Steve Andersen Guitars

**Dookychase** · 03-02-2011, 09:04 AM

Uburoibob, beautiful guitars. I love the Archie Hybrid.

Road trip anyone?

**uburoibob** · 03-02-2011, 10:17 AM

Thanks all. These ARE incredible guitars. I am fortunate to own each of them and count Steve among my very good friends. I cannot recommend him enough as one of the best archtop builders in history.

Until you've spent a bit of time with a really good archtop, it's tough to have a real appreciation for them. Steve makes the absolute most of whatever wood he is working with, getting exceptional tone and response from it. The result is a guitar that literally is so responsive you don't have to work to pull tone from it. Just the opposite - you can concentrate on your music and the tone follows you. From a light touch to Freddie Green comping, it's all there. Fingerstyle, chord melody, single note, full blown rhythm playing, these guitars do it all. It's never a matter of which guitar is better - each has its own voice and each voice is stellar. Having played them for 13 years now, I can say that it's never the flavor of the day or just a NGD rush - each instrument just keeps on giving... the true hallmark of a great archtop. The more you play them, the more you find in them. I've never really had that experience with any other brand/builder's guitar - at least not as consistently - with the exception of Ken Parker but what he's doing is a whole different thing.

OK, off the Steve Soapbox...

But first, a reminder of where to find him: Andersen Stringed Instruments

Bob

**MaxT** · 03-24-2011, 02:34 PM

What can one say. A pleasure just looking at the photos, and thanks for posting.

**pingu** · 03-24-2011, 02:59 PM

That Emerald City Reserve is the most beautifull Guitar I've ever seen

**mattymel** · 03-24-2011, 05:17 PM

...considering a new Gibson 175 or Sadowsky will cost you more than $4000 (and cant hold a candle IMHO, neither do any guitars that cost as much, benedettos, etc...)...for a guitar handmade by one guy (who is likely the best archtop builder in the world) with incomparable design, materials and skill, the price starts to seems pretty reasonable. but until you play one, yeah looks expensive. but it IS a lifetime investment for someone looking for the best money can buy. enter steve andersen.

that electric archie is badass! i want one.

**uburoibob** · 03-26-2011, 02:24 PM

Thanks MaxT and pingu!

Bob

**M-ster** · 03-27-2011, 01:22 PM

Beautiful photos of a beautiful guitar, uburoibob! Thanks for taking the time to post those.

**bennygale** · 08-14-2011, 12:50 PM

My personal list of the great builders are Monteleone, Zeidler, Campellone and Andersen. All of which I have. These guys never miss.

Of course Zeidler passed in 2002. What a loss, he was in his prime. Some speculate that his passion for his personally customized hand rubbed varnishes contributed to his demise. What a tragedy but what great instruments.

D'Angelico and D'Aquisto obviously also belong on that list but I don't currently have any of their pieces.

There are others that I have played and liked but the personal experience of owning a piece and checking it out over and over is my way of knowing something of what I am talking about.

I have had probably six Andersens, I currently have two Model 17s, one is a seven string.

The six string I may sell. It is beautiful but not played in and it needs to be played.

There are not enough hours in the day.

I love his work. He may be underrated by some for their list of the greats but he belongs there. IMHO

Photos at:

211 pictures by bennygale - Photobucket

**fws6** · 08-14-2011, 04:02 PM

>The six string I may sell

That comment just s*cks without a pic. C'mon make us drool.

**bennygale** · 08-15-2011, 02:58 AM

I tried several times to load a pic but it wouldn't go!?

**fws6** · 08-15-2011, 06:28 AM

>I tried several times to load a pic but it wouldn't go!?

The easiest way is to join a free picture hosting website like Photobucket or so. On that site you can upload photo's from your own computer

When you want to use that particular photo in an internet forum (like this one) you can easily link to it by clicking the 'insert image' button when typing your post.

**Mark James** · 08-15-2011, 08:10 AM

+2....What Joe said!
I have played Steve's guitars. If money was no object, AND, I had the talent to justify it, I would have one of each of his offerings! I too drooled at the Oval hybrid.

**bennygale** · 08-15-2011, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by Groyniad

I'm thinking about getting a full sized Andersen - perhaps a second hand emerald city. I play straight ahead jazz in small groups in bars and restaurants (which can get pretty noisy) - do you think I'll have a problem with feedback. I currently play a Sadowsky Jim Hall that is very good at resisting feedback. The question is, if I get a first rate handmade archtop, will I be restricted to using it at home or will I be able to use it properly in professional situations?
thanks

Feedback is always a possibility. It results when the sound level reaching the guitar actuates the top which the pickup 'hears' and a feedback loop is created.

One trick is to ramp the pickup down away from the bass side. Add the low end back with the amp.

The pickups are fixed so usually that means adjusting the pole pieces down. One of two reasons to have adjustable pole pieces on both pickup coils, assuming there are two.

The other reason for full adjustable pole pieces is to be able to balance either steel or bronze strings, which have dramatically different response profiles.

Bronze of course sounds much better acoustically.

I have done probably thousands of gigs with acoustic archtops.

Guitars whose selling point is that they resist feedback are usually laminates and never sound as good acoustically.

After all, these are first of all acoustic instruments.

The magnetic pickup doesn't 'hear' the acoustic sound directly, only the magnetic quality of the strings. However the resonance of the instrument affects the way the strings behave.

I have a Model 17 Special (German woods, Braz bindings and gold tuners) which I might part with.

It doesn't have a pickup but that is easily remedied.

