Hey Tom, how about a "Private Stock" line of Andersons?

[kmstudio]

As I recall, one of the reasons you thought about folding Anderson awhile back was the business hassle and the desire to simply build guitars. If that was the case, did you or have you ever given thought to allowing a line of custom variations on your regular line? Your aversion to figured necks is known, but what about doing things in ebony, cocobolo, pernambuco, etc...? I have about 70 guitars at my studio, and without question, the Andersons and Tylers are the (and usually almost everyone elses) favorites. But there are some variations I would love to try with the Anderson touch!

[tom]

they're all private stock, or at least they are to us. the reason we don't do the things we don't do is because we like what we do do better. dependability is foremost, so at least the things you mentioned are not things i feel like we can depend on and want to service for the rest of my life. what else would qualify as "private stock"?
as for my time building, i do not get to spend as much time building as i would like to, but it all made sense for both me and the other 14 families represented here to move forward and evolve as we have. with all the new stuff we've done this past year i have thoroughly enjoyed what i'm doing, i dare say the most ever, even though it is quite different than the one man shop i thought i wanted.

[wolf]

My Drop Top has what I believe is called a " personal choice " maple top.
I paid extra for this and it is spectacular.
I'd class that as Private Stock.
6 years on and I'm still in awe of it, including everyone who sees it.
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x182/wolf5151/anderson.full.jpg

[GuitArtMan]

WOWZERS!!! :eek: That is a beautiful top!

[GDane1]

I agree every TAG guitar is private stock quality. They play effortlessly and are beautiful workhorses.

[Big Harry]

this one is also from Anderson Private stock , directly made from water , where Tom build and add neck , pickups etc directly to the rolling blue wave :cool: :
since the blue wave is always moving , flowing , waving and rolling , there is no photograph or camera on this known World able to capture it :
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm38/Zormar/Blondita/IMG_6468.jpg

[Pietro]

they're all private stock...

THERE you go!

[lumco]

they're all private stock, or at least they are to us. the reason we don't do the things we don't do is because we like what we do do better. dependability is foremost, so at least the things you mentioned are not things i feel like we can depend on and want to service for the rest of my life. what else would qualify as "private stock"?
as for my time building, i do not get to spend as much time building as i would like to, but it all made sense for both me and the other 14 families represented here to move forward and evolve as we have. with all the new stuff we've done this past year i have thoroughly enjoyed what i'm doing, i dare say the most ever, even though it is quite different than the one man shop i thought i wanted.
Now there is a class act small business owner!!

[tom]

when i saw your name on the post i thought for sure you were going to say the private stock guitars could have a 4 bolt neck:D
thanks for your comment. it was a very hard decision to come to when i made it known that i could not keep going the way things were, but it was clear that i had to consider many people other than myself. like i said earlier, i have not regretted the final choice i made for a minute.

[lumco]

when i saw your name on the post i thought for sure you were going to say the private stock guitars could have a 4 bolt neck:D
thanks for your comment. it was a very hard decision to come to when i made it known that i could not keep going the way things were, but it was clear that i had to consider many people other than myself. like i said earlier, i have not regretted the final choice i made for a minute.
No I have let that dead horse lie,,but now that you mention it! a neat idea.! LOL
Good Luck and your choice was a good one.

[mike_TA81]

I'm glad Tom has never done any "private stock" or "limited edition" or any "signature series" guitars -- I hope it stays that way!

[tom]

We've always looked at It as limiting what we can offer. So we do a limited run of what ever, then we can't make them again? Same for artist models. Artist pic from the regular stuff , and then others can't have that? Doesn't seem to make sense for a company our size where everything Is already made to order.

[mike_TA81]

We've always looked at It as limiting what we can offer. So we do a limited run of what ever, then we can't make them again? Same for artist models. Artist pic from the regular stuff , and then others can't have that? Doesn't seem to make sense for a company our size where everything Is already made to order.

Totally agree -- and this is why I will always stick with your guitars Tom.

I think offering guitars that fall under those aforementioned categories not only mucks up the product line but adds a bit of overall "cheesyness" to the company as a whole IMO.

I feel that this is another aspect that separates you from everyone else and what makes an Anderson unique. I also love the fact that you have stuck by your guns for all these years in this respect. Keep 'em coming!

[mdrs]

If you want the ultimate "private stock" guitar, you buy an Anderson.

Tom, whatever you are doing, keep on doing it!!

[jbbusybee]

Totally agree -- and this is why I will always stick with your guitars Tom.

I think offering guitars that fall under those aforementioned categories not only mucks up the product line but adds a bit of overall "cheesyness" to the company as a whole IMO.

I feel that this is another aspect that separates you from everyone else and what makes an Anderson unique. I also love the fact that you have stuck by your guns for all these years in this respect. Keep 'em coming!

I totally agree it almost infers the regular product is somehow 'second' grade.

[Pietro]

We've always looked at It as limiting what we can offer. So we do a limited run of what ever, then we can't make them again? Same for artist models. Artist pic from the regular stuff , and then others can't have that? Doesn't seem to make sense for a company our size where everything Is already made to order.

That said, though... Do you think a pro is more likely to know EXACTLY what he/she wants or needs to do their job? Do you find that their orders are pickier? So does that also follow that a particular pro may look for a guitar with specs that nobody else wants, exactly?

I'm kinda pro (I have worked in Worship Arts in the church, am currently "between jobs" but will do this again... perhaps very soon), but I have to say, I'm actually not very picky about any of those things that others find so urgent. I have preferences, but have found I can get along just well with almost anything if it sounds and feels good.

[GDane1]

The top on my new short DT (see other thread) is as good as most private stock prsi I've seen and I didn't order anything special or personalized.

[tom]

In general, the pros we have dedlt with have been less paticular about details. not one has ever comlainef about the look of a top.

[dplight]

In general, the pros we have dedlt with have been less paticular about details. not one has ever comlainef about the look of a top.

It seems to me, from what I've seen on TV and live events, that the top acts guitar players don't go for the figured tops so much. I've seen a few, but not many. Then again I played for about 27 years before I got a figured top.

[mike_TA81]

This actually brings up another question I always wondered -- in general how does an artist go about getting a signature model?

Is it generally the artist that approaches the company or vice versa? Its obviously a big plus for a popular player to have the backing of a particular company but how does it usually pan out?

Any artists ever approached you for a signature model Tom?

[Pietro]

TAG does have a signature model... the Crowdster...

beyond that, with all the choices you have... all of us have signature models. The Cobra I got from a friend (a gift) I was already in love with. If I designed a guitar, it would look, play, sound, and probably even smell like this. So, it's my signature model...

[tom]

Yes we have been approached, but for the reasons stated above we have not done it. Many have gone on to buy guitars. Many are looking for ad exposure but since we dont do ads we dont have anything to offer in that regard.