Suhr Guitars

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

For me, it's more cosmetics. I kinda tend to agree that a guitar that is well-made is a guitar that is well-made and so long as the specs are what your hands want, you'll have a blast playing it.

Unfortunately I just don't dig the looks of them. :dunno:

[BenoA]

no, me too.

Same here... http://www.jcfonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93786

[Chief_CrazyTalk]

I'm sure they're outstanding...but I'm a jap-charvel kinda guy.

[Grandturk]

I'm sure they're all great, but a lot of the ones I see are strats with maple flame/quilt tops which I really don't like at all. In fact, maple tops on strat-style guitars pretty much offends me.

[Snoogans]

I've always felt the same way about Hamers. Fabulous guitars, rightly loved by many, but I've never played one that I could really get along with.

[DonP]

But, In a manufactured good, what else is there?

Quality wise they are top shelf. Consistently top shelf.

You only have a few real indicators of a quality product.
1. good raw materials. (wood, electronics, and hardware)
2. good production processes. (rough shaping and basic fitting)
3. good finish processes. (paint, and tweaking the fit)
4. good QA to catch any of the misses from steps 1-3.

Suhr and Anderson hit these out of the park. The rest I figure is up to me.

I guess I don't understand what you are looking for when you discuss "vibe".

I guess you could say its the feeling I get when I ook at my Bengal SL2H, Kelly, ESP Horizon, Lightning Sky RR1,...They just look badass and ready for Metal.

The closest thing I can think of is fat chicks vs. hot chicks. You go gaga for hot chicks that might not have the "quality" / "personality" of a fat chick? Maybe? Where's RS when you need him

[JediHalen]

I think the difference is due to Suhr players being very conservative and studious.. People like Guthrie Govan who know every scale and mode in the book love them...

And Charvel players tend to be into wild 80s over the top playing. and dont shy away from bold colours, crazy graphics and Floyd roses.
I remember joining the Suhr forum a while ago (felt like at first I wasn`t part of their elitist snobby gang hahaha!)

But with time they accepted my metal ways and their are a good bunch of guys really.. just a bit anal about wiring and maple tops etc

I own a Modern and have just ordered an S6 (HSS Strat with a Gotoh floyd) These guitars consistantly perform perfect every time.. dont even need to tune em!.. we`ll maybe once a month with a fine tuner.

I would say try a Modern if you can.. they are very metal.. just posh metal!!

I also own a couple of Charvels which behave like wild uncontrollable hod rods! ( my EVH Charvel has a life of its own.. justs sounds alive but it will not behave!!!)

So what I am essentially saying is Suhr guitars are the well behaved older brother that gets perfect grades at school and is immaculately dressed.
And Charvels are the kids from the wrong side of the tracks that get in trouble and are loud.. dressed in scuffy jeans and t shirts and are always brought home in a police car

Pete.
www.vendetta-theband.com

[nhspike]

I think a lot of times the cost is more a direct result of how many "man hours" are spent on an instrument.

I spend from 1 to 8 hours on any guitar I buy, just to set it up to my liking.

Sure, there are materials (pickups, wood, finish), but all those things being equal, if they pay a guy for 5 or 6 hours of fret work/set-up, you will see that multiplied at least 2X in the retail price.

More like 3X actually.

So, it still boils down to personal preference, and if you get along with the instrument, but if more hands touch it for longer (like USA Suhr's) you'll see a higher list price.

They are coming out with that overseas model (Korea? China?) but from what I understand, it will still have a proper set-up, so will still cost 1K or more.

Just my 2 pennies

[Mazrim]

Well, I finally got to play some Suhrs this weekend. They've opened a GuitarGuitar in Birmingham and have a number of them so I couldn't wait to play what I've been drooling over for some time.

I tried a couple of Moderns, a Standard and the new set neck Guthrie Govan sig.
I also tried a couple of Charvel Custom shops for comparison.

I was impressed but there's nothing there I dont already have, and the asking price just doesnt warrant it. £2,700 - £3,800 is taking the piss to be honest.
Dont get me wrong, they are excellent guitars with plenty of character but the way people go on about them you'd think they were the holy grail.

No. They are comparable to top of the range superstrats. No more, no less. I have an Ibanez J Custom which is at least as good in every way including build quality. I also have a Parker Fly Deluxe which kills any of these Suhrs for playability. I have a Soloist Custom which is at least as well made but thats in the same price bracket I suppose.

If I could get hold of one of these Suhrs for a decent price, I would. I'll have to bide my time and wait for the Hypewave to subside, if it ever does, and pick up a second hand bargain. But I'm not spunking 3 grand on one of these guitars. No way.
The Charvel Custom shops were a third the price (ex demo models though) and roughly equal to the Suhrs in my opinion, if not as versatile.

Great guitars? Yep.

Great value? Nope.

[JediHalen]

Heres a few shots of my Suhr Modern (2009 Namm Black/silver Sparkle Drip) I do love my Charvels but this thing smokes!

[JediHalen]

I was impressed but there's nothing there I dont already have, and the asking price just doesnt warrant it. £2,700 - £3,800 is taking the piss to be honest.

Suhrs always seem to hang around shops for ages then they drop the price as not many people can afford em...
The Namm Modern was in Guitar Guitar in Newcastle for 8 months, so I jumped on it when they knocked £700 off (snagged it for £1900)

[Mazrim]

Yes, they do build them pretty.

The one I fell in love with on Saturday was a Modern Wine bur...
fuck it, here it is.



Every time I look at it, the £2,700 price tage becomes more justifiable. Get thee behind me, temptress!

[Mazrim]

Suhrs always seem to hang around shops for ages then they drop the price as not many people can afford em...
The Namm Modern was in Guitar Guitar in Newcastle for 8 months, so I jumped on it when they knocked £700 off (snagged it for £1900)

Hmmm... a wise strategy. Operation bide my time commences immediately.
Unless, an Axe FX steals all the funding first.

[JediHalen]

I know... Axe FX rules.. nearly got one myself, but I got the Suhr bug so bad that I crumbled and ordered an S6. (with extra custom options..pearl pickguard, jumbo SS frets and a Quilt top)
Like this one... £1850

[HiOctane]

I agree that vibe is intangible- you either feel it or you don't. Sometimes it's the guitar itself, or a feeling of excitement created by great players in a scene or genre who are using them.

My comments about Suhr are that as far as a modern rock guitar, they are absolutely top shelf. Their quality and attention to detail are exceptional, and while there are many comparable guitars out there, I don't think there is anyone better
or more cutting edge. They are really trying to move guitar technology forward.

I personally think they have a great thing happening, and are the only newer company creating a similar "vibe" to what Charvel & Jackson did back in the 80s. And they have actually used Charvel as a benchmark for some of their neck profiles.

Definitely a guitar worth checking out so that you can decide for yourself!