well its a year later and before reviewing what i had choosen the first time i heard this comparison, again i thought the Fender had a bit warmer fuller,rounder tone, let's have some fun and add a Suhr and a Nash (w/ Lollars) to the comparison and see what sounds best. I still stress that Tom Andersons are built wonderfully and i still would want to own the Anderson over the Fender, not sure where i would go w/ the Nash and Suhr in the mix..
Comparing these guitars is like comparing identical twins. You have to know them both very well before you can tell the difference. If you're a guitar tech, experienced musician, or an idiot savant, this would be a no-brainer. However, for casual fans/musicians like myself, the only difference is the brand name.
I bet that in a blind test most people that say "I like fender better.../ Anderson sounds way better..." would mess it up. they are very close sounding,
@Mightypaul Disagree, for a Fender sound, you buy a Fender, for a generic rock guitar sound with ultra high quality, buy a Tom Anderson, Suhr, PRS, Tyler, whatever flavour of the month is. It's like custom amps, I reckon most people would hear little difference to the classics that defined the standards back in the 1960s, and certainly would not be able to tell one custom shop amp from the other.
Give the Anderson 20+ years and try it again. The sounds are pretty close with the Fender sounding just a bit better, as it should being it's 20+ years old. Imagine the Anderson in 20+ years. None will compare to the Anderson in my humble opinion.
Both sound good. I'd think that any tone differences could be adjusted for on the guitar & amp. With that in mind, which one felt better to play, stayed in tune better, felt more solid...etc.
both sounded good but i was surprised to find the fender more pleasing to the ear, a bit smoother & warmer the TA sounded a bit more metallic and cheap sounding which is funny bec we all know how pricey they run.i'd also agree w/ lexist its just a question of pups, i've always liked Andersons much over the fenders even the custom shop fenders.
That's a pretty cool comparison. I think the Anderson had a little more warmth to it though. To me the biggest difference I've noticed about Andersons over Fenders is that Andersons just play SOOOO much better, and are better built guitars. But Fenders are some of the best guitars for their price, until you get to their sig models then they just get priced crazy.
Definitely the Fender. But you have to consider that the Tele is an 83 while the Anderson is a 2005. interesting to hear the Anderson 25 odd years from now.
@somfw that 'sbull ..anyone w/ a decent ear can hear the difference, the Anderson was def not as clean & warm if the amp settings & all else is equal, there's a def difference..
The kind of people that will likely make up the majority of any live audience will not be able to tell the difference in these two great guitars! Buy an Anderson that sports one of their insanely figured tops which Fender doesn't come close ot offering and reap the compliments from those who don't know any better, those that do will give the respect that only an Anderson owner can get. A Fender is like a perfect pair of broken-in jeans, an Anderson is like a badass suit!
listen carefuly to how the Anderson "fits" and compliments the horns and other insturnments on the backing track with out stepping all over everything els. that's the mark of tone. unless your a bedroom player who never plays with other people.
The post only lets you hear tone, it does not compare playability or fit and finish of the guitar. I own 2 Fender Custom Shop Teles and just bought 2 Anderson T-Classics, needless to say the Fender's are going up on Ebay. The intonation and playability of the Anderson's is incredible
i dont think its fair to compare a guitar from 1983 to any new guitar, the older guitar's finish has opened up allowed to wood to breathe, enhancing the sound. of course the new tele still sounds a little stiff compared to it. but give it 20 years and that anderson will dominate the fender, in my opinion
They both sound good. Is the Anderson worth more than twice as much? From my vantage, you're an excellent player, and your playing trumps any difference in the guitar by a country mile.
need to throw a Suhr in there also. main thing with Anderson is that Tom doesn't really like vintage sounds, his pickups tend to be a lot more modern sounding.
anderson doesnt shreek which is a good thing.bit more woody .anderson beats fender anyday.ive owned both for years.strat type and normal strat.anderson is in diffrent league im afraid.
i prefer the fender. the anderson sounds too fusion-y for me. but it may just be a question of pick-ups. the anderson might have a better fit to someone's hands more than the fender.
the difference is just in the pick-ups and a proper set-up.
