• Year: 1997
• Model: Tom Anderson The Classic
• Finish: Trans Orange
• Finish Type: UV cured finish
• Body: Ash
• Body Construction: Solidbody, double cutaway, pickguard mounted
• Neck: Maple
• Neck Joint: Bolt on, 4 bolt
• Scale Length: 25.5"
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Frets: 22
• Inlays: Dots
• Intonation: Buzz Feiten Tuning System
• Pickup Configuration: SSH, two single coils plus humbucker
• Electronics: Pickguard mounted
• Controls: Volume and tone
• Output: Side mounted jack
• Pickguard: White pearloid
• Hardware: Nickel / chrome
• Case: Hard case
• Country: USA (Newbury Park, California)

The Classic is Tom Anderson's traditional double cut shape, the outline everyone knows, built in Newbury Park with the neck, frets and intonation of a modern boutique guitar. That is exactly why Andersons have such a loyal following. Rather than chasing year correct quirks like a Custom Shop Time Machine, Tom's shop was always about making the familiar shape play and sound as good as possible.

This one is about as striking as a Classic gets. Trans Orange over an ash body lets the grain show right through, and the white pearloid pickguard and nickel / chrome hardware give it a bold, slightly retro look that stands out from the usual sunbursts. Ash brings a brighter, snappier voice than alder, with a tight low end and a clear top, and the rosewood board takes a little edge off for a warmer, more vintage leaning feel under the fingers.

The SSH layout makes it a genuinely versatile guitar. You have two single coils for spanky cleans and in between sounds, and a humbucker in the bridge for thicker rhythm and lead work when the gain comes up. Controls sit on the pickguard in the usual Classic way, volume and tone with a side mounted jack, so it looks like the guitar you grew up on and then gives you more when you plug in.

This is an earlier Classic, still with the four bolt neck joint from before Anderson changed the design. You also get 22 frets rather than the 21 of a vintage Strat, and the Buzz Feiten Tuning System, which Anderson introduced in early 1996, so chords sit more in tune up the neck. For players weighing up a Fender Custom Shop or a Suhr, an Anderson Classic is the one a lot of people try and then never sell.

Excellent condition. Presents very cleanly overall with only light signs of careful use consistent with age. Any specific marks or cosmetic wear are detailed above. No significant damage or issues to mention.

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