ASAT Tell me more.........

Elliot J Long · #1 03-26-2008, 06:02 AM

Hello everyone,

its my first post so sorry if im treading a well worn path but...................
at the moment i play a J bass with Di Marzio PU's, but as im getting a little more serious about playing/gigging! and id like to buy my first propper Bass. (ie the one i want not just the one i can afford!!) I have been looking down all the regular paths gibson,fender, rickenbacker.... for a while, and never stopped to find out about G&L Bass guitars (as I have never seen one for sale in the uk?!)
But today well i discovered them, the ASAT bass in particular (i have always loved the guitar) and got very exited!

So basically what id like to know is pretty much all the stupid questons!!...... what (if any) maybe more "common" bass do they sound like. any Big records they appear on? what are they like to own? do they hold value (not so important!)? I have the UK dealer list from the G&L web page so i have an idea of where I might find one id just like to pick ur brains really and any info would be cool!!

lmfreeman9 · #2 03-26-2008, 06:22 AM

Except for the body shape an ASAT is identical to a G&L L-2000. Very versatile with a ton of tonal options. There is a link on here somewhere for a demo on you tube. The fact that the ASAT doesn't have a horn makes it hard to balance properly for some people-neck heavy. This is true of all basses without horns. I had an ASAT with a strap extender which worked perfectly to correct this problem.

Kompressaur · #3 03-26-2008, 10:31 AM

if you dig the Tele shape its a no brainer isn't it? The Asat is just too cool.I used mine last year in an INXS tribute band up here in Glasgow and the band absolutely loved it,hit the spot in the sound,looks and vibe departments totally. After some rehearsals with the Asat,I took a MusicMan Sterling one week which just didnt have the same balls and depth and the band were adamant I bring the Asat back the following week.

I have a metallic gold one with the front edge binding. There was one in the same finish (minus binding) that went for 640quid on ebay UK recently which is a good 25% more than your average L2000 will fetch. I dont know if the price that one went for is indicative of their normal resale value (I paid near the same for mine via basschat) but it could be, because they're so few and far between this side of the pond.

regretfully I no longer own the cherryburst semi hollow. I traded it away in a moment of madness

good luck with your search!

lug · #4 03-26-2008, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lmfreeman9

Except for the body shape an ASAT is identical to a G&L L-2000. Very versatile with a ton of tonal options. There is a link on here somewhere for a demo on you tube. The fact that the ASAT doesn't have a horn makes it hard to balance properly for some people-neck heavy. This is true of all basses without horns. I had an ASAT with a strap extender which worked perfectly to correct this problem.

Also be aware that the default necks are different, though you can order any of the 4 different four string neck profiles under options.

mrpackerguy · #5 03-26-2008, 11:46 AM

To me, sounds sort of like the bridge pup solo'd on a J-bass or also sounds like a Sting Ray in some respects. I have one and love it.

loendmaestro · #6 03-26-2008, 12:02 PM

Ain't nothing like an ASAT. Rivaled only by a Rickenbacker for "head turning" ability.

I love my ASAT, and remember - the active setting isn't the only way to go. I've simply fallen in love with the passive setting on mine. Bark for days w/ no harshness.

mrpackerguy · #7 03-26-2008, 06:36 PM

Here's mine.

EW57 · #8 03-26-2008, 07:29 PM

WOW! Thats sharp! Somethings missing though.... Ya got something against G-strings?

mrpackerguy · #9 03-26-2008, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EW57

WOW! Thats sharp! Somethings missing though.... Ya got something against G-strings?

When I learn me them thar 3 strings, I'll add the 4th!

realdeal · #10 03-26-2008, 09:54 PM

Well I think mine looks fairly nice, plays fairly FIERCE, and does not neck-dive, so....

Wwolof · #11 03-27-2008, 01:12 AM

This thread is giving me an itch in the wallet.

p0k · #12 03-27-2008, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by realdeal

Well I think mine looks fairly nice, plays fairly FIERCE, and does not neck-dive, so....

i still think this is one of the best looking instruments i've ever seen...

realdeal · #13 03-27-2008, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p0k

i still think this is one of the best looking instruments i've ever seen...

Thanks! The builders at Fender Ave. do good work to say the least.

And this bass, playing some Etta James or Albert King through say an Ampeg V4BH...... *sob* .........
I need a moment to compose myself....

..........

Amazing-Active or Passive modes!

vroc38 · #14 03-27-2008, 05:56 PM

Here's my #1 ASAT. This one has some serious snarl that makes it a great rock bass. Neck dive isn't a problem with either of my ASATs.

Rob L · #15 03-27-2008, 08:35 PM

I love the ones I have and neck dive is not an issue for me. If you love the shape then the ASAT is for you. The tones you can get out of them are amazing.

quickervicar · #16 03-28-2008, 09:45 AM

Since they're tonally the same as an L2k listen to Dave Pomeroy, Everclear, Silverchair (and a few others) to get a grasp of the variety of tones you can get. Dave tends to use the warm end of things and the other two get more of a grind going on.

realdeal · #17 03-28-2008, 12:55 PM

Tonally, the ASAT differs from the L2K in one overlooked respect:

Prior to shipping, after the final assemblies, the ASAT's are sent out to a station at G&L where they are injected with a special solvent known as "Funk Sauce" or "Mojo"; which was developed by the Clarence Leo Fender Secret Research Labs back in the early '90's I believe.

This additional step in build creates a deeper, more resonant, and I daresay, HIPPER tone from the ASAT bass than is found in the "other" excellent basses built in Fullerton.

Strange, but true......

quickervicar · #18 03-28-2008, 01:08 PM

I stand corrected.

chunkstyle · #19 03-28-2008, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by realdeal

Tonally, the ASAT differs from the L2K in one overlooked respect:

Prior to shipping, after the final assemblies, the ASAT's are sent out to a station at G&L where they are injected with a special solvent known as "Funk Sauce" or "Mojo"; which was developed by the Clarence Leo Fender Secret Research Labs back in the early '90's I believe.

This additional step in build creates a deeper, more resonant, and I daresay, HIPPER tone from the ASAT bass than is found in the "other" excellent basses built in Fullerton.

Strange, but true......

No Wonder!!

loendmaestro · #20 03-28-2008, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by realdeal

Tonally, the ASAT differs from the L2K in one overlooked respect:

Prior to shipping, after the final assemblies, the ASAT's are sent out to a station at G&L where they are injected with a special solvent known as "Funk Sauce" or "Mojo"; which was developed by the Clarence Leo Fender Secret Research Labs back in the early '90's I believe.

This additional step in build creates a deeper, more resonant, and I daresay, HIPPER tone from the ASAT bass than is found in the "other" excellent basses built in Fullerton.

Strange, but true......

Hell yeah!