[@ricardorodriguez5549]

Very much so. I swap between a couple of Fenders and a G&L and have to keep an eye on the EQ. The ASAT Tribute I have brings so much more volume and power. That hot signal really makes the OD come alive as well.

[@ronnienose8608]

Fender for the cleans and the G&L for gain settings. Thank you for the video.

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Anytime!

[@gillesgenete9598]

I agree with you. And Fender for the beauty.

[@wbertie2604]

Sounds about right to me, although the MFDs all the way down and there isn't a lot to choose between them, but the Fender would still have the edge on the cleans.

[@heyou429]

Completely agree. Although lowering the mfd pickups helped the ASAT

[@outsiderdf]

@@gillesgenete9598 You can have an ASAT look exactly the same

[@john564holloway]

Must say the ASAT took charge! HUGE difference with the clean/neck comparison with the magnetics raised. Not much difference using the bridge pups when clean or dirty. I prefer the ASAT due to Leo's design of rolling off the twang that Teles are known. I've always been a fan of the warmer tones. Great demo, as usual, Darrell.

[@jdburnsideutube]

Extremely well done comparison. The subtleties of the differences were clearly audible. Perfect.

[@micheltaillon5833]

so much time spent on editing your vids to give us a perfect a-b comparison. huge kudos to you Darrel!

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Thanks MT!

[@anthonyc1883]

michel taillon Agreed. Definitely a pro presentation.

[@JInfinity7]

And don't forget the labor of audio editing required too!

[@cesalt2408]

Never would have considered a G&L. This was impressive!

[@HBSuccess]

cesalt I was a hardcore Gibson player - I had a P-bass but never owned a fender 6-string. Got I nto a Top 40 band in 1980 - my buddy who ran a local guitar shop brought me a brand new G&L F-100 with active electronics. - I bought it on the spot and played it for the next 2500+ gigs. Zero personality of its own but can impersonate practically anything on (back then)vinyl. Great guitar - played great, whammy stayed in-tune.

[@anthonyc1883]

@@HBSuccess I'll echo most of your thoughts on the old F-100 guitars, although the two I had were the much more common passive electronics models. Necks were kind of thin, front-to-back if I recall, kind of common for the era and even the first of The Fender vintage reissues from a couple years later had thin necks, nothing like the originals.

[@sonicbridge1944]

@@anthonyc1883 the only downside on the sunburst F-100 I owned was the weight of the mahogany body; as much as my Les Paul. No wonder I had nerve problems in my left hand over the years. Both great guitars, but eventually had to send them downstream for something lighter. Thankfully, I now no longer suffer with tingling and numbness in my fingers.

[@doca9357]

I had an asst tribute with the p 90 style MFD s great sounding, clean at 7, nice overdrive at 10

[@metrostatetacticalicecream6945]

The G&L is a custom guitar, they offer more than just a large palate of colors. You don’t have to settle, you can get the radius, neck shape, finish,tint, and body shape that you want without having to settle for standard telecasters in the same price range. I think this is one of the reasons for their lower resale value. I own several of both and don’t actually think of the ASAT as a telecaster. I think of it more as a T-style guitar that has its own voice.

I owned a G&L 2000 Bass for 23 years and worked in a hotel in New York City for more than 30 years. I have met so man musicians, road managers and sound men who told me that the G&L 2000 is used a lot to record music and those same musicians do not play them live. It's a great instrument but since no famous musicians play them in concert I believe this hurts their resale value. Even the Fender Squire Series will have more resale value than a G&L.

[@Jeymez]

no it's a Telecaster, but a T- Style is basically the same thing. it's just that G&L is not a copy like the others, G&L has more in common with Fender than any other brand, sure there are varing degrees, but both stay true to Leo's legacy. now originally it wasn't Leo's idea to make Stratocasters and Telecasters when he formed G&L, he wanted to come up with some new ideas and shapes, but he never got to see that dream realized. after he died, G&L wanted to do something to honor him, that's when they started making Telecasters and Stratocasters, but to avoid conflict with Fender they had to alter the headstock to some degree. that work for them, now there recognized as Fenders rival.

[@DylanTK]

I actually preferred the ASAT in both clean and dirty, which surprised me somewhat as I generally love teles clean. I think something about the G&L sounding a bit more full and less chimey is what did it ...and hilariously at the end of the video you say the exact same thing. so there we go.

