Red_Label
New member
Hi all. Been mostly away from the gear forums for the past 8 months, focusing on my solo nuevo flamenco gig.
But I picked-up a Tom Anderson Bulldog (high end LP clone) several weeks ago, and then a True Historic R0 this past Saturday. Both guitars are the finest playing, sounding, and looking LP style guitars that I've ever played or owned. The LGS that I bought both guitars from (used) has had a lot of the True Historic Reissues over the past several years, and this is the nicest one according to the guy who runs the shop (who's a close personal friend of 30 years). I also believe that, because I've played nearly all of the other ones and this one is special... which is why he texted me a pic when it came in and enticed me to come check it out. LPs seem to work that way... even these expensive Custom Shop ones. Some just have some special mojo, while others don't. This one was the favorite Reissue of its former owner (out of dozens of Reissues that he's owned) and he only let it go because he's become obsessed with 70's Customs over the past year and has been collecting a bunch of those. I suspect that he'll have regrets about doing so down the road. Maybe I'll sell it back to him for the right price!
He also owned the Anderson at one time. He found vintage Grover tuners and put them on the LP (he puts Grovers on all of his LPs), but the original Klusons are included and I may eventually throw them back on there, because I like the looks of Klusons better.
Both of these guitars have their own strengths and weaknesses.... though the "weaknesses" are pretty minimal. The Anderson sounds thicker and more sustainy, and it's also more versatile in having coil splitting tone controls. It's bridge pickup is definitely bigger sounding than the LPs is (the LP is loaded with Lindy Fralins). The LPs bridge pup is more angry and bitey than the Anderson. The LP is slightly less sustainy than the Anderson, but makes up for that in a special clarity and woodiness. I haven't weighed it yet, but it seems very light. Which probably accounts for its specialness. The LPs neck Fralin has nearly as much sustain as the Anderson's neck pup, but it clearer and more articulate. It's a thing of beauty to hear. I've had LPs loaded with Fralins before, but never had one sound this good. Both guitars are holy grail level LPs, and though I'd love to choose one over the other and gain the financial stake back... I simply can't do that at this time. I love 'em both equally (the Bulldog is my fourth Tom Anderson guitar and there are no better guitar made IMO). So it looks like I'm "stuck" with both for the time being. Cue the Hewy Lewis "[Happy To Be] Stuck With You" background music.
But I picked-up a Tom Anderson Bulldog (high end LP clone) several weeks ago, and then a True Historic R0 this past Saturday. Both guitars are the finest playing, sounding, and looking LP style guitars that I've ever played or owned. The LGS that I bought both guitars from (used) has had a lot of the True Historic Reissues over the past several years, and this is the nicest one according to the guy who runs the shop (who's a close personal friend of 30 years). I also believe that, because I've played nearly all of the other ones and this one is special... which is why he texted me a pic when it came in and enticed me to come check it out. LPs seem to work that way... even these expensive Custom Shop ones. Some just have some special mojo, while others don't. This one was the favorite Reissue of its former owner (out of dozens of Reissues that he's owned) and he only let it go because he's become obsessed with 70's Customs over the past year and has been collecting a bunch of those. I suspect that he'll have regrets about doing so down the road. Maybe I'll sell it back to him for the right price!
He also owned the Anderson at one time. He found vintage Grover tuners and put them on the LP (he puts Grovers on all of his LPs), but the original Klusons are included and I may eventually throw them back on there, because I like the looks of Klusons better.Both of these guitars have their own strengths and weaknesses.... though the "weaknesses" are pretty minimal. The Anderson sounds thicker and more sustainy, and it's also more versatile in having coil splitting tone controls. It's bridge pickup is definitely bigger sounding than the LPs is (the LP is loaded with Lindy Fralins). The LPs bridge pup is more angry and bitey than the Anderson. The LP is slightly less sustainy than the Anderson, but makes up for that in a special clarity and woodiness. I haven't weighed it yet, but it seems very light. Which probably accounts for its specialness. The LPs neck Fralin has nearly as much sustain as the Anderson's neck pup, but it clearer and more articulate. It's a thing of beauty to hear. I've had LPs loaded with Fralins before, but never had one sound this good. Both guitars are holy grail level LPs, and though I'd love to choose one over the other and gain the financial stake back... I simply can't do that at this time. I love 'em both equally (the Bulldog is my fourth Tom Anderson guitar and there are no better guitar made IMO). So it looks like I'm "stuck" with both for the time being. Cue the Hewy Lewis "[Happy To Be] Stuck With You" background music.
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