The Anderson sounds a tad fatter, while the tele is a bit thinner/sharper. Both very good.. hard to say which I prefer. To me it's very close win to Anderson. However, I guess this is such a small difference that another two copies of the same guitars could fare differently.
And also, it's refreshing to see good playing skills and good recording. Thumbs up!
@sibsound Hi, I felt that this demo was great. Not only the comparison, but your playing too. Could you tell me what effects your are using and - pardon my ignorance - what song is it that you're playing?
theres nothing diffrent with the guitars, the Anderson is maybe a little bit more present in the Mid and Bass, but when you have an Anderson you can be proud ;-)
They sound very different. The Anderson is fatter sounding while the Fender has more bite and twang. For me, the Andersons tone is nicer but both sound great.
TAs have a slightly warmer sound, more balanced and ready to higher distortion settings; high-end Fenders have the typical fantastic "quack" sound. The real deal of the TAs is that you can cover almost any musical genre with just one guitar... that's why I bought a Drop Top instead of a Strat ;)
This reinforces my feeling that once you cross into electric-solidbody territory, differences in tone (especially driven tone) become trivial. I'd enjoy hearing either one on your album...
I play Kubicki's. If I had to replace em'(the sobbing would never end...) I would go Anderson. Pickups are easy to replace. It's all about the feel, componants, woods, amp, mood, fingers, star positions...you get the idea. Plus 83 was probably Fenders lowest point in quality. Still, whatever works.
Both great sounding guitars, which if you heard each on its own you would buy, but give me the Fender please. Great playing BTW, excellent licks and a great touch.
I have both. I bought the Fender after the Anderson so I'd have a proper backup....uh....ya....the Anderson is the backup now for the sames reasons this video demonstrates. The Fender has more bite and more charachter
The first thing I notice when the Anderson comes in is that it's a little tinnier wih slightly more gain. Probably a difference in the pickups mainly, as always with electrics. Both fine guitars-- I'd take the Tele.
Both sounded the same to me to be honest. Actually my Epi SG sounds like both of these, or would do if I could play that well. Bit of compression, bit of reverb...can't afford $4000 for a Vintage Tele or a beat up new one at twice the price. A set of Elixirs and 4 hours a day practise is the best way
Ever played one...? Anderson guitars are completely custom built, therefore the buyer has to specifically select the woods, hardware, PICKUPS, finish, etc. and build the guitar from the ground up. Therefore the buyer probably knew that the pickups he/she selected didn't have the output that the Fenders do, but they did have the option, it's just not what they were after. Anderson is just a better guitar in all respects, and it should be, being handbuilt and all. Don't be so ignorant
Tele is a lot more aggressive -- the Anderson more rounded. If I want round I'd probably go humbucker. So if sting is what you're after, I'm all for maximizing the ice pick axis with the Fender. It'd be interesting to toss a vintage reissue black guard Tele into that mix...
The average listener that will likely make up over 80% of any audience will not be able to tell the difference in these two guitars, buy an Anderson that has one of their insanely figured tops which isn't offered by Fender reap the compliments you'll receive by those that don't know any better, those that do will give the respect that only an Anderson owner can get! A Fender is like the perfect pair of broken-in jeans, and Anderson is like a bad ass suit!
Don't know if anybody mentioned it but the 1983 has a top loader bridge (not the classic string through body as the T Anderson has).
PS: Great playing anyway man!
Youtubax 1 month ago
the anderson sounds like its got some les paul-esque sustain added to it
geraci89 1 month ago
Fender
guitarsvolta 3 months ago
The Anderson plays much better, no doubt!
rmoraespinto 6 months ago
The TA is muffled sounding. Probably the overwound the pickups, thinking the 'more power' angle is desirable, but isn't.
Deathrape2001 7 months ago
hey... i would love to learn that lick that you do, could you do another video and slow it down so i could try & learn it. thanx
MOSKII58 8 months ago
well its a year later and before reviewing what i had choosen the first time i heard this comparison, again i thought the Fender had a bit warmer fuller,rounder tone, let's have some fun and add a Suhr and a Nash (w/ Lollars) to the comparison and see what sounds best. I still stress that Tom Andersons are built wonderfully and i still would want to own the Anderson over the Fender, not sure where i would go w/ the Nash and Suhr in the mix..
