Suhr Modern questions

[MetalHeadMike]

Are the body contours as aggressive as they appear on the Suhr Modern, or is it just exaggerated in digital pics? The Suhr looks in the pics to have a very pronounced forearm bend, and that is exactly what I'm after.

I've been going back and forth between picking up a Suhr Modern and an Anderson Angel , and while the Angel has really been tempting me, the Suhr looks like it has more bend to the forearm and a deeper belly cut.

Also, need opinions on the 10"-14" radius on the Suhr in regards to how that 10" section of the lower frets would be for fast drop tuned metal rhythm chugging. I can't imagine it's too different from a straight 14", but thought I'd ask.

Would anyone not recommend the Suhr, or the Anderson for that matter, for a dropped C metal axe?

 

[RedB4Black]

I like Suhr Moderns, but 99% have tremolos, which i hate. I was considering ordering one with the hardtail, but the build time was too long for me... was easier to just get another Duvell

 

[MetalHeadMike]

I like Suhr Moderns, but 99% have tremolos, which i hate. I was considering ordering one with the hardtail, but the build time was too long for me... was easier to just get another Duvell

Yeah I can't believe how many have tremelos and H-S-H configuration. Hard tail only for me and I can't stand H-S-H guitars. I may give the Duvell another shot; we'll see. I just returned the one I got last month. Awesome looking, sounding guitar, but too many flaws. Maybe just a lemon

 

[Shask]

I am curious also. I have looked at the modern for the same reason.

I find most arm contours dont go over far enough above the bridge. It is like they put them too far to the end of the body than they should. That is why I was looking at the MII Schecters in that other thread.... it seems like it is easier to find bevels than it is an arm contour that is in a useful place.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

I am curious also. I have looked at the modern for the same reason.

I find most arm contours dont go over far enough above the bridge. It is like they put them too far to the end of the body than they should. That is why I was looking at the MII Schecters in that other thread.... it seems like it is easier to find bevels than it is an arm contour that is in a useful place.

You bring up the exact issue I have with most forearm contours; they're just too far back or not pronounced enough to be effective for me at least.

 

[Nitrobattery]

For what its worth, I'm typically a fixed bridge guy all the way. Funny enough though, my Suhr Classic S with the 510 trem somewhat changed my thinking a little. I have it blocked, and also have a Suhr JM with a TOM bridge. Both guitars had the same pickup in the bridge position and same woods, and the Classic S sounds way bigger, clearer, has a punchier low end and pretty much all of my guitar playing friends vastly prefered the way the S guitar routed for a trem sounded over the fixed bridge guitar. I actually just dropped an Aldrich set in the JM to beef it up. I've read that John Suhr actually prefers the sound of a blocked 510 trem over a hardtail...and I never in a million years thought I'd agree with that...but I'm finding there's something to it. I was actually in the same boat about Moderns because I didn't want a trem...but didn't want to drop a ton of extra dough for a custom built hardtail, but now I'd have no problem picking one up and just blocking the trem. Those 510's sound great.

Just an idiot's 2 cents. YMMV.

 

[RedB4Black]

I like Suhr Moderns, but 99% have tremolos, which i hate. I was considering ordering one with the hardtail, but the build time was too long for me... was easier to just get another Duvell

Yeah I can't believe how many have tremelos and H-S-H configuration. Hard tail only for me and I can't stand H-S-H guitars. I may give the Duvell another shot; we'll see. I just returned the one I got last month. Awesome looking, sounding guitar, but too many flaws. Maybe just a lemon

Interesting... what was wrong with it?

 

[mniel8195]

Suhr modern has been my main guitar for years. I have owned a frost, satin, and Now I have one of the limited pro antique guitars. It has nitro with the roasted neck and the pau board.

The suhr modern body carve is the most comfortable body shape I have played and I think it looks amazing compared to most 24 fret guitars. I got mine for $2300-$2400. I can’t reccomend the guitars enough. You can always get a satin with h/h and just block the trem. I think they make the pro models in h/h to. The guitar also feels more like playing a 22 fret compared to some guitars with ultra access.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

For what its worth, I'm typically a fixed bridge guy all the way. Funny enough though, my Suhr Classic S with the 510 trem somewhat changed my thinking a little. I have it blocked, and also have a Suhr JM with a TOM bridge. Both guitars had the same pickup in the bridge position and same woods, and the Classic S sounds way bigger, clearer, has a punchier low end and pretty much all of my guitar playing friends vastly prefered the way the S guitar routed for a trem sounded over the fixed bridge guitar. I actually just dropped an Aldrich set in the JM to beef it up. I've read that John Suhr actually prefers the sound of a blocked 510 trem over a hardtail...and I never in a million years thought I'd agree with that...but I'm finding there's something to it. I was actually in the same boat about Moderns because I didn't want a trem...but didn't want to drop a ton of extra dough for a custom built hardtail, but now I'd have no problem picking one up and just blocking the trem. Those 510's sound great.

