After watching this USA G&L ASAT go unspoken for the past two years--I finally pulled the trigger. Got a great deal, but bittersweet because it's a result of this really cool boutique indie guitar store going out of business. Anyway, it's a clear orange swamp ash body with a # 8 maple neck.
I know the ASAT is controversial and stuff I read here on TB probably kept me from getting it earlier. Addressing the most common negatives--my impressions after two weeks are: 1) yes, some neck dive but not even remotely a deal breaker to me--the lack of an upper horn does place your strap in a different position than usual but it's really a non-issue. 2) The body is smaller--I notice it most when I play standing with it off my right hip. Sitting, with the bass on my left knee, it's actually quite comfortable. 2) MFD humbuckers are LOUD, but not really silent at rest(certainly not in active mode)-being heard will not be an issue. To my ear, it's not the MM sound or a JB sound, although these could be approached by using the 3) multitude of switches/knobs. Actually the knobs are standard, but when it came to switches, Mr. Fender must have thought that amateurs like me were going to be content with one bass for life. They are easy to learn, but I'm not able to make so many adjustments between songs in a set---still they're fun to look at and tinker with.
Overall, I'm really happy with the ASAT--it's workmanship is as top notch as any of my best basses and I think it looks cool. Enough of me, how about your ASAt thoughts?
I know the ASAT is controversial and stuff I read here on TB probably kept me from getting it earlier. Addressing the most common negatives--my impressions after two weeks are: 1) yes, some neck dive but not even remotely a deal breaker to me--the lack of an upper horn does place your strap in a different position than usual but it's really a non-issue. 2) The body is smaller--I notice it most when I play standing with it off my right hip. Sitting, with the bass on my left knee, it's actually quite comfortable. 2) MFD humbuckers are LOUD, but not really silent at rest(certainly not in active mode)-being heard will not be an issue. To my ear, it's not the MM sound or a JB sound, although these could be approached by using the 3) multitude of switches/knobs. Actually the knobs are standard, but when it came to switches, Mr. Fender must have thought that amateurs like me were going to be content with one bass for life. They are easy to learn, but I'm not able to make so many adjustments between songs in a set---still they're fun to look at and tinker with.
Overall, I'm really happy with the ASAT--it's workmanship is as top notch as any of my best basses and I think it looks cool. Enough of me, how about your ASAt thoughts?
