G&L ASAT Special, Why Doesn't Fender Do This?

[@Killergnat83]

Please cover the Tribute. Thank you for all of you hard work.

[@matthewlloyd3504]

It's going to be roughly the same. Pickups and hardware are the same to the best of my knowledge

[@adam411]

I've also been wanting to see a side by side comparison and deep dive of the tribute and US models for come time. You should do this while you still have this guitar!

[@Zoso981]

Great idea. I bought a G&L Tribute at a garage sale for $200 and it's a great guitar.

[@dominicpascal5512]

@@Zoso981 what a steal, awesome

[@neilpatrickhairless]

Why doesn't Fender do a LOT of things? That purple is 😘👌🏼

[@Davivd2]

They haven't innovated their product since the 80's.

[@nineteenninetyfive]

​​@@Davivd2they aren't about innovation. They are about being the most famous and iconic brand in the business. If you want a modern updated super strat there are loads of companies doing that. If you want an original strat there is only 1 company doing that.

[@richardsmith9615]

@@Davivd2 I think the deluxe switching systems and the noiseless pickups are pretty innovative, to be honest. But yeah, I guess a big argument in their favour is "If it ain't broke..." We already have companies like Ibanez pushing innovation.

[@Aeon135]

⁠​⁠tbf, if you’re the largest brand in the business, it probably just seems irresponsible to them to gamble on newfangled gizmos. It’s a significantly bigger and riskier investment, compared to say G&L which is practically a microbrand in comparison.

[@robbo4858]

Paying for that Fender logo and legend. Prices are stupid for Fenders

[@Fret-knot]

I'd love to see a deep dive of the tribute series. 👍🏻

[@MrMfalzone]

Like the new skeeveless gear you’re wearing 👍

[@joecoach7268]

************ 400k - FOUR HUNDRED K - 400K *************** SUBSCRIBERS!!!! Congrats Phil! You are awesome. Thank you for all you do for your Know Your Gear Family!

[@GL_Guitars]

This was great fun. Thanks so much, Phil! - Dave McLaren

[@Joe-mz6dc]

G&L are VERY good guitars.

[@robf.7404]

Tribute deep dive, yes. Bass once a month, yes.

[@ProbableCauseBluesBand]

I “discovered” G&L last year. Now I own 5 ASATs. Fantastic guitars!!!

[@kingarthur1776]

Yes they are!!

[@tiki_trash]

That escalated quickly!

[@adam411]

Same here. I've become a huge fan of the ASAT ever since picking up a used original '86 on a whim, and my mind was blown. These really are sleeper guitars unless you know about them. The cleans are unreal, and MFDs handle as much gain as you want. I now own 3 G&Ls now and counting. I also discovered the MFDs on the S-500 are just as incredible. I thought my Fender strat was great, but it now sounds weak next to my S-500.

[@graemero5532]

I have four. G&L are awesome

[@tymstewart]

This guitar sounds and looks really nice. MFD pickups are a neat innovation Leo Fender did. Interesting to see how he kept pushing his original ideas and modifying and changing and combining things. Tribute would be nice. Maybe a Comanche model? The Z pickups seem really interesting and it would be nice to hear your opinion on them! ❤ Thanks for the great videos

[@Robstafarian]

The G&L Z-Coil MFD humbuckers are truly special, and they are particularly well suited to PTB controls (no surprise). The Will Ray Signature Z-Coil MFD also bears mention, as said artist uses it in the middle and bridge position such that the middle pickup can be lowered while providing sufficient output.

[@matta.4816]

Loved this project!! They once, on a whim, let me and my brother tour their entire factory and go in Leo’s office. After that, I played the guitars and was in love. G&L is all I own now. Love that company so much.

[@anthonyptak8650]

Leo’s swan song 😊gift to the world. G&l under rated.

[@laurencehastings7473]

Those pickups are fantastic

[@timchalmers1700]

I love my G&L ASAT Classic Tribute semi-hollow w/ double binding (no comfort cuts and ashtray bridge w/ 6 brass saddles), ordered from Sweetwater in 2021. Great tones, great playability. Definitely my favorite guitar (but in all fairness each one of my 7 guitars is definitely my favorite guitar.)

