Day 4: Guitar 4, "Surfin’ With The Angel"

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Angel is that captivating Anderson guitar that will immediately steal your heart and coerce you into flying across its awe-inspiring 24 fret neck without a second thought.  Five fret bends—and beyond—are nothing but fun for Angel, if that style of playing is your delight.

So good.

A Tiger Eye Surf finish enlightens its dramatic Flame Maple top and is also a welcome home for its super-musical HC1, SC1, HC3 pickup array.

Control is enabled by its intuitively-simple but sonically versatile 5-Way switching—the variety of usable tones are nearly unlimited should you decide to click through them. 

Tiger Angel can be found at Northeast Music Center.

Go ahead, you can pet the Tiger.

 

Day 4: Guitar 3, "Sheer Goodness"

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The one and only Drop Top Classic—presented in a new Sheer Natural Autumn Burst Finish.

Drop Top Classic is the original fancy topped, S-styled pickguard guitar to offer full forearm contours—courtesy of the dropped top. We call it Drop Top technology, where the gorgeous maple top is swept over the body’s forearm contour. Beauty and comfort all in one.   

Debuting and revolutionizing the guitar industry in early 1991, it is still a show stopping instrument that has improved in every way, every year since its inception—to continually render the best playing and best sounding guitar on Earth; with gorgeous pickguard styling as its added bonus. 

When we use the word, “Sheer,” in a paint finish what we are denoting is a sheer and subtle dusting of metallic flake atop any of our colors. This gives a light and elegant shimmering sheen to whatever color we apply it to. Here it is seen in its shining glory atop Natural Autumn Burst to create the first Sheer Natural Autumn Burst finish.

And it is only right that you should know where this guitar is going next…headed to Eddie’s Guitar in Maplewood, Missouri.

 

Day 4: Guitar 2, "Turning An “S” Into A Super Sonic Secret Serpentine Weapon"

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What…?

Very easy: Cobra S

Denoted by the “S” on the end of its name, Cobra S is technically part of the S-family of fine Anderson Guitars. But to have an “S” guitar be a Cobra S, it must possess a special set of very specific attributes that focus and musically weaponize its power and aggression. 

Cobra S must possess:

• 24 3/4-inch scale length (shorty)

• Mahogany body back

• Mahogany neck back

The amalgamation of these three assets bring focus to its sonic prowess, concentrating midrange muscle. 

So, Cobra S is to the S-family what Superbird is to Raven and what Arc Angel is to the Angel-family and what Cobra T is to the T-family. 

You get the idea.

Satin Natural Mocha Burst is a dramatic way to demonstrate the beauty of Cobra S—with a Mocha majesty all its own. 

Awaken and smell the Mocha—Cobra S is here and ready to run the show.

 

Day 4: Guitar 1, "Traditional “T” turned up to 11…no…111"

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Imagine popping the latches open on the case to reveal this Top T Classic—lifting it to playing position and strapping in.  

Did we hear gasping from the back of the room? If so, well deserved, to be sure. 

Sonically rich and robust “T-tones,” and well beyond, easily bound forth from this Abalone to Transparent Purple Burst “beast.”

Selected with an optional “Shorty,” 24 3/4-inch scale length, playing can be easier and more forgiving, with a touch of additional midrange focus—a welcomed change for many “T” players that want to go a bit farther into other musical styles. 

This plays well into the hands of the HC1- humbucker, sequestered in the neck position of this guitar—adding even more throaty neck pickup tones.

But it doesn’t stop there as 5-Way switching and VA boost controls wield 10 impressive tonal combinations from this awesome axe of Abalone. 

And yes, it would be Brian’s Guitars in Cheshire, Connecticut, that had the perspicacity to outfit a Top T Classic so sweetly.

 

Day 3: Guitar 4, "Caramel Here, Caramel There, Caramel, Caramel Everywhere"

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It is a Caramel Maple celebration at the NAMM Show this year in the form of Top T.

Finished naturally with a Honey Shaded Edge for gorgeous contrast, this Top T not only possesses a sought-after, all-Caramel Maple neck but also shows off it’s contoured T-body with the dramatic flare of Caramel Flame Maple crowning its Swamp Ash substratum.  

And what exactly is Caramel Maple you ask?

