G&L ASAT Classic Custom 1996-97?

[eryktglod]

Hi all, this is my first post here, so apologies if I miss anything

I recently bought a bundle of two guitars and an amp off Facebook Marketplace. One of them was a G&L Tele-style model, which I originally assumed was a more recent import. After bringing it home, inside the case I found the case candy, COA, and receipt showing it was purchased in December 1997 at Atlanta Discount Music as a “G&L ASAT Custom.”

Here’s where I’m a bit confused:
The headstock and tags say ASAT Classic, but some of the paperwork says ASAT Custom.
It has a four-bolt neck, whereas I thought most of the era used a three-bolt design.
The only serial number I see is on the COA, not on the guitar itself.

From what I’ve read, this seems to be an ASAT Classic Custom 1996-97, and I believe it’s stock. I’d appreciate some help confirming this, learning more about its background, and getting a sense of its value. Thanks

[Craig]

Your guitar does look like an ASAT Classic Custom, except it does not look like the neck is Birdseye Maple and the case is not a deluxe Tolex case. Perhaps the original neck was defective and the factory replaced it with a standard Maple neck but there should have been a serial number on the back of the headstock. BTW, the COA shows only the digital numbers of the S/N, the full S/N should be CL02012 and it would have been a waterslide decal on the back of the headstock. Also, note that this model was first built in 1996 and those built in that year had a 3-bolt neck and the serial number was located on the neck plate with a format of G0#####.

Here is some info we have here on this site:

1996-97 Ad for the ASAT Classic Custom:


1997 Retail Price List page showing the ASAT Classic Custom (link to complete price list is https://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY3/i ... 97RetailPL):


1997 G&L Catalog page showing the ASAT Classic Custom (link to complete catalog is https://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY3/i ... 97_catalog):


Also, check out these posts in our G&L Knowledgebase forum:

List of Regular Production ASAT-style guitars (USA)
Production List of G&L Instruments (USA)
Serial number significance
Is there a good source for getting G&L instrument values?

Hope this helps.

[Tooslowhand]

Interesting guitar, and others can provide more information than I can. 1997 was the year when G&L transitioned from 3 to 4 bolt necks. Generally the 4 bolt neck plate is embossed G&L, but yours is plain. Perhaps that has to do with the transition year. Also yours has no obvious serial number. For the 3 bolt necks there was a sticker with the serial number affixed to the neck plate. With the 4 bolt they switched to a water slide decal with CLXXXXX format.

See this post viewtopic.php?t=18

Perhaps the transition is again responsible for the lack of a serial number designation on your guitar. Memo at G&L should be able to tell you more if you contact him at memo"AT"bbesound.com

[Craig]

Interesting guitar, and others can provide more information than I can. 1997 was the year when G&L transitioned from 3 to 4 bolt necks. Generally the 4 bolt neck plate is embossed G&L, but yours is plain. Perhaps that has to do with the transition year. Also yours has no obvious serial number. For the 3 bolt necks there was a sticker with the serial number affixed to the neck plate. With the 4 bolt they switched to a water slide decal with CLXXXXX format.

See this post viewtopic.php?t=18

Perhaps the transition is again responsible for the lack of a serial number designation on your guitar. Memo at G&L should be able to tell you more if you contact him at memo"AT"bbesound.com

From 1980-1983, G&L instruments had the serial number stamped on the bridge.
In 1983, the serial number was relocated and stamp onto the 3-bolt neckplate.
Serial numbers were never put on stickers on neckplates.

Memo's email address is repairs@bbesound.com.

I think he will find that his guitar was built during the transition from 3-bolt to 4-bolt necks and that it why the neckplate is blank.
See: When and why did G&L switch to a four-bolt neck?.

Hope this helps.

[Tooslowhand]

Ya... Sorry. I was recalling the gold patent listing sticker on my old ASAT. The serial number is stamped in.

[eryktglod]

Thanks so much everyone, I really appreciate the help. I’ll share more details as I learn more.