[@jackcardinell5885]

Yes Phil, please review/demo the ASAT Tribute. I have a 2015 and I love it. G&L 's are so under appreciated and underestimated!

[@dlux703]

Good review, and what surprised me was the "pinch" screws to pull the bridge saddles together as well as in the bass or treble direction.An absolutely genius design that can allow for more precise alignment of the strings over the pickup poles, as well as the issue of end saddles trying to slide their strings too close to the edge of the neck. Kudos to Leo and G&L for that. I wish I had that on some of my old Fenders where I now use zip-ties to pull the saddles together.

[@1106Winter]

Thank you for including the metric measurements. Makes it more in depth for us on the other side of the great pond.

[@redfurydubstep]

You picked the best color!

[@Vincent.Blanchard]

Thank you. I learn something from you EVERYTIME I watch a video. You are the Man.

[@im58woody]

Their bridge design is sweet. So nice to rest your hand on👍

[@888jimm]

Danish Pete is jealous :)

[@mattbrillhart2922]

LOVE everything about this guitar. I used to hate the pickup aesthetics but now it’s a key thing I like about the design. The sounds are amazing!

[@chamber32doors]

Congrats on 400k subs

[@reverberating]

A deep dive of the import model would be great!

[@brianchristen7735]

Congratulations on 400,000 subscribers! Great review.

[@randrothify]

Love that purple metallic. It’s Danish Pete approved. This really should be a core color offering for Fender and others.

[@the.communist]

This color was offered by fender in the past

[@randrothify]

@@the.communistYep, I have one in this color. But it was an FSR and isn’t offered that often.

[@Robstafarian]

Warmoth offers it, and I am strongly considering a Nomad body in that color.

[@muttomatic]

G&L make wonderful guitars. I have a Doheny V12 and it's my most favorite guitar I've ever owned. The Tribute series are an amazing bang for the buck.

[@Robstafarian]

That model really got me going.

[@papasteve7376]

Congratulations Phil. I'm sure you will enjoy the hell out of it.

[@TimBoulette]

I've played G&L Legacies for over 30 years and one of them is my #1. Great guitars.

[@JamieTec]

Love that it's contoured like a strat. Definitely wish fender did that. On the cheaper end of things, Squier affinity has a belly cut now so maybe some day we'll get both

[@mitchv.]

400k 🎉 Congrats, Phil!

[@MrTraewilliams]

Yes please do a tribute ASAT Special ( I vote for Irish Ale ). I have not seen a G&L in person but when someone plays one online it's always my favorite 💯✌🤟🤘

[@VincentVader]

I went to the G&L website & they have 'build to order' but no online builder like Kiesel. That's not good in 2024. I guess one would have to call. I'm also surprised you've never covered their Z coil pickups like in the Comanche model. Leo designed them & they are cool.

[@winston67]

Love the color just needs a cooler pickguard!

[@thephotoyak]

Looks better than what the Fender CS is currently capable of. Good work G&L!

[@frankwebster9110]

Definitely chambered!My shoulder won't allow me to hang furniture on it anymore..

[@Robstafarian]

Have you looked at an Ibanez S or a HILS Next (The hardtail is much more familiar than Strandberg's design.)? For your current guitars, have you considered a Gruv Gear Duo Strap Neo?

[@littlerhodyguitar2169]

This is why G&L is my favorite brand. ☮️❤️🎸

[@RickTrippe]

I purchased a 1991 fender American standard strat but it did not make me a strat player .Fortunately I came across a first year g&l legacy (1992) and what a difference. A trem that you can actually use, a tone system that gets even more combinations than a fender and just wonderful pickups that I understand were made by dimarzio,and no skunk bar in the back of the neck. This is what I needed to really appreciate a strat. I currently own four g&ls including a great asat classic. It seems that fender became only concerned with production while g&l was concerned with still evolving these classic designs.

