Jackson Custom Shop Vs Suhr

[yngzaklynch]

Who has got the best quality builds?

 

[Code001]

At that level, it's basically a matter of preference.

 

[rcm78]

If you search around you'll find quite a few Jackson CS screwups. Did you see the 23 fret guitar? Also, Jackson CS is a two year wait if you order it.

I think in this case the Suhr is a no brainer...

 

[neilli]

Depending what you spec, they have the potential to be very different guitars, and they just 'feel' different (not least because the Suhr neck profiles don't feel like Jacksons various shapes). And arguably, Suhr specs tend to be more comparable with a CS Charvel than a Jackson simply because they're both (usually) bolt-ons.

Suhr have an impeccable reputation and so if you've played them and like them, then there's not really much of a downside. Though they are not cheap and I guess they're a little more restricted than Jackson in terms of options (inlays, body style) and so on.

I'm totally a Jackson guy and have ordered many CS guitars from them, but the process is not always as smooth as it should be (though I have always ended up with a guitar I've been extremely happy at the end of the day). But the 2 year wait time is just ridiculous, especially if there's a screw up somewhere.

If you don't want anything too wild, I would suggest a Jackson Custom Select - the options are more limited, but the build time is around 6 months and the price is decent, probably around 2500 if you go to the right dealer. So you're getting a US made, 'semi-custom' guitar for probably a grand less than a Suhr.

 

[Anonymous]

At that level, it's basically a matter of preference.

+1. To me they are completely different styles of guitars that play very differently, but both Suhr and Jackson make amazing instruments. It's a matter of what you personally dig...

ASteve

 

[RG955TT]

Suhr "Pro Series" are a steal for the price especially used if you dig the std specs which I do. 2 of my main and favorite guitars are Suhr pro series with ss frets. Same as custom build just to a set spec. I prefer the Suhr specs to a Jackson personally so while I have 3 pro series I also own 2 customs as well. Have a couple Charvels but the Jacksons I owned I never really bonded with and eventually sold. Personal preference.

 

[RJF]

Gee, whats my answer going to be....

I'd go the Custom Select route. I hope to be able to do one next year.

 

[WizardSouth-JP]

any Custom Shop is entitled to screw up. Not going to throw any mfg under the bus but I am waiting for a response (been almost a week) on a $4000+ custom guitar where there is some type of dirt under the clear coat on the back and sides of the guitar. I have had great dealings with the dealer and the company who makes the guitars but I hope when they do respond they understand my pissed off-ness.

 

['63-Strat]

Depending what you spec, they have the potential to be very different guitars, and they just 'feel' different (not least because the Suhr neck profiles don't feel like Jacksons various shapes). And arguably, Suhr specs tend to be more comparable with a CS Charvel than a Jackson simply because they're both (usually) bolt-ons.

Suhr have an impeccable reputation and so if you've played them and like them, then there's not really much of a downside. Though they are not cheap and I guess they're a little more restricted than Jackson in terms of options (inlays, body style) and so on.

I'm totally a Jackson guy and have ordered many CS guitars from them, but the process is not always as smooth as it should be (though I have always ended up with a guitar I've been extremely happy at the end of the day). But the 2 year wait time is just ridiculous, especially if there's a screw up somewhere.

If you don't want anything too wild, I would suggest a Jackson Custom Select - the options are more limited, but the build time is around 6 months and the price is decent, probably around 2500 if you go to the right dealer. So you're getting a US made, 'semi-custom' guitar for probably a grand less than a Suhr.

Suhr "Pro Series" are a steal for the price especially used if you dig the std specs which I do. 2 of my main and favorite guitars are Suhr pro series with ss frets. Same as custom build just to a set spec. I prefer the Suhr specs to a Jackson personally so while I have 3 pro series I also own 2 customs as well. Have a couple Charvels but the Jacksons I owned I never really bonded with and eventually sold. Personal preference.

At this point I'm pretty sure a CS Charvel or Jackson is built by the same guys at Fender though. Though I have to say I dig my two Charvels *a lot* more than I ever did my SL2H, largely just think I prefer the necks and bolt-on vs neck through. I've played guitars from both Suhr and Jackson/Charvel I've loved and others I didn't, but I think that's just bound to happen. Quality-wise I think they're comparable in the custom shop though.

