2018 Anderson Classic T Icon Telecaster-Style Electric Guitar

This is a pretty spiff Tele. I feel like, if you're in the market for a boutique-level slab-of-wood electric, something like this Anderson has a lot to offer. From the front it looks like it's ported straight from the '50s. From the back, you start to see the extras -- a two-bolt neck with an angled pocket that holds the neck firmly and a contoured heel that's very quick for reaching those upper frets. At the headstock it's got locking tuners and the vintage-y bridge has nicely-compensated brass saddles and cut-down sidewalls for ease of use. The body edges are all a bit more rounded than a traditional Tele, too, so it sits comfortably as well.

Its pickups are retro-flavored but much better-balanced than a traditional Tele set. The neck pickup has a nice, crunchy clarity to it that plays well with the spank and snap of the bridge. Controls are simple except for a push/pull pot (on the tone control) that I forgot to demo in the video. With it pulled "up" the tone on each individual pickup sort-of thickens a bit to a humbucker-like sound while in the middle it reacts like the pickups are wired in series for a mild "boost" effect. I think it sounds best "as normal," though.

The neck is like an improved version of an '80s Fender neck profile, sort-of, though the radius on the board is a little shallower at 14" rather than 10-12" or so. The owner told me that this was a "Hollow T" body but its specification sheet (pictured) does not concur. I'm guessing, then, that it just simply has some extra-lightweight swamp ash used in its build because this thing is light and clocks in at just under 6 1/2 pounds.

So -- yes, a great guitar! A friend brought in some pedals recently to check-out and this was the one I grabbed first to try them on -- in part because a Telecaster format is comfort food for me and in part because it just handles so well and is fun to play.

Repairs included: a quick setup.

Body wood: swamp ash

Bridge: traditional-style 3-saddle, compensated, with cutouts

Fretboard: maple cap

Neck wood: maple

Pickups: 2x original Anderson single coils

Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast)
String gauges: 46w-10 or close to it

Neck shape: medium C

Board radius: 14"

Truss rod: adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium/taller

Scale length: 25 1/2"

Nut width: 1 11/16"

Body width: 12 1/2"

Body depth: 1 5/8"

Weight: 6 lbs 7 oz

Condition notes: it's almost new except for very small dings in the finish here and there on top from normal use. I've photographed a couple in harsh glare so you can see what I mean. They're not obvious at all and you'd have to look for them to find them.

It comes with: a nice original hard case.