Suhr VS Tom Anderson VS James Tyler VS Fender Customshop

[MARKED]

Hi guys, i know it is very crude to compare these brands generically but has anyone done a side by side AB of any of these brands? It will be good to know! I'm tried them separately at different occasions but with different gear, so i still am not sure if the great difference i heard is because of that.

Care to share anyone?

 

[Vax]

You've made quite a list of potentially expensive guitars! Did you have a specific series in mind to compare? I'd imagine you'd like to pit something like the strat-style of each brand against one another, although that's still like comparing apples against pears. And are you referring to the James Tyler variax? (Just trying to help us along with your train of thought)

 

[relinquish69]

Fender Custom Shop will feel like how a traditional strat would feel with many vintage appointments like 6 point tremolo and smaller sized frets (if we are referring to the reissues).

I have not tried Andersons but I like both Suhrs and Tylers. Both are superb guitars. I like the feel on the Suhr's PLEK-ed frets and those sexy contours on the body. the scoops are very shredder friendly. Pickups I like the Doug Aldrich set best for humbuckers. Don't really like the single coils but thats personal preference.

I love the finish on Tylers. Works of art in every angle. Although I don't really fancy the hardware (I don't know why they picked wilkinson over over brands but oh well, I didn't design the guitar). One thing that I noticed is that Tylers are more harmonically rich compared to Suhrs in general.

End of the day, I still like the bite of a strat. IMO it's more of a feel thing when it comes to these 3 brands. Do you want a comfotable guitar or you want something to fight with? Both are good options, just see what is your preference.

How about this, have you narrowed down your choices to what models you'd like to compare with?

 

[MARKED]

O no! i am not refering to the variax line. yea actually i was referring to the strats that these brands offer. I tried a Tyler Burning water the other day and boy! did it sound full! and the mid boost knob was so versatile, you dont even need a pedal to boost your solos, just crank the knob up and u will cut through the mix with more volume a thicker but biting tone... really impressed with them.

For the Andersons (cant really remember with model I played), I wasn't really gelling with it, there was nothing really much that popped out when I played it (maybe thats just me), but the feel of the neck and the build of the guitar was definitely fantastic. As for the Suhr,(with humbuckers) i felt that it was very modern sounding, totally a league of its own, pickups were pretty high output...

 

[gunihoon]

Have a JC Masterbuilt Relic Strat and a Tyler SE HD. Used to own a Suhr Custom Standard and tried a TA as well.

The JC Strat is like Buddy Guy, oozing years of experience. Low output Abbey pickups adds to the toneful nature.
The SE HD is like John Mayer. Capable of doing what Buddy can do, but less soulful, more edgy, more clarity tone wise. Had the 5500s and Secret HB so they are at the more dynamic range.
I sold the Suhr cos the 12" radius was too flat for me... but the build was fantastic. So was a buddy's new Suhr that just arrived.
TA I played briefly but the build was superb as well. A buddy swears by them.

I dare say that the build of the Tyler/Suhr/TA parallels or is even better than the Masterbuilt. But then again, not really apple to apple comparison since it was a relic. But feel wise, the JC wins hands down.

Ultimately, it boils down to your tonal preference. You need to choose your pickups carefully as well as the body/neck woods to get what you want. However, this is only part of the equation. I believe you can feel whether or not you connect with a particular guitar. I had in possession a friend's Tyler for 3 years that I never bonded with and kept it in its case. The Tyler I got was another story. Narrow down what you want in a Strat tone (whether it leans towards the vintage or modern tones), then make your choice.

At this price point, there are also many other contenders Thorns are superb!

By the way, Tyler had changed their hardware. The bridges are now Gotohs and the tuners are locking Sperzels. Great stuff there.

 

[edgie]

The comparisons made by the others here are spot-on. As what Gunihoon said, it all depends on your tonal preference. Do you want vintage or modern or somewhere in the middle? I'm a Tyler guy because I prefer versatility while having that big, rich sound. Others might prefer the technique-friendly, fast-feeling necks of the Suhrs and their super-tight build. You are right about their modern sound, Suhrs seem to have that super clear sound to me even with the Classics I tried.

I've never really warmed up to the few Andersons I've tried but I would love to try the new 2-bolt neck. I admire the works of guys who always strive to better their products and there are a lot of those kind of people in the boutique market. So all in all, get a feel for which builder builds guitars that are closest to your ideal sound. One man's clear sound might be another's ear ice pick.

