My guitar collection - G&L

 
 

Whereas the ‘CavASAT’ combines elements from the Cavalier and the ASAT, the ‘RampASAT’ combines elements from several G&L models. The Orange finished alder body sans pickguard with rear-loaded volume control and absent tone stack screams Rampage disguised as an ASAT. A notion amplified by the presence of a Seymour Duncan (SD) Screamin’ Demon (SH-12) Alnico 5 bridge pickup, not a pickup usually seen on a G&L. The SD Screamin’ Demon was developed for George Lynch, which would make you think this is a high-output pickup, akin to the high output SD JB Trembucker (TB-4) frequently used by G&L. But as per instructions of George, yes, it is a “hot-rodded PAF”, but still with moderate output. As a small negative, the pole spacing on this pickup is not ‘Fender’ like and too narrow. What should have been installed is the SD Screamin’ Demon Trembucker (TB-12). Alas. A pickup like this would still feel right at home on a Rampage. But the black powder-coated Saddle-Lock bridge and pickup layout suggest ASAT HB, while using an ASAT Classic MFD neck pickup this time instead of the CLF-100. And with 2 pickups one needs the (3-position mini-toggle) pickup selector of course. The body also has an arm contour for comfort. The quartersawn hard-rock maple neck is attached to the body using 4 ferrules instead of the usual neck plate with stamped G&L logo. The 12” East Indian rosewood fingerboard lacks position markers. No model decal has been applied to the matching Orange headstock but it has an old-time U-shaped bracket for a string retainer and classy looking G&L branded, black chrome closed tuning machines. No other information is available on this model which could well be either an employee guitar or demo model. All that can be established is that it is unique.

 

‘RampASAT’ prototype

The story behind this guitar

Year:

Serial number:

Neck date:

Body date:

Strings:


Even when you think you have about every factory provided pickup combination, you still find surprises at times. This prototype would fit the description and appeared on eBay in March of 2018. Dating an instrument without stamps is hard. But the graffiti depicting flames is something also seen on the heel of a 2002 4-bolt ASAT Deluxe, late-2003 L-2500, and ASAT ‘Super’ from mid-2004; not before and not after. So that leaves it to a span of about 2 year. The 3-position mini-toggle pickup selector does not seem to act as a true 3-position switch: the middle position sounds the same as the bridge bucker by itself. If there is a difference, it is minimal. And even though it is not a trembucker, that bridge pickup of course rocks like crazy. The MFD neck pickup is powerful as well. But boy, when you dial it back, you get this beautiful glassy, sparkling sound with depth in all frequency ranges. Reminds me of the ASAT HB, another guitar where the bridge pickup seems to steal the show.

The story behind this guitar

2004 (best guess)

CLF29983 (prototype)

none, marked ‘MIKE’, ‘WHT’, ‘ASAT’, ‘CLASSIC’, ‘DLX’, ‘Custom’, ‘OPTL HB’

none, marked in bridge pickup cavity ‘ORANGE’, ‘RW’, ‘P.H.’

D’Addario EXL120 Nickel Wound Super Light (9-42)