Headstock

[dannopelli]

Here is one more of my $.02 on the new headstock. These are kind of stream of consciousness comments, but I think at some point I make my point...

Many, MANY elite and high end guitar makers I can think of have more than one headstock design. Including PRS, Collings, Martin, Taylor, Gibson, Fender. And some don't. Does not make it right or wrong. Just different.

So the TA line now has two. One three to a side and one six to a side. Does not make it right or wrong, just different.

Some of us like Floyd's, some don't. Some don't care either way. Does not make it right or wrong, just different.

And I am no TAG sycophant. I have been through 11 TAGS to get to the five I now have because there were things about the others that just did not work for me. I passed on the first Atom design. But there are guys that love the things about the guitars I passed on. And there are guys that pass on the things I like. Heck one of my favorite Andys had been through two other forum members before it got to me!

Does not make it right or wrong, just different.

And personally, if this new guitar sounds and feels like a Les Paul I won't buy one. I have a Les Paul. Don't need another one with just a different name on it. My Singlecut does not sound like a Les Paul. And I am glad about that. If it did I would have passed on it.

But I am sure the new Bulldog does not sound like a LP. It is merely just Tom's take on a classic single cut design. A "different approach." My two classics sound VERY much like my Custom Shop 60's Strats. But not exactly. They certainly don't "feel" like it. They sound "vintage", but have quite their own character, feel and vibe. That is EXACTLY why they are two of my favorite guitars!

Here's my point.
It is all about the "Secret Handshake" for me. That is what makes me buy or not buy an Anderson. If my hands don't "shake a little when I open the case, why bother....

Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion. And we can vote for or against this guitar with our cash.

I know that as soon as I land a steady gig I am calling my buddy Dave Thomas and ordering one!

[pluto]

Great comments. I wouldn't think the bulldog would sound like a LP based on the body mass alone (it looks much thinner in the photos) and headstock string pull. Say what you want about all the "bad" things about a LP (severe headstock angle, too thick, big and clumsy, no tummy cuts, nitro finish, no heel contour, etc.) and frankly a LP looks almost neanderthal, but all those "bad" things about a LP is what makes a LP sound like a LP. That being said, the bulldog looks pretty badass to me-I just wish Tom put fingerboard binding too, just joking.

[Pietro]

How would that headstock look on an Atom or a Crowdster? For the record, I wouldn't be surprised if Tom would refuse to do it on a T or S style guitar, but on those Atoms and Crowdys? Somebody who has time do a Photoshop mockup.

[shred4Him]

I think we guitarists need to be more like bassists and not get as hung up on looks when tone and playability are far more important. I have a Parker Fly Deluxe. Before I played one, I hated the headstock. Now I don't even think about it.

I, personally, like the new headstock. If it plays awesome, which I think is a foregone conclusion, I would care less about the headstock. Granted, it is a matter of opinion, and if you are chunking down your own money, then it does matter if you don't like it. However, if it doesn't say "Fender" or "Gibson," people are going to assume it is made in China anyway, so it is all lost on everybody but the player.

[thefunkyone]

I love the new headstock design. The regular Anderson headstock would look very very wrong on the bulldog.

[strat56]

It looks to me like in the first picture in the Anderson LP thread that the headstock is out of proportion with the rest of the guitar, probably the angle of the guitar in the picture put the headstock closer to the camera and the fact that part of the body was covered by Tom's arms probably added to the out of proportion look.

In the pic in post 4 of that thread with a guitar on a stand the headstock looks proportional compared to the rest of the guitar.

I think some people get way too hung up on things like this. See one in person and then make a decision.

[mdrs]

Hey, I love Les Pauls. But, they are NOT Anderson's!!!! :)

Personally, while I already have a beautiful CT, and an amazing Shorty coming , I really want to play a Bulldog!!!

BTW.......well put, Dano. I enjoyed reading your post.

[michaelomiya]

you guys are funny!;) at the booth, we had anticipated the exact issues that are being raised in this thread (BD tone vs LP tone, appearance, weight, etc.), as well as a few others that you guys have yet to raise...the most obvious being to those of us who still have Atoms...;) :D

IMHO, the Bulldog is TAG's response to those who've said, "the Atom doesn't look close enough to an LP". Ok, so now ISO of a Larivee shaped body, an in-line 6 h/s, pig-tail bridge (originally), 1 vol/1 tone, 5 way switch - you have the Bulldog - with all of the typical LP appointments.

