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Post by hadaja on Feb 26, 2024 14:49:52 GMT -6
You know how it goes, you see a nicer guitar and you think I wonder what that would be like to own.
Which has led me to the Suhr brand.
IS it just an overpriced USA Fender Strat? Or is there really something that is behind describing that is left in your hands after playing one?
I mean I do understand the value and craftsmanship of my older USA PRS. ITs just a delight to play and sounds extremely nice.
And I have just finally got myslef a Lakland 5594 Bass which is a dream to play but my gosh what a price tag over the KOrean/Indo 5502 models.
I really do like the Fender Strat, but what about the Suhr's do p[eople really like?
OR maybe there are no Suhr users here and I have the wrong crowd....
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Post by jmoose on Feb 26, 2024 16:50:44 GMT -6
I've played a handful of Suhrs... Don't think I'd compare directly to a Fender. The level of refinement is off the charts. Similar on surface but not in the hands.
If your looking at a strat-type guitar Fender is more about traditional specs where the Suhr is more of a fighter jet and precision instrument. There's a reason shredder cats love 'em...
Yes John Suhr used to work at Fender but, ultimately the instruments with that name on them have evolved well beyond that basic DNA. Whether or not that's a good thing kinda can depend on what you want & need out of a guitar.
Lakland to Fender might be a great comparison... Sadowsky..? Sadowsky J bass kinda looks like a Fender J bass... until you pick it up... Same trip really.
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Post by hadaja on Feb 26, 2024 22:42:33 GMT -6
Thanks I think I am going to buy one just to see, but go 2nd hand so I dont lose out too much.
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Post by dmo on Feb 28, 2024 15:59:20 GMT -6
I own several Suhr's - 2016 classic pro (strat), 2017 classic T pro (tele) and a 2002 carve arch top standard (John's update on his Pensa-Suhr for Mark Knofler). They are all extremely well made, exceptional fit and finish as well as attention to detail. Highly customizable with lots of options - so you can get more vintage or modern depending on pick-up choices, etc. The strat and tele "sound" like a strat or tele - so think classic fender tones - although mine has 70's style pick-ups vice 50 style windings. I got all mine used and depending on where you're located you should be able to find one reasonably priced (relative these days - prices can be crazy). I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Another one to consider would be Tom Anderson - I've got a 99 hollow drop top with s/s/h configuration (think "super-strat"). Another great builder and actually my second favorite neck feel wise (my 87 PRS in my hand's favorite). Tom also does a standard strat style guitar (the "classic") - I would recommend those as well. I slightly prefer the feel/playability of my Anderson but give the Suhr a slight edge in tone - but it's really not an apples to apples comparison given s/s/s vs s/s/h.
Happy to try and answer any further questions
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Post by dmo on Feb 28, 2024 16:10:19 GMT -6
A little older Tom Anderson demo clip
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Post by jmoose on Feb 28, 2024 16:20:16 GMT -6
Thanks I think I am going to buy one just to see, but go 2nd hand so I dont lose out too much. That would be the way to go... right now over on TGP people are saying its a 2+ year wait on new guitars built to spec. Wild stories & wait times. Now personally? I've thought about buying one a few times but haven't pulled the trigger and sorta doubt I ever will for multiple reasons... For one while I know they offer a variety of neck shapes all the guitars that have come through the studio have a small, flat kinda shred stick neck. Not ibanez wizard small but more in that direction then I can hang with... flat on top, flat on back which is totally NOT my thing. My favorite neck shapes are old PRS wide/fat and Gibson 50's style... its gotta have shoulder. There are a couple other reasons... if your really into 'strat' tones its a much more modern take. Truss rod construction, stainless frets, the gotoh bridges... those more 'traditional' tones IMO aren't there. And I say that with a bone stock 2021 north american Fender strat in my lap right now as I'm typing... Ultimately I'm the kinda guy who in about 90 seconds is either digging a guitar or putting it back on the hanger... and while they were all nice instruments none of the half dozen or so that have come through really blew me away. So at least for me its an expensive roll of the dice. And with no dealers anywhere nearby (crazy since I'm 20 miles from NYC) its basically impossible to try a handful and figure out what/how the specs I like translate to their specs. I'd have to order one wait 2 and a half years and hope that its rad and I love it? Nah. |
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Post by dmo on Feb 28, 2024 17:29:17 GMT -6
Thanks I think I am going to buy one just to see, but go 2nd hand so I dont lose out too much. Ultimately I'm the kinda guy who in about 90 seconds is either digging a guitar or putting it back on the hanger... Absolutely agree - and it's a shame that it's become nearly impossible to go into a store and play/compare/contrast instruments in real time. While it's unlikely to end up with a poorly built Suhr or Anderson - no way to know if it's going to feel like a keeper without actual hands on |
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Post by thehightenor on Feb 29, 2024 15:30:08 GMT -6
I'm on the fence between getting a Suhr or a Tom Anderson.
