Went to GC to A/B my Suhr to some Les Pauls

[yngzaklynch]

Me and mike aka ratter aka Switchback guitars went to GC today. Long story short the Les Pauls had a somewhat thicker tone than my Suhr. And thats about it. They just aren't as nice to play. My Suhr had at least as much sustain. Way more comfortable, easier to play, more versatile and clearer tone. None of the three LPs stayed in tune but that could be due to the new strings. We then tried two PRSs. The tones were similar to the LPs actually and i didn't feel like i was fighting to play them.

Another thing... The LPs had quite a few cosmetic flaws. You could actually see the burn marks from the sanders under the finish and paint on the binding. The wood looked rough next to the fretboards. For the money they charge total bullshit quality. Nice tone but thats about it.

 

[snowdog]

 

[glip22]

I think many of the LP's guitar Center gets are not on par with some of the smaller shops like Eddies, who cannot even advertise them. I have owned 9 Suhs. Still have my Standard. I bought and sold a few Pauls along the way with the Suhrs. Nothing touches my handpicked 2013 LB R8 as far as tone.The guitar is flawless with perfect fretwork and neck. One could play 20 Les Pauls at GC and not experience a "good one". Suhr quality is flawless as well but much more consistent than Gibson but when you hit a good Historic....

 

[Tone Zone]

I can relate. My Suhrs are my go-to guitars for almost everything, but I picked up my 2013 LP Traditional last year for those times where only an LP will work. Gets played a lot less than my other guitars, but it has it's place. And, it was a guilt-free purchase as I got it during Gibson's blowout last year for just over $1,400. While, I do like it....I could never give what they normally ask for. As you said, their QC is all over the place. And, I've had two used R8’s in the past....the differences were minimal at best when comparing to my Traditional...2013 was a great year for that model. Very comparable neck to the R8's I had, if not better. I just don't think Gibson is deserving of such pricing. Better to buy from them in late November into early December...or just buy used.

 

[Badronald]

I can relate. My Suhrs are my go-to guitars for almost everything, but I picked up my 2013 LP Traditional last year for those times where only an LP will work. Gets played a lot less than my other guitars, but it has it's place. And, it was a guilt-free purchase as I got it during Gibson's blowout last year for just over $1,400. While, I do like it....I could never give what they normally ask for. As you said, their QC is all over the place. And, I've had two used R8’s in the past....the differences were minimal at best when comparing to my Traditional...2013 was a great year for that model. Very comparable neck to the R8's I had, if not better. I just don't think Gibson is deserving of such pricing. Better to buy from them in late November into early December...or just buy used.

Interesting comment. I've been playing 30 or so years and played 1000's of gigs and been part of MANY recording sessions and I've never come across the situation where only a Les Paul would work.

 

[mooncobra]

I was looking for a Les Paul. Saved up for a while, and decided to take my time and wait for the right one. About 2 months and at least 30 Les Pauls pass by. I looked at so many, all over the bay area. So, I go to check out a custom one day about 50 miles from my house and it was great. it played better and sounded better than all the others I had checked out so far, but it was black and I decided to hold off. On a whim, I decided to stop and check out a Traditional Plus that happened to be on my way home. It cost half as much as the custom did. It played absolutely amazing, and sounded KILLER!! Les Paul tones that just ruled. Out of the 30 or 40 Les Pauls I checked out, most higher end, the Traditional Plus I ended up getting sounded and played better. I just got super lucky. The guy moved to the bay area from Nashville and said he got it from a Gibson top dealer who gets better than average Les Pauls? Who knows if that is correct or not, but what I do know is I got a killer sounding and playing Les Paul that also looks great in a beautiful burst, forgot what Gibson actually calls it. I might have a pic still in my computer, I will check. I basically paid around half of what I expected to pay for a nice Les Paul. I was super fired up. I saved the rest of the cash and put it towards a Suhr Modern that of course was really great.

 

[mooncobra]

I was looking for a Les Paul. Saved up for a while, and decided to take my time and wait for the right one. About 2 months and at least 30 Les Pauls pass by. I looked at so many, all over the bay area. So, I go to check out a custom one day about 50 miles from my house and it was great. it played better and sounded better than all the others I had checked out so far, but it was black and I decided to hold off. On a whim, I decided to stop and check out a Traditional Plus that happened to be on my way home. It cost half as much as the custom did. It played absolutely amazing, and sounded KILLER!! Les Paul tones that just ruled. Out of the 30 or 40 Les Pauls I checked out, most higher end, the Traditional Plus I ended up getting sounded and played better. I just got super lucky. The guy moved to the bay area from Nashville and said he got it from a Gibson top dealer who gets better than average Les Pauls? Who knows if that is correct or not, but what I do know is I got a killer sounding and playing Les Paul that also looks great in a beautiful burst, forgot what Gibson actually calls it. I might have a pic still in my computer, I will check. I basically paid around half of what I expected to pay for a nice Les Paul. I was super fired up. I saved the rest of the cash and put it towards a Suhr Modern that of course was really great.

here is a pic!! oh, it also came with a wolfetone dr vintage in the bridge that I really dig a lot.

 

[thiswaythatway]

There a lot of attention to detail on every Suhr. Gibson cranks out LP's like Mcdonalds does cheeseburgers. But today I actually played a 91 standard that played like butter. If you find a good LP it's tough to beat, some PRS guitars can get close.