It is roasted maple—also known as torrefied. So when the maple is heated it turns a wonderful Caramel color and so we delightfully call it Caramel Maple—a much more artistic and romantic name. 

A wide variety of ridiculously luscious T-tones are delivered to the amp from the benevolence of its super-simple, multifaceted switching and three TF1, SF1 TF3 hum-cancelling pickups—listed from neck to bridge respectively. 

Look no further than San Diego, California to find this one at Music Store Live.  

 

Day 3: Guitar 3, "Dirty White"

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Translucent Dirty White is not dirty, but a translucent color with enhanced Swamp Ash grain for that dirty, aged look. This popular color can only be had as an In-Distress finish—either as level 1, 2 or 3.

Here we have a 2 for you. Yes, it is a Raven Classic finished in Translucent Dirty White, Level 2.

But there is more…way more. 

Three brand new mini-humbucks grace the face of this Raven, MC1, MC1, MC2 (from neck to bridge) and can be had with a variety of covers for your aesthetic pleasure.

And of course you could mix and match pickup combinations, if that was your preference, like: MMH perhaps. More on these later.    

Again, control for 3 pickups on Raven is now set into motion with the ease and swiftness of 5-Way supervision, while well-conceived control placement is key to non-interference with tremolo bars when swinging around the stage or studio. 

And speaking of tremolo, let us all stand and welcome the new J-Trem bridge to Raven’s option palette.  So smooth and so well functioning that if you wanted to wear your new board shorts and bounce on this tremolo like a diving board (figuratively speaking of course) it would still return in tune. Velvety and wonderful to play. 

This is the very first one—and it is headed to Eddie at Sound Pure in Durham, North Carolina.

 

Day 3: Guitar 2, "Bird Of A Different Feather"

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Fun idiom of expression that means: something that appears to be the same but its nature is quite different. 

This Raven could be viewed as a “bird of a different feather.”

Originally requested by Brian Meader at The Guitar Sanctuary in McKinney, Texas, he wanted “T” appointments to be optimized and available with the style and panache of an offset body Raven. 

A wonderful symbiote to be sure. 

But that is only the beginning.

We also opted for a new bridge. Based on our “Traditional 3 Saddle - compensated” bridge found on our T-Icon, it is the new “Chopped 3 Saddle - compensated” bridge.

This new bridge has the same solid and fully in tune foundation that is easily able to be precisely intonated but its “chopped” design allows its use with a much wider variety of bridge pickup choices—as there is no metal plate that surrounds the bridge pickup. It has been “chopped” off.  Hence the name: “Chopped 3 Saddle - compensated” bridge 

3-Way controls, located low and back behind the repositioned volume and tone controls, mean you get full access even when you have opted for a vintage tremolo bridge—as the controls are out of the way of the tremolo arm’s hang. Excellent for live and studio playing ergonomics. 

And, of course, you can opt for a Big 3-Way Toggle on the upper horn if you prefer. 

And there’s more with this Raven: Wonderful new optional body wood: Roasted Yellow Pine. 

Editors Note: Here at Anderson Guitarworks we don’t just do new things to do them, we only do them if they are super viable and valuable options that offer benefits. No silly stuff for us. 

Roasted Yellow Pine sounds great. At first listen it is very reminiscent of lightweight Swamp Ash—full lows and softer sparkling highs—very musical. 

 

Day 3: Guitar 1, "Guardian Angel in Gamma Green"

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Just because we had an accident in the gamma containment center just before the NAMM Show does not mean that this Guardian Angel in Gamma Green is dangerously radio active—it is totally clean and pure and wonderful to play—just like all Anderson Guitars. 

However, from another point of view, it would be the perfect guitar to be radio active—or active on the radio—as it plays like butter and also sings like an angel—with its wonderful Anderson construction and HSH pickup layout. 

Two super-musical HC-series pickups take up their positions in the neck and bridge area while an SF2 adds robust single coil tones—both alone or in tandem with the split neck and bridge humbuckers. 

And did you noticed the optional irradiated logo glowing from atop the Black Headstock—clearly defines this “Guardian” as an Anderson of unparalleled performance. 

Pop Angel quiz:

What characteristic is it that makes a particular Anderson Guitar a member of the Angel family?

Answer: 24 frets. 