 

[Munak]

other than Fender CS, I have played all of the guitar above for lots of occasion when i was trying to decide on one,
For me Suhr is very well built with very wide features to choose from, very customizeable! but for me it just feels like a very well made superstrat.
Then i moved on to Tyler, which really blew me out, the neck, the pickup and paint (scary for some), and most of all the mid boost function is also amazing, it is maybe the most pricey out of the 3, but it is worth every cent spent on it.
Anderson have the most variation of guitar shape i think, but the customization is kind of limited, as you can only select feature that they offer, you can try suggesting something and Tom might say Ok or No depending on what you are asking.
I had a hard time decided between Tyler and Anderson, i played Suhr and Tyler more than an Anderson which i only tried like back in 2010.

In the end i ordered an Anderson and have been a very happy guy now, the playability and the attention paid to details is just out of this world. I spent the most time trying out Suhr and Tyler, there's very good piece and there's good piece, but for Anderson i ordered it and the quality is so consistent i feels like the one that i tried back in 2010.

But no guitar is perfect or the best, I've had friend who had problem with Suhr so much he sold it off, Also heard people that dont like the looks of the Tyler's headstock or say that Anderson's pickup sounds over sterile etc etc.
in summary i would say Suhr is best for value for money for the choices of feature and all, Tyler is a powerhouse guitar with an amazing tone, but Anderson to me is just maybe the best guitar (for me), as always your mileage may vary, I'm only sharing my thought on all these wonderful guitars. I would love to own a Tyler some day though!

 

[mail4kev]

I agree with what everyone has said so far. It all really boils down to your preference in tone and feel and what you can bond with in the end. I've had the opportunity to play all of them and have owned them all at some point except the Tylers. They are all very different but all well made. Another way of putting it is that they are all very consistent in quality.... I don't think you can find anyone of them letting a guitar out of their shop that's bad.

Personally, I had a Mary Kaye CS strat which I absolutely love the look and sound of but had trouble with vintage frets, 7.5" radius and a huge boat neck. But still it was a joy to just take it out of the case and look at it. I would say that Suhrs have a more modern feel to them. Most come with 1.65" width neck which a lot of people like but I tend towards wider and thicker necks so I prefer TAs. But strangely, I find aesthetics of TAs a tad boring and not as 'glamourous' as a Suhr. LOL!

Tylers... I tried a lot but I can't bond with any!!!! URGH!!!! I seriously would love to own one!!!

At the end of the day its all up to you what works best. I don't own any of those brands anymore and have largely settled on my US Hamers and Washburns. Its what makes you happy that's important.

-K

 

[simplecomplexity]

The comparisons made by the others here are spot-on. As what Gunihoon said, it all depends on your tonal preference. Do you want vintage or modern or somewhere in the middle? I'm a Tyler guy because I prefer versatility while having that big, rich sound. Others might prefer the technique-friendly, fast-feeling necks of the Suhrs and their super-tight build. You are right about their modern sound, Suhrs seem to have that super clear sound to me even with the Classics I tried.

I've never really warmed up to the few Andersons I've tried but I would love to try the new 2-bolt neck. I admire the works of guys who always strive to better their products and there are a lot of those kind of people in the boutique market. So all in all, get a feel for which builder builds guitars that are closest to your ideal sound. One man's clear sound might be another's ear ice pick.

Soon to be a Ruokangas guy too? ;-)

- - - Updated - - -

At this price point, there are also many other contenders Thorns are superb!

This is something I'm really intrigued about.
Having a couple of Thorns soon. Would be really expecting a lot from them after all I've read! ;-)

 

[moo_5150]

It s all comeback to ur personal preferences. Many factors.
They are custom gtrs. Suhr has plenty options on the neck profiles. Anderson as well. Tyler does 2neck options if i m not mistaken. Past time he even did c neck, soft V profile as well. Not so sure abt now.
And they create amazing inhouse pickup selections to suit ur need.

Fender cs, nowadays has plenty of series...

But there s no best gtrs to me... Just find 'the right one' for u. No matter wat ppl says. As long as u happy, end of the story.

i love my suhrs... I have an anderson T style, with 2bolts joint. Thumbs up for Tom. That construction is one of a kind!
But the chemistry, tone n feel, i always come back to my suhrs.

Happy hunting... Have a nice day.

 

[simplecomplexity]

Just find 'the right one' for u. No matter wat ppl says. As long as u happy, end of the story.

*thumbs up*