G&L Tribute ASAT Deep Dive

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What do the Icons on my videos mean? • Video

[@ryand1112]

Dude! I had a warped pick guard that I thought I was going to have to send away to have a custom one made to replace it. I saw this and immediately threw it in the oven and it's perfectly flat now. Thank you! Thank you! THANK YOU!

[@DatBoi-mo9vc]

Is she still playing good fam?

[@howlemt6569]

Regarding the pickguard, you can also cover it with a towel, and just press it with a typical clothing iron. Just use caution and pay attention. Total time should be 5 minutes or less

[@BenBreard]

Sully had a great tip for taping fingerboards. Basically start with 2 long pieces that run at the edge of the frets (side of the neck) then tape between the frets like you normally would. It's cool because you can remove all the tape in one peel when you're done. :)

[@DarxusC]

And it looks less likely that the tape along the sides will get peeled off by the file.

[@gavinwild2647]

skip to 13:48 for a 432Hz vs 440 Hz shootout. Just teasing. Good video as always!

[@fonzybrookestone727]

hahahaha, for real!!

[@ConnorLordBassist]

Thank god. I thought I was going crazy.

[@ukaeyfvkfiayuvefyiu]

I thought I was going crazy too

[@jaycheek254]

But really though! It's difficult to compare pickups when the instrument isn't tuned to the same frequency.

[@wilsonsguitarlounge8244]

Gavin Wild that’s really bizarre, maybe it’s because he intonated it?

[@charliepayne9248]

Mr McKnight...! Your a genius, a really thorough overhaul...☝😶👍 Love this series of sharpen someone's axe...

[@BrianSGuitars]

Love the SMA series! I've started doing my own setups and minor repairs/upgrades because of these videos that have given me not only the information, but also the confidence! Thanks Phil!

[@ronnieremark3355]

This video is an example of exactly why I subscribed in the first place. You have taught me many things. I work on guitars everyday and I improve a little more after each one of your videos. The second pick up sounded much better. Thank you Phil. -Ron Remark

[@rockindavebyron3960]

Great, great video Phil, without guys like you, us gigging guitarist would be screwed, we need guys like you, thanks bro !!!!

[@DKprojects9]

In case this could help anyone, I have a G&L tribute legacy and I replaced my stock tuners with Kiesel Locking tuners as they also line up with the holes perfectly. They seem to be nice quality and a simple drop in replacement for less than half the price of the Ratio tuners he used in the video. Should work with any G&L tribute series guitars.

[@davidlara105]

Thank you very much for your advice, those tuners that he uses are overpriced and I've read some reviews that are not good on them.

[@jeffs2485]

Agree - thanks for this.

[@AdamOjdal]

Could you please link the exakt ones you used? I'm looking to replace the tuners on my legacy strat :)

[@losinground]

Just ordered the tuners from Kiesel. Hoping they work well on my Tribute Fallout. Thanks for advice.

[@beefnacos6258]

I'm late.... But thanks!!!

[@OldManJeremy]

That pickup sounds a lot better. A lot of times I can’t hear much difference, but those were like night and day. Very cool!

[@guitarFlownimo]

You’re honesty is just so refreshing Phil. Great Series! Cheers,Flo

[@MyButtsBeenWiped]

So Glad to see a New Sharpen My Axe ! I Love These Shows !

[@Firstdemovideos]

I have this guitar but without the "F" hole. One of my favorite guitars. It plays as well as or, in some cases, better than American Teles. On mine, I kept the neck pickup because I like the fat sound; especiallty for clean tones. My guitar came with a neck pickup that is a 4 wire type with the 2 coild wires shorted together. So I changed the volume pot to a push-pull CTS so I can split the coil on the neck pickup (grounding out one coil). This gives me a huge range of tone from the guitar for only the cost of the CTS push pull volume pot. I highly recommend this mod. THANKS PHILLIP FOR ALL THE VIDEOS AND INFORMATION YOU SHARE!

[@robertmoore517]

I own this guitar also and like it a lot. Incidently I have the same one as the video, color and everything. I'm on the fence with the neck pick up, sometimes love it, other times not so much. I've often felt coil split would be a sensible upgrade. Is there a wiring diagram you would be willing to share?

[@murbania]

I also have a Tribute ASAT Bluesboy, with an f-hole. Mods I did to it are push/pull coil split, 4 way switch with both pickups in series (Fender Baja like). It is an awesome guitar, I love. I also have a G&L Legacy Tribute but I prefer ASAT.

