Post by harley on Aug 8, 2014 16:21:50 GMT
Hi all
this week saw the arrival of my new toy. I have been wanting a hand built guitar for some time and decided to treat myself. After checking out who was available, waiting times etc, I Phoned *** Anderson in Norfolk. The build was discussed over the phone and the following day I received email confirmation of the spec. A modest deposit was paid and 6 weeks later it is here! To say I am pleased with it is an understatement.
the spec, very briefly is....
Hand cut, 1 piece American Swamp Ash Telecaster type body, routed for Stratocaster electrics and hardware
Natural colour, finished with 'Tru-Oil' to a satin lustre.
Gold Pearl custom scratch plate and back plate
Hand cut Maple Neck with 22 frets - natural colour and finished with clear satin Nitro-Cellulose
Anderson hand wound custom pickups with full 7 sound pickup combinations and tone control on all pick ups
Vintage tremolo system retained by 3 springs
Anderson Certificate of Authentication, specific to this instrument
I also asked *** to put his own name on the headstock and we decided it would be the Anderson "newscaster"
I was like a child at Christmas as I opened the box and I couldnt have been more pleased with what I saw. It is a thing of beauty. I wish my pictures did it the justice it deserves! It is of course perfect in every way finish wise but the body is just beautiful. Im so glad I went for a natural finish as to paint this piece of wood would have been a crime. I wasnt sure what to expect from an oil finished body as apposed to clear nitro but after seeing pictures of guitars finished in this way I went for it. The wood retains its natural grain and feel so it still looks and feels like a piece of wood . The fingerboard also has a nice grain to it, and the back of the neck is nice and "slippery", the satin finish doing its job well. I had to wait 5 hours to hear it as I had it delivered to work. It was a long 5 hours!
Finally I got it home and plugged it in. *** convinced me to try his own hand wound pick ups and Im glad I did. They give me exactly what I need. They are on the hot side when wound up but as the volume is rolled back a touch they give a very nice smooth vintage sound. They are perfect for someone like myself who wants 1 guitar to do it all. The neck/bridge combination gives a really nice tele twang and, when driven, it does a brilliant Quo impression. I have had it now for 2 days and I cant put it down. I had never heard of *** until I started looking for someone to make this for me but I wouldnt hesitate to (and may well) go to him again. Top bloke and a real nice guy who obviously knows his stuff. Also, very important.... 6 WEEKS TURNAROUND!
How it sounds
third attempt after a bit of tweaking
app.box.com/s/3zwwog3vikn7ifxiorij
this week saw the arrival of my new toy. I have been wanting a hand built guitar for some time and decided to treat myself. After checking out who was available, waiting times etc, I Phoned *** Anderson in Norfolk. The build was discussed over the phone and the following day I received email confirmation of the spec. A modest deposit was paid and 6 weeks later it is here! To say I am pleased with it is an understatement.
the spec, very briefly is....
Hand cut, 1 piece American Swamp Ash Telecaster type body, routed for Stratocaster electrics and hardware
Natural colour, finished with 'Tru-Oil' to a satin lustre.
Gold Pearl custom scratch plate and back plate
Hand cut Maple Neck with 22 frets - natural colour and finished with clear satin Nitro-Cellulose
Anderson hand wound custom pickups with full 7 sound pickup combinations and tone control on all pick ups
Vintage tremolo system retained by 3 springs
Anderson Certificate of Authentication, specific to this instrument
I also asked *** to put his own name on the headstock and we decided it would be the Anderson "newscaster"
I was like a child at Christmas as I opened the box and I couldnt have been more pleased with what I saw. It is a thing of beauty. I wish my pictures did it the justice it deserves! It is of course perfect in every way finish wise but the body is just beautiful. Im so glad I went for a natural finish as to paint this piece of wood would have been a crime. I wasnt sure what to expect from an oil finished body as apposed to clear nitro but after seeing pictures of guitars finished in this way I went for it. The wood retains its natural grain and feel so it still looks and feels like a piece of wood . The fingerboard also has a nice grain to it, and the back of the neck is nice and "slippery", the satin finish doing its job well. I had to wait 5 hours to hear it as I had it delivered to work. It was a long 5 hours!
Finally I got it home and plugged it in. *** convinced me to try his own hand wound pick ups and Im glad I did. They give me exactly what I need. They are on the hot side when wound up but as the volume is rolled back a touch they give a very nice smooth vintage sound. They are perfect for someone like myself who wants 1 guitar to do it all. The neck/bridge combination gives a really nice tele twang and, when driven, it does a brilliant Quo impression. I have had it now for 2 days and I cant put it down. I had never heard of *** until I started looking for someone to make this for me but I wouldnt hesitate to (and may well) go to him again. Top bloke and a real nice guy who obviously knows his stuff. Also, very important.... 6 WEEKS TURNAROUND!
How it sounds
third attempt after a bit of tweaking
app.box.com/s/3zwwog3vikn7ifxiorij
