Features: 9
The instrument, a telecaster style semi-hollow body guitar was made by Asante in Canada. A picture of it can probably still be viewed on Ebay as item #7337302806.
The number of frets is 21. I believe the controls are three way, 2 humbucker pickup. The body is african rosewood, painted green. Body style is telecaster. The neck seems perfectly designed, neither fat nor thin (I have a Rickenbacker 360 which I dearly love, but the frets are too narrow and the neck a bit too thin for my hands). This is the first electric guitar I have ever held where I can say honestly that it is just right.
There are some, just a very few instruments which have just a touch of magic to them. That is the way I would describe this guitar. I have held and played many telecasters, all of them have been wonderful instruments, but this one takes the cake. There is something about the feel and handling of this instrument which is entirely unique. I honestly feel privileged to own this and cannot see ever letting it go. I suspect that Asante Guitars will one day be quite famous, perhaps even bell weathers in this incredibly competitive industry. It is obvious that a great deal of time, skill, love and spirit went into the manufacture of this beauty. I highly recommend Asante Guitars to anyone who seeks an extraordinary electric guitar.

-Hal Chase
(comeonnow_94102@yahoo.com)

Sound: 10
My style is pop, rock and ballads. It plays the best of all my instruments. I use a Marshall amp and use no funny effects. The sound is rich, full and even bright. I can detect nothing negative about the pickups, which, in fact seem to be one of the best features of this instrument. It is a lot of guitar, with a long perfect sized neck, but is still a relatively compact instrument and very light. It has two pickups and a three way switch, common in telecaster style guitars.

Action, Fit, & Finish: 10
I have no complaints about the set up. The guitar has all of the feel of an individual one of a kind production. The pickups, humbuckers, are perfectly adjusted. The bridge is properly routed and the top is perfectly bookmatched. There are no flaws. In fact, the look and feel of this instrument is that it was made by an artisan, just for me. There is nothing assembly line about it.

Reliability/Durability: 10
The guitar is perfect for live playing. The African Rosewood is of extraordinary quality and I expect that the instrument will last through the years and the sound will remain mellow like many of the early century Gibsons and Martins. The finish is thick and rich. I expect it will last throughout the years. The strap buttons are solid and it is entirely dependable.
Yes, I would use it confidently at a gig without any backup.

Customer Support: 5
Asante is based in Canada, I am in California. Our communications are by email and he has been very responsive. I have had no problems, but like any good artisan I would expect complete cooperation if I have any questions or problems. The machine, which was an extraordinary buy on ebay (in my mind, a diamond that the bidding population entirely missed) did not, to my understanding, include a warranty. Since I have had no problems with the guitar and there is no warranty, I am only rating this section as a "5". That should not be taken as a negative rating for this lovely instrument. It is just that this section is not applicable to my situation.

Overall Rating: 10
I've played for over thirty years. I own a Rickenbacker 360 jet glow hollow body and a Dearmound Guild rock-a-billy type guitar. I also own one Jay Turser acoustic guitar. I cannot diss my Rickenbacker, but I love this reviewed guitar equally. The one thing I do note, though, is that the neck on the telecaster styled guitar is a bit more easy to use.

I'm completely satisfied with the purchase and have no regrets. I was not in the market for a guitar but I check out ebay a lot and this sweetheart just jumped out at me. The craftsmanship was obvious and the features appeared to be extraordinary.

I do fear losing it because it appears to me to be one of a kind. Like I said, there are just a few instruments that have a tiny feel of magic about them. This is one of them. The guitar measures up to any telecaster I have ever played and I expect that this manufacturer is someone the world will soon take note of. Anyone who can create such a beautiful instrument deserves praise and I wish him all the best and God speed.