And as a reward for getting the correct 24 fret answer: This Guardian Angel, finished in Gamma Green, is headed to Distinctive Guitar in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

 

Day 2: Guitar 4, "Stop And Stare"

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The term “Show Stopping,” certainly applies when observing the reaction to this new Black with Red Dog Hair finished Raven Classic.

Its Swamp Ash body makes a dynamically bold statement—as its black and red scheme declares itself in an undeniably dominant way—so beautiful and so cool!

And if that already is not enough of an excuse to take this thoroughly superior performing instrument home—and to your next gig and recording session—let’s take a look at the switching and pickup layout. 

For the first time to appear on our nimble handling, Offset-style, Raven is a Single, Single Humbucker pickup layout and 5-Way blade switching.

Extra special attention (of course) has been paid to the layout of all the controls so the vintage tremolo’s bar does not swing into the way of the 5-Way control—if you like your Trem bar to dangle.  So you can just jump on in and have no worries of interference. 

This now allows for an even vaster array of pickup options to be chosen for Raven.  

So you can now show up at the gig and “crush” the S-tones with the look of a cool, new Offset design, that plays with no limitations and no compromises. Just pure Anderson performance all of the time. 

And who would it be that is forward thinking enough to garner this very first Raven in Black with Red Dog Hair for their store? It is Eddie at Sound Pure in Durham, North Carolina.

 

Day 2: Guitar 3, "There is nothing distressing about a Guardian Angel Player"

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Unless, of course, you are speaking about this one’s quintessential Olympic White paint that is purposely placed In-Distress to satisfy your deepest desires for well-worn treasures. 

Very vintage but with the ability to reach new heights—a full 4 octaves—Guardian Angel Player features the Angel-family’s profound 24 fret foundation for all your most lofty musical endeavors. 

Feel free to soar.

This Guardian Angel Player will land at Northeast Music Center in Dickson City, Pennsylvania.

 

Day 2: Guitar 2, "Who Let The Dog In?"

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OMG! There is white dog hair everywhere. 

Well, it is suppose to be that way because this finish is called Black with White Dog Hair.

Last year at The NAMM Show for the first time we showed this color on a Raven Superbird—over its Mahogany body. Everyone loved it. Thanks. 

But this year it is making an even more dramatic appearance on the Swamp Ash body of a monumental T-Classic.

Its Pearl White pickguard furthering the affect while also playing host to a very effective SST pickup array of SC1, SC1, TF3—to grant all your sonic “T” and “S” wishes with one magnificent guitar.  

In fact, with our super-simple but profound 5-Way switching and VA Booster, this guitar effortlessly grants you 12 different sonic samplings from which to immediately choose. 

Wouldn’t you love-love to show up at the gig with this one over your shoulder?

Yeah, well Dave’s Guitar Shop in La Crosse, Wisconsin, will have it.  Yes, and there you have it.  Nice.

 

Day 2: Guitar 1, "Cobras Can Be Fun To Play With"

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When they are the Anderson, Cobra T—very friendly.

Technically a Cobra T is part of the T-family and is defined by 3 distinct aspects:

• 24 3/4-inch scale length (shorty)

• Mahogany body back

• Mahogany neck back

So when your Anderson T-style instrument has all 3 of these aspects present you are playing with a Cobra—very brave. 

When Cobra appeared on the scene it revolutionized T-style guitars with its aggressively challenging, muscular midrange manner. Cobra takes no prisoners—just full out musical aggression to dominate any situation. Almost plays itself. 

Wipeout is a special version of our Surf-style paint scheme. We call it “Surf” when the color deepens as it moves across the top of the guitar, from neck to bridge, deepening in color as it goes. Just as though you are standing on the ocean shore and gazing out into deeper waters—the farther you look out the deeper the water and color becomes. 

Wipeout is a very specific and special hand-applied version of Surf and appears in 4 flavors to date:

• Royal Purple Wipeout (pictured on this Cobra)

• Blue Wipeout

• Fire Wipeout

• Gamma Green Wipeout

What color will your Cobra be?

 

Day 1: Guitar 4, "Profoundly Pink"

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Profoundly Shell Pink to be more precise. This color really has taken the vintage world by storm—ultra popular now. Yes, pink may indeed be the new black. 
But this iconic Icon Classic has gone even further by turning its “cool factor” way up with a Double Decker, In-Distress, Level 3, Shell Pink over 3 Color Burst paint presentation.