[@TheNocturnalEvil]

It has more low mids and kinda darker sound. To be honest it kinda reminds me of a Broadcaster, but it ain't as dark and woody sounding as a Broadcaster. It's sound is somewhere between a Blackguard Tele and a Broadcaster.

[@DavidMorley]

I never lusted for a Tele , because of the brightness. So for me, the Asat is ideal.

[@DavidRFIT]

To my taste G&L wins hands down.

[@patriotpizzaman]

The Tele sounds so freaking good in this video! I really love the way you've recorded these two guitars! I'm a Tele guy though not so much a country guy. I'm much more of a rocker and tend to play my Sabbath favs on my Tele, tuned down a whole step through a vintage Rat & a Rivera Quiana with the ninja boost kicked in. Brutal Fuzz off the Tele plugged into the low gain! Having said all that I like the Asat's fuller overall tone a little better. Not in every situation but, by a hair.

[@moj0ryzin]

I've always admired the build quality of the G&L Asat and Legacy...beautiful maple necks/finishes and, of course as you mention, great pickups/electronics, and tone.

[@andrewbutcher3391]

Great to hear these side by side Darrell. I love my G&L Asat Classic for me the pickups make a huge difference and make this a much more versatile guitar than the Tele. The tone control can be used to give more variety. A wonderful guitar that I will never part with.

[@awo1fman]

Kinda depends... most of the time I preferred the G&L, but sometimes the Tele was better. But when you can adjust the G&L to sound more like a Tele, that pushes it more toward the G&L side. Great vid!

[@duffypratt]

I suspect that if you did the comparison without showing the headstock or identifying the guitars, the comment section would look much different.

[@peatsmoke821]

I agree completely. Too often we hear with our eyes and let our preconceived notions dictate our opinions. These guitars can sound very similar, while the G&L can sound much thicker based on pickup height.

[@davecarsley8773]

@@peatsmoke821 Yeah, but what's so wrong with hearing with our eyes though? If you've ever been in a band, you'll know that there's a lot more to playing a guitar on a stage than just the sound that's hitting to your audience's ears. Obviously, you don't want a guitar that sounds like crap (which neither of these do), but would I play a guitar on stage that sounds 5% worse but is 50% more eye candy? Absolutely! It'll "sound" better to my audience.

[@garyreid1766]

@@davecarsley8773 Food for thought.

[@keeganwilson9062]

@@davecarsley8773 pretty sure he means brand bias not the actual appearance of the guitars

[@davecarsley8773]

@@keeganwilson9062 There is NO difference between those two things. In order to be biased towards a Gibson for example, you must first be able to identify it as a Gibson. Likewise, if you can't identify something as a certain brand, you can't be biased towards it for _being_ that brand. So, with all due respect, I have no idea what your point is....

[@collinputney2018]

I honestly feel that regular old telecasters (not ones upgraded to have humbuckers or single coil sized humbuckers) are very under utilized in heavy metal. I mean, yeah, you have guys like John 5 or Jim Root who rip on teles but they use high output humbuckers in theirs. Everyone always thinks twang when they hear the phrase “tele pickups.” But what I hear is tightness, and a bright, cutting lead tone. And with players like Jerry Cantrell and John Baizley from Baroness ripping it up on G&L’s (and partially this video) I am currently in the process of getting an ASAT. For metal. Great video as always, Darrell. Keep it up!

[@DavidRFIT]

interesting point of view.

[@BenRobsonMusic]

I think some of the first Wintersun album was recorded using a Tokai telecaster copy. The single coil bite/twang definitely has some unique uses in metal.

[@J.Burrough]

Both sound great- I liked the G&L sound bit better. It’s got a little something extra. You said it right G&L is more fuller and rounded- more pleasant to my ears. Thanks for this one, helps deciding.✌🏻

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Glad to help!

[@ranchmanager9126]

I felt the G&L MDF's seemed more "alive" in that you could almost hear it begging to sustain for days. Other than just the bridge clean on the tele, the MDF's sounded next-level in clarity. Really great video. It totally put a G&L ASAT on my "must have" list. Also I'm going to replace the neck pickup on my Fender with a MDF.