[@davidireland6952]

Hi from the UK, I just received my G&L Tribute ASAT Special in Antique Sunburst today..what a fantastic guitar for £498 ($650)..it is an outstanding guitar for the money, i played it for over 4 hours until i put it down and loved every minute..i have 10 days off work and am going to have a lot of fun with this beauty. I have in my stable a FSR Fender strat (£700) and this Tribute is as good or maybe even better in my opinion, I have never been a brand snob, i have Fender, Gretsch, Schecter, Epiphone, Yamaha, Jet, Harley Benton, Fazely, IYV and Eastcoast guitars..after receiving and playing this guitar , I think i am now going to be a G&L brand snob 🤣 Just going to keep the Fender and sell the main branded ones..i will just take the cheaper guitars and again donate them to my local school music Dept. so any underprivileged kids who want to learn get a free guitar , i have already donated 5, they are gonna get another 6 😁 Edit: please do a tribute review 🙏 , they are brilliant guitars 🤘

[@tomshaug]

Love my G&L Tele, thank you Phil, have appreciated your videos for years

[@prestonjoy8092]

I read about so many players who tried a G&L and switched to them... Myself included; The Standard Option List is Custom Shop anyplace else. Great Video, of one of the industries best guitars.

[@riverstone5994]

Matching headstock, rosewood board. Metallic plum. Holy

[@carpathus]

Been gassing for a G&L Tribute Fallout in black with mint guard. ✌

[@ArtistformerlyknownasBret]

Yes, to the tribute. Thanks Phil!

[@BrentAdams]

There are days when I wish that I still had my G&L ASAT. It was the closest thing to "my" T-style guitar that I had ever had....until I created my own through heavily "modding" a solid one piece Ash body turning it into a Double Cut with moderate comfort cuts, my own headstock shape (actually closer to the G&L than a Fender which I've always hated!) Maple neck with Rosewood fretboard Jumbo frets, but a 10 " radius ...and then I stuck a vintage PAF style humberbuck in between the the 2 standard T-style pickes. Love it....and call it my Teleblaster!

[@MikeW-u4z]

Owning six USA G& L’s and 5 G&L Tributes I can state they are great guitars never fail to impress anyone I let play them. The best value bang for the buck out there.

[@rogerrrya]

I love G&L! Great video Phil and what a cool shirt. And yes! i would love to see a tribute series deep dive please

[@thegreenberetlife0191]

The G&L’s are fantastic!

[@mistreated]

Tribute, yes! Always good to go all-in with these videos

[@antoniomonteiro1203]

Excelent and very informative, as usual. A point of improvement: when reading the measurements we normally say for instance 6.6 Kiloohm and 2.3 Henry, the units for resistance and inductance, as you know. This is just my opinion that when you present especially more than one type of unit you should state the units to be perfect clear.

[@dlmyrs]

Great review, Phil. Interesting as I’ve never seen a G&L deep dive or thorough review. Look great and that bridge is fantastic!

[@twc9016]

Love that color ASAT!, would love to see the tribute deep dive as well. Just an FYI, some incorrect info at 3:36. G&L no longer allows neck profile, radius and other options on the USA Option Order production models and most options you have to go Custom Shop now. For USA Option Order now you only get one neck profile of the modern classic and only 9.5 radius. I have confirmed this with my main dealer and their website that if you want many of the old option order choices you have to go up to custom shop now, but I wonder if they are still letting some dealers do this as a favor or something. Too bad, but I get that they need to streamline their production.

[@keithbenedict8764]

I have a G&L ASAT Special Tribute and I absolutely hated the pickups. I swapped the bridge pickup for a drop-in replacement from Rio Grande Pickups and was much happier with the tone. I also put in a new wiring kit that has the treble bleed circuit. Both of those mods made me like the guitar a lot more. I'll probably swap out the bridge and neck pickups for either the Rio Grande humbucker or possibly just the neck for either the humbucker or the vintage tall boy. I love the neck. The jumbo frets and maple fretboard make bends super easy. But it's also really easy to lose intonation by applying too much pressure to the fretted strings...they go sharp really easy if you go to low on string gauge.

[@Hollambaby]

I ordered a G&L SB-1 5 years ago, I spec'd it out fully and it still only cost me the same as a standard Fender P Bass. It absolutely rips and is the best P style bass I've ever heard. It sits so well in any mix, it looks striking, I always get questions and compliments on it, and from placing the order to receiving the bass (in the UK) only took 3 months. G&L are truly the underdog of the guitar world!

[@houseofshred3725]

The G&L stuff doesn't get enough credit. That guitar sounds and looks incredible. Fight me if you want, but that's better than a Tele headstock. Additionally, the Stralike contouring is a huge plus, particularly the forearm cut. It makes a guitar so much easier to play. Definitely happy to see that. Might have found my telecaster.

