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Post by ke4unr on Oct 5, 2006 14:37:28 GMT -7
I just received an '03 G&L ASAT Tribute Classic (Tele) that I bought on eBay. Think I got a pretty good deal at $300 plus shipping, and it is clean! The electronics need changing, and I already have them on my bench. Otherwise, this guitar is suh-wheet! Long time Les Paul player and fairly recent Strat convert. Now, I think I got the Tele thing going on!! It's cool with me if some of you don't consider this a "real" Tele, but I'm close enough for now, IMHO. This is a great way to get my feet wet without a heavy outlay of cash. If nothing else, the pickups are quite lovely! Nothing like I expected - only better!! But the neck/action are very nice as well. Ok, let me get to the bridge question. I've only got a couple of hours on it, but I'm not diggin' the vintage (tray) style bridge plate. Rather, it's diggin' me...as into my palm, etc. So, I'm thinking my options are 1) go with a Callaham bridge assembly which has lower sides and a cutout on the treble side, at $88 plus shipping. I do like the looks of his saddles as a bonus. He "guarantees" they will intonate properly. 2) go with a modern "flat" style bridge. WD has one for $70, most everywhere else I looked had Gotoh bridge assemblies in the $40 range. Would some of you Tele guys/gals be kind enough to help the new guy out? Opinions on the Callaham bridge versus a standard vintage? Any disadvantage to a flat style bridge? Can anyone tell me if these would be a direct fit? I have 2 1/8" string spacing. Thanks in advance, Ray K.
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Post by (8^D) on Oct 6, 2006 10:59:14 GMT -7
I just received an '03 G&L ASAT Tribute Classic (Tele) that I bought on eBay. Think I got a pretty good deal at $300 plus shipping, and it is clean! The electronics need changing, and I already have them on my bench. Otherwise, this guitar is suh-wheet! Long time Les Paul player and fairly recent Strat convert. Now, I think I got the Tele thing going on!! It's cool with me if some of you don't consider this a "real" Tele, but I'm close enough for now, IMHO. This is a great way to get my feet wet without a heavy outlay of cash. If nothing else, the pickups are quite lovely! Nothing like I expected - only better!! But the neck/action are very nice as well. Ok, let me get to the bridge question. I've only got a couple of hours on it, but I'm not diggin' the vintage (tray) style bridge plate. Rather, it's diggin' me...as into my palm, etc. So, I'm thinking my options are 1) go with a Callaham bridge assembly which has lower sides and a cutout on the treble side, at $88 plus shipping. I do like the looks of his saddles as a bonus. He "guarantees" they will intonate properly. 2) go with a modern "flat" style bridge. WD has one for $70, most everywhere else I looked had Gotoh bridge assemblies in the $40 range. Would some of you Tele guys/gals be kind enough to help the new guy out? Opinions on the Callaham bridge versus a standard vintage? Any disadvantage to a flat style bridge? Can anyone tell me if these would be a direct fit? I have 2 1/8" string spacing. Thanks in advance, Ray K. Can't address the bridge setup, but the pups are the same ceramic pups used in the hand-made american models...difference is the Tribute line is CNC'd overseas. Great guitars for the $! Enjoy!
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Post by rcrecelius on Oct 6, 2006 11:41:22 GMT -7
Go with the Callaham...it will fit and the sides are much lower than whats on your G&L now...very comfortable and intonates nicely.
Also FWIW - A flat bridge(like an Am STD tele) will not line up with your original holes...another reason to go ahead with the Callaham.
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Post by rcrecelius on Oct 6, 2006 11:43:13 GMT -7
BTW...hows the neck profile on that Tribute? Thin or thick? I have a 95 model ASAT Classic that I really like but I've fallen in love with thick necks and the G&L neck is purty thin.
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Post by ke4unr on Oct 7, 2006 10:44:39 GMT -7
Can't address the bridge setup, but the pups are the same ceramic pups used in the hand-made american models...difference is the Tribute line is CNC'd overseas. Great guitars for the $! Enjoy! I heard nothing but good about the pickups before buying. Glad I wasn't disappointed. Usually, that's one of the first things I replace in most guitars. This thing is built very well (fit and finish), and like a tank. I don't have real accurate scales, but it is in the 8 - 9 lb range! That was a bit of a surprise. Ray K.