[@Querymonger]

Prasanth Selvadurai yup. The Indonesian ones have American made bridge pickup

[@therobster512]

I love this series honestly. It gives me a lot of ideas on how to modify my guitars and make them better

[@JamesMilsonAuthor]

Nice video, love the presentation style of the different feature segments. Well done and getting even better as they evolve!

[@trevorreniger5670]

I'd be really tempted to get an oversized humbucker mounting ring and leave that pickguard off. That ash looks too nice.

[@Lalaland.001]

but then the finish would be ruined by the plugged holes

[@wayneosman8971]

Tell me more

[@jmromero6381]

I agree. Shame about the holes.

[@stankfanger1366]

Custom clear pickguard would run you about $25.

[@photobombchamp]

I love this series, great work again Phil!

[@toiletpaperofdeatful]

Baking that pickguard was such a cool trick! Thanks for the premium content Phil!

[@TimberMoto]

Sounds amazing now! Great job Phil!

[@kfunkkillah4280]

Phil... thank you so much for the tip on straightening a pickguard. I have a Gibson V I bought used with a bowed pickguard and could never get it flat, until today. I took your advice and thanks to you, it's flat!

[@Alex-sc8fx]

Man, the after on those pickup tones is phenomenal. U the man Phil.

[@LiveMusicCT]

Thanks for all that you do Phil!! The gator grip is one of my favorite tips of all the many great tips you've shared... THANKS! Note - I ended up getting the king gator grip which fits better over taller tuning posts. the standard gator only has about a 1/2" throw/retraction. You rock!

[@barbarasmith3579]

That,s a very nice lookin guit-box Phil and I love what you,re gonna do to it! What you,re doing on this could be the future of guitar! Thanks for posting this!

[@PaulSter]

Thanks for the warped pickguard fix. Worked like a champ on my 20 year old Peavey EXP 'lake guitar' that spends its life on the boat. Our hot Austin summers got to it about 5-6 years ago and I was resigned to it staying warped. Awesome fix!

[@gavinwild2647]

I just put a bread pudding in the oven, and here's Phil with his pickguard!

[@bluewater3783]

Gavin Wild Mmm, bread pudding! Let the real vanilla extract flow... :)

[@wayneharrod9363]

Really enjoyed this. you make it look easy. I liked the sound improvements .

[@casperboo5465]

Awesome job Phill and yea that new neck pick up sounds great you certainly did it Justice, great work, Cheers

[@PabloJericho]

Great job as always, the neck pickup is night and day!

[@jeffralston450]

“Keep your work are clean” ;)

[@chuchuchip]

Phil still amazes me how he picks the pickups that work best together & work best in a partcular guitar!

[@mattheweastel129]

That bridge pickup sounds superb. Great articulation but very full too

[@unfcknblvbl]

I like the new introduction.

[@rijosigns]

really came alive cheers great job phill

[@shaalis]

How do you season the pickguard? Cajun spices?

[@maon7565]

Shallibodhran just salt and pepper and maybe some garlic?

[@alexbloemer6177]

I prefer curry and paprika

[@caseylee12]

Salt-n-peppa?...

[@lzinaz9181]

...hit em with that spice weasel! #bamm!

[@KevinPlaysGuitar]

Looks awesome! I love the tone of that StewMac pickups.

[@WillyWonkenobi]

Love the video man, thanks so much for putting my pic up at the end I can't tell you how awesome it feels to be a part of it.

[@dalepal]

Nice upgrades on that G&L Tribute ASAT. I’m impressed by how much the StewMac neck pickup improved the sound.

[@sketchyold]

I know this is from a couple years ago, but with all the guitar this guy plays, I’m surprised he wasn’t too familiar with G&L.

[@isaacjohnson.]

Mmmmmm the smell of freshly baked pick guard. haha! great tip Phil. You never cease to amaze. Great sharpen my axe, overall seemed to really improve the playability, and the new pickup sounded much much better. Great work!

[@toddflowers8052]

Nice job Phil ! That guy is going to be very happy !

[@TheChaptersirl]

I upgraded the pots (500k) and neck pickup - sounds great! We all appreciate the advice. Thanks for the channel.

[@TonyB71]

Always enjoy these vids!

[@ColinStuart]

Happy first day of Summer Phil!

[@ric9452]

Phil your the best , my man . Keep em coming!!!!

[@BlueSkies32]

Nice job! Very instructive.

