Drop Top vs Classic

[marzzz]

Now that I have a Cobra (see New Members thread for picture), it has had the unfortunate side effect of ruining me with regard to other guitars. I have sold off the others and am left with a beautiful candy apple red G&L Legacy HB, which I am now considering selling for a similar Anderson. The G&L guitar is S-S-H (Duncan JB), alder, with solid maple neck, locking tuners and vintage trem. I am considering I would want a similar Anderson Classic, but I see many people opt for the maple-capped Drop Top.

All other things being equal (and otherwise similar to my G&L, which is a nice contrast vs the Cobra), what would be the sonic differences between a Classic and a Drop Top?

What pickups would I have if I wanted noiseless single coils, and a split-able bridge humbucker similar to a Duncan JB?

Thanks all!

[Devnor]

My fav out of the 2 is still this Classic...it has more aggressive sound than the DTC; probably thanks to the H3. Wish I was better at describing these things. Some GAS inducing pics for you...

http://home.comcast.net/~sca964/anderson1_full.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~sca964/anderson2_full.jpg

Next Anderson...something without a Floyd lol.

[tom]

if all else was equal(it seldom is), the alder classic would have a bit narrower freq response which translates into a fuller middle with looser lows and softer highs. many people are enchanted by the beauty of the maple top and buy the drop top instead of the classic. with the top you get deeper bass and more solid highs which some would translate into largeness. for some it works out, for some they would be better off with the classic. if you've been playing an alder guitar, you would be safer with a classic, and richer $ wise. but if the maple is calling you, be sure to really listen to the difference to see if it is for you.

[markus]

Next Anderson...something without a Floyd lol.

What's wrong with a Floyd??? :D

http://ninamarkus.smugmug.com/photos/498418817_ywcsp-L.jpghttp://ninamarkus.smugmug.com/photos/440073427_Xfn7y-L.jpg

I also have to agree with you. As much as I love my Drop Top, my favorites are still the Classics and the Pro Am - all Alder.

[marzzz]

What's wrong with a Floyd??? :D

You know, that is an interesting question. To me, there is just something inconceivably WRONG about having tuners behind a locking nut- it is like the ultimate kludge, and is one of the reasons (playing style being another major one, of course) I prefer a vintage trem. I think Steinberger actually had the right general idea with their Trans-Trem, but in practice it never worked perfectly without constant maintenance, and the tone of the Steinberger (even the wood M versions) was never quite right. I am sure there are significant tonal issues with regard to the actual presence of the headstock, whether the strings attach there or not (I think I remember someone coming out with a sorta headless design with tuners at the bridge, but retained the (blank) headstock for looks, balance, and tone).

In the meantime, I really like the color of Devnor's red Classic- that's kind of the look I want, now I just have to play one.....!

[tom]

if ultimate kludge means it does really work then i agree. kludges usually are temporary fixes that are marginal at best. whether you like them or not, floyds work.

[lvergne]

You know, I've never tried a Floyd guitar. I've always written them off as shredder equipment. I'll have to try one, hopefully an Anderson, to see how it feels.

[markus]

You know, that is an interesting question. To me, there is just something inconceivably WRONG about having tuners behind a locking nut- it is like the ultimate kludge, and is one of the reasons (playing style being another major one, of course) I prefer a vintage trem. I think Steinberger actually had the right general idea with their Trans-Trem, but in practice it never worked perfectly without constant maintenance, and the tone of the Steinberger (even the wood M versions) was never quite right. I am sure there are significant tonal issues with regard to the actual presence of the headstock, whether the strings attach there or not (I think I remember someone coming out with a sorta headless design with tuners at the bridge, but retained the (blank) headstock for looks, balance, and tone).

In the meantime, I really like the color of Devnor's red Classic- that's kind of the look I want, now I just have to play one.....!

I think by the end of the day it all comes down to personal preference. There's nothing wrong with a great Vintage trem.

As for the color of Devnor's Classic, it's actually the same color that my Classic is - Candy Apple Red. Interesting how a black pickguard & hardware can make the body color look so different, isn't it?

[marzzz]

if ultimate kludge means it does really work then i agree. kludges usually are temporary fixes that are marginal at best. whether you like them or not, floyds work.
Perhaps I should have said something more along the lines of "esthetically displeasing?" :) Obviously Floyds work, but to do so they came up with the locking nut. Once you have done that, is there any reason to have tuners on the headstock, or even the headstock for that matter? In a form-follows-function way, that's one reason I like Steinbergers, a very elegant re-engineering of the entire concept, except for the all important tone issue. I have a general impression that the existence of the headstock has a significant impact on overall tone. As a result, I have gone back to the more vintage/traditional concepts- did I mention I just love my Cobra?