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Post by ke4unr on Oct 7, 2006 11:05:28 GMT -7
Go with the Callaham...it will fit and the sides are much lower than whats on your G&L now...very comfortable and intonates nicely. Also FWIW - A flat bridge(like an Am STD tele) will not line up with your original holes...another reason to go ahead with the Callaham. RC, Man, I hope you are right about the fit of the Callaham bridge! I e-mailed Specialty guitars about it and Paul replied that he wasn't sure, and to contact Bill. I appreciated his honest answer. So, I e-mailed Bill late Friday and am anxious to hear from him. Yeah, he "guarantees" his saddles will intonate! Thanks for letting me know about the flat bridges. I wondered about the fit on those as well. Glad you confirmed it! The neck on mine is a nice medium fat neck. I have read about other's not liking the thin necks on their ASAT's, or ones they tried. I'm not sure what's going on there, but I am very pleased with the feel of mine. Thanks, Ray K.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Oct 7, 2006 15:31:01 GMT -7
Man, you have almost talked me into looking at one of these for a cheapie way to get into a "standard" Tele. My Grosh sounds great, but I've been wanting a plain Jane two pickup Tele style - the Tribute just might fill the bill without breaking the bank.
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Post by ke4unr on Oct 8, 2006 13:00:41 GMT -7
Man, you have almost talked me into looking at one of these for a cheapie way to get into a "standard" Tele. My Grosh sounds great, but I've been wanting a plain Jane two pickup Tele style - the Tribute just might fill the bill without breaking the bank. Hey Steve, Yeah, I wasn't in the mood to break into my piggy bank. I'm really glad Mark suggested a G&L ASAT when I decided to go with a 'Tele.' I really believe I got more bang for the buck versus the other flavors out there! If you do go with a Tribute, just go ahead and expect to replace all the electronics. Otherwise, I don't think you'll need to change anything else except for personal taste. Well, there is the design of the vintage style bridge. Either you'll adjust to it fine, or not. I'm looking into alternatives right now and definitely plan to make a change there. Otherwise, the neck, action (low/fast!), tones and controls are great. Still 'honeymooning', but so far, this thing SMOKES! Seems versatile, and I haven't gone to a 4-way switch setup yet. I did the electronics on mine last night, fired it all up and I'm so over that Anderson we were talking about. Okay...for now anyways. Ray K.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Oct 8, 2006 14:52:09 GMT -7
Man, you have almost talked me into looking at one of these for a cheapie way to get into a "standard" Tele. My Grosh sounds great, but I've been wanting a plain Jane two pickup Tele style - the Tribute just might fill the bill without breaking the bank. Hey Steve, Yeah, I wasn't in the mood to break into my piggy bank. I'm really glad Mark suggested a G&L ASAT when I decided to go with a 'Tele.' I really believe I got more bang for the buck versus the other flavors out there! If you do go with a Tribute, just go ahead and expect to replace all the electronics. Otherwise, I don't think you'll need to change anything else except for personal taste. Well, there is the design of the vintage style bridge. Either you'll adjust to it fine, or not. I'm looking into alternatives right now and definitely plan to make a change there. Otherwise, the neck, action (low/fast!), tones and controls are great. Still 'honeymooning', but so far, this thing SMOKES! Seems versatile, and I haven't gone to a 4-way switch setup yet. I did the electronics on mine last night, fired it all up and I'm so over that Anderson we were talking about. Okay...for now anyways. Ray K. Actually my Grosh has a Callaham bridge and that thing has made me a believer. It's hard saying how much of that guitar's tone is from the bridge setup and how much is the great piece of wood he used, but man oh man - it smokes. I'm pretty sure I'd go that route again in a heartbeat.
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Post by ke4unr on Oct 9, 2006 9:15:18 GMT -7
Actually my Grosh has a Callaham bridge and that thing has made me a believer. It's hard saying how much of that guitar's tone is from the bridge setup and how much is the great piece of wood he used, but man oh man - it smokes. I'm pretty sure I'd go that route again in a heartbeat. I'm waiting to hear back from Bill Callaham. I asked if his bridge would fit this guitar. I have standard string spacing - 2 1/8". Actually I contacted Specialty Guitars first, since he stocks everything Callaham. Paul wasn't sure, so suggested that I contact Bill. I'm hoping it will fit. The sides are lowered on his, so I'm assuming you find it comfortable. The sides of the standard vintage style bridge are really buggin' me. If nothing else, I checked the specs of a Gotoh flat bridge and it looks like it will drop in fine. I'll post what I find out here and "there." Ray K.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Oct 9, 2006 18:32:15 GMT -7
Actually my Grosh has a Callaham bridge and that thing has made me a believer. It's hard saying how much of that guitar's tone is from the bridge setup and how much is the great piece of wood he used, but man oh man - it smokes. I'm pretty sure I'd go that route again in a heartbeat. I'm waiting to hear back from Bill Callaham. I asked if his bridge would fit this guitar. I have standard string spacing - 2 1/8". Actually I contacted Specialty Guitars first, since he stocks everything Callaham. Paul wasn't sure, so suggested that I contact Bill. I'm hoping it will fit. The sides are lowered on his, so I'm assuming you find it comfortable. The sides of the standard vintage style bridge are really buggin' me. If nothing else, I checked the specs of a Gotoh flat bridge and it looks like it will drop in fine. I'll post what I find out here and "there." Ray K. Actually mine is an OEM version I think because even though they say it is a Callaham, its sides are just like my Fender. I'll have to do a bit more snooping - maybe it's not really a Callaham. But it has those angled brass saddles like his. Maybe that's the deal - it could be just the saddles. I agree with you, the lower sides would be welcomed here.
