2021/2022 G&L Tribute ASAT Classic March 29 2022, 0 Comments

 

The G&L Tribute series have featured some real winners, and some...not so great options. I'm a firm believer that guitars that have "good bones" can be absolutely great with a little elbow grease and attention, regardless of how they arrive out of the box. By good bones, I mean a few things...

  • Well balanced body with a wood that is hard yet resonant 
  • Neck profile you enjoy
  • Neck pocket cut well
  • Level frets (mostly) that are seated well
  • Serviceable bridge

Most other aspects can be adjusted if you love the bones. New pickups, tuners, saddles, etc. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Only invest in upgrades to make YOU happy. Don't go in thinking you are increasing the resell value with upgrades. IT IS A LOSING PROPOSITION.

While you can do some upgrades fairly easily, it's a great feeling to have a killer guitar at a good price right out of the box. That brings me to the G&L Tribute ASAT Classic. When I say ASAT Classic, I mean the MFD pickup version. The ones that were popping up as MF Stupid Deal of the Day labelled as Limited Edition were not the same level of instrument and lacked the MFD pickups, which are one of the main attractions on this guitar. Add a sassafras body on the trans finishes, comfortable satin neck, and belly cut, and you have a much better instrument. Let's start with the fit and finish from the box.

Body

The sassafras body on the sunburst model is absolutely beautiful. The grain pops with depth, and the burst is attractive. The switch from swamp ash to sassafras seems to help control the weight a little bit (this one clocks in around 8 lbs). Other ASAT Classic models I've owned from previous runs could be around 10.5 lbs! Aiding from both a weight and comfort standpoint is the belly carve added to the model starting in 2021. The neck pocket was clean and has a great fit to the neck. Not too tight, just right. No shims needed on this one.

Neck

The neck also features a pretty grain pattern, with the satin stain finish making it great for someone like me that dislikes sticky poly finishes on the neck. This was a change for the 2021-forward models. Let's talk about the bad for a minute. The fret ends were hideous. On this specific guitar, it wasn't just a case of the neck shrinking as it dries over time. Believe it or not, we're talking some barbs from when the fret tangs were cut with the nibbler. That's just sloppy to leave the door like that. Luckily, I have the tools to address the issue (fret end file, fret leveling file, and micro-mesh), but it's still a pain in the ass. On the positive, frets were level, and nut was cut nicely. I have another from this same line, and the nut had to be moved over a little on that one, so YMMV. The satin finish is fast, but to improve it even more I hit it with 3000 grit wet dry paper a little, and it was perfect. On another ASAT I got, the satin finish failed to cover some big open pores that left a spot feeling rough. Again, shouldn't have left in that condition. Luckily this one didn't have that type of issue. The QC folks should up their game a tiny bit on the necks. Up at the headstock, tuners are nice and solid.

Bridge

The bridge is a classic box style, and the brass saddles with black springs looks super slick. Saddles arre nice and easy to dial in for dead-on intonation. Only weird thing is, the holes for the strings could benefit from being moved a tiny fraction toward the treble side, and that's common from all ASAT Classics I've owned.

Pickups

Now we come to the star of the show. The MFD ASAT pickups are among my favorites. Superior clarity across all strings, bridge or neck, doesn't matter. Tele spank in the bridge, warmth yet clear bell-like tones in the neck. On top of it all, the design, with adjustable pole pieces and a unique magnet configuration, it super cool. Cannot sing enough praises of these pickups.

Overall

For a guitar that retails at $589, this guitar punches well above its weight. Know that you may need to polish frets and file the fret ends possibly, but in the end, you'll have a guitar that's better than a Fender Player, yet significantly cheaper.