[@fatjeff8083]

Great "hack" for the warped pick guard. Shows you don't always have to buy new stuff, and "fixing" some things are within reach. And WOW, that neck pickup is a HUGE improvement.

[@sweettoof9002]

That neck pickup is a huge improvement. Well done.

[@gtr1952]

It's 3/20 now, and since this video was made I've used that Cream Tone setup on 2 guitars so far. I love it! It makes a nice difference in tone and options, and sounds great! Thanks much!! ---gary

[@ErikStone1]

Wow that neck pickup really changed the whole tuning of the guitar! LOL

[@gurt666]

Great video man. Really like watching your channel grow.

[@schecterseven3894]

Hi Phill Love these Vid,s

[@maidenthe80sla]

The pickup hchange out was a well made choice. It warmed up and widened the tonal range nicely. I have a Gator Grip socket as well.

[@mikepj1025]

Another great video. Phil you rock.

[@DougGarrett]

I love these videos!

[@samlelowitch]

Fun episode, Phil! Thanks.

[@PJSScotty]

I fitted a four wire SD JB in the neck position and a split coil tone knob to go single coil. Now a very versatile gigging guitar for me.

[@bobbya8622]

Nice result! Definite improvement!

[@trbone64]

Awesome! Sounds so much better.

[@mysteryloaf]

I've got an ASAT Special from '92 and from what I understand, the USA G&L guitars all have a unique truss rod situation. The neck is sawed down the middle, from the heel to the head stock, right thru where the middle of the fingerboard would be. Then the truss rod cavity is routed out, the rod is installed, and the neck is glued back together again, then the finger board is put on. So the planes of glue wind up making a T-shape, greatly stabilizing the neck against twisting and bending and warping. My ASAT Special has the best feeling Fender-style neck I've ever played. If the tributes are done the same way, you might be able to see a very subtle "gap" in the wood grain pattern along the middle of the back of the neck where the cut was made.

[@chrisegg7936]

wow the two different neck humbuckers were night and day. No definition in the G&L humbucker at all, but it also sounded like it had a higher output. Perfect combo for low end muddiness.

[@tipper9120]

Been waiting for this! Thanks Phil

[@FlorianGuitar85]

Great vid again Phil, as always, and I would like to give you just a small recommendation on taping the neck: put a long piece along the sides of the neck FIRST and then mask the fretboard itself. So when you're done with the fretwork you can simply pull of the whole tape in one shot by pulling the side tape off first, taking all the other tape with it. It'll save you lots of time! Best regards from Warwick-Country :)

[@markwhitelaw7192]

I love my Tribute ASAT Classic. I've played it up against some American Tele's and preferred the sound and feel. Maybe it's just mine and how used to it I am, needless to say I'm happy with my G&L. Cool Video Phil, thanks for featuring a G&L.

[@joshbittner]

Wow the new pickup is like removing a blanket or cardboard box for the tone; so much cleaner, clearer, and brighter sounding

[@timcastle165]

Man what a change!! Love watching you transform those guitars!! How does one get involved with having their “Axe” sharpened? Can’t believe how much better they sound when you are done with them!! Actually I watch all your videos!!

[@finaljesus]

cooking with phil on Sharpen my axe lol you baked that pickguard just right awesome video thank you

[@krauz111]

omg please do 10 more episodes, love them

[@RC32Smiths01]

Oooooo I am excited to see this one! Thanks my man!

[@DavidHBurkart]

I have straightened pickguards using a clothes iron. Sandwich the pickguard between two towels on the ironing board or another hard, flat surface, set the iron the lowest steam setting and the pass the iron over one or two passes, using mostly the weight of the iron. Remove the top towel to check for desired straightness. Repeat if needed. It actually takes less time to do it than does to explain it 😂

[@lukasm8990]

I actually thought the original neck & bridge pickup sounded better when used in unison. But the new neck pickup alone sounds wonderful. Great job, man!

[@justinespinosa7878]

Definitely sounds more alive with added top in the neck. Sweet

[@pterantula]

I have several G&Ls - the necks are usually cut in half and reglued cross-grained (at least they used to be), improving strength (?). I also have an ASAT Bluesboy model like this one, and I fixed the dark, overpowering neck pickup issue by merely flipping it around. Total change, much better now.

[@pterantula]

(I should add, the neck p'up in my USA Bluesboy is a Duncan Seth Lover, which is already a great p'up...)