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Post by rcrecelius on Oct 10, 2006 6:43:55 GMT -7
Ray, I'm 99.9% positive that the Callaham will be a direct bolt on replacement (no modifications necessary) for your ASAT bridge. Steve, If yours has the tall sides it's probably just a std bridgeplate with compensated saddles...Im pretty sure Callaham only makes their shorter/thicker version...unless they made some special for Grosh as OEM equipment.
If I have time this afternoon...Ive got a regular old style bridgeplate and I'll put it up against the Callaham and take a pic so ya'll can see the difference. On the Callaham equipped guit, the top of the saddles are higher than the sides of the bridgeplate...it actually took a while for me to get used to that because I'd been playing the G&L for several years with the original bridgeplate!
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Post by ke4unr on Oct 10, 2006 9:21:37 GMT -7
Guys,
I got an answer from Bill Callaham yesterday. The bridge will fit! I've already ordered one from Paul/Specialty Guitars, and can't wait to get it.
Bill told me if I didn't like it, "send it back." I'm doubting that's going to happen.
I'll be interested to hear how his saddles sound compared to the six brass that I have now. Again, I'm thinking positive here.
Steve, yeah you most likely have his saddles with a standard bridge plate. His design also has a treble side cutout, which would be a dead giveaway. Too bad you can't get just the plate. The complete assembly is $88 new, plus shipping.
RC, thanks for the kind offer! I don't need the pics now since I'll have mine soon, but Steve and others might be interested if you still want to do that.
Thanks, Ray K.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Oct 10, 2006 10:52:08 GMT -7
I've been considering a restoration project on this Frankenstein '67 Tele I have here. The Callaham seems the perfect route to go for this guitar. Right now it has a humbucker in the bridge, and I'm just afraid that the route will extend past the bridge plate. That would force me to have to plug and recut the pickup route - a load of work I'm not really skilled enough to pull off. But that bridge would really cure a lot of issues on that guitar. Tone issues!
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Post by rcrecelius on Oct 11, 2006 7:00:19 GMT -7
Right now it has a humbucker in the bridge, and I'm just afraid that the route will extend past the bridge plate. Heck, do you want to look at it or play it? Slap a bridge and single coil pup in there and see what it sounds like...then decide if the route needs to be covered up.
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Post by rcrecelius on Oct 11, 2006 7:00:41 GMT -7
Or better yet just send it to me
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Oct 12, 2006 22:52:07 GMT -7
;D
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Post by ke4unr on Oct 15, 2006 17:00:15 GMT -7
I got my Callaham bridge yesterday. Installed it, and I am very happy!! It was a drop in fit, just as Bill said. Nice saddles that intonate perfectly and with little effort. I've gained some additional sustain, which is a good thing. The lowered sides and cutout make for a very comfortable bridge. Just what I was looking for. The guitar is sounding and playing even better than before! Paul at Specialty guitars was super to deal with. Highly recommended. Thanks for the help. Ray K.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Oct 15, 2006 17:34:53 GMT -7
I got my Callaham bridge yesterday. Installed it, and I am very happy!! It was a drop in fit, just as Bill said. Nice saddles that intonate perfectly and with little effort. I've gained some additional sustain, which is a good thing. The lowered sides and cutout make for a very comfortable bridge. Just what I was looking for. The guitar is sounding and playing even better than before! Paul at Specialty guitars was super to deal with. Highly recommended. Thanks for the help. Ray K. So where's the pix???
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Post by ke4unr on Oct 18, 2006 16:59:34 GMT -7
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Oct 18, 2006 17:29:47 GMT -7
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Post by rcrecelius on Oct 20, 2006 12:14:52 GMT -7
in slide #5 & 6 where you have the old bridge next to the new one(yeah I know, I was supposed to provide a pic like that 2 weeks ago...hey I'm just busy, not lazy)...the height difference doesn't look that significant but boy it sure makes a difference in feel doesn't it?
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Post by ke4unr on Oct 20, 2006 15:40:34 GMT -7
Thanks for the compliment, Steve! Ray K.
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Post by ke4unr on Oct 20, 2006 16:02:21 GMT -7
in slide #5 & 6 where you have the old bridge next to the new one(yeah I know, I was supposed to provide a pic like that 2 weeks ago...hey I'm just busy, not lazy)...the height difference doesn't look that significant but boy it sure makes a difference in feel doesn't it? Yes, that was surprising! I measured only 5/64", but the difference seems huge! The treble side cutout really helps me also, and I think that might be part of the "secret." It allows me to move my hand toward the back of the bridge to a more comfortable resting spot, and it just all seems to work. Ray K.
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