What is a Tom Anderson Cobra Telecaster?

reverbbb · April 15th, 2005, 12:44 AM

I saw a black one at a pawn shop. It has been there for many weeks. The price is $420. It is not in the greatest of shape. It is not a beater, but it is "broke-in" with some of the finish wearing off of the back of the neck.

I was under the impression that if it had Tom Anderson's name on it, it would be very pricey. This guitar is MIA, but is does not seem to radiate the high end quality of other Tom Anderson guitars that I have seen.

It is virtually a clone of a Fender Telecaster with a TA headstock and rosewood fretboard.

Is $420 a good price, or are these just a run of the mill guitar?

JohnnyAtomic · April 15th, 2005, 12:52 AM

be careful, i've seen some fake tom andersons in pawnshops all along I-30 from dallas all the way to little rock, and along I-40 all the way to nashville. they were generally new cheap samicks strats w/ fake logos. they looked nothing like a TA, and used a name that a greedy pawn broker could look up in a book but had no idea what it really looked like. then the broker would think they could really stick it to the guy, when the guy was actually burning them. i'd look it up on the Tom Anderson and see if it looked similarly. i've seen the same thing w/ Alembic Elans (on a P-bass), and Paul Reed Smith (on a samick strat).

johnny atomic

Dave Yeats · April 15th, 2005, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyAtomic

be careful, i've seen some fake tom andersons in pawnshops all along I-30 from dallas all the way to little rock, and along I-40 all the way to nashville.

Yep, likely a fake. I've seen them in Austin.

A real cobra would likely have a flame maple top and no pickguard. Like this:

reverbbb · April 15th, 2005, 08:48 AM

This is why I love this place.

It did not cross my mind as being a fake. I just was thinking that it was either a budget model of TA or mis-priced.

Thanks for the warning. Something just did not seem right to me.

Essex Boy · April 15th, 2005, 08:57 AM

If it was real, that'd be an awesome deal! I thought to myself, at $420 theres no way it can be authentic.

rhomco · April 15th, 2005, 10:32 AM

Check the scale length. I believe the real cobra from TA is a 25" scale. Most copies are going to be the standard 25 1/2 Fender scale.
Rob

kingalingus · April 15th, 2005, 06:20 PM

From Tom Anderson's web site: Developed in the mid 1990s, the Cobra boasts a 24 3/4" scale length. All other Anderson models feature a 25 1/2" scale length.

One thing to look for is the "Buzz Feiten tuning system" logo on the back of the head stock and the letter "A" in the Tom Anderson font that is on each tuning machine.

timgreene · April 15th, 2005, 06:27 PM

It also helps that they are signed on the neck plates, with the date of manufacture, and wether it was made in the A.M. or P.M.

I've only played one, and you would know if it was the real deal. For $420.00, you would be telling us about your new acquisition, if it was the real deal.

I really like the one i played, not the cobra model.

e-merlin · April 15th, 2005, 07:28 PM

Tom Anderson guitars are absolutely fabulous. They play "like butter." Yeah, I know that's a shop worn phrase but it fits in this case. They come out of the shop feeling like you took a new guitar home and spent weeks getting the setup, frets, and everything else just right. If it's the real deal you'll save yourself about $1400 bucks on that one.

If it's a fake you'll know by playing it.

Cliff · April 17th, 2005, 09:47 AM

Just one more thing. My Cobra has a tummy cut and round off like a Strat on top. I think they all do. The shorter scale length is very noticeable. Like the other guy said, play it and you'll know if it's the real deal.

April 15th, 2005, 12:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
reverbbb Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Just Plano, Texas Age: 50 Posts: 3,710 34 Photos	What is a Tom Anderson Cobra Telecaster? I saw a black one at a pawn shop. It has been there for many weeks. The price is $420. It is not in the greatest of shape. It is not a beater, but it is "broke-in" with some of the finish wearing off of the back of the neck. I was under the impression that if it had Tom Anderson's name on it, it would be very pricey. This guitar is MIA, but is does not seem to radiate the high end quality of other Tom Anderson guitars that I have seen. It is virtually a clone of a Fender Telecaster with a TA headstock and rosewood fretboard. Is $420 a good price, or are these just a run of the mill guitar? __________________ "I come here to reflect a little."™ Myspace Guitarist P&W Forum

April 15th, 2005, 12:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
JohnnyAtomic Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 1,338	be careful, i've seen some fake tom andersons in pawnshops all along I-30 from dallas all the way to little rock, and along I-40 all the way to nashville. they were generally new cheap samicks strats w/ fake logos. they looked nothing like a TA, and used a name that a greedy pawn broker could look up in a book but had no idea what it really looked like. then the broker would think they could really stick it to the guy, when the guy was actually burning them. i'd look it up on the Tom Anderson and see if it looked similarly. i've seen the same thing w/ Alembic Elans (on a P-bass), and Paul Reed Smith (on a samick strat). johnny atomic __________________ flaming hamper of rock! www.myspace.com/johnnyatomicmusic

April 15th, 2005, 08:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
reverbbb Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Just Plano, Texas Age: 50 Posts: 3,710 34 Photos	This is why I love this place. It did not cross my mind as being a fake. I just was thinking that it was either a budget model of TA or mis-priced. Thanks for the warning. Something just did not seem right to me. __________________ "I come here to reflect a little."™ Myspace Guitarist P&W Forum

April 15th, 2005, 10:32 AM	#6 (permalink)
rhomco Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Crowley, Texas Posts: 754	Fake TA? Check the scale length. I believe the real cobra from TA is a 25" scale. Most copies are going to be the standard 25 1/2 Fender scale. Rob

April 15th, 2005, 06:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
timgreene Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 1,257 10 Photos	It also helps that they are signed on the neck plates, with the date of manufacture, and wether it was made in the A.M. or P.M. I've only played one, and you would know if it was the real deal. For $420.00, you would be telling us about your new acquisition, if it was the real deal. I really like the one i played, not the cobra model. __________________ opinions expressed are the view of the author, and are not necesarily correct.

April 15th, 2005, 08:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
Essex Boy Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 679	If it was real, that'd be an awesome deal! I thought to myself, at $420 theres no way it can be authentic.

April 15th, 2005, 06:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
kingalingus Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Charleston, SC Age: 41 Posts: 313 7 Photos	From Tom Anderson's web site: Developed in the mid 1990s, the Cobra boasts a 24 3/4" scale length. All other Anderson models feature a 25 1/2" scale length. One thing to look for is the "Buzz Feiten tuning system" logo on the back of the head stock and the letter "A" in the Tom Anderson font that is on each tuning machine.

April 17th, 2005, 09:47 AM	#10 (permalink)
Cliff Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Left Coast Posts: 168 3 Photos	Cobra Just one more thing. My Cobra has a tummy cut and round off like a Strat on top. I think they all do. The shorter scale length is very noticeable. Like the other guy said, play it and you'll know if it's the real deal.