New Floyded Suhr Pro Series

[hippietim]

Just because I don't agree with his statements, that means I'm calling him a liar?

You said "I ain't buying the OFR "QC" argument, though". That sounds like you are calling him a liar to me.

And I suppose because I don't prefer basswood like him, I must think he's really full of s**t?

I made no mention of that in my response to you.

And, no duh - OFRs are made by Schaller in Germany. As far as I'm concerned, the OFR unit is the "gold standard" of locking trems. I have NEVER had a problem with an OFR. The Gotoh isn't even in the same league.

I've not personally played a Gotoh Floyd so I don't know. I do know that John Suhr is meticulous in his choices. Let me know what guitars you got a chance to try a Gotoh Floyd on - I'd like to check one out.

[StukaJU87]

I'll only buy one if Lee does the fretboard work on them.


































j/k:ROTF:

[rjohnstone]

Schaller makes the OFR

No shit... really?
It's still spec'd differently. Maybe that production line works better.

[toejam]

I'll only buy one if Lee does the fretboard work on them.

:ROTF:

[shreddermon]

You said "I ain't buying the OFR "QC" argument, though". That sounds like you are calling him a liar to me.

No, that meant I don't agree with the statement. And just because I don't agree with his statement doesn't mean I was calling him a liar - I wasn't.

But, since you raised the subject anyway, would it be so unheard for the owner of a musical instrument manufacturer to maybe "stretch" the truth just a little bit to suit their own preferences or needs? Like that's never happened in this field, so it's not a possibility at all.

I made no mention of that in my response to you..

Just using it as an example of applying the logic you seemed to be using.

I've not personally played a Gotoh Floyd so I don't know. I do know that John Suhr is meticulous in his choices. Let me know what guitars you got a chance to try a Gotoh Floyd on - I'd like to check one out.

I believe the EB EVH units were Gotohs, if you can find one of those to try. Not 100% sure of that, though. And a buddy of mine had one on a parts mutt of his. It's of typical licensed import quality. Not in the same league as an OFR or Schaller unit. And I hold the same opinion of the Jackson, Ibanez, ESP, etc licensed trems.

Again - I'm sure the Suhrs () are cool guitars. I've heard nothing but good things. But IMHO that's still a lot of coin for a guitar with licensed import hardware.

[hippietim]

No, that meant I don't agree with the statement. And just because I don't agree with his statement doesn't mean I was calling him a liar - I wasn't.

Fine line there. But in any case, you aren't really in a position to agree or disagree in a way that is meaningful to me unless you've had many hundreds of bridges come your way.

But, since you raised the subject anyway, would it be so unheard for the owner of a musical instrument manufacturer to maybe "stretch" the truth just a little bit to suit their own preferences or needs? Like that's never happened in this field, so it's not a possibility at all.

Pat, we're not talking about the folks at Jackson - we're talking about a company (and man) that actually builds good guitars these days.

[ozzuk1]

I've got a Gotoh FR two schaller's and played a few ofrs, the gotoh for me was much more comfortable, felt smoother when diving, allthough I quite like the schallers.

I've heard a few people and companies rumbling about the OFR QC issues, could this be linked to the ping units?

The gotoh is typically around the same as an ofr I think the ofr might be cheaper from warmoth than a Gotoh from allparts or WD...

I'f you've tried the unit and dont like it and prefer the squarness feel of the ofr saddles and the way it dives thats fine but don't bash the Gotoh trem just because it's not made in germany...

I doubt suhr would switch to an inferior trem, not to mention music man are quite happy to use gotoh FR's and most people are happy with the quality of them...

[Dave L]

Well, I for one am satisfied with a Gotoh on there. From what (admittedly)little I have seen of them they work well, feel good and definitely seem to be of higher quality than your run-of-the-mill licensed Floyd. I would prefer an OFR, but for me it´s not a dealbreaker at all.

Matt - Regarding that bit about customers being able to retrofit to any pickup configurarion due to the H/S/H routing... does Suhr sell pickguards? I suspect pickguards for a Suhr aren´t readily available at places like Warmoth or WD.

[shreddermon]

Fine line there. But in any case, you aren't really in a position to agree or disagree in a way that is meaningful to me unless you've had many hundreds of bridges come your way.

Right, because no-one else's opinions hold any weight unless, of course, they happen to agree with you or own a guitar company that you're enthralled with.

...Seriously, Tim, enough with this lame BS - what's with the personal animosity lately?

[Genebaby]

For all we know, Mr Suhr has been planting the seed of replacing the OFR so that it's not such a big shock to people. Remember, we've heard him moaning how crap the OFR is for a while now, it makes sense he's gone to Gotoh.

Please, Schaller make top notch gear and can make an OFR in their sleep. The best licensed Floyd is the Schaller one, it's a no brainer. I don't mind Gotoh for fixed bridges and tuners, but when it comes to a floating trem, Schaller made all the way.