[@mikepj1025]

The Tele wins for me for that Tele sound but the ASAT is a different animal. It seems that the G&L can get the Tele sound but the Tele can not get that ASAT sound. I have a G&L Legacy and it has quickly become my go to for everything. I will say this, having both Fenders and G&L, the build quality and finish of the G&L is superior.

[@sixfoursoul2538]

I just bought a G&L tele yesteday HOLYSHIT is this thing amazing blew all the fenders off the map .. I wasnt cheap but worth it

[@jimrogers7425]

They're both excellent designs. The Telecaster defined the genre of Country music in ways that are still somewhat prevalent today. It would appear that the ASAT would not necessarily do the same as a stock guitar because that "chicken pickin'" sound would not be present in it, but who knows? Great video, Darrell!

[@cathytai]

Honestly, being a Tele lover, when I heard the ASAT for the first time I almost cried. I mean, I just bought a couple nice (not MIA, though) - used Fender MIJs, a Tele and Strat. I was loving my new toys so much and then I clicked this video - I'd been expecting for the Tele to waltz off with the prize, but the first ASAT notes took my breath away and I was chastened. Well, I can always save my $$$ for a nice used ASAT - Right? Just let me sell a kidney and a spleen, first, to finance this....

[@lazvt8469]

I had a Strat American Std, then the Deluxe...sold them both eventually. Got a G&L S-500 6 months ago for $550 (SW. Dem0) and was blown away with the pups and switching options. Some say the MFD's push towards P90's...I tend to agree.

[@Oilid]

Fender Tele for the win!

[@seanemmettfullerton]

Wow, thanks Darrell. I appreciate your keen ear for tone. I'm looking at an ASAT Classic G&L -your comments have been a great help :)

[@MrTPF1]

They both sounded great. The Fender sounded brighter on the clean tests, but the ASAT sounded fuller and better to my ears on the distorted tests. Since I play humbuckers and a distorted amp, the ASAT is my pick.

[@tenbroeck1958]

I play a lot of Jazz and Country, but I'm always a rocker at heart, so it's a toss-up for me!! Screw it, I'm buying some joe barden pickups for my Tele, until I get some extra cash for a G&L!!

[@plane_guy6051]

@@tenbroeck1958 -- If you read this, look into the DiMarzio Pre-B1. I had one long ago and it was amazing

[@josephzita]

Tele for the cleans, ASAT for the dirty. Also, ASAT for the beautiful headstock

[@ostertag89]

Werido

[@gvsd3]

Agree, I also like the Headstock

[@eljoel89]

You can actually hang a G&L headstock on a wall hanger too.

[@davecarsley8773]

@@eljoel89 Yeah. Just like Fender. There's hundreds of thousands hanging on walls as I type this

[@MarcCoteMusic]

Nice demo, Darrell. As is usually the case, the differences are most obvious with a clean tone. For me, the Fender wins the clean sound comparison... it's very chimey and transparent. The G&L has a kind of mid-range bark that, while not unpleasant, does not scream 'Tele'. On the other hand, I think the G&L takes it for the heavier sounds... it's fuller & richer. So, there you are... as it often goes, it's a tossup based on what you like and what you'll play.

[@jonneziengs]

I was scrolling through the comments to find this. Thnx. I agree.

[@adrianguggisberg3656]

@@jonneziengs You can set the G&L to sound more brittle and thin like a tele by taking the volume back to 6 or seven. If you want your instrument to sound like a tele and only like a tele at every given setting, you should definitely get a tele. The G&L will give you a broader range of sound, if you're confident enough to sound different.

[@plane_guy6051]

First off, GREAT video and EXCELLENT playing! I totally agreed with this dude though. The Tele has a really nice twang that the G&L just doesn't have. I suspect it's just the bridge pickup and nothing more. I owned a Tele long time ago and replaced the bridge PU with a DiMarzio Pre-B1 and holy crap, did that bugger sing! While I liked the Tele pickup, it used to feedback in a really bad squealy way which the DiMarzio totally fixed. It retained the best of the Fender but was just better all around. But my point being that I think the bridge pickup is key on a Tele. Maybe adjusting the poles on the G&L as Darrel says would give you best of both worlds. Both guitars are nice though.

[@tenbroeck1958]

Thank you for doing a truly relevant side-by-side comparison, not just plucking any sounds, but playing the kind of licks many rock and country Tele guys play.

