kidcongo Posted February 17, 2013 Posted February 17, 2013 (edited) Here's a pic of my G&L ASAT bass. I added a pickguard to re-capture that Leo Fender design brilliance that I always felt was missing from this bass as it comes stock with no pickguard. I often wonder why G&L does not offer a pickguard as an option. The weird symmetry of the telecaster type body has always been one of my faves, but it needs that slab of plastic to look right. Anyways........got a custom 3-ply black made and here are the results. Still made me wince to turn the screws into the body. Edited February 17, 2013 by kidcongo Quote
ivansc Posted February 17, 2013 Posted February 17, 2013 I am 100% with you. really enhances the "tele" look. But yes I bet you felt every one of those screws for every turn! Quote
kidcongo Posted February 17, 2013 Author Posted February 17, 2013 [quote name='ivansc' timestamp='1361121822' post='1981370'] I am 100% with you. really enhances the "tele" look. But yes I bet you felt every one of those screws for every turn! [/quote] Thanks for the feedback guys. I was worried I would unleash some hate from the G&L purists. A piece of advice for anyone who dares to do something similar: The G&L guitars have a really thick clear cote and you need to pre-drill the pilot holes that are pretty close to the size of the screws. The screws have a tendancy to want to crack the clear coat, which could lead to some chipping or cracking showing past the pick-guard. I almost goofed up like this by having the pilot holes too small, but caught it in time. I must say I have always loved the way this bass sounds in the 10 years I have played it, and now I really like it's looks as well. The ASAT has a really solid, compressed tone that is really not like anything else. I don't agree that it can sound like a P-Bass or a Stingray. I don't think it does a good job of sounding like either of those, nor would I consider it "versatile". It has a mid-rangy tone, with a deep bottom-end, that is unique to itself and sits perfectly in a band. My opinion is the bass sounds uninspiring when you play it by itself, but when you play it live with a band, or record it, it's a real monster. Lots of comments and compliments on the tone. I think maybe the design of the pick-ups and electronics was conceived while considering what frequencies would sit in the mix properly, rather than what would appeal in the shop. Not a great bass for solo vituosos, but for those who are into songwriting, and melodic crunchy bass, this thing is killer. BTW: I got the scratchplate made by Terrapin Island Guitars in Portland USA. Really reasonable to deal with. I made a paper template and mailed it to them international. They sent me back a lazer-cut card stock mock-up for testing on the bass. Once I had proven the fit and finish with the card mock-up they cut me the real plate.....inexpensive too! Quote
neepheid Posted February 18, 2013 Posted February 18, 2013 [quote name='kidcongo' timestamp='1361131136' post='1981614'] Thanks for the feedback guys. I was worried I would unleash some hate from the G&L purists. [/quote] Relax, I for one am not put out by your modification. Considering the body shape of the ASAT there's a historical reference point for it and I think it looks nice. Now if you had replaced the MFD pickups it might have been a different story... Quote
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