Both are truly excellent.
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Post by the other mark williams on Mar 2, 2024 23:05:12 GMT -6
I have a Suhr Classic S Antique in a SSS pickup configuration. It is sublime. It is not a shredder or whatever - it looks, feels, and sounds like a vintage Fender Strat. Well, the neck on mine is roasted maple with rosewood fingerboard, so no lacquer on the neck - that's the only part that looks or feels different.
I found it used locally a few years ago and got a great price on it.
There are many ways I could try to express how good it is. Here are a couple of attempts.
1. I am also fortunate enough to own a 1956 Les Paul Special (P90s) that my late father bought in 1957 while in the US Navy. That guitar is out of this world good. Just absolutely, unbelievably, mind-meltingly good. And as crazy as it is to say, my Suhr is quite nearly its equal. I mean, it's a Les Paul vs. a Strat thing, but in my mind, the perfection of a P90 Les Paul is that 1956 LP Special. And the perfection of a Strat with 3 single coils is damn near close to my Suhr. It sings, and you can feel the vibration in your chest or belly when playing it unplugged. Maybe I got incredibly lucky, I don't know.
2. I'm not even a "Strat guy"! I never thought I would end up with a Strat. My first real electric was a Tele, and I stayed in that camp for a long while before adding Rickenbackers, Gretsches, etc. I just got the itch for a Strat sound, found the Suhr locally, played it at the guy's house, and was sold. Even years later, it's still kind of bizarre to me that I own a Strat. I honestly think if it had been any other Strat, it wouldn't have hung around. But this one - this one - it's not going anywhere. When I want that sound - it does that thing like nothing else can.
So yeah, you could call me a fan. At least of the "antique" or "vintage" styled Suhrs. I don't care for the other fancy looking ones at all, personally. But I can't imagine their quality is any less than what I've got here.
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Post by longscale on Mar 4, 2024 10:07:07 GMT -6
I too have a Suhr Classis S in SSS config. I think it is a fantastic guitar. I really like it. I'd buy it again in a second. The quality of the entire beast as a unit is astonishingly good. The shape of the neck works for me. It feels right. As prev stated this guitar is alive when played. I wanted it for all the reasons people associate with a vintage Strat tone. It is a chime machine when paired with my old AC30. I'm not a shredder and this guitar imo in no way leans you toward anything but fantastically good Strat tone.
I was lucky in that I live close enough to Daves Guitar shop that I could try playing before buying. I had set out to get a custom shop Fender Strat, but the Suhr is the one that said take me home and did come home with me. Dave's always has many custom shop Fenders in stock I did try/play multiple before picking the Suhr. Don't get me wrong, the Fenders were fantastic too, but just something about the Suhr that bonded with me.I was not happy about that either. I was hung up on it had to be a Fender. I even walked out of the store and went to get lunch to think on it. A few years later I'm still happy with my choice. Trying a guitar before buying is always best, but the Suhr would not be a big risk imo if you could not.
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Post by notneeson on Mar 4, 2024 18:55:43 GMT -6
I shallowly want my guitars to say Fender, Martin, or Gibson on them.
That said, I played a ripping good Nash tele bass at a local studio.