[@tcpfeff]

Both great. I’m a G&L fan, but I own fenders also. Neither are better, personal choices, G&L is a upgraded version of Leo’s dream. Both legends

[@gsuderman]

Another great post! Thank-you. Years ago I purchased a USA ASAT with beautiful AAA maple cap and rosewood fingerboard. I absolutely love it but it was a bit dark compared to a tele. Board? Pickups? Pickup Height - I never knew that hack so will investigate. Of my guitar collection this one is an absolute blast to tune and play. The feel of the neck is superb. Fast forward and I picked up a Squier Classic Vibe tele that is amazing. You would never know it wasn't a top dollar guitar if you just played and listened. I tinker and last year upgraded wires, pots, switch and input jack and added a treble bleed circuit. Definitely improved the tone, a lot. I love both guitars and when I pick up the ASAT I love it more until I pick up the CV Tele then I love it more. Long story but thanks, again, for a great channel. Mennos rule!

[@joshferry3628]

I own both G&L (Strat) and Fender (Tele). I can't decide! Lol these are both awesome.

[@per42c42]

So for me, I like the Fender for cleans and G&L for metal but I have to say its interesting you changed the pickup config to try and match the Fender tone. I expect Leo and George were going for something else and not to repeat what they had already done, to further disrupt music again, with a new set of tone and not just copy an earlier products sound. So I would not buy a G&L to try and sound like a Fender, rather I would get one because its something different and I like it for what it is. If I want a Fender [I own several] then I would buy that and if I fancy what G&L do, then I will buy that [I want one]. Great video Darrell, as always ;)

[@AntonioCavicchioni]

Difficult to tell which guitar is the best. One thing I can tell is the solos are amazing! Great video!

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Thanks Antonio!

[@josephdevera7283]

G&L ASAT is a great guitar, rocking an ASAT bluesboy myself and i love the tone of the bridge MFD pickup. But having never owned an original fender tele ive never had the chance to compare em side by side. Great comparison!

[@39MercFlathead]

I discovered G&L about 20 years ago. Before that the best Tele I ever had was a MIJ. Once I found G&L I stayed with them. The 3rd time truly was a charm. The one I have never owned was a Z3. I would love to have a semi-hollow ASAT Z3.

[@willssonline]

Thanks so much, Darrell, for making the time to compare these guitars. I have love affairs with both brands. Usually with the Tele-style G&L, I’d swap out the pickups for Lollars, but they were Tribute models. I love G&L’s USA ASAT Special. They’re much like you described regarding the pickup sounds, though they come with those wonderful MFD pickups. All in all, I think G&L guitars are vastly underrated instruments whose quality is at least as good as any off-the-shelf guitars out there. Keep up the great work!

[@jonanles]

I really thought that they both sounded similar, with the Telecaster being a little warmer on the clean tones and the Asat doing the driven tones slightly better, you really can't go wrong with either one.

[@dt90891]

I like the ASAT mostly. Clear when clean and crunch is nice too. Thanks for adjusting the pickup to show us the tonal difference. Makes a beautiful lead tone too

[@rsaragosa]

As always great work on your video. I love the information you have shared on the G & L MFD pickups which I never knew about. I really liked the G & L better I have always found Teles to be a bit bitey and the G & L has a more rounder tone. I used to own a G & L ASAT bluesboy and for some crazy reason I got rid of it and now I wish I had it back. I will be getting a G & L in the future for sure but I am leaning towards a S500. Do you own a S500 and if so could you do a demo of that it would be awesome. You seem to make any guitar you play sound good. Keep up the good work.

[@TheAtomBat]

G&L is the closest we will get to Leo's design now, G&L is more Fender then Fender is tbh

[@jasong546]

Great Darrell! I don’t think I have ever heard a tele that didn’t sound good, and I wouldn’t have been able to guess blindfolded because they are so capable. And this is proof that a seemingly simple design is awesome if the player is creative, has skill, and has a good ear for making tunes this way! Like on this one!

[@jasong546]

Also, respectfully, I don’t hear anything much to bright or ice picky with these settings you chose. I put Lollar pups in my T build, and I have to make an effort to get that harshness. Your technique and your great amp keeps me from hearing too much.

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Well said!

[@richardegmontbade7082]

Great comparism review! I love my Asat Tribute, but I am very amazed by that aggressive singing Tele sound

[@artamussumatra6286]

Tele wins for me, in both sound and looks, tho I do like the basic idea of the G&L’s adjustable pole pieces.

