Shur & Anderson guitars

[MikeStrat]

What can you guys tell me about these two guitar makers? Besides one is Tom Anderson and the other is John Shur. They look like they come from the same factory. Headstocks are even kind of similar. I've been looking at a Shur but was curious because they look so much alike. Is one better quality than the other? Just curious.

[Joe_Steeler]

Both do share so features, but they are very different animals.
I wouldn't say one is better than the other, a matter of personal taste and preferences.

Tom's are just prefectly crafted guitars. IMHO, they are the Strat world comparison to a PRS. Incredible attention to detail, super smooth necks with an incredible broken in feel. Maple tops, solid colors, etc. Tom is very specific and what he would and wouldn't do. Two bolt neck (these days), SS frets, etc.

John's operation is more like the Fender CS, free flowing and you can ask for just about anything within reason. Players guitars and a tad more budget concious than an Anderson. Great necks and more choices of thickness and width. Not as smooth as an Anderson neck, but very well done nevertheless.
I find John's guitars very easy and friendly to pick up and play.

Both are great examples of greatly crafted guitars. If I HAD to choose one over the other, with a gun to my temple, I would go Anderson. Both manufacturers feature, as a standard, BF tuning and John offers has Plek as an option. Manufacturing lead times are a fraction from Fender and others.

[Special-K]

Buy a Jackson and you will be happy

[MikeStrat]

Buy a Jackson and you will be happy

Well since I have about 14 C/Js, I have already gotten most of the ones I am interested in buying. I'm trying to broaden my horizons a little. I'm still loyal to C/J. BTW....can you play the blues with a Shur?

[Special-K]

I don`t know, try it...

Jack White said once:"I never play new guitars...Cause the old one`s I have
buyed over the years are really great to play and have a great feel to them...
It is like they have a soul...So they are perfect for blue.Yes, mine do look newbut
this is because they are cleaned up.."

[Joe_Steeler]

Sure you can.
I may offend some here, and that is not my intention BTW, but I wouldn't put Jackson on the same build category as Tom Anderson or John Suhr. I am sorry, but that is comparing a Mercedes Benz to an Acura.
Both top notch vehicles, performance and looks wise. But the attention to detail (case quality, fretwork, BF & Plek, etc.) just places Andys and Suhrs on an elite class.

[MountainDog]

+1 on what Joe_Steeler said regarding Anderson.

I have an Anderson from '91, maple board, single-single-hum, OFR, basswood strat body and its one of my best sounding and playing guitars, and I have lots of J/Cs. The neck shape on my Anderson is very similar to the Music Zoo Charvel Mahogany strathead I just got from Predator1, and many people here on the board have praised that neck shape.

Anderson is a small group of people that are very dedicated. I happen to know a lady that works in the office and routinely see and talk to her and Tom at the NAMM shows.

[mattsmusiccenter]

Did I mention that we just became a Suhr dealer?

Deals are to be had if anyone's interested.

[Joe_Steeler]

You know I'll be there Matt!!
Gotta love them Suhrs.

[MikeStrat]

BTW....can you play the blues with a Shur?

uuh. For those that missed it. That was a joke (see smiley).

[Shawn]

Mike, call me later. I have a great hookup and a guy who is really knowledgeable.

[shredmonster]

Not impressed with Andersons. Played through a SLO and sounded sterile to me.
I could tell the quality was very good. Neck was good. My CS Jackson has just as good of a neck though.

For me they are just not shred guitars. Dont sound like a shred guitar and don't have 24 frets. More for vintage guys IMO.

However Suhr is coming out with a 24 fretter and I am going to get one of those. If Anderson was coming out with a 24 fretter I would probably get one. Both great builders. But they have a business to run and there are more vintage players out there and thats who they have to cater to to stay in business.

[monte]

i agree with everything that Joe mentioned....except i go with Suhr first. But yes, they are both of high quality and sound great. I have to also agree that I don't put C/J in the same category are Suhr or Anderson. That is my opinion, I don't make the guitars.
Monte