After about 20+ yrs of waiting, working on my 1st Anderson spec

[robertmu]

Hello folks,

I am working on spec'ing a TA. I first played one probably over 25 yrs ago at Swissvale Music in PA and have wanted one ever since. I had some questions that I hope members here or TAG folks can answer. I would like to go hollow, probably H2+ in the bridge and PQ1 in the neck. I'd like the original Floyd (w/o the tuners) and no locking nut. Medium frets. 60s vibe +.04.

Body type:
Is there a difference in tone b/w S and T style?

Body wood:
I'm on the fence b/w alder/alder, primavera/primavera, and alder/ash. I tend to like thick and bold more than airy and pretty. From what I've read primavera would fit the bill. But, would a hollow prima end up being lightweight (like 7-7.5 lbs)? Any comments on the differences b/w those 3 wood types?

Neck wood:
I have a good sense of how maple/maple and maple/RW would sound with alder or ash. How would they sound with primavera? How would maple/ziricote change things? I'm guessing ziricote is sort of like ebony?

Paint:
I'd like vintage green for this. What is the difference b/w seafoam green and surf green?
How do you spec for headstock to match guitar color?

Pickups:
How hot is the H3? Considering it as well as the H2+. Just don't want to go too hot. But, like I said, I like thick and bold. How does it compare to more common pickups, like the Duncan JB?

Bridge:
On the spec sheet, is "recessed floating tremolo - locking saddles" the vintage Floyd that Mesa seems to spec on a lot of their guitars? Just want to order the right one.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Robert

[pneil]

Sounds like a nice spec. The necks a bit bulky for my tastes :-). I’d recommend the H2+. It’s my favorite HB ever. Great drive but still gives beautiful cleans when you dial it back a bit. It also splits nicely for Straty tones in the 2 and 4 position.Good luck!

[brokenvail]

Some of those are def Tom questions since the tone wood and Fret board wood are not out there in groves. I cannot stand the H2+. Just my personal preference. I hear other ppl play it and it sounds great but when I play it I just don’t like it. I own the H3 and H2 and like both of them. H3 is thicker sounding than the 2+ but to my ears the +2 has more high end sizzle which I don’t like. If you are into the JB though you probably want HF not H. I would say HF2 or even the HF1+

[robertmu]

Thanks for the info! just to clarify - not really a fan of the JB, was just using it as an example of a pickup that we've probably all had some exposure to and wondering how the Anderson H line compares to that in terms of output. I find the JB to be pretty hot, and kind of mid-honky, IMO, YMMV, etc.

[tom]

many people who feel the way you do about the JB love the H2+. it's just a tiny bit hotter too, but if you don't need it quite as hot as the jb, H2 is great. both are clearer in the bottom with a smoother top end.

the recessed floater is the baby floyd.

as for the dif in sound between the S and T body shapes, it is small enough that i would always say choose the shape that is more comfortable for you as it that will have a bigger impart on how much you enjoy the guitar

are you sold on hollow because it's lighter or because you like some middle scooped out?

we have not made a prima body in years, but still have some here. it's like if ash and mahogany had a baby, a little like mid scooped mahogany, a more articulate than fat sounding wood.

surf green is sea foam green with white added to make it more pastel.

let me know if that prompts more questions.

[robertmu]

Thanks, Tom! Very helpful info. Sounds like primavera won't do the trick for me, then.

Re: the hollow body - mainly interested in it for weight reduction, but the alder/alder description as "big" also caught my eye. Kind of leaning this way now, unless you think I'm on the wrong path with hollow.

[tom]

all alder is a nice hollow. alder has more middle to give than most.

[gibson5413]

Sounds like a great guitar you're building. I have an H2+ in my Drop Top and an H3 in a Bulldog and Pro Am. The H3 is my all time favorite humbucker. It isn't as hot as you might think. I think it is well balanced. I just love it!! Of the two color finishes you mentioned I am a fan of the Surf Green. I like the whiter version of that particular green and think it would look amazing on an S or a T. Either way, both colors are great!!

Seafoam Green
https://image.ibb.co/g6XGMc/Seafoam_Green.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)

Surf Green
https://image.ibb.co/fwKJZx/Surf_Green.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)

[pipedwho]

Those colours also look great with tortoise pick guards.

[robertmu]

Thanks again to all for the assist. Probably going with Pro Am for a non-pickguard look. Couple other questions come to mind:

Can the vintage trem be set up to float? Does it work well set that way?

Headstock color - what would you do? natural, black, or match body? (I'm leaning toward ziricote board, if that makes a difference.)

Thanks!

[brokenvail]

Thanks again to all for the assist. Probably going with Pro Am for a non-pickguard look. Couple other questions come to mind:

Can the vintage trem be set up to float? Does it work well set that way?

Headstock color - what would you do? natural, black, or match body? (I'm leaning toward ziricote board, if that makes a difference.)

Thanks!

yes the trem can float. For headstock I say natural or matching

[pipedwho]

I always float trems on S types. Even 6 screw vintage work well when setup correctly. The 2 screw Anderson bridges are even more stable when it comes to staying in tune.

Obviously these are just my opinion:

Definitely leave the headstock natural maple for a surf or sea foam green body.