[marzzz]

I think by the end of the day it all comes down to personal preference. There's nothing wrong with a great Vintage trem.
Absolutely- my main reason for not wanting a Floyd is that I just wouldn't use it that much. Back in '94 I had an EB/MM EVH, and hardly touched the Floyd. These days even a vintage trem I use subtly, if at all.


As for the color of Devnor's Classic, it's actually the same color that my Classic is - Candy Apple Red. Interesting how a black pickguard & hardware can make the body color look so different, isn't it?
And lighting! All four of your pictured guitars are beautiful!

[markus]

Perhaps I should have said something more along the lines of "esthetically displeasing?" :) Obviously Floyds work, but to do so they came up with the locking nut. Once you have done that, is there any reason to have tuners on the headstock, or even the headstock for that matter? In a form-follows-function way, that's one reason I like Steinbergers, a very elegant re-engineering of the entire concept, except for the all important tone issue. I have a general impression that the existence of the headstock has a significant impact on overall tone. As a result, I have gone back to the more vintage/traditional concepts- did I mention I just love my Cobra?

Well, I don't know... I get your point about the tuners not serving their usual purpose once you have a locking nut, but I find this

http://www.floydrose.com/images/modeltwo/BlackLt.jpg

more "esthetically displeasing" than this

http://ninamarkus.smugmug.com/photos/186268921_asVGR-M.jpg

But that's just me! ;):D

[marzzz]

Well, I don't know... I get your point about the tuners not serving their usual purpose once you have a locking nut, but I find this

http://www.floydrose.com/images/modeltwo/BlackLt.jpg

more "esthetically displeasing" than this

http://ninamarkus.smugmug.com/photos/186268921_asVGR-M.jpg

But that's just me! ;):D

Yeah, I saw those at NAMM a few years ago, and I can't disagree! :eek:

[strat56]

I have some FR guitars, Ibanez, Carvin, Charvel and Fender. I have the Carvin blocked off. I'll say this, once I get the carvin in tune, stretched out and locked down, it stays in tune.

[picnic]

I traded my Classic for a HDT last week. Very happy camper. The neck and middle pickups are the same, but the HDT has an H2 in the bridge. Switcheroo and binding make the new guitar great to look at as well as listen to.

[michaelomiya]

whether you like them or not, floyds work.

on behalf of Dev and Markus (and floyd addicts everywhere:D) - AMEN Tom!!

[markus]

on behalf of Dev and Markus (and floyd addicts everywhere:D) - AMEN Tom!!

Nice! :D :D :D

[picnic]

Woke early this morning and was strumming the HDT I got a few weeks ago. No amp, just acoustic strumming. I was very pleased with the acoustic tone coming out of the guitar. Very strong and full. Nice way to start the day.

[marzzz]

Speaking of HDT, and getting back to the original topic, a local store just happens to have this in stock:

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p4/marzzzA6/IMG_0418.jpghttp://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p4/marzzzA6/IMG_0419.jpg

HDT Alder, Cajun Red, M1/M1/H2+, I hadn't thought about the M pickups, but considering I prefer noiseless single coils as opposed to true vintage (but still want to get that quack), this may be hard to resist. I hate when this happens.....enchanted by the beauty? Yeah, thanks a lot, Tom!

[michaelomiya]

if all else was equal(it seldom is), the alder classic would have a bit narrower freq response which translates into a fuller middle with looser lows and softer highs. many people are enchanted by the beauty of the maple top and buy the drop top instead of the classic. with the top you get deeper bass and more solid highs which some would translate into largeness.
sorry for the thread resurrection...but just got back from a gig, using my Egnater Tweaker (15W of fun!)...and that lower mid presence of my Alder Classic (with Black H/W and OFR) was really a nice diversion from what I hear in my DT classic (main gigging gtr). Unplugged I was demo'ing the difference for another guitar player and the DT classic just has more of mid presence, tightness and snap, whereas the classic is just warmer/deeper and a tad less focused. (BTW, both have maple necks and floyd bridges...although having played the set and vintage bridges on other TAGs, doesn't seem to have a material impact overall) YMMV!

[Big Harry]

one thing often get overlooked : Floyd has a wider string spacing than any of other bridges in TAG's line .
For me string spacing is more important factor in choosing Floyd vs other tremolos & bridges than possibilty of heavy dive /pull ups .
(here I talk about S guitars , LPysh guitars has to have hard tail bridge )

[Devnor]

on behalf of Dev and Markus (and floyd addicts everywhere:D) - AMEN Tom!!

