Anderson Cobra S

DOB-1/16/00A Cobra S, blackburst color (this guitar is on the anderson homepage guitar gallery). 22 frets, maple top over mahogany body, H2+ pickups at bridge and H1- at neck. Has a strat like body but with a gibson scale. Vibrato bar. I bought it used early this summer and sent it to Anderson for the following changes: I swapped out the mahogany neck/rosewood board for a rosewood neck/rosewood board; changed all the hardware (including the neckplate with the SN/DOB) from gold to chrome (Anderson made me a new neckplate with the sn/dob); and got a fishman powerbridge. All the changes cost me about 1100 dollars. It's difficult to rate this category but I'll give it a 10.

Excellent. I'm into rock music, some metal, pop, basically anything. I like the rosewood neck not just for the killer looks-imo, it's a better balance than the mahogany neck as the body is really heavy. Also-to me there is more sustain with the rosewood neck. There's supposedly a lower mid hump with the rosewood neck(according the anderson website), but my old ears can't perceive a noticeable difference there. Like all Andersons, it has a split humbucker feature-it can obviously get a little noisy compared to hearing a full humbucker-but it's not annoying. Like all Andersons-it's a very versatile guitar-there are so many different sounds you can coax from the pickups. My favorite right now is the fourth position (split the neck hum) on a Dr Z Maz 18 jr. head and Z best cab-with the master at noon and the gain low-chords just bloom out and arpeggios sound so rich. I have no dislikes with respect to the sounds from this guitar.

When I got it used-it was in decent condition except for a little tarnish on the gold hardware. Bruce at Anderson did a great job making and installing the new neck and putting in the new hardware. The top itself is really nice-somewhat tubular maple-it's not quite evenly bookmatched, but it looks nice nevertheless. The blackburst color is really cool-it looks almost gray in the middle, then it gets black on the edges. The rosewood neck looks amazing-very dark and rich in color. I like the unfinished PRS rosewood necks a little better in looks, but not in feel. The new stainless steel fretwire is great-all guitar makers should use them-the feel is much smoother and buttery than nickel or whatever they traditionally use for fretwire. Stainless steel frets also supposedly last a very long time.

I've owned five Andersons-they are reliable. I don't gig though so you have to take that in consideration.

Excellent-if you have any questions-just call them-Roy is a really nice guy on the phone and email. I've through last couple of years emailed them regarding their guitars, pickups, and order status-they are always responsive and courteous. I think Anderson, Rick at SIB, Dr Z, Z Vex, THD, Blackbox fx and Carr Amps are the best at customer service in the music gear industry. When I wanted to make the changes on the guitar, Roy was very open to helping me out. Basically, Anderson will just about do anything to customize the guitar for you. Bruce did an absolutely excellent job with the rosewood neck. This is my fifth Anderson guitar (I currently own three) that I've bought and it's the only guitar I'll ever play because the folks that work there are the coolest and most importantly, their product is imo, amazing.

I've been playing off and on since high school-I don't gig. I just play for my benefit and also jam with a few friends. I currently own two other Andersons. I also have a Dr Z 6545 head, Maz 18 jr head, Z best 2x12 cab and a Bogner 1x12 cab. Effects-I just own a dunlop 535q chrome wah, SIB echodrive, SIB varidrive, JT pedals valveboy and a goodrich volume pedal. I sold off a lot of effects this year after I realized how much I liked soundwise going guitar (almost) straight to amp. If this were stolen, I'd cry a little, realize there's more to life than a guitar, save money and then buy another Anderson. I like everything about it. I wouldn't necessary call it a fantastic value as the guitar was expensive, but relative to other high end guitar makers (Suhr, PRS, Baker, McInturff, Fender CS, etc.,etc.), Anderson is competitively priced.

Outstanding Cobra S, beautiful tortoise shell color(refer to web site catalog for a look at this color)High action quilt. Madagasgar rosewood board, cobra standard neck. Gold hardware with vintage trem. I feel in love the minute I saw it. This is my third Anderson, and I honestly don't beleive I'll own anything else. These instruments are made to a higher standard which I beleive most guitar builders can not match without closing down and starting from scratch.

The sound is best described as the perfect marriage of a very warm Les Paul, and a mild Telecaster, a bit Strat like, and the ultimate 335. I do most my playing in studios these days, so this guitar fits in perfectly. I have also used it for stage work, a lot of stage work, and it is the most dependable instrument I have owned. Chickn' to neo classical fussion, it handles it all.