Just an idiot's 2 cents. YMMV.

That difference may be attributed to the TOM. That's my experience with all the TOM bridged guitars I've owned is just that very thing; they seem to lack punch and sound a little thinner, at least that's been my IME. If I go Suhr, I think I'll hold out for one with the Gotoh fixed bridge or just build a new one and order it with that bridge.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Suhr modern has been my main guitar for years. I have owned a frost, satin, and Now I have one of the limited pro antique guitars. It has nitro with the roasted neck and the pau board.

The suhr modern body carve is the most comfortable body shape I have played and I think it looks amazing compared to most 24 fret guitars. I got mine for $2300-$2400. I can’t reccomend the guitars enough. You can always get a satin with h/h and just block the trem. I think they make the pro models in h/h to. The guitar also feels more like playing a 22 fret compared to some guitars with ultra access.

Good info here, thanks! Don't these have a single action truss rod? I'd have to do some research because every guitar I've owned had the advantage of a double action truss rod. Have you found anything negative with the single action?

 

[mooncobra]

The Suhr Modern is a great guitar. I have one with a Floyd, and just endure the floyd. it stays in tune, and for down tuning stuff, just use my other guitars. but man, it sounds great and plays effortlessly. mine is mahog neck, mahog body w/ maple top, and African rosewood frertboard. love it.

 

[jcj]

To me, the Angel has better upper fret access.

 

[mniel8195]

Suhr modern has been my main guitar for years. I have owned a frost, satin, and Now I have one of the limited pro antique guitars. It has nitro with the roasted neck and the pau board.

The suhr modern body carve is the most comfortable body shape I have played and I think it looks amazing compared to most 24 fret guitars. I got mine for $2300-$2400. I can’t reccomend the guitars enough. You can always get a satin with h/h and just block the trem. I think they make the pro models in h/h to. The guitar also feels more like playing a 22 fret compared to some guitars with ultra access.

Good info here, thanks! Don't these have a single action truss rod? I'd have to do some research because every guitar I've owned had the advantage of a double action truss rod. Have you found anything negative with the single action?

I have had no issue with the truss rod at all. You can set the neck absolutely straight or with as much relief as you want. Suhr is so great about any issues. If you buy new just send it to them and they will take care of you. I keep the relief around .005" at the 7th fret when i capo the first fret and hold down the 17th fret. I measure with a feeler gauge on the d and g string. I get a little buzz when i hit hard. One thing to note. Suhr ships guitars with ernie ball now. I must have had one of the last guitars that has nyxl strings. I think the nyxl are much better strings.

 

[mniel8195]

To me, the Angel has better upper fret access.

I agree with that statement. I do think the Suhr modern looks cooler though. Thats important to me but not everyone. The other thing to consider is you can get a suhr modern under $2500. That is very hard on a Tom anderson. You can probably get a brand new Satin for under $2k if you look around.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

To me, the Angel has better upper fret access.

Not real important to me right now as I don't play leads much, but good to know for sure cause I plan on getting into leads here in the near future. Thanks for the info!

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Suhr modern has been my main guitar for years. I have owned a frost, satin, and Now I have one of the limited pro antique guitars. It has nitro with the roasted neck and the pau board.

The suhr modern body carve is the most comfortable body shape I have played and I think it looks amazing compared to most 24 fret guitars. I got mine for $2300-$2400. I can’t reccomend the guitars enough. You can always get a satin with h/h and just block the trem. I think they make the pro models in h/h to. The guitar also feels more like playing a 22 fret compared to some guitars with ultra access.

Good info here, thanks! Don't these have a single action truss rod? I'd have to do some research because every guitar I've owned had the advantage of a double action truss rod. Have you found anything negative with the single action?

I have had no issue with the truss rod at all. You can set the neck absolutely straight or with as much relief as you want. Suhr is so great about any issues. If you buy new just send it to them and they will take care of you. I keep the relief around .005" at the 7th fret when i capo the first fret and hold down the 17th fret. I measure with a feeler gauge on the d and g string. I get a little buzz when i hit hard. One thing to note. Suhr ships guitars with ernie ball now. I must have had one of the last guitars that has nyxl strings. I think the nyxl are much better strings.

Awesome So long as I can set it up to play in D standard, drop D, and Drop C for thrash and Death metal, all will be good. Just want to be able to get a relatively low action with no buzz.

 

[Nitrobattery]

Suhr modern has been my main guitar for years. I have owned a frost, satin, and Now I have one of the limited pro antique guitars. It has nitro with the roasted neck and the pau board.

The suhr modern body carve is the most comfortable body shape I have played and I think it looks amazing compared to most 24 fret guitars. I got mine for $2300-$2400. I can’t reccomend the guitars enough. You can always get a satin with h/h and just block the trem. I think they make the pro models in h/h to. The guitar also feels more like playing a 22 fret compared to some guitars with ultra access.