 

[Tone Zone]

I can relate. My Suhrs are my go-to guitars for almost everything, but I picked up my 2013 LP Traditional last year for those times where only an LP will work. Gets played a lot less than my other guitars, but it has it's place. And, it was a guilt-free purchase as I got it during Gibson's blowout last year for just over $1,400. While, I do like it....I could never give what they normally ask for. As you said, their QC is all over the place. And, I've had two used R8’s in the past....the differences were minimal at best when comparing to my Traditional...2013 was a great year for that model. Very comparable neck to the R8's I had, if not better. I just don't think Gibson is deserving of such pricing. Better to buy from them in late November into early December...or just buy used.

Interesting comment. I've been playing 30 or so years and played 1000's of gigs and been part of MANY recording sessions and I've never come across the situation where only a Les Paul would work.

....as in, for the tone that I'm searching for? Come on now, are you really that dense? You are aware that Les Pauls have a thicker, meatier tone...in contrast to a super strats, right? Therefore, in some applications a LP might be favored. And BTW, ....you should probably refrain from listing your resume whenever an opportunity arises to do so....as no one gives a shit.

 

[FourT6and2]

I've never played a Suhr before. But I'd like to. But I really don't like trems. So that's sort of a deal breaker for me.

 

[geetarmikey]

I'm always nicely surprised when I notice my Suhr has the same amount of sustain as my LP

 

[yngzaklynch]

I've never played a Suhr before. But I'd like to. But I really don't like trems. So that's sort of a deal breaker for me.

http://willcuttguitars.com/suhr-guitars ... -burst-587

 

[glip22]

I owned three of the 2013 Traditionals and one was a real standout. Sold it to a member who thought the same thing and he knows Pauls. With that said none of them were even in the same ballpark as my R8. Not even close. The Traditionals were all dead turds comparatively, not saying they were bad at all either. Suhr is Suhr and Gibson is Gibson. Not really much to compare aside from QC

 

[Badronald]

I can relate. My Suhrs are my go-to guitars for almost everything, but I picked up my 2013 LP Traditional last year for those times where only an LP will work. Gets played a lot less than my other guitars, but it has it's place. And, it was a guilt-free purchase as I got it during Gibson's blowout last year for just over $1,400. While, I do like it....I could never give what they normally ask for. As you said, their QC is all over the place. And, I've had two used R8’s in the past....the differences were minimal at best when comparing to my Traditional...2013 was a great year for that model. Very comparable neck to the R8's I had, if not better. I just don't think Gibson is deserving of such pricing. Better to buy from them in late November into early December...or just buy used.

Interesting comment. I've been playing 30 or so years and played 1000's of gigs and been part of MANY recording sessions and I've never come across the situation where only a Les Paul would work.

....as in, for the tone that I'm searching for? Come on now, are you really that dense? You are aware that Les Pauls have a thicker, meatier tone...in contrast to a super strats, right? Therefore, in some applications a LP might be favored. And BTW, ....you should probably refrain from listing your resume whenever an opportunity arises to do so....as no one gives a shit.

Pleasant. Have a nice day Tone Zone.

 

[Jdguitar]

I played a bunch of Suhrs once in a large store in Toronto. I couldn't find $3000 worth of guitar in any of them when comparing them to some Musicman guitars they had there. Go try a dozen or so LP Studios for $1000 and you will eventually find one that has tone for days and plays like butter.

 

[thegame]

I played a bunch of Suhrs once in a large store in Toronto. I couldn't find $3000 worth of guitar in any of them when comparing them to some Musicman guitars they had there. Go try a dozen or so LP Studios for $1000 and you will eventually find one that has tone for days and plays like butter.

Whereabouts in Toronto ?
thanks

 

[RedB4Black]

I own 2 Customs, an R8 and a Traditional. Love them all. My R8 kills. I played a few moderns recently, they were nice, but they were the pro series, which seemed pricey for what I was getting. I'm looking at used customs mostly (no Floyds) because I've been considering picking up a Modern just for something different. There are so many options. What's the best wood choice? I've never played Basswood (that I know of) and it seems a lot are made of that. I gravitate to mahogany, but then I've read posts saying that that's not the best option. I want to avoid something that's overly dark sounding.

 

[Jdguitar]

I played a bunch of Suhrs once in a large store in Toronto. I couldn't find $3000 worth of guitar in any of them when comparing them to some Musicman guitars they had there. Go try a dozen or so LP Studios for $1000 and you will eventually find one that has tone for days and plays like butter.

Whereabouts in Toronto ?
thanks

Cosmo. I don't know what their current inventory of Suhrs is like now though. I wanted to like one...actually went in thinking I was going to leave with one.

 

[WizardSouth-JP]

I've had several Suhr guitars and probably even more Les Paul's - they are quite different but both very good guitars. Suhr can spend more time in setup and fit and finish than Gibson USA can (Gibson Custom even). My R8 is a killer guitar and I like it as much as I like my Suhr - which is my favorite guitar I've ever owned. They will both serve their purpose.

FWIW - a Les Paul has a mojo about it that most other guitars just don't have.

 

[Jdguitar]

I've had several Suhr guitars and probably even more Les Paul's - they are quite different but both very good guitars. Suhr can spend more time in setup and fit and finish than Gibson USA can (Gibson Custom even). My R8 is a killer guitar and I like it as much as I like my Suhr - which is my favorite guitar I've ever owned. They will both serve their purpose.

FWIW - a Les Paul has a mojo about it that most other guitars just don't have.

Yes, for some reason Gibson guitars have a soul to them. Their acoustics are the same way. They aren't always built perfect but there are some that sound amazing.