MOSKII58 8 months ago
Is it just me or do these 2 models sound the same? I'm trying so hard to find the difference
nvs617 9 months ago
Finaly Tom anderson!!!!
darikguitar 10 months ago
Comparing these guitars is like comparing identical twins. You have to know them both very well before you can tell the difference. If you're a guitar tech, experienced musician, or an idiot savant, this would be a no-brainer. However, for casual fans/musicians like myself, the only difference is the brand name.
bdubbs67 11 months ago 3
Comment removed
gtrincala 1 year ago
@gtrincala If you want new one, look into Suhr.
organs 1 year ago
I bet that in a blind test most people that say "I like fender better.../ Anderson sounds way better..." would mess it up. they are very close sounding,
bloodyfrets 1 year ago
This is kind of like comparing a Bently to a Bmw. Both are nice but Anderson guitars are all hand built customs. You cant really buy a better guitar.
Mightypaul 1 year ago
@Mightypaul Disagree, for a Fender sound, you buy a Fender, for a generic rock guitar sound with ultra high quality, buy a Tom Anderson, Suhr, PRS, Tyler, whatever flavour of the month is. It's like custom amps, I reckon most people would hear little difference to the classics that defined the standards back in the 1960s, and certainly would not be able to tell one custom shop amp from the other.
buckachiddy 1 year ago
TOM ANDERSON IS WAAAAYYY BETTER!!! :D
MrSfoose 1 year ago
Wow you are one smoooooth guitar player!!
shmaltz 1 year ago
mate sweet sound, sweet mate
classic1852 1 year ago
Fender all the way! TA's are expensive copies of great guitars that dont compare.
Great playing though.
guitarwinder 1 year ago
You're a fantastic player no matter what you guitar you play!
ElWischi 1 year ago
Give the Anderson 20+ years and try it again. The sounds are pretty close with the Fender sounding just a bit better, as it should being it's 20+ years old. Imagine the Anderson in 20+ years. None will compare to the Anderson in my humble opinion.
BlueThinker99 1 year ago
Both sound good. I'd think that any tone differences could be adjusted for on the guitar & amp. With that in mind, which one felt better to play, stayed in tune better, felt more solid...etc.
lazur1 1 year ago
Fender FTW!
theshyguitarist 1 year ago
The anderson had a tighter, more focused sound. better is subjective, but the Anderson is the sound I'm after. Nice playing.
jefftroxel 1 year ago
the anderson sounds much smoother but the fender has that classic tele bite!!
JRRS1993 1 year ago
Shocking....loved the Fender...
patkeating97 1 year ago
both sounded good but i was surprised to find the fender more pleasing to the ear, a bit smoother & warmer the TA sounded a bit more metallic and cheap sounding which is funny bec we all know how pricey they run.i'd also agree w/ lexist its just a question of pups, i've always liked Andersons much over the fenders even the custom shop fenders.
MOSKII58 1 year ago
That's a pretty cool comparison. I think the Anderson had a little more warmth to it though. To me the biggest difference I've noticed about Andersons over Fenders is that Andersons just play SOOOO much better, and are better built guitars. But Fenders are some of the best guitars for their price, until you get to their sig models then they just get priced crazy.
Tube1Patrick2 1 year ago
very nice; where did the backing tracks come from?
Gibboplucker 1 year ago
Definitely the Fender. But you have to consider that the Tele is an 83 while the Anderson is a 2005. interesting to hear the Anderson 25 odd years from now.
MrNosajthing 1 year ago
You people play with yourselves! If the test was blind it would be 50 / 50 ! If he mislabled them you would claim the Anderson sounds better.
The point is they are nearly identical, the differences you hear, if any, are in his playing and articulation of the notes.
let me repeat - On a blind test, if the player didn't switch guitars 99 % of you would say guitar sounds different each time!
somfw 1 year ago
@somfw that 'sbull ..anyone w/ a decent ear can hear the difference, the Anderson was def not as clean & warm if the amp settings & all else is equal, there's a def difference..
