Sound Pure's Take

Condition: Used, Excellent

Just feast your eyes on this unbelievably figured Quilt Maple top! Further proof that Tom Anderson's finish work is absolutely second to none. With a slim 1 5/8" nut width, SC1/SC1/HC2 pickup scheme and Tom's advanced switching options this Drop Top can go from all out shred to clean spanky strat tones in a snap!

SP Luthier Notes: Setup confirmed

From Tom Anderson Guitarworks

Before the introduction of the magnificent Drop Top in 1990, the number of "S" style guitars that had a maple top that was “dropped” to create a comfortable forearm contour were exactly zero.

As a result of this design, we've chosen a body top thickness of 3/16 of an inch, which actually enhances and enrichens the sonic character of the instrument. The result is a guitar that not only plays effortlessly, is extremely comfortable, and sounds amazing but is so darn good looking that if you don't dress well it just may upstage you.

Today, along with your choice of flame or quilted maple, walnut or koa top, Drop Top now offers four choices of body backing tone wood to bring the sonic character you desire from your "S" to bear on the bandstand: 

Alder back: our most popular backing wood, its lower-mid fullness and upper-mid bump give a familiar “S” timbre that supports the lower-end

fullness of single coil pickups and humbuckers alike while its upper-mid penetration makes sure other instruments are unable to step into your spot on stage.

Mahogany back: focused and aggressive mids bring humbuckers roaring to life and offer an overall powerful experience-, a very popular choice.

Swamp Ash back: Deep low-lows and softly sparkling highs with an open, scooped middle make for a breathtakingly musical presentation of subtle nuances. And the added bonus is that the maple top actually presents this quintessential Swamp Ash tone.

Basswood back: You can never go wrong with this wood if it is done the way it should be done, and believe me, we do it the way it should be done. The sound of an 80's vibe humbucker is defined by this body wood, soft (not hard), full flowing focused mids make everything this wood touches bloom with rich, lush, even-balanced midrange tonality.

Model
Drop Top
Serial Number
08-18-21N
Year
2021
Weight
6.95 lbs
Body Wood
Alder
Top Wood
Quilt Maple
Finishing Options
Gloss
Body Finish
Natural Arctic Blue Burst with Binding
Body Back Color
Matching
Neck Wood
Maple
Fretboard Wood
Rosewood
Scale Length
25 1/2"
Headstock Finish
Matching
Neck Back Finish
Satin Natural
Neck Back Shape
Even-Taper
Nut Width
1 5/8"
Frets
22
Fret Wire
Heavy
Bridge
Recessed Floating Tremolo (Baby Floyd)
Tuners
Locking
Hardware Color
Chrome
Neck Pickup
SC1
Middle Pickup
SC1
Bridge Pickup
HC2
Pickguard
None
Switching
5-Way: 3 = M, N+B with Splitter Switching
Knob Color
Chrome
Switch Tip
Black
Case
Hardshell

Warranty

This item is sold without the Sound Pure 3-year warranty (used / B-stock / dealer-exempt). Coverage terms for items in this category live in Terms & Conditions, Section 27.

Returns

Try Before You Buy: take it home, commit only when it's right. Program details →

Sound Pure Studios Control Room A — Durham, NC

Sound Pure Studios · Durham, NC

Come hear it in our control rooms.

Sound Pure is a working studio in Durham, NC — a 1,000 sq ft live room and two pro control rooms. Book a session to audition gear in a world-class acoustic space before you buy.