Came out of the box IN TUNE, and SET UP. I use 10's, it had 10's. The pickups(HO1-& HO2) were balanced, and warm, and expressive. The finish was more than you expect. After having this guitar for 3 months, it feels 30 years old. I meen like butter, old pair of jeans, a glove. Very comfortable

I got my first Anderson in '88. Beat the hell out of it for 3 years of heavy touring(had to put it away, the band got an indorsement, and it was'nt from Tom, you know what I mean.) Bought 2 more in '96 & '97, now this is my third, so I'm very confident. And for those of you who might be leary of a Hollow, don't be. These guitars are made to be played, not hung on a wall. They will take a beating, trust me.

Anderson support is second to none. It's like a family, that's why they have things like Guitar of the Week, man it's like family photos. These guy's don't have to jump thru hoop's, cause their work speaks volumes, but they will if need be. Anyone who owns an Anderson and has not called Roy by now, should do it NOW(805-498-1747). I beleive they would love to hear from you. And they are a joy to talk with.

I've been playing for 20+ years, and have owned every "cool guitar" known to man, and my regret is that I didn't stick to my gun's and skip the cheap free-be indorsement guitars and just played what I loved. I would like to thank Brian at Brook- Mays Pro Shop in Dallas(800-442-7680)he knew everything about Anderson's and had the best collection I have ever seen in a store. Brian called me and told me about a Cobra S he was receiving, knew it was for me. He was right!

Mahogany body, quilted Cajun Red maple drop top, double cutaway strat-style body. It has the '62 1-11/16" roundback neck option w/ heavy frets. It's considerably chunkier than the standard Cobra neck. Since I have big hands, I find this neck shape to be extremely comfy, and prefer it to my Tele-shaped Cobra, which ain't shabby, either! My recommendation is that if you have fairly small hands, the slim standard Cobra taper might better suit you. Other details: the guitar's S/N is 11-25-97A, is equipped with the Buzz Feiten tuning system (as are all Andersons built after 4/96), has chrome hardware and the standard stop tailpiece. It's equipped with HO1- neck & HO2 bridge pickups, and has standard Cobra electronics consisting of a 5-way selector for neck hum/neck single/both hum/bridge single/bridge hum. In addition, pulling the tone pot with the selector in the middle position puts both pickups in single coil, hum cancelling mode. The electronics allow easy, fast access to a very wide range of tones.

This guitar produces full, rich tones with plenty of high end articulation, even in humbucking mode. Compared to my Tele-styled Cobra, the S has fuller lows & mids and a smoother top end. Comparing both the standard Cobra & S model unplugged, you can really hear the added lows & mids inherent in this body shape. The HO2 pickup is fantastic in the way it sounds both rich and clear. Compared to the HO1+ pickup, it adds a bit more warmth to the upper mids and seems to slightly attenuate the highs. (If it's maximum clarity you're after, though, I'd recommend the HO1+). I play a mix of funk, ska & rock in my current band, and it covers all bases with ease. It'll give you what you want from bright chicken pickin' twang to rich, lush overdriven tones, but if I has to pick one sound I like the most, its powerful, ballsy lead voice would be it. Plugging it into my Boogie Mark IV or into an FD2 & '68 Bassman is sheer sonic bliss.

As is typical for Anderson, the fit & finish are spot-on. If there are any flaws on the instrument, I haven't found them. The mahogany neck's satin finish feels great, the large frets are perfectly dressed, and the quilted cajun red top is truly stunning. It's also very comfortable; it balances beautifully, and the deep rear body contour makes the guitar feel like an extension of your body.

It's my primary stage guitar, and I have no concerns at all about its durability - it's rock solid. Anderson's UV-cured finishes are light but withstand minor blows & scratches quite well.

Anderson has great customer service. They take great pride in their work, and believe in providing each customer with individual attention. Roy Fought will take the time to answer any questions you may have, and for me, this greatly enhances the ownership experience. Hats off to Roy & Laurie!

I've been playing for about 20 years now, and I've become quite attached to a few instruments over the years, especially my Les Paul Standard. However, once I discovered Andersons, my other electric instruments went unplayed. My sentiments for them faded, mostly because they lack the tone, playability & quality of the Anderson. I just sold my Les Paul for this exact reason. I'm quite certain that I'll never part with this guitar. It suits me perfectly. If you're thinking of pruchasing an electric along the lines of a LP or PRS, you owe it to yourself to experience one of these.