help me build my dream guitar!

[wichitastraw]

i'm going to buy a custom built anderson. however i dont know what exactly i want.

my style is very much jerry garcia & eric clapton. those are my two main influences and 90% of what i play on electric. (i play in a bluegrass band but thats something completely different) no, i cannot afford an alembic.

i love pure clean tones ala jerry. i also love bluesy overdrive ala clapton.

i'm thinking hum-single-hum pup config. any suggestions? i currently own a sg supreme with humbuckers and the sound is divine through my marshall tsl122. i also really want tonal variations.

i have a fender 57' reissue and i love the body feel and the look. i love the way it plays but i'm more comfortable with the sg neck style, so the neck would be more in line with the sg supreme.

the top i would like 5+quilted maple
color cajun red w/ dark red burst
ebony neck
abalone dot inlay
natural finish on headstock

any suggestions?
what type of pickups and what configuration?

thanks!!!!!!

[RGB]

I'm hardly an expert, so all I can suggest is what I know, but the M series pups are the best I've used. They retain the snap of single coils with the drive of a mini bucker. They sound great with my Marshall 2104, my Maz 18 jr and my Boogie Mark IIB. I can't believe the reaction I'm getting from other players who hear...or play...my Classic.

I love them!

I'll leave the neck shapes to the experts, but I can't imagine anything better than the '62 roundback....again this is all I know.

Enjoy the ride!...and congratulations on a wise decision!

[olectric]

I would also suggest the mini's. I've got them in my Atom, and I played a Classic with them in it. Incredible, innovative, and "scrum-trulescent" come to mind.

Just another idea if you like big necks: My Hollow Classic has a +.100 Standard TA Carve. It's my favorite neck ever, but I will second the '62 roundback neck as well.

Is this the color you're going for?

<img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b89/olectric/hollowcobra2.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

[Sixx]

My vote is for a drop-top with an h2+ in the bridge, Ms in the neck and middle, 5 way with push pull, and a blower switch.

As far as neck goes, I am a big fan of 30 Over.

Based on your SG preference, I would go with a Cobra or CObra S with the Std Cobra neck and the pup config above. I would also consider an Atom with the same PUps. The scale might be a reason you are digging the SG?

[wichitastraw]

The scale might be a reason you are digging the SG?


not sure what you mean there. ive always been partial to gibson necks. i have no idea what size or category they are but they always 'feel' and play how i like. the neck on my sg supreme fits my hand perfectly. it plays like 'buttah'

that picture above is exactly the color scheme i want. wow. what a jaw dropper! although i saw somewhere 'ruby slipper' color that was pretty amazing! are there any really good pictures of 'ruby slipper' or a sparkle with a royal purple color?

[wolf]

Hi
Anderson have some amazing tops available.
See the enclosed pic of mine.
I Agree with the option on M's in the mid and neck, I was offererd them and decided against....I'm sorry now.
The spec on mine sounds similar to your dream, so take a look at the spec from the serial number finder 03/13/05M
Cheers

[Sixx]

Bye scale length I am referring to the 25.5" Fender scale vs. the 24.75" Gibson neck scale. The shorter Gibson scale typically feels loser and slinkier.

If that is what you like you may want a Cobra or an Atom.

[John C]

not sure what you mean there. ive always been partial to gibson necks. i have no idea what size or category they are but they always 'feel' and play how i like. the neck on my sg supreme fits my hand perfectly. it plays like 'buttah'

I did check on Gibson's web site and found they are currently posting the neck specs for all the Gibson USA models. The neck on the SG Supreme is, of course, 24 3/4" scale with a 1 11/16" nut width. The depth is:

1st Fret: .800"
12th Fret: .895"

Here are the standard neck shapes for the Anderson Cobra (also, of course, 24 3/4" scale & 1 11/16" nut width):

Cobra Standard (has .090" of taper)
1st Fret: .825"
12th Fret: .915"

TA Standard for Cobra (has .060" of taper):
1st Fret: .810"
12th Fret: .870"

TA '62 Roundback for Cobra (has .125" of taper):
1st Fret: .850"
12th Fret: .975"

Of course, you can get a custom neck by adding or subtracting depth (like adding .020 or subtracting .020), but I don't believe you can change the taper of the carve. You can also get the Cobra with a 1 5/8" nut width as a custom neck.

Also, I believe the Atom is only available with the Cobra Standard depth right now, but other carve are supposed to become available in 2006.

[BrownDog]

I would suggest a solid body - your musical tastes seem to tend toward a tone that has an immediacy. Also, I would think that a Cobra S body shape, with 3 Ms, would work for the tone you hear in your head.

For myself alone and with tone and oneness, Mike.