Good info here, thanks! Don't these have a single action truss rod? I'd have to do some research because every guitar I've owned had the advantage of a double action truss rod. Have you found anything negative with the single action?

The necks are actually cut with a slight under bow. John prefers the way the single action rods sound, so they cut the necks underbowed and the rod pulls them straight. You can still move the neck in either direction. Unlike a straight cut neck with a single action rod, you won't run into an issue where the rod is loose but the neck still needs relief.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Suhr modern has been my main guitar for years. I have owned a frost, satin, and Now I have one of the limited pro antique guitars. It has nitro with the roasted neck and the pau board.

The suhr modern body carve is the most comfortable body shape I have played and I think it looks amazing compared to most 24 fret guitars. I got mine for $2300-$2400. I can’t reccomend the guitars enough. You can always get a satin with h/h and just block the trem. I think they make the pro models in h/h to. The guitar also feels more like playing a 22 fret compared to some guitars with ultra access.

Good info here, thanks! Don't these have a single action truss rod? I'd have to do some research because every guitar I've owned had the advantage of a double action truss rod. Have you found anything negative with the single action?

The necks are actually cut with a slight under bow. John prefers the way the single action rods sound, so they cut the necks underbowed and the rod pulls them straight. You can still move the neck in either direction. Unlike a straight cut neck with a single action rod, you won't run into an issue where the rod is loose but the neck still needs relief.

Awesome!!! Thanks for the info man The more I think about it, the more I think I might want to just grab a Modern. Was pretty set in my head on Anderson and have been chatting with Roy and Tom the last couple weeks, but I found a pretty nice used Modern that has the features I want. I can always grab an Anderson down the road.

 

[mniel8195]

Suhr modern has been my main guitar for years. I have owned a frost, satin, and Now I have one of the limited pro antique guitars. It has nitro with the roasted neck and the pau board.

The suhr modern body carve is the most comfortable body shape I have played and I think it looks amazing compared to most 24 fret guitars. I got mine for $2300-$2400. I can’t reccomend the guitars enough. You can always get a satin with h/h and just block the trem. I think they make the pro models in h/h to. The guitar also feels more like playing a 22 fret compared to some guitars with ultra access.

Good info here, thanks! Don't these have a single action truss rod? I'd have to do some research because every guitar I've owned had the advantage of a double action truss rod. Have you found anything negative with the single action?

I have had no issue with the truss rod at all. You can set the neck absolutely straight or with as much relief as you want. Suhr is so great about any issues. If you buy new just send it to them and they will take care of you. I keep the relief around .005" at the 7th fret when i capo the first fret and hold down the 17th fret. I measure with a feeler gauge on the d and g string. I get a little buzz when i hit hard. One thing to note. Suhr ships guitars with ernie ball now. I must have had one of the last guitars that has nyxl strings. I think the nyxl are much better strings.

Awesome So long as I can set it up to play in D standard, drop D, and Drop C for thrash and Death metal, all will be good. Just want to be able to get a relatively low action with no buzz.

One thing I would note. I had a modern tuned down and I did not like large strings on the nut spacing on these guitars. I play mine in Standard so it is not an issue. On dropped tune guitars or lower tunings I like the wider nut.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Suhr modern has been my main guitar for years. I have owned a frost, satin, and Now I have one of the limited pro antique guitars. It has nitro with the roasted neck and the pau board.

The suhr modern body carve is the most comfortable body shape I have played and I think it looks amazing compared to most 24 fret guitars. I got mine for $2300-$2400. I can’t reccomend the guitars enough. You can always get a satin with h/h and just block the trem. I think they make the pro models in h/h to. The guitar also feels more like playing a 22 fret compared to some guitars with ultra access.

Good info here, thanks! Don't these have a single action truss rod? I'd have to do some research because every guitar I've owned had the advantage of a double action truss rod. Have you found anything negative with the single action?

I have had no issue with the truss rod at all. You can set the neck absolutely straight or with as much relief as you want. Suhr is so great about any issues. If you buy new just send it to them and they will take care of you. I keep the relief around .005" at the 7th fret when i capo the first fret and hold down the 17th fret. I measure with a feeler gauge on the d and g string. I get a little buzz when i hit hard. One thing to note. Suhr ships guitars with ernie ball now. I must have had one of the last guitars that has nyxl strings. I think the nyxl are much better strings.

Awesome So long as I can set it up to play in D standard, drop D, and Drop C for thrash and Death metal, all will be good. Just want to be able to get a relatively low action with no buzz.

One thing I would note. I had a modern tuned down and I did not like large strings on the nut spacing on these guitars. I play mine in Standard so it is not an issue. On dropped tune guitars or lower tunings I like the wider nut.

That's good to know! 1.65" is the wider nut spacing isn't it?