[@weswyrick9332]

A whole bunch of magic happens when you take an MFD pickup and reduce the volume a bit (up to 1/3) and the tone is amazing. Leo was a genius.

[@davidratliff807]

Great choice, I made my first purple T style guitar in 2015. This is a wonderful design! He was a genius…

[@Yardbird68]

It was fun watching G&L makes this guitar for you. And it is even MORE fun to see it basically pass your deep Dive with flying colors. To me, the middle position had a really awesome spanky sound to it. Thank you as always Phil sharing the LOVE with your fellow guitar geeks! And PLEASE, do a Deep Dive for the Tribute.

[@christopherhenke5545]

Love seeing this. G&L guitars are better than Fender guitars, and G&L is the better company. They just need to make sure more people know it!

[@brandontreyborup5179]

Congrats Phil! Love your channel!

[@wardlorenz7882]

Yes to the Tribute review! Thanks

[@LouCondon-j1v]

I purchased my G&L ASAT from Pro Guitar Shop back when Andy was doing all those great videos. My Tele was about $1700 so it was their top Tele series, HB on the Neck and a SC on the bridge. Premium build.

[@tuplalfred]

I was not expecting that sound, very peculiar...fuller single coil, I like it!

[@jshearer94]

Way cool!! Glad it arrived. Pretty cool that this guitar was so good the sock tested moved to a 10 scale. Well done G&L

[@VaporTrailChannel]

I always learn when I watch your stuff. Thank you for the awesome information!

[@markjohnson6485]

Never bought a G & L but I have thought about it but before I could it sold at my local shop. Tones were nice for clean and gain .

[@budgetracing3425]

I have debating buying the Tribute for a few years, love to see a review of it. Thanks!

[@thare1774]

Watched the whole series, very cool concept it was great! More of these would be cool

[@Fm_gray]

i have a deluxe S-500 Im absolutely in love with blows every custom shop strat ive played out of the water

[@Sm0k3..Flam3s]

Yes please do a deep dive on the Tribute series. Would love the get your informed opinion on them. This review was great - super informative. Thanks!

[@thetattedpharmacist3215]

Would love to see a comparison deep dive between this guy and a tribute! Thanks Phil!

[@Russell_Optics]

Beautiful guitars and my favorite color for sure. The pickups sounded great to me. I've considered a G&L several times, but can't seem to find one light enough to pull the trigger. I just prefer guitars that are in the 7 pound or lighter range. It would be nice to see a comparison to the import model , so I also vote to do a deep-dive on a tribute of the same guitar.

[@The-11]

The G&L build series was awesome and the guitar sounds great ! I think everyone would like to see the import G&L too. It could help a lot of people decide which one is for them.

[@mortonwilson795]

Impressive! Thanks for a great, succinct overview. 'Tele but a bit bigger' works for me - all 3 positions have a fullness about them that (I find . . . ) the Teles I have tried over the years sort of miss, esp. on the bridge. As a longtime Les Paul & Strat player I get it that Teles have a different personality but this particular approach pick-upwise appeals to me . . . I don't think anyone stocks G&L here in HK but will do some research - I'd love to try this out, I suspect a slim w rosewood version would do the trick for me!

[@hotcakesman]

yes for the tribute! Great Video Phill

[@Grt31pmkin]

Got an ASAT tribute when i was going for telecaster. Those MFD pickups really sold it for me and did the tele thing better than offerings from fender at that price point. Pleasant, smooth bridge, coming from a strat, and had a ton of sustain. Weighed a hair under 10 lbs so... that was about the only thing I could say was off about it. If it was a bit less dense and heavy, I'd probably still own one.

[@MrMoneyHelper]

Thank you for this. This looks like the real thing. Please do get a Tribute ASAT. One of those might be in my price range in the future. For now I have a Donner with two humbuckers. It looks like the ASAT style. It is what I could afford. It needs a little work, but it sounds good. I don't need a pro level instrument for now. I hope that G&L grows to as big as they want to be. They are an American original that should exist forever. I hope that some gigantic corporation doesn't buy them and change everything when the owner retires or exits the Earth. Phil, you should guy G&L when it becomes available.

