kidcongo

Here is a song that came out of our basement studio that features our beloved G&L ASAT bass played through a Fender Hot Rod Deville 2/12 guitar amp, which was mic'ed for the recording. I know this sort of tone is not popular with all bassists, but for those who like bass distortion and bass chords, I thought it worked surprisingly well. I thought I would share for others out there that are curious about this bass. The sound was very solid and required almost no compression or EQ to sit in the mix. Another reason to love the G&L! [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGdDAGB9cME"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGdDAGB9cME[/url]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1361088935' post='1980738'] It's great, but I would have gone for mint or parchment. [size=4]Seriously though, it's very cool.[/size] [/quote] I debated the "white" tones, but ended up with black. Any of the pearloids just look way too busy on the clear ash bodies in my opinion. Parchment or Mint would have been very nice as well, but I pulled a "Les Pattinson" with this one, and did black on blue!

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1361087203' post='1980729'] Looks very nice indeed. Who did the 'plate for you ? [/quote] Terrapin Island Guitars in Portland/Oregon/USA. They do a template service. I made a card tracing of what I wanted, and they prototyped it in card-stock then mailed it to me. Once I was confident it was right I gave them the "go-ahead" to make the plate. Took some time, but was really inexpensive. I recommend them. I did everything via email and post. BTW I still have no regrets about screwing this thing into the bass. I am not going to sell this instrument, and it look so great now. If it makes any sense, it just looks "right", whereas before it always bothered me in some weird way when it was naked.

[quote name='ChickenKiev' timestamp='1361915877' post='1993148'] The band I'm joining is hardcore/metalcore, so I've been eyeing up a thunderbird-type bass, as from what I've seen they are perfect for rock an metal (and they look drop dead gorgeous too!). [/quote] Some sincere and friendly advice from someone who has played a Gibson T-Bird. I think you have summed up T-Birds in that sentence of yours "from what I have SEEN they are perfect for rock and metal" Exactly, you need to close your eyes and use your ears and you may change your mind. T-Birds have always looked very "rock" and they truly appeal to the eyes and look very tough on stage slung all low and black. However you will find that very few rock or metal bassists record with Thunderbirds (they are often reserved for the live show), and although there are many exceptions I would say they are not a foundational instrument in either rock or metal. I.E. both genres could get along fine without them. Their sound sits very far down in the mix and the T-Bird is really the bread and butter of bands where they hope the bassist will not be heard. If you think of really killer aggressive or melodic metal or rock bassists, the ones that played a T-Bird are few (I know I know there are several that made great stuff with them, but seriously). Many T-Bird players are more like stage accessories. Think Nikki Sixx (inaudible T-Bird rumble) vs Steve Harris (hard hitting P-Bass Fury)...not that you have to be lightning fast and noodly like Steve, but I think if you decide on a T-Bird style bass, choose the one that sound most like a Fender, or change your mind. I bought one and it looked really cool. Sounded like mud and I sold it with a tear in my eye because is was beautiful, but hey that's just me. In my opinion, for real metal attitude get a black precision-style bass, or anything else that has attack and presence, and put a pentagram on the scratchplate or something to make it look the part. Skip the T-Bird and spend that money on a better amp. A lot of rock bassists go through a T-Bird phase, but very few are devoted to this instrument. I think it frustrates most people to the point where they get rid of it. You may be the exception, but take time to think this through carefully if you are on a budget like me, and cant afford to have a bass collection. Look and listen to what the people you really like play, and maybe take that as a starting point. Maybe the T-Bird knock-offs and versions solve the tone issues I had with my genuine T-Bird? I don't know.

[quote name='ivansc' timestamp='1361121822' post='1981370'] I am 100% with you. really enhances the "tele" look. But yes I bet you felt every one of those screws for every turn! [/quote] Thanks for the feedback guys. I was worried I would unleash some hate from the G&L purists. A piece of advice for anyone who dares to do something similar: The G&L guitars have a really thick clear cote and you need to pre-drill the pilot holes that are pretty close to the size of the screws. The screws have a tendancy to want to crack the clear coat, which could lead to some chipping or cracking showing past the pick-guard. I almost goofed up like this by having the pilot holes too small, but caught it in time. I must say I have always loved the way this bass sounds in the 10 years I have played it, and now I really like it's looks as well. The ASAT has a really solid, compressed tone that is really not like anything else. I don't agree that it can sound like a P-Bass or a Stingray. I don't think it does a good job of sounding like either of those, nor would I consider it "versatile". It has a mid-rangy tone, with a deep bottom-end, that is unique to itself and sits perfectly in a band. My opinion is the bass sounds uninspiring when you play it by itself, but when you play it live with a band, or record it, it's a real monster. Lots of comments and compliments on the tone. I think maybe the design of the pick-ups and electronics was conceived while considering what frequencies would sit in the mix properly, rather than what would appeal in the shop. Not a great bass for solo vituosos, but for those who are into songwriting, and melodic crunchy bass, this thing is killer. BTW: I got the scratchplate made by Terrapin Island Guitars in Portland USA. Really reasonable to deal with. I made a paper template and mailed it to them international. They sent me back a lazer-cut card stock mock-up for testing on the bass. Once I had proven the fit and finish with the card mock-up they cut me the real plate.....inexpensive too!

Here's a pic of my G&L ASAT bass. I added a pickguard to re-capture that Leo Fender design brilliance that I always felt was missing from this bass as it comes stock with no pickguard. I often wonder why G&L does not offer a pickguard as an option. The weird symmetry of the telecaster type body has always been one of my faves, but it needs that slab of plastic to look right. Anyways........got a custom 3-ply black made and here are the results. Still made me wince to turn the screws into the body.

Here's a pic of my G&L ASAT bass. I added a pickguard to re-capture that Leo Fender design brilliance that I always felt was missing from this bass as it comes stock with no pickguard. I often wonder why G&L does not offer a pickguard as an option. The weird symmetry of the telecaster type body has always been one of my faves, but it needs that slab of plastic to look right. Anyways........got a custom 3-ply black made and here are the results. Still made me wince to turn the screws into the body.