Different Atoms

[siv]

Hey all... I was wondering if someone could describe the difference in sound of the three types of atoms - solid, hollow and carved top. (Unless there's a hollow carved top or something else I'm missing).

Has the CT ever been done with 2 M's and an H? I'm trying to figure out what my go to guitar would be... though I know every piece of wood has a different personality! Thanks!

[siv]

Has anyone ever done a side by side comparison of them?

[tom]

have played them all pretty extensively. we have not done ct's with 3 pickups and i don't think that will happen any time soon. we have sneeked or snuck m1's and m2's under the full size cover and that woks nicely. everyone will have a different take depending what they're looking for, but here's mine.
here are some considerations up front.
if weight is a real factor, ct's will be 7.5-8.5 lbs.
atoms and hollow atoms will be way less.
if you want a bigsby, no ct option.
if you want a fancy quilt top, no ct option.
if you want more pickup combo options, no ct option.
if you like the feel of lots of neck angle the ct has more of that.
now to sound.
hollow vs. solid atoms are pretty much like all our stuff. hollow has a bit of a scooped middle(but atoms have lots of middle anyway) and more harmonic stuff going on around the note. solid has a faster attack and punches through a bit better.
so why buy a ct? it's fatter, bolder and has a sexy feel of the top rounding up to the chrome pickup cover and recessed bridge. because of the extra body weight it hangs very solidly in the rocker pose. and it still does a good job of cleaner in tune tones ta boot.

[mgibson]

Is that because the whole point of the CT is the punchy tone from the extra mass? Or is there some other reason? I hope you'll excuse me if this an obvious question.

[tom]

that's a good question and a logical assumption.
hollowing certainly takes the guitar in a different direction than it was first built for. we have made a couple different hollow versions but we have not decided whether we will explore further into their sales worthiness. both are great sounding and different from each other. it turns out it's a very comfortable guitar to hold and play so there is room for a different sounding version for sure. the world seems pretty reluctant to embrace any shape that is not just like the same old thing, so i'm not sure what we'll do from here.

[siv]

Thanks for the great answers tom! It seems that the logical conclusion is that we should all have one of each variety, just in case. But seriously, now I have to go find some to play so I can figure which atom is best suited for me!

[mgibson]

the world seems pretty reluctant to embrace any shape that is not just like the same old thing, so i'm not sure what we'll do from here.

Thanks for the response Tom. It's good of you to spend so much time on this forum. The line quoted above piqued my interest. Were you referring to people who complain that the Atom isn't a Les Paul clone? Or did you mean even the Atom is closer to tradition than you'd like, and you'd really prefer to do something wilder?

[tom]

people whine about it not looking lp enough.

[siv]

people whine about it not looking lp enough.

And for that, I thank you. Sometimes a twist on a classic (or a departure entirely) is much better...

[mgibson]

I like the Atom's distinctiveness. The world doesn't need another LP clone.

[tom]

that's kinda what i was thinkin'.

[mdrs]

Well, I for one, LOVE the way my Atom CT looks. I also love the way it feels, and plays, and it's weight, and the string tension, and..........

........need I go on??

The CT is nothing short of a great guitar. I'm proud to own one!!

If you twist my arm, I'll post some pics of it!!! :)

[csd]

my arm is twisted up, anybody else? :D

[mdrs]

...........I'm easy!!

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m114/mdrs1/Electric%20Guitars/Anderson/IMG_1535.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m114/mdrs1/Electric%20Guitars/Anderson/IMG_1539.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m114/mdrs1/Electric%20Guitars/Anderson/IMG_1544.jpg

[stratoquack]

Wow! That is beautiful!

[MapleGuitar]

Don, that looks like the sister of this one, at Magdon's, which I have been trying very hard NOT to buy...

http://www.magdonmusic.com/guitars/Anderson/ATOMCTHB.html

[LearnedHand]

And for that, I thank you. Sometimes a twist on a classic (or a departure entirely) is much better...

I agree. I, at times, don't want 3 & 3 tuners on a short scale guitar. I like the 6 straight. TAGs offer that.

[mdrs]

Don, that looks like the sister of this one, at Magdon's, which I have been trying very hard NOT to buy...

http://www.magdonmusic.com/guitars/Anderson/ATOMCTHB.html

Oh yea, you definately don't want that guitar............:D

It would be a shame to see it remain orphaned, all alone and lonely, up at Magdon........................


;)