Also, the fibre bobbin hum buckers are black, which looks ok on an antique white or tortoise guard with antique white neck and middle. All black pickups look ok on tortoise, but I’m not a fan of all black pickups on an antique white guard.

[robertmu]

Thanks again for the info, everyone. It's been ordered!
Alder on alder
Surf green
Chocolate maple neck
Vintage trem
60s vibe +.04
Pickups still TBD based on Roy not being sure my original choice would be ok

[brokenvail]

Thanks again for the info, everyone. It's been ordered!
Alder on alder
Surf green
Chocolate maple neck
Vintage trem
60s vibe +.04
Pickups still TBD based on Roy not being sure my original choice would be ok

Did you go S or T. I have never even seen a 60’s +40 online anywhere. Your build has my attention now

[robertmu]

Went with S Pro Am.

[gibson5413]

Went with S Pro Am.


That surf green is really going to pop with the chocolate maple neck. 3 of my 6 TAGs have the chocolate maple and I love them!!


https://image.ibb.co/c1W0K6/Pro_Am.jpg (https://ibb.co/fzz9CR)
https://image.ibb.co/hQjWRm/Drop_Top.jpg (https://ibb.co/kz4nz6)
https://preview.ibb.co/h1pLK6/Classic.jpg (https://ibb.co/gEWZe6)

[robertmu]

Beautiful guitars! Thanks for sharing. Love that orange/choc maple combo!

[gibson5413]

I love them! I have had about 15 different people that have asked for dibs on the orange Pro Am if I ever sell it. My answer is the same every time...just order your own because mine is going nowhere!!

[robertmu]

Still toying with pickup options. Anyone have any thoughts on rings vs. no rings in terms of the effect on the tone?

[pipedwho]

Still toying with pickup options. Anyone have any thoughts on rings vs. no rings in terms of the effect on the tone?
For me, the tonal effect of rings vs direct mount is so minimal (if anything) that I would just go with what you prefer the look of. There are far greater differences caused by pickup height adjustments, nickel or brass pickup covers, cable capacitance, and of course the model of the pickup itself.

Others may have more sensitive ears, but the 'stiffness/directness' that people supposedly hear for direct mount is completely inaudible to me. I can hear all sorts of other tonal effects due to some of the things as mentioned above, but direct vs ring mount isn't one of them. Naturally YMMV.

It's a hard choice, the PQ1 in cream would probably look great without ring, but the black fibre bobbin H series look better with black pickup rings IMO, and I'd go with a cream pickup ring to match the PQ1.

If you're going for a HF series in the bridge, I wonder if Tom makes them with a plastic cream pickup cover with the little 'A' logo on it. That would look pretty with a matching cream ring

Black pickups for both might look cool too if you like the black/surf contrast.

[tom]

i think there is a little confusion about what is meant by direct mounted pickups. when we direct mount, no ring, the pickup is still shock mounted, rubber under the pickup and under the screw head.so the sound is insignificantly different than a ring. some used to rigidly mount pickups to the wood, and that would affect the sound more dramatically, and contribute to microphonics. we have not offered that method.

[robertmu]

Figured I would update with the final pickup specs. Went with PH3 in bridge and PH1 in neck, open face / nickel and cream rings and switch tip. I liked the clips of the PQ3 I had heard a lot and Roy suggested the P1 in the neck to match. I also liked the idea of the H-size in case I ever want to switch it up. I think the nickel/black/cream combo will look good on the surf green. Thanks again for the advice!

[pipedwho]

It’s going be a great guitar!

[robertmu]

Just updating this thread now that it's built and delivered!

Here is the guitar itself: https://www.instagram.com/p/BnkSbX-Hgm_/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=ujvo280m4qy5

Here is what I sent to the dealer after I'd had it for a couple weeks...such a great guitar:

I spent some good time with it this weekend, probably 5 hours or so playing it. It would be difficult to meet my high expectations for this guitar but man, it surpasses all of them. Where to begin...it's super light, the neck is fat like I wanted, the tone is huge - very fat but with enough bite to be heard. The low strings "plong" like a piano and the high strings are clear but not shrill. The pickups are fantastic. They really do sound like regular P90s but with a lot less noise. The neck position is full and fat, the middle position adds some bite, and the bridge is all-out rock and roll. Even the split coil in-between positions are fantastic, especially for rhythm playing. I could play anything with this, up to and including metal. Jeez, lol. It tunes up better than anything I've ever owned. The fit and finish is incredible. The trem works perfectly. On top of all that, it has as much sustain as the set-neck PRS I have that has the most sustain of any guitar I've played. I can't think of a negative.

[BFC]

That really looks cool. I was skeptical when I saw your specs a few months back. I dig it.

[pipedwho]

That looks great!

[GDane1]

Yes really great looking guitar! Play it in good health!!

G

[gibson5413]

Gorgeous guitar!!! Love the color!!

[morty]

I had a Mandoguitar With a very Nice surf colour. I sold it cause i did not get the intonation good and the tension on high E was very high!

http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s482/mortyblack/189141_5040951710_5715_n_zpsuonmvsyj.jpg

http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s482/mortyblack/189141_5040951710_5715_n_zpsuonmvsyj.jpg (http://s1054.photobucket.com/user/mortyblack/media/189141_5040951710_5715_n_zpsuonmvsyj.jpg.html)