Anderson Classic H-S-H

I bought this '93 Anderson Classic off of Ebay. Black strat style, rosewood board, matching black peghead, white pearl guard. Not as flashy as the droptops but I wanted the cool understated look. The original owner had had it retrofitted with Buzz Feiten tuning and had replaced the original VA pickups with Anderson SD1R-SD1-HO2 pickups. I had the Anderson Factory make the following changes: Swapped out the original gold hardware (tarnished after 10 years use) for new chrome, a new white pearloid guard was made and the pickups were changed to H1-, SA1 and H2+. I also had them install a Fishman Powerbridge. Tom himself etched a new chrome neck plate with the original manufacture date. Pickup selection is 5 way switch with a single master splitter mini switch. Pulling up the tone knob adds the bridge pickup to any other setting.

I first played an Anderson about 2 years before I bought this one. It was a droptop with H-S-H pickup configuration and I was blown away. It did great humbucker sounds and the pickups split nicely to give the coveted Strat 2 and 4 position sounds. It is the same with this guitar: Tons of usable settings, pretty much unmatched versatility for a take-one-guitar-to-the-gig guitar. The Fishman Powerbridge actually gives a pretty respectable piezo acoustic sound. To take best advantage you use a stereo cord and a Fishman Powerblend Pedal so you can start a song with an acoustic sound and bring in the electric sound later as needed. The pedal fades the acoustic sound in and out and you use the guitar volume knob for the electric sound.

This guitar had been well cared for when I bought it. The only real flaw was due to me switching out the hardware- Anderson had changed to a different style of tuner since '93 and there were different screw hole locations. As it is you have to look close to see half a filled in screw hole stick out from the edge of the body of the tuner. No biggie, and Bruce at Anderson warned me about it beforehand. The Buzz Feiten tuning system is for real- it took me a while to hear the difference but I now notice it more when playing non-feitenized guitars. Anderson has a well deserved reputation for excellent fretwork and playability.

This guitar was in great shape for an almost ten year old used instrument. The finish seems durable. I changed to the chrome hardware because I expect to have this guitar for a long time, and gold hardware, though beautiful looking, will tarnish more over the long haul.

Anderson support is top notch. They were very easy to work with and very helpful on all the above modifications. Email them and many times it is Tom himself who responds. Can't say enough about how great this company is!

I sold 3 guitars and a couple of amps to get this guitar and a Carr Rambler amp (see my review of the Rambler). This guitar really gets just about every sound I need except for Tele bridge bite-which I can come close to with the treble on the amp turned WAY up. These guitars are expensive, but as other reviewers have noted, you save up and buy one, and I think you'll find you can concentrate on making music and not being on the prowl for the next better guitar. (Although I enjoy prowling)