 

[neilli]

'Proper' Custom Shop Jacksons (i.e. not custom select) are built by the Jackson master builders, not Fender personnel. My understanding is that even the production US Jacksons are made by 'Jackson-only' staff, but paint is shared with Fender..

 

[timeroo]

All of the top manufacturers custom shops have a lot in common. Big prices, big wait times and big quality. For me, if I spent $4000-5000+ on a guitar and there was even a teeny tiny teensy weensy thing wrong with it, I am off the handle. For the price you pay and the time you wait, you should be getting a perfect finished product built exactly how you want it.

As mentioned it's preference and these are very different guitars but I vote Jackson.

 

['63-Strat]

'Proper' Custom Shop Jacksons (i.e. not custom select) are built by the Jackson master builders, not Fender personnel. My understanding is that even the production US Jacksons are made by 'Jackson-only' staff, but paint is shared with Fender..

It's all in the same building, I think living in Vancouver (where I'm from too) it's easy to think that it's different but they are all in the building at this point and have been for years, honestly (2002 or something). They kept some of the same employees and I don't think there is anything wrong with this but the fact is Fender/Charvel/Jackson are the same company, I'm sure that's not news. $10 for a tour if you wanna go when you're in Socal: 311 Cessna Cir, Corona, CA.

 

[stevemorse]

Were it I, Anderson.

 

[neilli]

It's all in the same building, I think living in Vancouver (where I'm from too) it's easy to think that it's different but they are all in the building at this point

Well in fairness, I wasn't basing it on the geography of where I live From talking to my store guy who visits a couple of times a year, and people from the factory, Jackson have long had their own 'enclave' and staff within the Fender facility, while still sharing some facilities and personnel. Apparently, Jackson/Charvel have recently been separated further to a new area so they have more space and can be more self contained.

http://www.themusiczoo.com/blog/2014/fa ... stom-shop/

 

[RG955TT]

I have 5 Suhrs and every one of them is as good as the next...super super consistent and all are really great guitars. They are all flawless in woods and construction all are just top notch builds. Can't speak to Jackson quality but I am more than satisfied with the quality of my Suhrs for what they cost. Not to mention that on one there was a small issue (electronics related) and Suhr sent me a shipping tag for it, fixed the issue with a lot more effort than most would have put into it and John Suhr called me himself to discuss it with me. I don't know who if anyone you could really talk to like that at Jackson but with Suhr the guys name on it is there, and you can speak to him directly...that has some value to me especially on a custom guitar

 

[Shawn Lutz]

what will be so custom on your order?

if nothing MAJOR custom about it consider buying used there are plenty of Suhrs for sale used that will save your money on a custom order. If you do go wit a custom you can't go wrong with either...just stay onto of Jackson to make sure you are getting what you ordered lol

 

[Anonymous]

'Proper' Custom Shop Jacksons (i.e. not custom select) are built by the Jackson master builders, not Fender personnel. My understanding is that even the production US Jacksons are made by 'Jackson-only' staff, but paint is shared with Fender..

It's all in the same building, I think living in Vancouver (where I'm from too) it's easy to think that it's different but they are all in the building at this point and have been for years, honestly (2002 or something). They kept some of the same employees and I don't think there is anything wrong with this but the fact is Fender/Charvel/Jackson are the same company, I'm sure that's not news. $10 for a tour if you wanna go when you're in Socal: 311 Cessna Cir, Corona, CA.

The guys that build the Charvel and Jackson Custom Shop stuff are the same guys from the original shop back in the 80s. They even use the same equipment and techniques they used back then. While they may now be Fender employees, when you get a Custom Shop Jackson, it is from the original Jackson/Charvel master builders... I understand they may be training some new guys...

Steve

 

[Stealthtastic]

I have owned both, and in my opinion, I would buy a new Suhr instead of a new Jackson. The Jackson CS is just WAY too backlogged and problematic at the moment. Quality is the same for both anyways.