MOSKII58 1 year ago
The kind of people that will likely make up the majority of any live audience will not be able to tell the difference in these two great guitars! Buy an Anderson that sports one of their insanely figured tops which Fender doesn't come close ot offering and reap the compliments from those who don't know any better, those that do will give the respect that only an Anderson owner can get. A Fender is like a perfect pair of broken-in jeans, an Anderson is like a badass suit!
ApexiRyan 1 year ago
now thats a good tele tone,the anderson sounds like a tele but different,both sound great here
fraterlucifer888 1 year ago
the anderson has a little less mid range honk. could be the pickups.
either guitar is very good,
mybig88 1 year ago
@mybig88 I agree, the anderson sounds alil sterile and bland compared to the tele,but the anderson sounds lil more articulate
fraterlucifer888 1 year ago
Really nice video.
surfco 1 year ago
very well, very well hear the sound of tom anderson
fm694 2 years ago
Just played an Anderson Cobra...the first guitar I have picked up in 15 years that makes me WANT to buy a factory made guitar...they ARE that good.
Chromatype 2 years ago
I wouldn't call Andersons "factory made"
ahardmark 2 years ago
listen carefuly to how the Anderson "fits" and compliments the horns and other insturnments on the backing track with out stepping all over everything els. that's the mark of tone. unless your a bedroom player who never plays with other people.
upgutter1 2 years ago
Fender has that tele feel/ voice as compared to that of Anderson's.
ynohpocac 2 years ago
Cool tune.
The fender sounds better IMO.
jwandhistools 2 years ago
The Fender All Day Nothing Like a Fender doing a Fender. Burns
dsuccezz 2 years ago
The Fender sounds better, I think. I have an 08 American Standard Ash Tele, I wish I had an Anderson to go with it!
lighteningboy 2 years ago
The post only lets you hear tone, it does not compare playability or fit and finish of the guitar. I own 2 Fender Custom Shop Teles and just bought 2 Anderson T-Classics, needless to say the Fender's are going up on Ebay. The intonation and playability of the Anderson's is incredible
XRAY760 2 years ago
I agree, I played a couple Andersons recently. They ae superior guitars, but the Tele still stands up with the tone.
lighteningboy 2 years ago
Fender has a thicker and more balanced tone. The other guy is a tad thinner.
johnsain 2 years ago
Fender The good sound
raotec 2 years ago
andersons are 10 times the guitar of a fender...you get what you pay for...
adhunt3007 2 years ago
the Anderson has a little more warm sound, but look at the prices man!! Anderson is for people with to much money :-D ...
soundlikeFabian 2 years ago
i dont think its fair to compare a guitar from 1983 to any new guitar, the older guitar's finish has opened up allowed to wood to breathe, enhancing the sound. of course the new tele still sounds a little stiff compared to it. but give it 20 years and that anderson will dominate the fender, in my opinion
petermelton 2 years ago 2
First!
surfco 2 years ago
Fender is more twangy and has more mojo especially since it's an 83. As far as modern strats, ill take a TA any day over a Fender.
geezbill71 2 years ago
send them both to me and I'll let you know who won ......Me LOL
CSBluesman 2 years ago 2
They both sound good. Is the Anderson worth more than twice as much? From my vantage, you're an excellent player, and your playing trumps any difference in the guitar by a country mile.
mitscan 2 years ago
Prefer the TA, warmer richer sound..well balanced over the fender
incadish2003 2 years ago
Nice picking! cool song.let me know what's original song name and oririnal player's name.thanks .Sat.
koizguitar 2 years ago
need to throw a Suhr in there also. main thing with Anderson is that Tom doesn't really like vintage sounds, his pickups tend to be a lot more modern sounding.
whomad1215 2 years ago
FENDER!!!!
liaserethguitarist12 2 years ago
anderson doesnt shreek which is a good thing.bit more woody .anderson beats fender anyday.ive owned both for years.strat type and normal strat.anderson is in diffrent league im afraid.
tokyojoband 2 years ago
vote for Fender!
williamwl2001 2 years ago
Fender has a bit more bite. Probably can make the TA sound the same with an amp tweak tho.
samonowens 2 years ago
vote for fender.
marcelcruzeiro 2 years ago
i prefer the fender. the anderson sounds too fusion-y for me. but it may just be a question of pick-ups. the anderson might have a better fit to someone's hands more than the fender.
the difference is just in the pick-ups and a proper set-up.
lexist7 2 years ago 5
Today I played a Tom Anderson (tele style) a friend buyed it in the USA, and it is an special design for him,
he payed 4000$ or 5000$, this guitar was one of the best I ever played in my life!
the one that I played was like the guitar in the video
soundlikeFabian 2 years ago
The Anderson sounds a tad fatter, while the tele is a bit thinner/sharper. Both very good.. hard to say which I prefer. To me it's very close win to Anderson. However, I guess this is such a small difference that another two copies of the same guitars could fare differently.
