Anyone got a RW-neck Cobra?

[Eric Pykala]

I've been jonesing badly for a Cobra, probably an S shape. Just wonder if any of you have one with the solid rosewood neck option, and how you like the tone? I recently got a PRS Singlecut Trem with the IRW neck, and have become addicted to the tone and feel. I'm thinking the Cobra is a natural for this neck, just haven't heard anyone talking about it.
Input anyone? Even on IRW necks on Andersons in general?-Eric

[Janine Doubly]

My experience with RW necks on Cobras is a little limited (tried and sold quite a few of them when I worked at an Anderson dealer), but positive. What I hear is an increase in punch, dynamic range and it seems to "solidify" the tone already in the particular guitar. Its a little similar to a maple neck on a Classic or Drop Top. The way I look at it (or listen to it) is imagine the tone of a guitar with a standard neck and the rosewood takes that tone and harnesses it and makes it more focused. So an example...Say you have a Cobra S with an African Rosewood fingerboard. Its basic tone will be punchy, yet still have some complexity around the midrange and the top end harmonics, particularly on the pick attack. Now, that same guitar with a rosewood neck will be all of that, yet more dynamic and punchy. Of the say four or five I've played with a RW neck, the tone is pretty addictive, especially if you like dynamics and play a lot of rhythm. For drop tunings and raw power chords, it simply rocks, no question. Plus, the RW feels great.

My 0.02's

[sylvanshine]

http://andersonforum.com/board/showthread.php?t=4749

[tom]

a note of clarification. the finish on all our necks is the same so when you speak of the feel of a rosewood neck i will assume you're speaking of how the stiffness feels as opposed to the more flexible mahogany.

[Eric Pykala]

Wow, thanks for the quick replies! Tom, do you finish your rosewood necks, or are they just oiled and naked? I'm pretty aware of what they do for the tone, but fell in love with the feel of the unfinished neck. I do like the satin on your maple necks, but as a guy who grew-up in a woodshop I love unfinished polished wood. Pickup choice also makes a big difference, as there's something about mahogany neck and body and P90s that just screams rock 'n' roll.
Decisions, decisions...Eric

[tom]

we finish the backs of all the necks the same. i didn't like the feel of the naked indian rosewood, too porous and dry, but you're allowed to like it:o the one african neck i made i did oil and it felt lovely.

[Janine Doubly]

Interesting about the finish...I was absolutely certain it felt different (thus I thought it was finished different)...oh well, my eyes can deceive my sense of touch!! :D And it might be because of the solidity of the neck affecting the way it resonates, thus a different feel. Good to know.

[Dave K]

I own a Cobra with a solid RW neck (10-27-02p).
One word? Awesome! :D Everything in JD's post is spot on. My Cobra has serious grunt to it's tone, but still has clarity and definition.

Tom, the finish on my solid RW neck does feel different. I can feel the pores of the wood, which is not the case on the other TAGs I own. Is it a lack of filler or something? And no, I'm not crazy, I could easily pick out that neck by feel while blindfolded. ;)

[tom]

they all have the same finish. the mahogany and rosewood do have pore filler underneath, and since the finish is not uv cured, it can shrink back so the pores can be felt on both. if mahogany and rosewood necks are about the same age, they should feel the same pore wise. maple has no deep pores so it will never feel that way.

[Eric Pykala]

Another question as you all have been so gracious: How's the balance with a RW neck on a hollow guitar? Even my Hollow T is just verging on neck-heavy, and I'm just wondering if the extra weight of the RW would throw off the balance on an S shape which moves the strap pin further up? Sounds a little confusing, but the reason for my question is due to a right arm injury that makes singlecut guitars more uncomfortable to play than doublecuts. I'm thinking RW neck Hollow Cobra S to improve the comfort factor.

[tom]

not a factor on s shaped guitars. can be heavy on a hollow t though.

[rockjock]

hello eric,

i'll chime in on that one since balance is a factor to which i'm pretty sensitive as well. i've been working my way through short-scale tags (hollow cobra T's, S's, and atoms), looking for "the one." unfortunately (for my wife), where i live there are not many in stores, so i've been buying and selling.

i currently have two hollow cobra S's - one with mahogany neck and one with solid rosewood neck. i love them both. the solid rosewood is a bit heavier, but because the strap button on the S is farther up the neck (as you noted in your post), it feels perfect to me. the guitar hangs in balance and the extra weight seems to lock it into my body. i can jump around while playing and i never feel like i'm holding the neck up, or holding the guitar in place. by comparison, the mah. neck hollow cobra S is very well balanced, but doesn't feel quite as solid to me due to its lighter weight.

for added perspective - i recently sold a hollow cobra T (mah. neck) that sounded amazing, simply because i couldn't get used to the hang - a little neck-heavy even with mahogany.

hope this helps - feel free to call if you need to "talk tag". i think you're on the right track with the "S." (304) 685-0904 - Shawn.

[Eric Pykala]

I really love this forum. Every time I ask a question everyone cuts to the chase and I get good answers. I frequent a lot of other places, but am always impressed here. I also like the fact that Tom is so present and ready to share his wealth of knowledge. Thank you all for such detailed responses!
Now to see if I can put out the GAS fires...naw!-Eric

[korinabill]

I have a cajun red Rosewood Cobra with wonderful P1's/P2's. It definitely has the punch, and has a very powerful projected sound. The neck feels great to me, and has a rich, chocolat-ey color, lind of like Brazilian. I first saw it used at the Arlington Guitar Show a couple of years ago, it quickly was sold before I had a chance to move on it, but recently re-surfaced at Charley's. I had to snap it up. This thing had been flipped quite a few times. Its flippin' days are over.