[@THE_Secular_Conservative]

This video is one of the reasons I bought an Asat over a Squier telecaster and I don't regret it the least bit. I am in love with my Indonesian G&L Asat classic semi hollowbody "tele". $ 595 (original price is 700) brand new, I added hipshot locking tuners, a Graphtech Tusq nut, and replaced the original knobs with indicator knobs; this instrument is amazing. Way more versatile then I ever imagined! It doesn't have quite the vintage twang that I suspect an original Fender Telecaster would have but the MFD pickups make it extremely versatile. U can go from pristine cleans and blues grit to thrash metal with a roll of the volume knob and click of the foot. The ASAT is very responsive to the volume and tone controls so be aware if u plan to buy. This is the reason I replaced the original volume and tone knobs with indicator knobs

[@christophercloudstrider5877]

I’ve never owned a Tele style guitar. I like the way they both sound in this video. I do prefer the look of the fender headstock. They both sound great.

[@tonydinapoli7032]

Thanks Darrell! You answered a lot of questions I have had about G&L guitars in general and specifically about this guitar. Great job as always.

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Thanks! Anytime 👍

[@tacogladiator7503]

Had to sell most of guitars when I lost my job. Broke my heart but looks like I’ll be getting myself a G&L for Christmas. Sounds awesome and has those cool adjustable pickups.

[@donnythompson408]

Jep Илић did you end up getting a G&L? If so, do you like it? I LOVE my G&L ASAT - and I was a die hard Fender guy for years. 😊

[@Ottophil]

Man not having a job is the best time to have guitars.

[@radiohead102]

Thanks for the comparison video! Well done, as always.

[@TheRycooder]

I liked them equally for different reasons! Great video again!

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Thanks HB!

[@bassmandudge]

Hi Darrell I went out to 2 music shops with a mate who had longed for an American blonde Tele. We tried upwards if 6 US teles through various amps. I was not impressed at all. Sharp fret ends..way to much harshness...and really bad build quality...buckled pick guards...poor tuners...it was actually quite upsetting. We ended up in Andertons and there on the wall was a G and L asat Fullerton...one of those guitars you pick up and have to try. It bested the US teles in every department ..sound..build...looks...quality control and as a bonus the one I picked up had a full flame maple neck....it was an absolute stunner...the tones through a clean valve amp were amazing. My mate bought it on the spot...if he hadn't I would have done....I simply can't say enough good things about it...i am now looking for one myself...you would be an absolute fool to overlook G and L if your in the market for a tele ..after all its what Leo produced to improve on his old design...imo he did it hands down...

[@samlelowitch]

I like ’em both. Maybe the Fender gets the slight edge in terms of the tone I prefer. It would never occur to me to use a Tele for hard rock or metal, but you made it work!

[@WilliamBurnettPhotography]

Sam Elowitch it occurred to the Beatles to use a reel for hard rock/metal. Helter Skelter is arguably the first true heavy metal song or at least in the first 4 or 5 and that is pure tele.

[@Starshepherd]

Jimmy Page, Keith Richards (almost exclusively), David Gilmour, Pete Townsend, Clapton all played, or still play, Tele's. Stairway To Heaven's solo was played on a Tele. It's an extremely versatile guitar.

[@Jakethysnake93]

Search playing metal on a telecaster on youtube and be amazed

[@samlelowitch]

​I don’t doubt that. When I say “it would never occur to me,” I don’t mean to imply that it’s impossible or anything.

[@hermanmelville3871]

Pepper Keenan has played some metal on Tele’s.

[@neptunebob]

I've owned lots of both Fender and G&L. I presently have just one Mexican-made Strat: the other Fenders have all been replaced with G&Ls. The ASAT Classic has a place of honor as the T-style of choice. Even the Strat is seldom played, because it has serious (overwhelming?) competition from several G&L S-500s, a Comanche, and a Legacy.

[@tjnaevans]

Definitely like the sound on the G&L pups I'll have to start searching the resale markets for one sounds great and excellent video!

[@TheAndyMaan]

I would say I preferred the twangy sound of the Tele for the cleaner sounds but once it starts to get more dirty I think the ASAT starts to shine, sounded a bit fatter and less high end. Thanks for the cool comparison, great playing too

[@EXMORr]

WOW I Love That G&L I Never Thought About Owning a Tele Style Guitar Until Right Now , Thank You , That Was Awesome !!

