FACTOIDS & TRIVIA

Introduced in 2001, the ASAT Special Deluxe was based on the non-cataloged ASAT Custom of 1995-96. While the basic design remained the same, there were some changes made to the model over the years until it was discontinued. A tilia (basswood) body fitted with figured maple cap was used from 2001 until September 2007. Mahogany replaced tilia from October 2007 to December 2015 and ash was used ocassionally during this time as well. The control layout also evolved over the years with some layouts being favored by players more than others (this player prefers the earliest version). Like the ASAT Custom (and ASAT Jr and 20th Anniversary ASAT), the Special Deluxe's tone circuit has a .047 mfd capacitor in series with the tone pot. The conventional ASAT circuit has a .022 mfd capacitor in parallel with the pot's wiper (for more info see Jos van Schagen's excellent ASAT circuit page). ASATs with the higher cap value have a richer, "breathier" sound with less high end bite. The ASAT Special Deluxe was never a popular model, partly due to its higher cost, and was made in relatively small numbers. It was removed from the catalog in mid-2015 although many examples were made through December 2015 when production ceased. The example shown here is from the first year of production and is fitted with an optional #1 neck (12" radius) and black pickup covers, which is unusual since most natural finished Special Deluxes had white covers. 

 Body: Solid; 2-piece tilia (basswood) with quilted maple top

 Finish: Natural, polyurethane

 Neck: 2-piece quilted maple, bolt-on

 Fingerboard: Rosewood; pearloid dot markers

 Number of Frets: 22

 Pickguard: None

 Bridge: G&L Saddle-Lock, chrome

 Nut: Plastic

 Tuners: Schaller M6, chrome

 Pickups: Two, G&L Magnetic Field Design single coil with adjustable pole pieces

 Controls: Master volume, master tone, 3-way pickup selector switch

 Scale Length: 25 1/2 inches

 Neck Width at Nut: 1 5/8 inches

 Body Width at Lower Bout: 12 5/8 inches

 Body Depth: 1 5/8 inches

 Weight: 7.1 lb