High-end Fender vs Suhr

[KennethC]

Fender is just holding on too much with recreating the past instead of embracing the futue and reinventing the wheel per se. I honestly feel that this is more of a corporate aim rather than the aims of the existing master builders.

I do think marketing has got to do with this - I think the company's strategy is to leverage on its heritage to heighten its market share. Retro always comes around. But that's fine by me, since I don't consider Fender as a superb modern strat maker.

And this is where folks like Suhr/Tyler/Anderson come in. Given the freedom that these guys enjoy, they can pretty much do whatever they want in terms of design. Just try ordering a Fender Custom Shop to your own specs...if your name isn't in guitar world you'll probably never succeed.

I never thought of it, but I think you're probably right. Or you just need to know someone in there.

With Suhrs/Tylers/Andersons, the whole consistency issue is more or less non existant. Literally perfect instruments, faultless in craftsmanship, playability and tone! It's just a matter of tuning one out to the specs which fit you the most.

Generally the case...'cept for some that we tried bro hehe

 

[ShredCow]

Tis the dough yo!

Who cares about progress/reinventing-the-wheel/embracing-the-future when vintage purists abound? Looking at the responses of many will indicate what most feel about fender - its heritage and the vintage vibe... or maybe who plays them...

 

[subversion]

if one has a goodwill to perpetuate, one would be hesitant to deviate into the alternative- that's pretty much what Fender's doing.

 

[SoulJah]

I definitely agree.

I myself can't imagine fender or gibson for that matter leveraging on a new model other than a strat/tele or a les paul.

But I really wonder how this industry will continue and how it will evolve in the years to come.

There was a discussion on tgp a while ago about how almost all the builders out there make variations of either a strat, tele or les paul. As disgusting as it sounds, it is the truth. Players themselves I believe are not willing to move from the vintage vibe of things.

 

[subversion]

people are inert to changes especially when the tried & trusted still works.

 

[ShredCow]

Actually, its not just the look and vibe. Its also the sound.

Change a formula, the sound/tone changes.

Do a variation on a theme or do a totally alien theme...

I'd love to try a guitar made of some lightweight alloy or fiberglass or graphite or some-new-fangled-mash but... I don't know if my ears will like it.

 

[adrianli]

As disgusting as it sounds, it is the truth. Players themselves I believe are not willing to move from the vintage vibe of things.

Credit goes to Ned Steinberger and Ken Parker for taking the road less travelled.

 

[subversion]

Bernie Rico did well with these also:

 

[keithC]

its just me la. but i think mockingbirds can really make it... shape appeals visually to me.
but not the sound, nor the feel...
why cant gibson copy a mockingbird instead of the reversed v...

 

[Whitestrat]

I'd buy an EBMM instead... Heheheh...

 

[Whitestrat]

Just try ordering a Fender Custom Shop to your own specs...if your name isn't in guitar world you'll probably never succeed.

Actually, it can be done thru your local dealer. I know a few guys at the Fender Forum who have done so. But how Swee Lee treats you is up to the size of your wallet.

 

[ChanMin]

hmmm ...

personally ...

i feel fender is the grand daddy of guitar manufacturers.
Suhr is... more of a guitar...builder. Efficient, flexible with great QC.
much smaller production numbers...

It really depends on what a person needs in a guitar. something old..or something cutting age... or both...etc..

if you wanted a piece of fender's heritage...you'd spend ALOT of money on a REAL 50s or 60s strat.. or... if you werent so filthy rich, you'd get a custom shop for a few thousand bucks. its built to "mimic" the originals closely... nowadays they make MODERN versions... with 9.5 and up radius .modern electronics etc..this kinda dilutes the "Fender Heritage" for me, but it does improve the original design in playbility... this elevates the modern CS strat into a semi modern/vintage niche.

This is where i decided to make my own partcaster and get it done with. as the design is no longer original and i can get any specs i want easily... i just need someone "Pro" enough to put it together for me - all for a few thousand bucks less.

if i were forced to make a choice... i think i will still go fender.
the CS logo makes you play/sound better and can make you and marshall MG15R sound like John Mayer and his Two rocks

 

[KennethC]

the CS logo makes you play/sound better and can make you and marshall MG15R sound like John Mayer and his Two rocks

and the masterbuilder's signature will make u sound like u're using evidence audio cables, just like JM too.

 

[ChanMin]

sorry kenneth i believe you got confused.

you should know masterbuilder sig's "tone improvement phenomenon" only kicks in when the masterbuilder dies.

 

[SoulJah]

LOLOLOLOLOLOL!

I thought the tone, mojo, and everything kicks in not only when the masterbuilder dies but when your guitar becomes so old it's actually certified old growth wood?

 

[Taylorboy87]

Fender. Like what Chanmin said the grand daddy of all strats. A strat = fender, les paul = gibson. I like it the way it is then and i also like it the way it is now.

 

[L3stat]

A little OT, Suhr seems to recommend against an ash body and rosewood fretboard combination, too much "sizzle". Does anyone know what that means? Isn't rosewood supposed to sound darker/warmer? I'm just not getting the "sizzle" description.

 

[subversion]

too much midrange. i kinda agree, i prefer an ash + maple fretboard. however, the former combo sounds very acceptable for those who prefer midrange accentuation rather than excess treble.

**didn't know there are fans of Suhr here...

 

[penta-tonic]

me! bought one in august 06 sight unseen. so far i havent touched a more playable guitar and its tone has beaten all but one fender ive tried and the nos numa i tried at malcolm's.

 

[ShredCow]

A little OT, Suhr seems to recommend against an ash body and rosewood fretboard combination, too much "sizzle". Does anyone know what that means? Isn't rosewood supposed to sound darker/warmer? I'm just not getting the "sizzle" description.

Nope. Rosewood is brighter than maple. Common misconception.