Don't worry about Tim, he just can't find his ukulele.

[hippietim]

Right, because no-one else's opinions hold any weight unless, of course, they happen to agree with you or own a guitar company that you're enthralled with.

That's bullshit. I am far from enthralled with Suhr. I don't even own a Suhr anymore and as I mentioned I've never even played a Gotoh Floyd that I am aware of. I was simply pointing that I do place far more value on the opinion of a luthier respected world wide (and who has personally and directly given me some great advice) that has had many hundreds of these bridges than of some dude on the Internet (you) who has played one on a parts mutt.

...Seriously, Tim, enough with this lame BS - what's with the personal animosity lately?

I have no personal animosity whatsoever. I just disagreed with you. I suppose nobody is allowed to disagree with you.

[HiOctane]

I doubt suhr would switch to an inferior trem, not to mention music man are quite happy to use gotoh FR's and most people are happy with the quality of them...

Well stated. Suhr also offers several other Gotoh bridges and a Wilkinson model. My opinion is that he does so because, for whatever reason, he believes in the quality of these parts and that they work well with his guitars.

I would have thought that they would consider the Schaller Floyd as well, as it's also supposed to be an improvement over the original FR these days- just like the Gotoh. But I am pretty sure that there are a lot of technical issues involved with switching bridges or offering additional options. Maybe they just liked the Gotoh better?

Here's the quote on the OFR from the Suhr website:

"Despite the bad rap the Floyd has received over the years, we still think it is a good sounding bridge. It has a brass block, sounds warm and can be played aggressively. The construction is not as good as it used to be; some tolerances have become sloppy over the years. The radius is basically not adjustable; 10-14" compound fingerboard radius seems to work the best. Most of the construction issues are handled here at Suhr Guitars. Nothing will stay in tune as a properly working Floyd.

Not described are the 1099 and the VS100; these are good bridges – both with 2.125" spacing. The VS100 has a soft tone and is a good bridge but not that popular."

I think he is doing this because he quite simply thinks it will make for a better guitar. I guess they finally got tired of some aspects of the original FR and decided to make the move.

Also, consider this...Is a man who is competing in a boutique bolt-on guitar market- where the base price of a custom instrument is $3,000 and superior quality is what sells instruments- going to try to save a few bucks a guitar by switching to an inferior product? I just can't believe that makes good business sense. If it sucks, the damage to sales and his reputation will cost him far more than whatever he could save by going to the Gotoh Floyd. That is, if there is a savings involved. Even if there is, how much could it matter?

One last thing- the fact that many locking trems have to be shimmed because they are only offered in one or two radiuses still ticks me off! I wish someone would get it together and offer a wider variety! I like the fact that Schaller & Gotoh both at least offer the 14'.

[JACKSONFREAK]

Maybe since both the OFR and the Schaller trems. Are made in the same plant. He feels the Schaller would have the same QC issues as the OFR. The Gotoh is a good trem. Probably the next best thing to the Schaller. ANd it's not made in the same plant as the OFR/Schaller. So he's more confidant with its build quality. I've had a couple Gotoh trems and never had any issues with them. They felt just as solid as the OFR. If you don't like a Lexus would you buy a Toyota? Pretty mch the same car. MAde in the same plant. But the Lexus costs more. Maybe not the perfect analogy but hey its 4:15am and for some reason im up checkin the forum. Ok back to bed.
Gil

[HiOctane]

JACKSONFREAK,

No argument from me!

[shreddermon]

That's bullshit...I was simply pointing that I do place far more value on the opinion of a luthier respected world wide (and who has personally and directly given me some great advice) that has had many hundreds of these bridges than of some dude on the Internet (you) who has played one on a parts mutt.

And I was simply pointing out that my opinion is based on direct personal experience with both units. i.e., As opposed to taking someone else's statements as fact. Someone who may have more extensive experience than I, but who may also be motivated by his company's needs. "May" being the important word. I'm not accusing him of anything - maybe he really does believe the Gotoh is a better unit. Or maybe not. Just pointing out that this is a possibility, and I prefer to form my own opinions based on personal experience. Kind of like Suhr's basswood preferences - just because he prefers that body wood, doesn't mean it is a "better" wood. It's all personal preferences. That's all.

I have no personal animosity whatsoever. I just disagreed with you. I suppose nobody is allowed to disagree with you.

Well, like you did with mine, I must be misinterpreting your posts. Of course you're entitiled to your opinions, Tim. However, there seemed to be some attitude / animosity contained in your posts directed at me, as opposed to others posting in this thread. But I guess I misinterpreted and, for that, I apolgize. For the record, I have no animosity towards you whatsoever either, Tim. Just the opposite - I think you're a very decent dude.