I might add that the recessed p/ups and bridge are very, very attractive. And remember that the recessed p/ups also have the rings as well. Very nice work Tom!:cool: :cool: :cool:

Sound-wise, it sounds like a TAG. The Bulldog is for guys who are used to playing bolt-on necks/strat-style guitars, but who may want to play an LP-ish guitar. That's not from me, that's from the Supreme Commander!! What does that mean? I took it to mean that the weight is closer to a TAG at about 7.75lbs (vs an LP) and the FEEL is closer to an TAG (WINNER!!!:D).

[enr1co]

How would that headstock look on an Atom or a Crowdster? For the record, I wouldn't be surprised if Tom would refuse to do it on a T or S style guitar, but on those Atoms and Crowdys? Somebody who has time do a Photoshop mockup.

During the relaxed Sunday AM hours of the show yesterday, this hypothetical question of a 3x3 on a classic or a T was brought up with Tom. Although there was no explicit "no!" the sense was "why would anyone want to do that?!" ;)

A 3x3 neck/headstock swap could be done to an existing CT or Atom if one wanted to pay the neck swap/rework cost + new tuning keys, freight etc...

I did ask if I could order a new bulldog with a maple board/neck, 3x3 headstock, PAINTED to match body color and Tom promptly called security to have me escorted from the Anderson booth ;) :p :D

[tom]

i'd say that it is a definite no on the 3+3 on a classic or cobra.

[chriswhite]

How would that headstock look on an Atom or a Crowdster? For the record, I wouldn't be surprised if Tom would refuse to do it on a T or S style guitar, but on those Atoms and Crowdys? Somebody who has time do a Photoshop mockup.
here is my Atom CT poorly photoshop'd for your enjoyment and curiosity.

http://imgur.com/nMOJ6.jpg

[Pietro]

Wow, I don't think I like it on the Atom as much as the 6. I wonder why, because it looks totally fine on the Bulldog. (what a great name! Is there a story?)

[tom]

i think the 6 looks nice on the atom, it goes nicely with the curves of the body. i think the 3+3 is what our eyes have been trained to expect on the more lp like shape.

[enr1co]

here is my Atom CT poorly photoshop'd for your enjoyment and curiosity.

http://imgur.com/nMOJ6.jpg

Nice cobra Chris! - Is that a figured all mahogany body or is that a walnut top?

[tom]

that's an all mahogany cobra special. i logged many hours on that guitar. that was my last cobra before the atom started.

[chriswhite]

that's an all mahogany cobra special. i logged many hours on that guitar. that was my last cobra before the atom started.
My dad thinks that it was the best sounding guitar that Tom ever brought to the church. It is an amazing axe thats for sure.

[marzzz]

i think the 6 looks nice on the atom, it goes nicely with the curves of the body. i think the 3+3 is what our eyes have been trained to expect on the more lp like shape.

I would be curious to see what an actual 3+3 neck looks like bolted to a CT body- the photoshopped image is probably not very accurate, but I am inclined to agree- there is more of a visual harmony of the 6 with the CT (or maybe I am just more used to it??).

[chriswhite]

I would be curious to see what an actual 3+3 neck looks like bolted to a CT body- the photoshopped image is probably not very accurate, but I am inclined to agree- there is more of a visual harmony of the 6 with the CT (or maybe I am just more used to it??).
I took a picture of the headstock with the neck 3 frets down and lined it up with the 6 head. The top 3 frets are of the actual bulldog in burnished orange from NAMM and should be very close to, if not, actual size and should be relative to the guitar.

[harritone]

There's something special to me about the TA 6 headstock......don't know what it is...it will take some getting used to with the 3/3...looks "right" on the LP style single cut-away stuff though.....Hey Tom, how about a double-cutaway LP style thing? Hollow?!?...mmmmm....:cool:

[marzzz]

I took a picture of the headstock with the neck 3 frets down and lined it up with the 6 head. The top 3 frets are of the actual bulldog in burnished orange from NAMM and should be very close to, if not, actual size and should be relative to the guitar.Sorry Chris, I did not mean to impugn your Photoshop skills- but I would love to see pics of the 3+3 on a CT body.

[chriswhite]

Sorry Chris, I did not mean to impugn your Photoshop skills- but I would love to see pics of the 3+3 on a CT body.
no offense taken :D
I figured this was the next best thing and just wanted you to know that I did what I could to make it look accurate.