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Post by longscale on Mar 4, 2024 22:11:38 GMT -6
I shallowly want my guitars to say Fender, Martin, or Gibson on them. That said, I played a ripping good Nash tele bass at a local studio. I too am exactly that shallow. I also have a Nash Jazzmaster (in pink no less - but omg what a guitar). Clearly I've been able to get over it. mostly. sometimes. |
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Post by notneeson on Mar 4, 2024 22:37:42 GMT -6
I shallowly want my guitars to say Fender, Martin, or Gibson on them. That said, I played a ripping good Nash tele bass at a local studio. I too am exactly that shallow. I also have a Nash Jazzmaster (in pink no less - but omg what a guitar). Clearly I've been able to get over it. mostly. sometimes. I had a 90s G&L ASAT for many many years. Great guitar. |
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Post by hadaja on Mar 8, 2024 23:48:57 GMT -6
G&L's are nice enough to play but they just dont sound quite right for me and I have had a few of there basses and guitars. People over here dont seem to gel with G&L for some reason. IF you buy one you can get stuck with it for a while.
Anything with a reputable brand name like Nash, MJT, Suhr, PRS etc will always get a reasonable resale if you buy it and dont like it. So I like to stick with those and at the moment Suhr has peaked my interest.
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Post by notneeson on Mar 15, 2024 10:40:55 GMT -6
G&L's are nice enough to play but they just dont sound quite right for me and I have had a few of there basses and guitars. People over here dont seem to gel with G&L for some reason. IF you buy one you can get stuck with it for a while. Anything with a reputable brand name like Nash, MJT, Suhr, PRS etc will always get a reasonable resale if you buy it and dont like it. So I like to stick with those and at the moment Suhr has peaked my interest. Over where? |
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Post by hadaja on Mar 16, 2024 3:12:12 GMT -6
Over here is Australia.
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Post by notneeson on Mar 16, 2024 9:11:08 GMT -6
Ah, nice. Would love to visit some day. The G&L pickups are different, that’s surely a large part of what you’re hearing. Here in California that Nash bass I mentioned earlier is the only one I’ve seen in the wild. Never actually seen a Surh at a gig. Must be my taste in music, lol. |
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Post by hadaja on Mar 17, 2024 1:12:14 GMT -6
Yes you are correct it is the sound of the G&L pickups that create there uniqueness.
I got a custom L2500 bass made in the factory and I liked the fele of th ebass but the pickus in that were just to raw sounding.
I thought there early S500's strats were closer to the fender sound . The feel of the guitars was very nice.
The Asat Classic with Leo Fender singnature above the scrwtchplate did not sound so telecaster-ish. Plus there were a few others.
Sometimes you just get used to a sound in your head and its hard to change that.
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Post by hadaja on Jun 1, 2024 2:54:56 GMT -6
 2 by BEANAT19, on Flickr So I did not end up with a Suhr just yet, but did try an LSL CV Special. I am not that much a fan of ageing a guitar but I do enjoy Carl's 1961 reproduction neck. IT is very good, has a great feel. The D shape neck is not as thick as I thought it would be. |
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Post by FM77 on Jun 11, 2024 7:34:01 GMT -6
I have had many over the years.
All of them, consistently great. If you want the classic 'F' style guitar with better build tolerances, nicer necks and fret work (often stainless) then Suhrs are easy to get along with. Hard to find a dog.
I recently sold my last Suhr - an Alt T Custom F-Hole, Semi-Hollow, HH with 5-way. I bought it new and without playing it. Felt great, felt as expected but I never did quite bond with it. I did about 8-10 sessions with it, in a genuine attempt to connect, but alas that happens. At $4K new, it was no small purchase. Buying used is a great idea. But trade value was there, so I was able to trade it with a bud for another instrument with the same value.
Basic opinion from a user: Worth the effort to get into your hands to play!
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Post by the other mark williams on Jun 13, 2024 22:06:30 GMT -6
I shallowly want my guitars to say Fender, Martin, or Gibson on them. That said, I played a ripping good Nash tele bass at a local studio. Hey, I can respect that. |
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