[@sixfoursoul2538]

Why not, they are both made by the same person, G&l has better hardware, better case, better price .

[@robertcondren3400]

The best comparison video I've seen. The G&L neck pickup is killer but there is nothing quite like the sound of the Fender tele bridge pickup. As for the middle setting, they sound quite similar but since G&L is noise cancelling I guess it is preferable. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

[@kristijanbavrka7677]

Loving the new intro and also guitars

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Thanks KB!

[@furoraguitars]

Bro! You did set the bridge pickup lower, and you are my man, you just know what you do. Most of the people throw out statements and comparisons without knowing basic rules. Bless you!

[@georgiy5969]

G&L win! Why? Jut becouse it was last company of magic Leo Fender. Thank you Darrell ;)

[@meghan9436]

Super late to the party, but this is the review that I was looking for. It gives some amazing insight for the tone that was used in the song, Just Another Phase by the Moffatts, as well as the overall feel of their Submodalities record before they disbanded in 2001. It warmed my heart to see that Scott still had his G&L guitar for a reunion concert from a few years ago.

[@dsparda87]

I like the ASAT G&L guitars are amazing

[@rafaeldohmen8604]

Just picked up my first G&L, asat Deluxe, and it's fabulous. Sold my last Fender a few weeks ago, it's Godin, G&L and luthier custom build for me!

[@lg2k5]

Fender tele is fender tele... G&L sounds different like more output little more fat and not twang sound to me... Just my 2 cents...

[@maraviyoso8473]

Of course, you can buy a G&L ASAT Classic Alnico, which has THE twang associated with a Telecaster

[@riopugliese]

I agree with you. However, I'd say: the Tele for the pickups; the Asat for all the rest. I mean, the G&L are just made better: better neck, etc.

[@sixfoursoul2538]

Dude all that is in the pickups , I played 4 teles yesterday and and they all sounded a bit different. that G&l was awsome..

[@sixfoursoul2538]

@@riopugliese I have an ASAT classic S it does it all I put in a lil 59 so i get Rock also

[@danielvidal962]

Yes, I was liking g & l until it reached the bridge pickup, no twang.

[@CaptainRon1913]

Darrell, you always have best, most clear concise comparisons. Thanks for posting this, it's very much appreciated

[@SGray44444]

The G&L is definitely more harmonically rich and full sounding, but when you pick up a Tele, you expect to get some of that cutting biting edge. I'm not sure that rounding those rough edges is actually an improvement. If I wanted that fuller sound, I'd pick up another guitar and plug it in. Different horses for different courses. On the other hand, I've never heard a Tele on high gain that sounded as sweet and grungy and full as that G&L did!

[@Vector-X777]

Yes! I completely agree. While I love the way G&L's sound there is something to be said about a sweet Fender Telecaster tone. Just classic. And yes the Telecaster sounds righteous with high gain. Even using it for Metal they have that sharp bite and you can still hear the twang through the crunch. It's so sweet!

[@motorcaster57]

And by the way thanks for these reviews Darrell... They are A+++ I love the way you show the down the neck angle... Enough visual to see what you are playing but it helps minimize listening with your eyes.... You record the guitars as well as anybody and better than most... And I always respect you summaries I the end...

[@EamonnSeoigh]

I liked the history you provided. I have been wanting to pull the trigger on a Telecaster, but held off because there were so many clones, kits, etc to choose from and a video just doesn't provide the real sound they reproduce, however, this comparison clinches it for me. Leo's Asat might be the best fit if I can get the right wood and frets in it. Thanks very much for putting this up!

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Glad to help! 😎

[@Lalaland.001]

@@DarrellBraunGuitar How much did your g&L cost, I am looking to get one myself.I ask because I live in Holland and the shipping, tax and customs fee would probably be a deal breaker for me.

[@zazoomatt]

After Much debate you helped me a lot in Getting the G & L ASAT in 2022. Playing is getting FUN AGAIN.

[@DatBoi-mo9vc]

Just ordered a natural finish asat. Im excited

[@bambostarla6259]

Usually I just like one guitar, but this time I liked the G&L for riffing and the tele for solos!

