Anderson Bobcat vs Custom Shop Reissue 58/59 Les Paul

[Matteo11]

Hello everyone,

Just curious to what your thoughts are on the new Tom Anderson Bobcat vs a Custom Shop 58/59 Reissue Les Paul.

Anyone here own or have played a Bobcat?

How does it stack up to a Custom Shop Reissue Les Paul in terms of tone, playability etc?

Thanks!

 

[Matteo11]

Nobody/s gotten down with the Bobcat? They are an elusive and secretive beast.

 

[Trebor Renkluaf]

Well it's hard to beat Tom's guitars in terms of wood choice, fit, finish, playability, tone, attention to detail, etc., etc., etc. In these areas I think Tom's guitars would surpass all but the finest Custom Shop guitars. That said, Tom's guitars tend to have a more modern tone than a vintage tone, not that it's a bad tone, not at all, but his guitars would not be my first choice if I was looking for a traditional/vintage tone. I'm not sure how close the Bobcat, or for that matter the older Bulldog grok the Les Paul tone.

 

[Matteo11]

Well it's hard to beat Tom's guitars in terms of wood choice, fit, finish, playability, tone, attention to detail, etc., etc., etc. In these areas I think Tom's guitars would surpass all but the finest Custom Shop guitars. That said, Tom's guitars tend to have a more modern tone than a vintage tone, not that it's a bad tone, not at all, but his guitars would not be my first choice if I was looking for a traditional/vintage tone. I'm not sure how close the Bobcat, or for that matter the older Bulldog grok the Les Paul tone.

Thanks for the reply!

That is where I am torn. I am pretty sure the Anderson will be top notch as far as construction playability etc but wonder if it will have the vibe a LP Reissue Custom shop brings to the table.

I was all set on a new R8 and waiting on the finish I want to come in ( Gloss non aged Bourbon Burst) at Chicago Music Exchange then I seen this

I LOVE Les Pauls but I keep going back to that vid done from Matts Music on the Bobcat.

Im pretty sure Tom didn't set out to make a Les Paul but something unique to him maybe inspired by the LP.

Curious how others who have played a Bobcat feel about it vs a Custom Shop LP.

 

[Matteo11]

Then I watch this......



Its nice to live in a day and age of amazing options but for fawk sake these are exhausting decisions.

 

[gtrgene]

Also look into a Collings CL. I was on the hunt for a LP but wound up with a Collings, couldnt be more happy with my decision.

 

[Matteo11]

Also look into a Collings CL. I was on the hunt for a LP but wound up with a Collings, couldnt be more happy with my decision.

I actually got a chance to play a Collins city limits here in town about a month ago and it sounded great!

The feel wasn't the best fit for me though for whatever reason. I didn't spend as much time with It though as I probably should of. I was there checking out some used Suhrs.

I am so close to pulling the trigger on the Anderson Bobcat.

If anyone knows of any Anderson dealers that can deal on price please let me know! Also what do most here that have bought Andersons typically get % wise off list?

Any and all input is much appreciated!!

 

[cosmic_ape]

Look into a Nik Huber Orca '59. It is a closer take on vintage Les Paul tones.

 

[Matteo11]

Look into a Nik Huber Orca '59. It is a closer take on vintage Les Paul tones.

Those are beautiful guitars! Expensive as hell but gorgeous.

I'm not in that neighborhood but on down the road in the 3-4K range for a R8 reissue or Anderson Bobcat.

Thanks for the recommendation though!

Any Anderson owners have an idea on what you can possibly get % wise off list on price? I was able to get about 30% off list on a new R8 ...doubt that's possible on Andersons but one can always hope!

 

[FFOGG]

I have never played a Bobcat but I have owned /played numerous Les Pauls .Collings ...Andersons ..I have never found a Les Paul even close to an Anderson in terms of playability and build quality sort of Volvo/BMW v. Ford. But if you want that classic tone that keeps going out of tune every 3 rd song buy a Gibson if you a lighter weight more playable guitar that gets you were you need to be on almost every song get an Anderson .

 

[Pietro]

I've owned a couple Les Pauls (one Gibson, one Heritage) and I've got an Anderson Hollow Atom CT (which is, tonally, close to identical to a Bobcat or Bulldog according to the company).

I will say that the Atom gets all the way to the LP tone for me... with maybe a little more "zing" on top. There might be a thickness and heaviness to the tone that you can only get with the LP, but for me, the versatility of the Atom more than makes up for it, and frankly, I can get where I need to be with amp adjustments easily.

Les Pauls are crazy. If you have to have one, you have to have one. It's that simple. But I don't. I'd rather have versatility and amazing playability.

 

[Matteo11]

I've owned a couple Les Pauls (one Gibson, one Heritage) and I've got an Anderson Hollow Atom CT (which is, tonally, close to identical to a Bobcat or Bulldog according to the company).

I will say that the Atom gets all the way to the LP tone for me... with maybe a little more "zing" on top. There might be a thickness and heaviness to the tone that you can only get with the LP, but for me, the versatility of the Atom more than makes up for it, and frankly, I can get where I need to be with amp adjustments easily.

