This ASAT Z-3 is in as new condition and lightly used. The only blemishes are hardware on the Twill case which are tarnished. Combining the traditional ASAT styling with the somewhat futuristic looking Z coil pickups, it is a brilliant match of old and new school. The Z3 pickups were by all accounts the last pickups that Leo Fender worked on himself. With 3 pickups and 7 possible pickup combinations, the ASAT Z-3 creates a hybrid of Strat®/Tele® sounds enhanced by the wide range and noiseless operation of the Z coil pickups. Upping the ante is the Semi Hollow Swamp Ash body which adds depth, balance and reduced weight. It is a unique and beautiful guitar.
This ASAT Z3 features the following:
- Honey Burst Finish on Swamp Ash, 7.4 pounds
- G&L #1 Profile Maple Neck, 12 radius
- Vintage maple fingerboard
- Dunlop 6100 Frets
- Plek® laser-guided fret and nut finishing
- 3 G&L Z-Coil MFD noiseless pickups
- Cream Pickguard
- Drilled and split Schaller tuning keys
- G&L Saddle Lock bridge for outstanding bell-like sustain
- 5-way pickup switch for traditional Strat type pickup combinations
- Pull volume for neck+bridge or all three
- Deluxe fitted hard shell Tolex case
- Made in USA
Working the pickup switch, pull volume, and the tone controls, the Z-3 can elicit everything from twangy country, smooth and articulate clean tones, chicken pickin' or neck tones that are reminiscent of an ES-335. The in-between position are strong, clear, and have that wonderful out of phase quack without sounding thin and anemic. If that's your signature sound, I find that the Z-3 does them about the best of any guitar. The Z Coils just LOVE pedals, and the strong output and even response of the MFD pickups creates big, articulate rock tones that seethe with harmonics. Using a Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive pedal we got nice fat lead and rhythm tones that were crunchy and detailed but never harsh. Not as glassy as a traditional single coil, but more substantial in the manner of a humbucker but with greater midrange clarity and note definition.