Need Your Opinion - Anderson Guitar (Poll Inside)

[gibson5413]

Hey guys. I have been thinking and researching my next guitar purchase. I am pretty excited to custom build a Tom Anderson guitar. Originally I was looking at the Bulldog but have decided to go the Drop Top route. I haven't decided if I want to go the Hollow (chambered) route just yet but have narrowed down my options for finish. I was hoping I might get some of my Rig-Talk friends to weigh in. Which do you like best? Mine will not have a pickguard like the pictures since they are Classics. Personally, I love the look of a solid color body with a natural maple neck and headstock. I would love (and prefer) to go the flame top route but I need to be a bit conservative with some of my choices and cut some corners here and there. I'm leaning to the Tobacco Burst but like the others too. The picture of the black finish doesn't have the maple neck and headstock option like the others but my intention is to build it the same as the others.

Personal rant, I know that Suhr guitars have been all the rage and I would love to own one but Anderson guitars have been calling me as of late. I have a local dealer who has worked with Tom for years so it was nice to play some. They are nothing short of top shelf instruments.

Let me know what you think!

Black

Fiesta Red

Tobacco Burst

 

[UltraGary]

I didn't vote above because I just wanted to say> "Just don't get the tobacco sunburst". Regardless of all this.....it looks like you'll be getting 1 helluva guitar!

 

[AmpliFIRE]

That Fiesta Red one is talking to me...big time

 

[Digital Jams]

The only thing I have Chad is I would really try to play a hollow, I do not like the tone from those guitars as they tend to get real tubby sounding while playing with gain. Some do like them but I would research that.

 

[thiswaythatway]

Mine is Basswood/Maple. I wish it had H/S/H though and if i was getting one that's what I'd get, or just 2 humbuckers.

As far as Suhr versus Anderson...of all the Anderson's I've owned or played only 1 didn't sound that great. Of all the Suhr's I've owned or played more of them didn't sound great compared to the one's that did sound good. My SUhr Pro Series S4 sounds pretty good but it doesn't match my Drop Top for rock tones, it just doesn't have the same balls. I can also get the action on the Drop Top lower without it buzzing. So much for the plex having the advantage there! I do like my Suhr but i can't say I've really bonded with it.

Another guitar to look at is the Anderson Cobra in the S shape. If i could trade my S4 for one I'd do it. But remember I'm really not that big on getting real authentic strat tones which the Pro Series seem geared at. I guess i always want a Superstrat to sound as close as possible to a LP without the playability drawbacks of a LP, while still able to get into single coil tones. That's where the Drop Tops seem to be able to get a thicker, more ballsy rock tone than any Suhr I've played, and I've played a bunch.

 

[rupe]

Drop tops all have trans finishes I believe??? The term "Drop Top" came from bending the maple top over the forearm contour...Anderson was the first company to do this (everybody else had flat tops at that point). I think a solid red or black would be a Pro-Am or Classic. Anybody know for sure? Tom himself would most likely give a quick answer to the at the Anderson forum.

 

[Lord Toneking]

That tobacco burst is pure sex!

 

[gibson5413]

I didn't vote above because I just wanted to say> "Just don't get the tobacco sunburst". Regardless of all this.....it looks like you'll be getting 1 helluva guitar!

That Fiesta Red one is talking to me...big time

Thanks guys! I am leaning more towards the Fiesta Red at this point.

 

[gibson5413]

The only thing I have Chad is I would really try to play a hollow, I do not like the tone from those guitars as they tend to get real tubby sounding while playing with gain. Some do like them but I would research that.

Thanks for the insight Scott. Are you saying the Hollow version sounded tubby or the standard? I have a dealer here in Utah that carries Anderson guitars. I'll run over there this weekend and play a couple of them again to see how they react to high gain. Maybe that will help guide my decision.

Mine is Basswood/Maple. I wish it had H/S/H though and if i was getting one that's what I'd get, or just 2 humbuckers.

As far as Suhr versus Anderson...of all the Anderson's I've owned or played only 1 didn't sound that great. Of all the Suhr's I've owned or played more of them didn't sound great compared to the one's that did sound good. My SUhr Pro Series S4 sounds pretty good but it doesn't match my Drop Top for rock tones, it just doesn't have the same balls. I can also get the action on the Drop Top lower without it buzzing. So much for the plex having the advantage there! I do like my Suhr but i can't say I've really bonded with it.

Another guitar to look at is the Anderson Cobra in the S shape. If i could trade my S4 for one I'd do it. But remember I'm really not that big on getting real authentic strat tones which the Pro Series seem geared at. I guess i always want a Superstrat to sound as close as possible to a LP without the playability drawbacks of a LP, while still able to get into single coil tones. That's where the Drop Tops seem to be able to get a thicker, more ballsy rock tone than any Suhr I've played, and I've played a bunch.

Hey Dan. I originally was looking at the Drop Top but am not opposed to the Cobra S. I am mainly looking at a thicker yet tight tone (sort of the best qualities of a Les Paul). I was a Les Paul guy for 20 years and now I am more of a fan of the strat style for comfort. Is yours a Hollow or standard? Have you noticed the same thing that Scott did? Have you had any experience with the Pro Am? Thanks in advance!

 

[gibson5413]

Drop tops all have trans finishes I believe??? The term "Drop Top" came from bending the maple top over the forearm contour...Anderson was the first company to do this (everybody else had flat tops at that point). I think a solid red or black would be a Pro-Am or Classic. Anybody know for sure? Tom himself would most likely give a quick answer to the at the Anderson forum.

I shot Tom an e-mail to ask. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[gibson5413]

That tobacco burst is pure sex!

I agree but I am really torn between that and the Fiesta Red.

 

[chunktone]

I'd go with the burst, hands down!

 

[jcj]

The guitars you're looking at there are all Classics, not drop tops.

I'm also not a fan of the hollow.

 

[Beyond Black]

I dig the black. Really like that pick-guard with the white pups on the black.

 

[Lord Toneking]

That tobacco burst is pure sex!

I agree but I am really torn between that and the Fiesta Red.

I like Floyds and humbuckers...and that looks like it has the switcheroo system which gets my vote

 

[gibson5413]

That tobacco burst is pure sex!

I agree but I am really torn between that and the Fiesta Red.

I like Floyds and humbuckers...and that looks like it has the switcheroo system which gets my vote

Looks like I'm headed towards a Drop Top (not hollow), no pickguard (which is only available on the classics I think), Original Floyd Rose bridge, 2 humbuckers (HN3+ bridge H1+ in neck) and Tobacco Burst finish (Gary, I know you didn't like it but I think it looks great). I'll have to see if it can be done but think I will go the mahogany/maple body. If not I will go basswood/maple instead. I'm going to head to my dealer this week to start specing it out.

Any more thoughts guys?

This is what I am leaning towards minus the quilt, binding and pickguard:

 

[gbsmusic]

Tobacco Burst. I just think it looks better and its got a Floyd.

 

[JTyson]

The burst or the F- red either one would look killer. Have you played a chambered body? They sound fantastic for some things, but not everything

 

[merlop]

The only thing I have Chad is I would really try to play a hollow, I do not like the tone from those guitars as they tend to get real tubby sounding while playing with gain. Some do like them but I would research that.

+1

I had a hollow drop top... it was beautiful and played amazing... I just couldn't bond with the tone.

Edit* I think this one would be badass...
http://www.wildwoodguitars.com/electric ... 00909p.php