Now tie this to the best playing and best sounding vintage guitar you have ever laid ears, or hands, on and you have a vintage masterpiece of unparalleled proportions.

Twin SC1 pickups amply supply richly robust, hum-canceling, vintage-flavored single coil tones to blend with HC2’s overwound PAF-type, humbucker tones for everything a supercharged “S-player” could ever want—and so much more.

Does this sound like we have overdone the accolades?

Not at all, if you have but played it once. 

And who will be getting Profoundly Pink to present to you? 

None other than the Mesa/Boogie store in Hollywood, California.

 

Day 1: Guitar 3, "30 Years Ago & Today—Drop Top"

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Defined it all.

1990 the original Drop Top lept onto the music scene and change how a maple topped guitar could be presented to the world. It was Drop Top technology at play—where (for the first time) the gorgeous maple top was swept over the body’s forearm contour to create a super comfortable and completely gorgeous guitar—all in one magnificent instrument.

The first one was finished in our original color of Bora Bora Blue—another defining moment in guitar finishes. 

Fast-forward and today Drop Top has continuously evolved in every meaningful way of elevated performance while still leaving its profound legacy soundly in tact. 

To pay homage, this magnificently elevated Drop Top is presented in Natural Bora Blue Burst.   

Editor’s Note: When we use the word, “Natural” it means that the finish is showing even more of the natural underlying wood coloration in combination with the applied color. Many feel this renders even more drama and contrast to the finish.  

This era-defining Drop Top is headed to Japan to enjoy and jam with our Japanese friends.

 

Day 1: Guitar 2, "Your Tangerine Dream Has Awakened"

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Oranges and Tangerines, high in vitamin C and other essential nutrients. 

In some cultures orange is considered a deeply spiritual color. 

With all this important information understood, what do you do when you want your vintage vibed axe to have an inspiring and iridescent essence of orange radiating from the stage?

May we suggest Tangerine Pearl—In-Distress, Level 3 for this one.

The wise sages of Mass Street Music in Lawrence, Kansas, love our T-Icon—a traditional T-style guitar with all the Anderson high performance attributes covertly and profoundly present in the background to support every aspect of your preferred playing.

Astoundingly in tune, robustly rich sounding and effortlessly easy to play, nothing is this good—unless your headstock brandishes the big “A.”

Yay.

 

Day 1: Guitar 1, “NAMM 2020 NEWS ALERT”

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A whole new lineage of Angel is emerging at NAMM 2020.  

Yes it is here, Angel with a shorter 24 3/4-inch scale length and new Drop Top-sized body shape—but with longer, sleeker horns to balance and access Angel’s 24 fret architecture.  

You can call it Angel shorty if you like but we also call it: Li’l Angel.

Li’l Angel is available as:

    • Li’l Angel (shorty)

    • Li’l Angel Player (shorty)

    • Arc Angel

    • Arc Angel Player

Arc Angel

Brand new and oh so cool, it is Arc Angel. 

(For the well read among us it is actually archangel but we write it as: Arc Angel, for clarity of literary display.)

But let’s dig into all that is wonderful and unique about this new model, shall we? 

What is an Anderson, Arc Angel?

As you know, all members of the Angel-family are designated by their 24 fret format. With that said:

Arc Angel is defined by these particular outstanding aspects:

    • 24 3/4-inch scale length (shorty) (Li’l Angel)

    • Mahogany body back

    • Mahogany neck back

This allows extreme focus of its sonic power into concentrated midrange muscle. 

So, Arc Angel is to Angel what Superbird is to Raven and what Cobra T is to the T-Family and what Cobra S is to the S-family. 

They are all:

    • 24 3/4-inch scale length (shorty)

    • Mahogany body back

    • Mahogany neck back

Arc Angel in Satin Super Natural Black Burst will be on display at Lark Guitars in San Antonio, Texas, right after the show closes. 

Editor’s Note: for more clarification of Li’l Angel (Angel short scale) models:

    • Li’l Angel: shares all the same options as our regular Angel but with shorter scale length

    • Li’l Angel Player: shares all the same options as our regular Angel Player but with shorter scale length

    • Arc Angel: Mahogany body back, Mahogany neck back, shorter 24 3/4-inch scale length.

    • Arc Angel Player: all Mahogany body, Mahogany neck back, shorter 24 3/4-inch scale length.