[@jameskrys5286]

I was going to say the same thing. I've got a G&L Legacy Custom Hardtail with a Seymour JB in the bridge position.

[@1ido9not8exist6]

Hey Phil, thanks as always for the great content! I have an American made G&L ASAT Classic, and it’s got no skunk stripe either. Truss rod went in under the fingerboard same as that one, great fiddles though!

[@joshofcywg8162]

just got my official now your gear t shirt! love it great vid

[@joebrooks3638]

That neck pickup is worth more than the guitar itself lol what an upgrade, Phil! You're awesome😈

[@Tangman4209]

Ummm no not even close

[@Lisbonized]

The hoover scene at the end should reveal the "sharpen my axe" logo. That would look cool!

[@alwaysrockn2009]

Cool mods and great video!

[@dcmiller2006]

Great vids Phillip! Keep it up!

[@petebrown3715]

Wow! What difference. As usual Phillip great video. Taking in my vintage 89 American standard Stratocaster for a refret and new electronics. I did a lot of research and will be meeting the Luthier this weekend at his shop. He has done work for the Smashing Pumpkins here in Chicago. His specialty is refrets on Maple necks. Pete from Chitown.

[@andrewfarley5127]

That guitars got new life!

[@drewster583]

These are great . Your pickup choices are always interesting. Some tips on adjusting pickup height would be appreciated. Thanks for the time you put into your videos!

[@w1third]

I have an American Classic Bluesboy, came with exact same pickups, the neck humbucker sounds so dark and jazzy, I ended up routing the hole to fit a single coil, and put a set of Fender V-Mods in it, pretty nice

[@NiceLittleLeprechaun]

i love these videos!

[@Morrowman17]

Hey Phil, I’m a gigging guitarist and a long time subscriber. Love all of the content you put out. It’s helped me greatly! I’ve got my workhorse tele that I’d love to have you work your magic on! I’m more than willing to help with the cost! I’m just convinced that you have a magic touch :)

[@malicesmom]

Middle of June in AZ, you could have probably put that pick guard on a baking tray outside and got the same result. 🏜 I love that you use a mix of guitar tools and non-traditional tools for these upgrades.

[@petel8177]

When taping off the fretboard, run the long horizontal piece down the side of the neck first before the top. That way when it comes time to remove it all comes off in one piece. Clean and easy.

[@wesleyalan9179]

Oh snap! Thant thang is sweet! ...A good ole' howdy from West of Atl. Ga!

[@user-hp6yb6xq5u]

Thank you very mach... I enjoy that 😊☺🎸🎸🎼🎵

[@jth23271]

Wow! So much better!

[@curtstephens2102]

As usual this man tells it like it is. All other reviewers take note!

[@IgaGearDemos]

really helpful, thanks Phil

[@grummanf-14tomcat8]

My ASAT Classic Tribute also has a loose jack and a warped pickguard. I actually use the space between the pickguard and the body to hold picks.

[@buzzwilson9346]

Now I'm motivated to set up my Legacy Strat. Only really use it for Eb stuff but love the idea of fixing it up a little.

[@phamjames]

Love the video! I owned one of these before, and had the same thoughts about the mismatching of the pickup combination. Now I’m definitely wishing I hadn’t sold it.

[@moxy9896]

Much improved after upgrades Not sure about Pat but I like it. Rock On

[@jonathananthony1901]

This has become one my absolute favorite series of videos! Thanks Phil!

[@thebluesbunker9001]

Great video Phil. Hope to see one of my axes on there one day.

[@angrytroll27]

I gotta admit those golden age pickups are really good value for money. I had the high output neck PU in one of my Dean guitars and it was great

[@IanOPadrick]

I got one of those used-- pretty sure the bridge pickup was swapped with something super hot, and the bridge saddles are changed to graphite ones. I love it to death, plays like a dream

[@sn95_mustang_garage]

Sounds out of tune during clean comparison.

[@bbmade]

The guitar was tuned slightly lower before the mods. Maybe he did a quick tune by ear and then after the mods he used a tuner.

[@Lisbonized]

I thought it sounded out too!

[@bkmeahan]

I've played bluesboys, but not the semi hollow. Never had one that sounded like that before if it was in tune. Almost like it was left out of tune to make the new neck pup sound better.

[@wildesage4172]

He obviously forgot to tune to pitch in the before part of the comparison. Not sure I'm ready to call it a conspiracy...

[@kaizephyr5911]

Because it is