[@kdrc]

The note at the end was the best part🎸❤

[@TeleCathster]

Beautiful colour. I watched the build of this and it was amazing! I actually like it without the pick guard in this sparkle finish. I wonder if they could do a special sparkle run no pick guard. That I would buy!

[@philliplee1193]

Great deep dive Phillip I learned so much by watching your testing \ checking specifications on this nice Tele style guitar from Leo Fender. I very much liked the width of the fretboard option for as much as 1 3\4 at the nut.. it would be interesting to do a census of fat fingers to explore the idea of producing an at least somewhat wider board at a less than custom order price

[@Jwt583]

Had the same guitar and traded it and regret it to this day. That bridge plus belly and arm contour is the most comfortable I’ve ever played.

[@brianlebrun2382]

I had a tribute until a couple of months ago. It's was an excellent guitar. The previous owner acquired it as a husk....just neck and body and built it using American parts. Without a doubt that bridge is the most stabile bridge I've ever seen....it never went out of tune even here in sw Florida. Unfortunately I just didn't bond with the pickups. They have a sound all their own and really didn't fit with anything I do. Maybe I'm just spoiled with my G&L Comanche. Great video.

[@dieselbreakfast]

Love both my g&l tributes.

[@morrigoth]

Thanks for another great video, Phillip! It'd be great to watch a deep dive of the Tribute series 🤘

[@agatzebluz]

Nice touch to get the lighting in the beginning shot the same shade as the guitar !

[@donny_doyle]

My 1st lefty guitar was an 85 Superhawk. Still have it - the love of my life. Add a 2103 Bluesboy, I'm a G&L lifer.

[@Cbcw76]

For elem and middle-school students, we've pushed a LOT of Tributes (150?) and as this school year started, we have NONE available for resale, although those guitarists have played my variety of guitars, and when they advise new students, they're still pushing the Tributes. The second most notable issue is that those students have not changed pickups despire spending a week with another guitar. "I like these but I want 2 guitars." Of course. And with their past summers' coffeeshop gigs and street festival shows, they're mostly Tele, Strat and some hollowbodies, too. Shelves have stacks of sheet music rather than comics!

[@thomasbarr5940]

Was just considering one of these today ..up pops this ...great timing🎉😊

[@davidintokyo]

Ditto on the thanks for the hard work comments. It's really nice that both this and the affordable US made Les Paul Studio showed up with such good setup and fit and finish.

[@jumpskirt]

Love the forearm carve!

[@reedengle6134]

I wouldn’t mind seeing a deep dive on the import series. This one looks and sounds great. Thanks Phil.

[@abunai.j]

Yes, please on the Tribute series deep dive! I've been looking at these guitars for a minute, and as someone who's got no issue with Mexican Teles, I'm not sure if I wanna sink the ~$2k on the US version. Great video as always, Phil. Thanks again!

[@KevinEllisGuitars]

Love to see a video on the Tribute!❤❤

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Amazing guitar. G&l makes the finest midrange guitars

[@TumbleweedRancher]

I have an ASAT special partscaster with made in us maple neck and tribute body and electronics. Also have b-stock Doheney and ASAT Bluesboy semi-hollow. All seem to have slight rolled edges to fingerboards. Great guitars!

[@ge1saman]

Love that neck. Mine's the same. And those pickups are awsome!

[@egnbigdave]

My buddy had one of the G&L Tribute "Strats"... it was one of the nicest, best quality "mport" guitars I've held in a long time

[@edwardberthelette2700]

Love G and L. I Have an awesome p bass... love this tele...thanks for another great video

[@le_th_]

Please do a deep dive of the G & L Tribute series when time permits (and I'm personally quite smitten with the aesthetic of the G & L Fullerton Deluxe ASAT! Thank you for this deep dive, this guitar sounds as gorgeous as it looks 💜✨ Depending on how it feels in hand, I would consider getting it chambered. I subjectively prefer a lighter guitar. Class act to include Leo Fender's stationery and business card. Glad you framed it, that's a keep for sure. Loved this video so much I had to watch it twice~

[@jorgehuamanmusic]

Let's see the Tribute, baby!

[@brianchristen7735]

I love how G&L always gives a little nod to Leo. The man knew his stuff!