So what is the scoop on these Suhr guitars?

[dfrattaroli]

I have 2 Moderns. For me, there's nothing better. For you it may be an Anderson or some other custom shop instrument. But when you find it, you'll only want more. The thing about Suhr or any other similar builder is that you don't have to "find a good one". They're all amazing. Now if you were looking for a great strat or LP...

 

[Jdguitar]

You guys are correct, not dead set on a suhr necessarily as charvel custome shop, anderson etc, all make some very nice guitars. As far as I can tell, you end up getting what you want options wise and colour wise but build and quality wise, you aren't 1500$ better than a 1500$ guitar.

That's true for any product, whether it's guitars or shoes or cars. There's always a point of diminishing returns, where you reach the higher end of the products and 2x the price doesn't equate to 2x the quality or features, but rather any noticeable increase in quality costs way, way more. But, if you want the extra attention to detail and consistent material and build quality or any other feature that stands out, you gotta pay for the cost of having something that isn't built in very high quantities.

Reminds of all the bike racing I used to do. The guys on $6000 bikes weren't any faster than the guys riding $3000 bikes. $1500 gets you an awesome guitar. $3000 is for guys with money to burn.

 

[cardinal]

You guys are correct, not dead set on a suhr necessarily as charvel custome shop, anderson etc, all make some very nice guitars. As far as I can tell, you end up getting what you want options wise and colour wise but build and quality wise, you aren't 1500$ better than a 1500$ guitar.

You get what you want for options, colors, hardware, etc., but you also get consistency. You can be pretty sure that what you bought is going to be great guitar and, if not, Suhr or Anderson will make it right. (Charvel, I'm not so sure, there are horror stories about the Jackson custom shop and its customer service. Not sure if Charvel has the same problems).

With $1,500 guitars, I think you have to churn through a few of them to find a real keeper. For example, switching to 7 strings, I've really gotten into Ibanez RGs, but I've owned around ten of them and only about half of them were truly keepers. The rest had some issues that were deal breakers. Had they been Suhrs or Andersons, a quick trip back to their shops would have made everything right. But since they were just off-the-rack guitars, I had to just sell or return them and move on.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

All good points. So what guitars do you guys like in the 1200-1600 range that is hot rodded strat style? I was also looking at GMW guitars. Doesn't do the strat headstocks anymore but his traditional head stock isn't bad like the pointy modern one.

 

[memberzonly]

Do you need a Floyd?

If not, a used Suhr Pro S1 is great. Or even a used Tom Anderson.

 

[JimmyBlind]

...and are you looking at 22 or 24 fret guitars?

 

[dfrattaroli]

Reminds of all the bike racing I used to do. The guys on $6000 bikes weren't any faster than the guys riding $3000 bikes. $1500 gets you an awesome guitar. $3000 is for guys with money to burn.

That doesn't mean the $6000 bike and the $3000 guitar aren't better. I'm not saying my Suhr makes me a better player. I'm saying it's a better guitar.

 

[dfrattaroli]

All good points. So what guitars do you guys like in the 1200-1600 range that is hot rodded strat style? I was also looking at GMW guitars. Doesn't do the strat headstocks anymore but his traditional head stock isn't bad like the pointy modern one.

There are GREAT guitars in that range. Charvel, Carvin and many more. But spec'ing out a new custom shop Suhr, Anderson or the like, is a different thing.

 

[halebox]

Ive only tried a suhr used tele at GC. It felt ok nothing magic. All the clips Ive heard sound sterile and plinky especially clean maybe due to stainless frets? Id still like to give one a try. The best super strat clips Ive heard were a Tyle,r anderson sounded good too. They all suffer from fugly headstock syndrome though

 

[cardinal]

Tyler headstocks are awesome! But the Suhr/Anderson headstocks (which look like a Kramer Pacer headstock) are a bit underwhelming.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I can go either way on 22 or 24 frets and even Floyds. Have one strat with a floyd and another with locking tuners and a simple USA trem and with some of that tuning lube, it seems to withstand floating and the odd trem bomb. Due to having experienced the "plinky" strat syndrome in the past (not sure if that is fret material or other), I prefer to stay on rosewood boards. Style wise, love the look of the custom shop charvels with their matching color headstocks and H-H config but the price tag is a little off putting and you don't see many used. No rush though, just a "want to have" vs. a "need to have". My other two guitars are pretty smooth playing. Had the builder of teh first guitar build me another neck for my second. Unfortunately he did a crap finish on the frets and nut and i had to get that done but once installed, neck plays great. I'll never buy anything from that guy again though! First one was a gem, second job was rushed.... totally diff thread though

 

[cardinal]

If you don't have specific specs in mind, I'd personally just keep your eye open for whatever pops up used that you can try before you buy (or can return easily if you don't like). But if you don't have "dream" specs in mind, ordering a custom might be a pretty bad idea if you tend to sell guitars and don't like to lose your shirt on resale. A "problem" with the high level of customization that Suhr/Anderson/etc. offer is that no one (in their right mind) would pay a high price for a used guitar with random specs if they could order a new guitar with their exact specs for just a relatively small premium. So, to me, Suhr/Anderson/etc. all have pretty low resale value because of that. For that reason, they can be a reasonably good choice on the used market, but if buying new, you should really want the specs that you're getting.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

If you don't have specific specs in mind, I'd personally just keep your eye open for whatever pops up used that you can try before you buy (or can return easily if you don't like). But if you don't have "dream" specs in mind, ordering a custom might be a pretty bad idea if you tend to sell guitars and don't like to lose your shirt on resale. A "problem" with the high level of customization that Suhr/Anderson/etc. offer is that no one (in their right mind) would pay a high price for a used guitar with random specs if they could order a new guitar with their exact specs for just a relatively small premium. So, to me, Suhr/Anderson/etc. all have pretty low resale value because of that. For that reason, they can be a reasonably good choice on the used market, but if buying new, you should really want the specs that you're getting.

That's excellent advice and too true.. why would anyone pay for my custom job unless it was what they wanted themselves? ultimately like cars, he who buys new, has something that is losing in value unless it is a 60's strat.

 

[yngzaklynch]

I'm one of the Suhr fanboys. I went to the store looking at PRS and left with a Suhr Modern Carve Top. Love it in everyway

Your Suhr Modern Carve is probably the best one I've ever seen.

Thank you. I really love it