Les Pauls are crazy. If you have to have one, you have to have one. It's that simple. But I don't. I'd rather have versatility and amazing playability.

Thanks. I've only got the chance to play a couple of Andersons (classic and ht cobra) and I will say their playability was amazing. I was also amazed at how the Andersons rang out acoustically. Lots of projection.

Gibsons do have that classic tone but there is something so intriguing to me on these Anderson guitars especially the Bobcat (as well as the drop top).

I'm going to go ahead and buy one and hopefully get a good enough deal that if I don't gel with it I can sell it and hopefully not lose my arse. Not sure how Andersons hold resale value?

 

[AdmiralB]

Considering the degree of minutiae typically considered 'essential', I'm surprised a bolt-on is being considered as having equivalency with a set-neck.

 

[Pietro]

Thanks. I've only got the chance to play a couple of Andersons (classic and ht cobra) and I will say their playability was amazing. I was also amazed at how the Andersons rang out acoustically. Lots of projection.

Gibsons do have that classic tone but there is something so intriguing to me on these Anderson guitars especially the Bobcat (as well as the drop top).

I'm going to go ahead and buy one and hopefully get a good enough deal that if I don't gel with it I can sell it and hopefully not lose my arse. Not sure how Andersons hold resale value?

I think they are amazing guitars, but like so many boutique brands, they don't hold resale the way you are thinking. You are going to easily lose a grand if you buy one and resell it later.

Unless, of course, you can find a used one. I currently have 3 Andersons. 2 of them were bought used. 1 was new, but I suspected I was going to own it for many years, and so far that's true, as I've used it as my main guitar for over 10 years.

 

[Matteo11]

Considering the degree of minutiae typically considered 'essential', I'm surprised a bolt-on is being considered as having equivalency with a set-neck.

The bolt on neck was something at first that completely turned me off.

I thought about it though for awhile and I Came to the conclusion that if Tom thought a bolt on would be inferior in some way to a set neck he wouldn't have done it. This is just based off my opinion on how the guy approaches building guitars. He doesn't strike me as one for example to cut corners. IMO of course.

With that said I would prefer if it had a set neck because I feel (based on what I have been sold I mean told) it is the more higher end and technically correct thing to do. But then again I am a guy who knows nothing about building guitars and I also own a bolt on fender strat that sounds amazing.

 

[Matteo11]

I think they are amazing guitars, but like so many boutique brands, they don't hold resale the way you are thinking. You are going to easily lose a grand if you buy one and resell it later.

Unless, of course, you can find a used one. I currently have 3 Andersons. 2 of them were bought used. 1 was new, but I suspected I was going to own it for many years, and so far that's true, as I've used it as my main guitar for over 10 years.

Thanks! im thinking I need to stick with used unless someone chimes in with a dealer that can knock 30% off MAP.

 

[Pietro]

Bolt-on vs. Set neck is a real red herring imho.

I don't think the difference in tone between a LP and a Tele, for instance has NEARLY enough to do with a bunch of hide glue vs. metal bolts as it does with neck angle, pickup complements, arched top and bridge style.

Tom has stated repeatedly that he'll never do a set neck. It's not his thing and if you have to have that, he recommends you go elsewhere for it. but ever since I got a chance to play and hear some bolt on acoustic guitars (Taylor anybody) and then after I owned this Atom CT, I determined that the bolt-on vs. set neck is not the issue.



I use it in a fancy two-voice rig with Helix. I should make a better video, but here's the one I made. Mine has a factory-installed PowerBridge (that is NOT an option available, btw. Tom did me a favor for all the Crowdsters I've helped him sell over the past 10 years.

 

[Matteo11]

Bolt-on vs. Set neck is a real red herring imho.

I don't think the difference in tone between a LP and a Tele, for instance has NEARLY enough to do with a bunch of hide glue vs. metal bolts as it does with neck angle, pickup complements, arched top and bridge style.

Tom has stated repeatedly that he'll never do a set neck. It's not his thing and if you have to have that, he recommends you go elsewhere for it. but ever since I got a chance to play and hear some bolt on acoustic guitars (Taylor anybody) and then after I owned this Atom CT, I determined that the bolt-on vs. set neck is not the issue.



I use it in a fancy two-voice rig with Helix. I should make a better video, but here's the one I made. Mine has a factory-installed PowerBridge (that is NOT an option available, btw. Tom did me a favor for all the Crowdsters I've helped him sell over the past 10 years.

Beautiful guitar and playing!

 

[Matteo11]

Just pulled the trigger on a used Tom Anderson Bobcat!

It was just too tempting to try the unknown (Anderson).

I'll post some pics when I get it!

Thanks to all who chimed in

 

[Pietro]

Just pulled the trigger on a used Tom Anderson Bobcat!

It was just too tempting to try the unknown (Anderson).

I'll post some pics when I get it!

Thanks to all who chimed in

Can't wait to see