Tom Anderson downsizes

ohio_eric · 11-14-2006, 11:43 PM

By March Tom Anderson Guitarworks will be one man, Tom himself, he is downsizing because he wants to concentrae on guitars and not manage the business. You can read his statement here. It's kind of odd because now he will have to do everything and I hope he doesn't burn out trying to be a one man band.

darren · 11-15-2006, 06:45 AM

Damn.

I totally respect Tom's decision, but it does seem odd to all but shut down a very successful business. I mean, he could have hired a business manager to keep the "production" side of things going, and then just retired to a back room where he could make "Tom Anderson Private Stock" guitars by hand. But instead, he's chosen to let all those people go and to become a one-man shop.

That said, many of the best and most successful "boutique" luthiers are still one-person shops. Luthiers seem to like working on their own. Maybe Tom just wanted to get back to the craft and spending time with the wood.

metalfiend666 · 11-15-2006, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darren

I mean, he could have hired a business manager to keep the "production" side of things going, and then just retired to a back room where he could make "Tom Anderson Private Stock" guitars by hand.

Isn't that basically how PRS operates? From the interviews I've read and the factory tour pics I've seen I get the impression that Paul is fairly hands on and leaves most of the running of the firm to others. I could be wrong though.

I think it's a real shame Tom's made this decision, but I can understand he reasoning behind it. I wonder if he'll be more willing to make 7's again as a one man band with no production line to worry about?

ohio_eric · 11-15-2006, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metalfiend666

I wonder if he'll be more willing to make 7's again as a one man band with no production line to worry about?

I doubt he'll make sevens. Yhe big reason he stopped making them was his inability to source out quality parts. So unless he's found new sources it doesn't look hopeful.

metalfiend666 · 11-15-2006, 10:08 AM

I dndn't think he will either, but it never hurst to be optomistic.

darren · 11-15-2006, 10:11 AM

If you want a seven-string Tom Anderson, go to the Schecter USA custom shop.

darren · 02-12-2007, 09:58 AM

Update:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Anderson

An update from the horse’s mouth (Tom of course).
Your response to my plan to phase out our current operation and become a one man shop has been overwhelming!

Thank you so very, very much for your outpouring of support for our guitars and the company as a whole. You have led me to reconsider what makes the most sense for Tom Anderson Guitarworks and for me personally in the future.

I won't be going solo at the end of March, and the company and I will continue making the very same guitars Roy calls “the best guitars on the planet.” We will be changing how we are structured, but your experience should stay the same. Starting in April we will build and ship a more limited number of guitars for a while as we reorganize. As we progress we will keep you informed.

Thank you again so much for all your kind words, your patience and your best wishes. I look forward to our future together!

noodles · 02-12-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohio_eric

I doubt he'll make sevens. Yhe big reason he stopped making them was his inability to source out quality parts. So unless he's found new sources it doesn't look hopeful.

Things have changed since then. Now, Tone Pros has a TOM bridge, Floyd offers the OFR-7, Tusq and Graphtech offer nuts, and numerous companies offer pickguards, pickup rings, and numerous other accessories. The addition of pickups alone is staggering.

Drew · 02-12-2007, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noodles

Things have changed since then. Now, Tone Pros has a TOM bridge, Floyd offers the OFR-7, Tusq and Graphtech offer nuts, and numerous companies offer pickguards, pickup rings, and numerous other accessories. The addition of pickups alone is staggering.

Yeah, I passed a few emails back and forth with Tom about this, but even in light of the better market for things like this, he still wasn't interested in going back into production.

Pity, but on the bright side I guess I'm $3k richer for it... :/

God Hand Apostle · 02-12-2007, 12:29 PM

I had heard that he wanted to call it quits, so as long as Andersons are still being made until I can afford one is all good over here.

ohio_eric · 02-12-2007, 03:33 PM

Tom Anderson is a good guy and it's cool he's sticking around.

On another note he's not making baritones for a while now either. Tom is super particular about parts and isn't thrilled with what is out there.

Jeff · 02-15-2007, 05:15 AM

I'd give a testicle for this guitar:

ohio_eric · 02-15-2007, 11:53 AM

Actually given what Andersons can resell for you might have to give both.

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11-14-2006, 11:43 PM	#1
ohio_eric SS Contributor Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 9,248 Thanked: 189 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Tom Anderson downsizes By March Tom Anderson Guitarworks will be one man, Tom himself, he is downsizing because he wants to concentrae on guitars and not manage the business. You can read his statement here. It's kind of odd because now he will have to do everything and I hope he doesn't burn out trying to be a one man band.

11-15-2006, 10:08 AM	#5
metalfiend666 - Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Basildon, England Posts: 9,688 Thanked: 47 Feedback Score: 16 reviews	I dndn't think he will either, but it never hurst to be optomistic. www.metalguitarist.org

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11-15-2006, 06:45 AM	#2
darren Decibel Guitars Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Greater Toronto Area, Canada Posts: 11,471 Thanked: 75 Feedback Score: 9 reviews	Damn. I totally respect Tom's decision, but it does seem odd to all but shut down a very successful business. I mean, he could have hired a business manager to keep the "production" side of things going, and then just retired to a back room where he could make "Tom Anderson Private Stock" guitars by hand. But instead, he's chosen to let all those people go and to become a one-man shop. That said, many of the best and most successful "boutique" luthiers are still one-person shops. Luthiers seem to like working on their own. Maybe Tom just wanted to get back to the craft and spending time with the wood.

11-15-2006, 10:11 AM	#6
darren Decibel Guitars Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Greater Toronto Area, Canada Posts: 11,471 Thanked: 75 Feedback Score: 9 reviews	If you want a seven-string Tom Anderson, go to the Schecter USA custom shop.

02-12-2007, 12:29 PM	#10
God Hand Apostle Tin Foil Central Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chicago IL. Posts: 867 Thanked: 10 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I had heard that he wanted to call it quits, so as long as Andersons are still being made until I can afford one is all good over here.

02-12-2007, 03:33 PM	#11
ohio_eric SS Contributor Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 9,248 Thanked: 189 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Tom Anderson is a good guy and it's cool he's sticking around. On another note he's not making baritones for a while now either. Tom is super particular about parts and isn't thrilled with what is out there.

02-15-2007, 05:15 AM	#12
Jeff Banned from Reality Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,254 Thanked: 23 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I'd give a testicle for this guitar:

02-15-2007, 11:53 AM	#13
ohio_eric SS Contributor Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 9,248 Thanked: 189 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Actually given what Andersons can resell for you might have to give both.