Overview :- I dare say that Leo Fender would be both alarmed and upset following the news, at the end of 2025, that saw the demise of G&L Guitars – Yet G&L never achieved the status, reputation, sales or influence that is an accepted part of the Fender regime – I know we can create more ‘sub divisions’ but many guitars today fit into either the ‘modern’ format, or ‘traditional/old school’ format – As an engineer, Leo never understood the popularity of an early 50’s black guard Tele – He found many flaws with it and to a degree used G&L to ‘update’ such issues – 6 way bridge, truss rod adjustment at the top nut end, flatter 9.5″ fingerboard radius, wider 1 11/16″ top nut width, precision and sealed/enclosed machine heads, whilst modern CNC production machinery certainly allowed for a more consistent build quality, with far less ‘hand built’ variations – The Classic Blues Boy is still heavily influenced by a Tele, in this case a Tele Custom, but ‘modern influences’ help to make it an easier guitar to play, certainly for the player who wants a slinky action – So time for me to tell you much more about this used USA G&L ASAT Classic Blues Boy , from 2017, with a natural finish
A handy review of the USA Classic Blues Boy, courtesy of Premier Guitar, can be found if you click here – Not quite the same spec, but more than close enough to be relevant
Full spec and info for used G&L ASAT Classic Blues Boy :-
- Used model from 2017 with a natural gloss finish – the spec sheet names it as lemon drop – So not sure if that is G&Ls term for natural, if it is an error on the spec sheet
- Complete with deluxe case + spec sheet and appropriate certificate
- Whole guitar weighs 7lbs and 10oz – Many USA G&L models can be on the heavy side, but at 7lbs and 10oz it is well within the weight guidelines that many Fender players favour
- 2 pc swamp ash body with centre seam
- Maple neck + maple fingerboard – no rear skunk stripe, so 2 piece neck
- Modern Classic C neck profile – measures .820″ around the top nut end and .870″ around the 12th fret
- Satin ‘played in’ finish so smooth and silky
- 9.5″ fingerboard radius
- 1 11/16″ nut width – vintage width tends to be around 1 5/8″ but many ‘modern’ Tele’s favour a slightly wider width at 1 11/16″
- 22 medium jumbo frets
- Bone top nut
- Knurled dome top control knobs
- Slot post machine heads
- 6 brass bridge saddles
- Schaller strap locks
- G&L Spec’d pick-ups – neck humbucker with alnico 2 magnets + single coil bridge pick-up
- Treble bleed cap on the volume pot
- Re-strung with 10-46 gauge strings and set-up with easy action that responds to a light touch
Condition wise, and a quick tour will reveal that this is a very clean instrument – Maybe we have the advantage here that natural is probably the best colour to ‘hide’ any slight blemish – But even taking that into account and very carefully exploring the gloss finish you’d find it very hard to find any hint of a graze or blemish – It is pushing 10 years old, but looks more like it is only 10 weeks old – Slight pick marks is probably the only sign of use – It isn’t as new mint, then it is a very close call
Playability and tonal character :- The neck feel and playability is very much of a ‘modern’ Tele – flatter 9.5″ radius, medium jumbo frets and a ‘modern’ C profile are all features that help to allow for a slinky action – Not to fat, nor to thin so very much a comfortable middle ground – The satin finished neck has that ‘played’ character – The chunkier frets certainly assist you when ripping into big blues bends – Tonal character wise and yes the guitar sits very much in the Tele camp – But you do hear ‘variations’ within that field – The bridge pick-up has a bite to it that can kick shins, but it is full bodied and will snarl as required, especially when the vol pot is full on – So roll it back a touch for a ‘softer’ option – Rip into power chords and riffs and it is tight – The neck humbucker is rich and warm with good articulation – Roll the tone pot back as required for ‘dark’ jazzy flavoured tones – Or leave the tone pot on 10 for soft rock and blues tones – Think All right now or BB King and depending on the gain levels you require, such references will give you an idea of what to expect – Equally think about the jazz fusion tones that the likes of Larry Carlton/Steely Dan favour and it shows how versatile such a guitar can be – Both pick-ups on together and you are in serious ‘rhythm guitar’ territory – Be it clean for those ‘two tone’ voices of Jam, The Specials etc or with more gain for Keef and The Stones or Wilko Johnson and more of a ‘punky’ aggressive voice – All in all a very versatile guitar that is very under ratted and in todays market place very well priced, taking into account the new prices of many Mix based Fender Guitars
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Guitars4You is not another corporate high street guitar store - My selection of premium grade guitars is about quality not quantity. Every guitar has been selected, inspected and approved by me, with particular attention to the set-up and playing performance. Every sale, phone call, email and mail order transaction is handled by me. A journey that is now over 50 years old, has fuelled my knowledge, experience, love, devotion and passion for exceptionally fine guitars.