AMEN +2

Hey what happened to that trans black DT?

[bud]

but just got back from a gig, using my Egnater Tweaker (15W of fun!).

Too funny Michael. Had a tweaker/alder classic epiphany myself last night. Great guitar, great amp. Isn't the tweaker a little small (physical size and wattage) compared to what you are accustomed to? :D

[markus]

Exactly!!! What happened to the wall of Marshalls and Diezels???
Must be that Gibson you bought... :p :D :D :D

[michaelomiya]

AMEN +2

Hey what happened to that trans black DT?
Hey Steve, I sold her to someone in France....:eek: :D
BUT, I've still got that DT in my user avatar! (poke!);)

[michaelomiya]

Too funny Michael. Had a tweaker/alder classic epiphany myself last night. Great guitar, great amp. Isn't the tweaker a little small (physical size and wattage) compared to what you are accustomed to? :D
haha Bud, at one time may be...now that I'm all grown up (translation: spoke to Cory at the show, and watched his awesome 2 part vid on youtube;)), that's my new favorite lunchbox head! That and the Wampler Pinnacle 2 (check it out if you haven't already - EVH in a box BAYBEEEE!):D Can't go anywhere without a distortion pedal! (and a Floyd Rose Anderson)

[michaelomiya]

Exactly!!! What happened to the wall of Marshalls and Diezels???
Must be that Gibson you bought... :p :D :D :D
Markus - still have the Diezels (never sell all of those), just the duplicates:rolleyes:
The EC Sig Beano is the bomb! Gibson did it right on that one boy.

[bud]

michael, have you tried your Tweaker through any other cabs? I have a 2x12 that it matches up really well with. One of the secondary reasons I went with the Tweaker was the 4/8/16 ohm capabilities.

[michaelomiya]

michael, have you tried your Tweaker through any other cabs? I have a 2x12 that it matches up really well with. One of the secondary reasons I went with the Tweaker was the 4/8/16 ohm capabilities.
Hey Bud, I'm using a Mojo 212 (basically the THD 212 cab) with the Mojo BV30's (basically Celestion V30's). BUT, I really want to mate the Tweaker with a Bogner 112 and an Alnico speaker (probably a 50W gold, but hopefully a Blue 15W). I'm also considering the Eminence Red Fang 50W. I shudder at the thought of blowing a 15W cone just because I'm used to playing the higher W spkrs. The articulation of the alnicos is pretty amazing (to me), especially with p/ups like Toms.:cool:

[bud]

Hey Bud, I'm using a Mojo 212 (basically the THD 212 cab) with the Mojo BV30's (basically Celestion V30's). BUT, I really want to mate the Tweaker with a Bogner 112 and an Alnico speaker (probably a 50W gold, but hopefully a Blue 15W). I'm also considering the Eminence Red Fang 50W. I shudder at the thought of blowing a 15W cone just because I'm used to playing the higher W spkrs. The articulation of the alnicos is pretty amazing (to me), especially with p/ups like Toms.:cool:

We have a Tweaker 2x12 club going :) Mine's a old Line6 Duoverb cab with G12H90's I think. The Amp seems to really like the stock G12H30. Did not seem to like Crex in the Tweaker 1x12 cab.

[tom]

i have a gold in a ported cab and it sounds great. i also have a blue in a sealed cab and it sounds horrible, no bottom at all. have a green back in the same cab and can play them separately and the gb sounds pretty normal. maybe blues like open back best?

[kevin h]

i have a gold in a ported cab and it sounds great. i also have a blue in a sealed cab and it sounds horrible, no bottom at all. have a green back in the same cab and can play them separately and the gb sounds pretty normal. maybe blues like open back best?

is the gold in the bogner cube?
i've been thinking of trying that with my jrt 9/15.

i have a blue in an open back pine cab and it sounds wonderful.

[tom]

my cube has a crex in it and it's my favorite cab. the gold is in a jackson port city style cab. it has a bit more low lows and high highs than the cube to my ears. but not extreme as to lose the full middle.

[michaelomiya]

@bud - I've heard that the 112's are stocked with the V30(70w) or the H30's for a reason:p Appears as if the sealed cabs work best with the higher W spkrs

@tom - good to know about the alnico blues - I do have a wider, ported, half-back 112 cab that'll probably better for the 15W or the gold. last thing I want to do is to neuter the tone completely with a closed back. I'm really after that jangley, slightly-scooped AC30 tone, and that faster pick articulation you get with the blues/golds...sounds like the Red Fang 50W will be a better choice with the closed 112