And also, it's refreshing to see good playing skills and good recording. Thumbs up!
elsnubbo 2 years ago
What was your setup? Sounds very sweet.
10oooo01 2 years ago
Thanks. Setup was: Mesa Triaxis -> Mesa 50/50 -> Marshall 1x12 with Celestion Classic Lead 80 -> SM57 -> TLA 5051 preamp -> MOTU 2408. Ambience and delay added during mix.
sibsound 2 years ago
@sibsound Hi, I felt that this demo was great. Not only the comparison, but your playing too. Could you tell me what effects your are using and - pardon my ignorance - what song is it that you're playing?
rmoraespinto 11 months ago
Kill the back ground music so i can tell...
viletantrum 2 years ago
Fender FTW! I'm sure the anderson is easier to play though.
BrothuhV84 2 years ago
i think the second one has got more medium
gypsysunerainbow 2 years ago
theres nothing diffrent with the guitars, the Anderson is maybe a little bit more present in the Mid and Bass, but when you have an Anderson you can be proud ;-)
soundlikeFabian 3 years ago
Forget the axes.........who's the cat playin' and what is that badass tune?
costgene 3 years ago
I prefer the Anderson; Would be nice if you could also throw a G&L ASAT into the mix!
marzzz1 3 years ago
Nice playing matey. I prefer the Fender, but then I'm pretty much an old-school player. Good stuff though. Is it your tune ?
NixonMcvicar 3 years ago
They sound very different. The Anderson is fatter sounding while the Fender has more bite and twang. For me, the Andersons tone is nicer but both sound great.
ThieleM 3 years ago
no doubt Fender ist the best one....
nedkoko 3 years ago
TAs have a slightly warmer sound, more balanced and ready to higher distortion settings; high-end Fenders have the typical fantastic "quack" sound. The real deal of the TAs is that you can cover almost any musical genre with just one guitar... that's why I bought a Drop Top instead of a Strat ;)
virgult 3 years ago
the 83 tele sounded better
EpiphoneMaster1234 3 years ago 2
it's not even close beside the fact that they look quite similler they sound completely different the fender is much much better
progressivelife 3 years ago
no doubt, the Fender sounded best. much more cleaner sound than the Tom Anderson one.
derloX 3 years ago 10
OMG OMG OMG. LOL.
I LOVE GUITAR! XD
What are the tabs??!!... I so wanna play this!... makes me happy. :]
Is it a song, or an improv?..
Tell me someone!
Jasexxxxx 3 years ago
im sure its just an improv.
imdesigner 3 years ago
what do those Anderson guitars cost?
FatMaro 3 years ago
2500-5000 $
gkountonas 3 years ago
the fender has bite. the killer bit is 0.44 -0.45. that snap right there is insane. the other guitar is nice, but don't have the "magic" y'all.
deepsouth81 3 years ago 2
Your feeling of the guitar is extraordinary! love it.
MaciekClockwise 3 years ago
man sweet groove . . . i love it =)
elpijonas 3 years ago
the fender sounds actually better suprisingl
gnrrocks123 3 years ago 2
Absolutely awesome phrasing man....!! after a few seconds i forgot it was a T comparison..!!
JTBW04022 3 years ago
I prefer the fender!! "Milky" sound!!!
orpheus06 3 years ago 3
very simalar
gnlman 3 years ago
Wow great playing and tone. I was expecting a major difference and for the Anderson to come out on top. To my ears the F tele sounded better on this.
gnlman 3 years ago
fender has more twang.
lexist7 3 years ago
I'd like to get that backing track. That just grooves....
bsnyder45036 3 years ago
This reinforces my feeling that once you cross into electric-solidbody territory, differences in tone (especially driven tone) become trivial. I'd enjoy hearing either one on your album...
