George Fullerton and Leo Fender founded G&L in 1979 to further expand Leo's innovations in the electric guitar. Many view G&L as the pinnacle of Leo's designs. Constructed in Fullerton, California , the current G&L line offers Leo's brilliant designs, made with modern-day attention to detail and precision.
The G&L ASAT goes all the way back to 1950 when Leo unveiled the Broadcaster and the Esquire. Renamed the "Telecaster" in 1951 (after a dispute with Gretsch's Broadkaster drum set), Leo's single-cutaway solid body template has become one of the most sought-after—and copied—guitar designs. In 1985, G&L attempted to re-launch this design under the "Broadcaster" name, but Gretsch objected once again, so a new name was needed. This time around, the name became “ASAT” which is US military shorthand for an “Anti-Satellite” missile.
In addition to that classic single-cutaway shape, the ASAT Special demonstrates another of Leo's innovations: Magnetic Field Design pickups. Each MFD pickup has a narrow bobbin aperture, which creates a coil which is shallow, yet wide. The ASAT Special uses the MFD Jumbo-size single coil pickups, which are similar to a P90 or a Jazzmaster. But because of the MFD principle, these pickups produce punchier bottom end and brighter trebles with sparkling harmonics.
From there, the ASAT Special also sports premium hardware. Leo's Saddle-Lock bridge transfers string energy right into the body end-grain, which creates an incredibly resonant instrument. Sealed 12:1 ratio tuners provide tuning stability, and a bone nut, 9.5" radius, and Jescar medium-jumbo frets ensure the ASAT Special plays like it should.
- Construction: Bolt on
- Scale Length: 25-1/2"
- Body: Swamp Ash
- Neck: Satin-finished Hard-Rock Maple w/ Maple fingerbaord
- Pickups: Leo Fender-designed jumbo MFD single coils (made in Fullerton, California)
- Neck Profile: Modern Classic
- Fingerboard Radius: 9.5"
- Nut: Bone
- Frets: 22 medium jumbo, Jescar 57110 18% nickel silver
- Bridge: Leo Fender-designed Saddle-Lock with chrome-plated brass saddles
- Controls: 3-position pickup selector, volume, tone
- Finish: Old-School Tobacco Sunburst
This 2017 G&L Fullerton Deluxe ASAT Special is gently used, and it is free cosmetic bumps, nicks, scratches, repairs, or other issues. It is free of severe play wear, and the frets are pristine. It's a great player with low, inviting action, and thanks to the larger medium-jumbo frets, it feels expressive and touch sensitive. The MFD pickups produce rich, versatile tone. Via the three-way switch and tone controls, you're able to access a wide variety of solid-body tones. Like many of the Fullerton-made models, this G&L is an incredible usable guitar that celebrates Leo Fender's innovations. It includes a generic rectangular hardshell case.