Steve's guitars are remarkably consistent low to high end. Of course the high end pieces are more elaborately ornamented.

**Groyniad** · 08-16-2011, 12:10 AM

Have you any pictures of the model 17?

I'm loving my 17' Comins Classic. I had NO idea a guitar could be this musical.

**bennygale** · 08-16-2011, 12:43 AM

Originally Posted by Groyniad

Have you any pictures of the model 17?

I'm loving my 17' Comins Classic. I had NO idea a guitar could be this musical.

photobucket:

211 pictures by bennygale - Photobucket

**fws6** · 08-16-2011, 02:44 AM

so then you can make the pics show up here by copying the pics address on photobucket, and inserting it with the 'insert image' button here:

**fws6** · 08-16-2011, 02:49 AM

and that is a wonderful guitar BTW. I love the matching look of the ebony fingerboard with the guard, bridge and tail. Very stylish. I find the headstock design on the andersen a bit 'plain'in comparison (that is purely a cosmetic remark though; never played one.... )

**DAndersen** · 08-20-2011, 01:24 AM

COOL! Steve is my uncle. My father, Tom, still has one of the first flattops he ever made; every time i see it i stick my nose in the sound hole and take a deep whiff because it is one of my favorite smells ever. a master craftsman for sure. Hope to buy one someday.

**Philco** · 08-20-2011, 02:55 AM

Originally Posted by fws6

and that is a wonderful guitar BTW. I love the matching look of the ebony fingerboard with the guard, bridge and tail. Very stylish. I find the headstock design on the andersen a bit 'plain'in comparison (that is purely a cosmetic remark though; never played one.... )

Such a beautiful instrument. Mr Anderson seems to have the best of both worlds. He has an incredible sense of design and the physical skill to make it a reality.

I actually like the head stock design. Nice balance. Funny how the headstock can destroy the look of a guitar.
I've been checking out the Heritage guitars. I can't get past the headstock. The rest looks great and I'm sure they play great.
I could never own one. Not with that headstock shape.
I know there are more important things to consider.
But there you have it.

**fws6** · 08-20-2011, 07:00 AM

the heritage design seems to have stopped when they took over from Gibson, very much stuck in the mid 80s

I bet they get that feedback all the time as you read the same on the web everywhere when heritage's are mentioned.

Based on quality they should be able to get a much bigger chunk of the jazz market if they would go for a more 'traditional' look, foremost the headstock, but also on the shades of sunburst, bulky tailpieces etc.

Or at least give the customers some choice

**uburoibob** · 08-20-2011, 08:12 AM

There is a nearly endless thread about Heritage's headstocks over on The Gear Page. People get very passionate in their opinions, but about 10 to 1, people don't like their headstocks.

Hey DAndersen, what is your first name? Steve is a good friend and I will be talking with him and wanna tell him I ran into you on this forum.

Bob

**Loobs** · 08-20-2011, 07:20 PM

That Electric Archie is wonderful! So jealous.

**Philco** · 08-20-2011, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by Loobs

That Electric Archie is wonderful! So jealous.

Yes I have developed an unhealthy lust for that little Archie as well.
It ticks all the boxes for me.
The right size.
Gorgeous.
Way out of my budget.

Which means I have to have one.

I'd really like to see a shot of someone holding one to get a better perspective on the size.
Anyone seen a picture anywhere?

**Chaos Lloyd** · 10-05-2011, 07:03 PM

I know this is an old thread, but I love my Andersen so much I had to add to it.

I own and regularly perform with Andersen #463, a sunburst Little Archie. It's 2.5" deep and uses the scale length and neck dimensions I specified when I ordered it (the measurements were taken from my PRS McCarty; it's very close to the dimensions of Fresh Fish #21, #464, also a Little Archie). I string it with Thomastik flat wound 12s.

My Andersen is perhaps the most exceptional instrument I've ever played. Even now, at less than 2 years old, it's tone has begun to get more complex and full. As my relationship and knowledge of the instrument grows--what it can do, how it responds to different right-hand approaches, etc.--I'm rewarded with a more perfect vehicle for my musical vision at every turn.

The three Gibson archtops that I sold to finance this purchase afforded me a truly unique instrument that has become a sort of musical life partner. Sounds creepy, I know, but if you get one of these things you'll understand.

An Andersen is truly a guitar that demands a lifetime commitment from its owner.

**Philco** · 10-05-2011, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by Chaos Lloyd

I know this is an old thread, but I love my Andersen so much I had to add to it.

I own and regularly perform with Andersen #463, a sunburst Little Archie. It's 2.5" deep and uses the scale length and neck dimensions I specified when I ordered it (the measurements were taken from my PRS McCarty; it's very close to the dimensions of Fresh Fish #21, #464, also a Little Archie). I string it with Thomastik flat wound 12s.

My Andersen is perhaps the most exceptional instrument I've ever played. Even now, at less than 2 years old, it's tone has begun to get more complex and full. As my relationship and knowledge of the instrument grows--what it can do, how it responds to different right-hand approaches, etc.--I'm rewarded with a more perfect vehicle for my musical vision at every turn.

The three Gibson archtops that I sold to finance this purchase afforded me a truly unique instrument that has become a sort of musical life partner. Sounds creepy, I know, but if you get one of these things you'll understand.

An Andersen is truly a guitar that demands a lifetime commitment from its owner.

Thanks for rekindling my un financeable lust

One question: If you sit the guitar on your knee (the Archie) and don't support it with your hands, will it balance, or is it "neck heavy"? Will it fall toward the head stock. It "looks" like it would be neck heavy from the photos but photos are deceiving.