BlimpyBoy 3 years ago
i like the 83 better, its got a nice dirty tone, not too clean but overly dirty...basically perfect...great job man
Waterworks410 3 years ago 3
I play Kubicki's. If I had to replace em'(the sobbing would never end...) I would go Anderson. Pickups are easy to replace. It's all about the feel, componants, woods, amp, mood, fingers, star positions...you get the idea. Plus 83 was probably Fenders lowest point in quality. Still, whatever works.
ravenslaves 3 years ago
they sound pretty similar but i like the anderson better...cleaner tone
fenderski08 3 years ago
Both great sounding guitars, which if you heard each on its own you would buy, but give me the Fender please. Great playing BTW, excellent licks and a great touch.
Stratman6969 3 years ago
Agree!!!!!!!
orpheus06 3 years ago
I have both. I bought the Fender after the Anderson so I'd have a proper backup....uh....ya....the Anderson is the backup now for the sames reasons this video demonstrates. The Fender has more bite and more charachter
tleonard42 3 years ago
The first thing I notice when the Anderson comes in is that it's a little tinnier wih slightly more gain. Probably a difference in the pickups mainly, as always with electrics. Both fine guitars-- I'd take the Tele.
Docgrass 3 years ago
Both sounded the same to me to be honest. Actually my Epi SG sounds like both of these, or would do if I could play that well. Bit of compression, bit of reverb...can't afford $4000 for a Vintage Tele or a beat up new one at twice the price. A set of Elixirs and 4 hours a day practise is the best way
Rikk303 3 years ago
elixirs cut so much tone, i hate them
JKryanX 3 years ago
Elixers are OK for some things but on a Tele? No way. They destroy the essence of what a Tele is all about.
pickrhead 3 years ago
the fender blows the anderson away and is a way better investment than the anderson....in short....the anderson sux arse!!!
loomis4747 3 years ago
Ever played one...? Anderson guitars are completely custom built, therefore the buyer has to specifically select the woods, hardware, PICKUPS, finish, etc. and build the guitar from the ground up. Therefore the buyer probably knew that the pickups he/she selected didn't have the output that the Fenders do, but they did have the option, it's just not what they were after. Anderson is just a better guitar in all respects, and it should be, being handbuilt and all. Don't be so ignorant
kevinalove 3 years ago 2
Both amazing guitars, thats my kind of tone
Lossaavedra 3 years ago
The Anderson is smoother. The Fender is brighter and clearer overall with more bite.
acdcflower 3 years ago 2
Tele is a lot more aggressive -- the Anderson more rounded. If I want round I'd probably go humbucker. So if sting is what you're after, I'm all for maximizing the ice pick axis with the Fender. It'd be interesting to toss a vintage reissue black guard Tele into that mix...
urxsw8 3 years ago
i wantz a tele fur my self
moester101 3 years ago
i agree about the more bite comment.you can tell the fender has a more hot sound.
billysfender 3 years ago
they sound so close. the guy playing plays well. he has the goods. if you suck i dont care what you play. ha ha,peace,billy
billysfender 3 years ago
both sound cool.
iagobroxado 3 years ago 2
LOL, I like the Anderson's sound better. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.
mattbrown8888 4 years ago
Fender sounds a better, more bite
motokev 4 years ago 2
Like the Fender better. I'm probably not suppose to but I do.
fabbola 4 years ago
So which guitar you like better? Both sound good from the viewing end ;-)
h1strat 4 years ago
They are both great sounding guitars, but I prefer the '83 Tele...Sounds brighter and more crisp.
Priole2000 4 years ago 2
those couldn't sound more similar
Bustoff3 4 years ago
The average listener that will likely make up over 80% of any audience will not be able to tell the difference in these two guitars, buy an Anderson that has one of their insanely figured tops which isn't offered by Fender reap the compliments you'll receive by those that don't know any better, those that do will give the respect that only an Anderson owner can get! A Fender is like the perfect pair of broken-in jeans, and Anderson is like a bad ass suit!
ApexiRyan 1 year ago
Great tune - where's it from?
mjs3105 4 years ago