[@erchamojosue8530]

I had the ASAT, unbelievably good guitar but for that tele sound there is nothing like the real deal. Amazingly I did the exact same comparison my self, I got same telecaster model and ASAT so I sold it and kept the tele.

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

That's definitely the best way to decide! 😎

[@michaelhermsmeyer2155]

Where do I begin? Haha! First of all, any guitar is a tool to bring what’s in the heart and hands if the player to the listeners ear! You are a great player DB and all the guitars you play sound great! It may also be noted that you are comparing the Am Tele to the Am Asat “Classic” which is a version of the Asat that utilizes more of the traditional features of the 50’s design and not necessarily Leo’s “improvements” that he developed in the 70s & 80s. Also he originally named the Asat the “Broadcaster” again sparking objections from Gretsch! Lol! The original G&L Broadcaster/Asat had Leo’s taller 6-saddle “saddlelock” bridge which was cast and had more mass for more sustain than a stamped piece of steel, although decades of Fender fans had little objection to those, lol! Since the saddlelock bridge sits taller, the neck pocket is shallower and there is more space between the strings and body, causing an awkward feel for some players. Especially those used to the traditional Tele. I had a 1983 G-200 and a 1998 Asat III with this bridge and I eventually ventured back to the traditional stamped steel one. Asats originally came with MFD single coil pickups that resembled P90s. Feedback from management and the public caused G&L to introduce “new” designs that resembled the more famous Telecaster. It was eventually named the “Classic.” As with many Fender models, the G&L offers many configurations including humbuckers, semi-hollow, 3 pickups, etc... I will say that in my opinion, they make the finest most underrated basses in the industry! I have a 1982 L-2000E and they will have to pry it out of my cold dead hands when I’m gone! Haha! It had been said during the past two years that G&Ls weren’t holding their value as well as Fenders, and that’s true to a point but G&L has held the line on their retail prices very responsibly and as you said, with the American series, you’re basically getting a custom shop instrument! They also have an import line called the Tribute Series. These are built in Indonesia by Cortek and are very high quality for the price. Plus you get the American MFD pickups in those! I would compare the quality to the Mexican Fenders! Great review DB! Thanks!

[@davidgooley1544]

Asat was cleaner and richer while having more gain. I loved the sound and how versatile it was.

[@Luthiart]

When people complain that Teles are too "ice-picky", I inform them that Telecasters have a tone knob... It really works! You don't have to dime everything all the time! Want a fuller sound? Install a 4-way switch and wire it in series in the 4th position. Your tone will get full. I'm not throwing shade on the ASAT, though... I think about buying one all the time.

[@springlane0137]

Asat by far on modern music!

[@syntaxphi7377]

Great comparison! I always wanted a Tele and chose a G&L in the end (Thinline and with HB neck pickup tho), and I fully agree - it's like the kinky edges have become rounded and the whole guitar sounds a bit warmer - I absolutely love it

[@mr1bienvenu1]

They both sound fantastic but I think you could plug a Squier into that amp and it would sound like a million dollars.

[@goonrick]

I love them both, but the G&L is more versatile. Great to see the D string pole raised. I find the response on that string in particular to be weak on the vast majority of pickup sets (and modify pickups to accommodate). Great comparison!

[@LZHotdog]

Been seeing a lot of G&L related videos recently. Sound wise, subtle difference to me between basically the same guitar.

[@hargisP2]

G&L George Foreman and Leo Fender. The guitar doubles as a Pasta maker. Spread Pasta dough over the fret board, and the strings make the width of the pasta, and the frets makes the length.

[@megame9564]

I really wanted to like the g&l more, but I much prefer the fender tele in this comparison. Great vid, thanks for everything you do.

[@rickc2102]

There's just something so very specific about the sound of a Tele.

[@wmdoux2108]

Keneth Figueroa: I liked the tele too. I heard no ice-pick but it WILL cut through a mix better in a live situation.

[@glennbucc7107]

Excellent video comparison, thank you for sharing. It should be noted that G&L also now makes the ASAT Classic with alnico pickups as well to get closer to that vintage sound.

[@chrismikan2631]

Love telecaster style guitars. I actually prefer to have two humbuckers. You still get plenty of twang with the string-through alder body and maple neck, however, the humbuckers provide a much fuller sound and without any 60 cycle hum!

[@ec8107]

I have a late 90's American Standard Tele with GFS vintage wound humbuckers. It sounds amazing. You can definitely still hear the twang through the humbuckers.

[@doc221978]

I have a tele with the p90s. Still has some twang, but really changes the tone. I think the next will have humbuckers.

[@33cattt49]

That’s not a tele , no disrespect but when I see a tele that has humbuckers it’s like a putting a flame job on a Prius

[@billkoetting5197]

Darrell I watch all your comparison [which are always an honest appraisal and that is exactly what your viewers are looking for] and mod vids. You are Da Man. To me personally, if you want a Fender Custom Shop Fender, buy a G&L and save some money. Personally saving up for an S 500!

[@cybernautsterranautsandast2151]

The G&L won. That said, I bought an Indonesian G&L in swamp ash natural. The neck pup was just like the Tele lipstick and sounded great. The bridge pup however did not have the pole pieces like the one in the video. And it was shrill to a fault. The American G&Ls are super and I wouldn't change a thing on one if I had one. But since the Indonesian one was a nice piece of swamp ash, I installed the Fishman Fluence Greg Koch "Gristle Tone" signature system for Telecaster in the G&L. I also modded it with Sperzel locking tuners and put on a Babicz full contact bridge. There is a slight impediment around the input jack from the Fender to the G&L which I needed help with from a technician. The Fishman includes a replacement jack which has both the guitar output jack and a USB mini to recharge the battery built in to the switch-plate. Not a big deal but it required angular holes to seat the jack. The switch plate looks the same except for a button which switches from "black pickguard early Tele voicing to white pickguard higher output 60's Tele voicing. FWIW, I don't think the Babicz was worth the trouble or price and the ash tray with the brass barrels is plenty fine. I played along with Darell's solos and am pleased that my modded Indo G&L competes well. As technician at Guitar Center with over 30 years of experience said mine was the best sounding Tele/ASAT to come into the shop in a long time. He's retired since. Thanks Darrell

[@DucksDeLucks]

Probably was going deaf (-;

[@TedSchoenling]

you gotta make sure to get the right model. G&L used to build a ASAT Legacy which will have a more Fendery spec pickup, and the ASAT Classic that has the MFD

[@MeneerHerculePoirot]

For my purposes it's the G&L hands down. Primary blues vocalist, rhythm/ 2nd lead, so phat bottom is a necessary under pinning. I would throw a little more high end eq to emphasize the percussive nature of the way I play. If a have a single note figure I use the bridge pickup in combo with the low E and A. A good example is Fast As You/ Dwight Yoakum or the middle for a tune like The Way/Fastball. They're not blues songs, but they work in the format. The Fender while superb is just generally too thin for my needs.

[@thedondeluxe6941]

Great. Now I'm gonna have to buy a G&L. I can't afford watching your demos! Hahaha.

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

😄👍 Sorry about that Don!

[@billylongley9580]

They both sound great

[@1969MARKETING]

i'd like to see a comparison with the squier classic vibe and the G&L asat tribute telecaster

[@1969MARKETING]

@Katy Smith yes i prefer the fuller tone the G&L has

[@lesshrubb203]

I thought I was going to prefer the ASAT, but the Tele did it for me. Thanks for a great comparison.

[@KittyKarenpoo]

The neck sounds nicer on the G&L, but I'd give the Fender the nod on the bridge. Then when you jammed the pickup down on the G&L, the G&L was much more comparable to the Fender on the bridge, so my call is to save your nickels and buy the G&L PS. I owned a 1973 Telecaster for 30 years, and still I'd have gone for the G&L for the same kind of material, and like I said, saved enough to buy the amp.

[@r.miller4810]

I have a Fender Telecaster, but I also love the G&L ASAT. It's definitely on my list.

[@gerritdodge3246]

The Fender wins on almost everything for me......but I love the distorted sound of the G&L neck pickup. What a thick, heavy lead tone. Well done, thanks!

[@DavidRamos-nz4bh]

Thanks! Now I want both! Great demo.

[@Guitar_Smasher]

Those magnetic field pickups sound fuller and have more presence. They do lack "twang," though! I prefer the G&L.

[@stevec.1802]

You’re presentations are always spot on. 👍🏼 Both guitars are very good. I personally own the ASAT Special and love it, but- you are correct, there’s nothing like a tele. 🎸