Is anyone familiar with Suhr guitars? buyer advice pls :)

[ruedi]

This one just popped up on a local marketplace.

Things to consider? I see stainless steel frets, not sure wether to like or not.

Here's the full ad:

https://www.ricardo.ch/de/a/suhr-classic-pro-t-telecaster-style-1169917554/

Asking CHF 1200, which is roughly USD1311/EUR 1087 as of today.

 

[krysh]

very good guitars, new very expensive. offer 1000 and you could make a deal. I'd buy it If I was in need for good a lefty Tele

 

[ruedi]

very good guitars, new very expensive. offer 1000 and you could make a deal. I'd buy it If I was in need for good a lefty Tele

Thank you Michael! Define "need"
The seller (private seller) is in my hometown, so I'm definitely going to check it out.

 

[krysh]

Thank you Michael! Define "need"
The seller (private seller) is in my hometown, so I'm definitely going to check it out.

I guess I'm the wrong person to explain "need a guitar"

 

[SFIV1967]

I immediately think Mark Knopfler and his Pensa-Suhr...

About Us | Suhr.com

www.suhr.com

Ralf

 

[Westerly Wood]

looks like a tele.
nice!
dig the old vibe.

 

[ruedi]

Yes! and the seller must be a nice guy, he even included a picture for the BGUF thread!

I just contacted him for an appointment.

 

[Guildedagain]

Very decent price for a used guitar, used Fenders are going for more. These are really expensive new, which I've never been able to understand.

There are many makers who make more or less exact copies of something that was invented in the late 40's and early 50's. Just wood and wire baby...

Here is a short list of people who reinvent the Telecaster, all at unwarranted prices. The more they cost, the better they sound. You won't find anyone paying $5k for a guitar who doesn't like it. They just sound... rich ;]

Lentz
Thorn
Kirn
Rick Kelly
Grosh
Fred Stuart
Suhr

Like how good can you make this guitar, how much better than Fender, how many hours can you put into something this simple?

And ultimately, how much better than buying a Warmoth body, and Warmoth neck, a set of Seymour Duncan pickups?

I finally built my own "Partscaster" a couple summers ago, an old Warmoth Alder body - very musical wood - with old Seymour Duncan Alnico pickups, and a fairly exceptional Japan vintage Allparts neck, Gotoh aged tuners, and instantly liked it more than any Tele I ever paid more for that was built by Fender that I've ever owned and I've owned dozens.

But getting back to this Shur, jump on it, it's a good deal in a rare finish, not Butterscotch but Blonde.

 

[walrus]

Here's Tom Bukovac playing his Suhr Classic T :



walrus

 

[GAD]

Everyone I've known who has a Suhr absolutely raves about them. They get great respect over on LTG, too.

I have no experience with the Tele models but some of the Strat models sell for crazy money so that seems like a good price, but I can't say for sure. .

 

[walrus]

Here's the website info:

https://www.suhr.com/instruments-2017/classic-t/suhr-classic-t-pro/

I want one!

walrus

 

[davismanLV]

They get great respect over on LTG, too.

WAIT!! I thought this WAS LTG?? So confused.....

 

[GAD]

WAIT!! I thought this WAS LTG?? So confused.....

LOL. Whoops. Yes I meant TGP.

 

[Aristera]

David Kilminster, guitarist with Roger Waters, plays a Suhr. Suhr may have also created a Custom artist model for him as well.

 

[Rebosbro]

Thank you Michael! Define "need"
The seller (private seller) is in my hometown, so I'm definitely going to check it out.

“Need” and “want” and interchangeable when talking about guitars
Paul

 

[AcornHouse]

Very decent price for a used guitar, used Fenders are going for more. These are really expensive new, which I've never been able to understand.

There are many makers who make more or less exact copies of something that was invented in the late 40's and early 50's. Just wood and wire baby...

Here is a short list of people who reinvent the Telecaster, all at unwarranted prices. The more they cost, the better they sound. You won't find anyone paying $5k for a guitar who doesn't like it. They just sound... rich ;]

 

[Guildedagain]

The more you pay, the more it's worth ;]

 

[Coop47]

Very decent price for a used guitar, used Fenders are going for more. These are really expensive new, which I've never been able to understand.

There are many makers who make more or less exact copies of something that was invented in the late 40's and early 50's. Just wood and wire baby...

Here is a short list of people who reinvent the Telecaster, all at unwarranted prices. The more they cost, the better they sound. You won't find anyone paying $5k for a guitar who doesn't like it. They just sound... rich ;]

Lentz
Thorn
Kirn
Rick Kelly
Grosh
Fred Stuart
Suhr

Like how good can you make this guitar, how much better than Fender, how many hours can you put into something this simple?

And ultimately, how much better than buying a Warmoth body, and Warmoth neck, a set of Seymour Duncan pickups?

I finally built my own "Partscaster" a couple summers ago, an old Warmoth Alder body - very musical wood - with old Seymour Duncan Alnico pickups, and a fairly exceptional Japan vintage Allparts neck, Gotoh aged tuners, and instantly liked it more than any Tele I ever paid more for that was built by Fender that I've ever owned and I've owned dozens.

But getting back to this Shur, jump on it, it's a good deal in a rare finish, not Butterscotch but Blonde.

I'm a big Tele fan, and agree 100% on this. I've heard wonderful things about Suhr, Kirn and others and played a few. IMHO, nothing beats finding a comfortable neck and the right pickups. I have an '88 American Standard with Don Mare Donocaster pickups and wouldn't trade it for any boutique tele.

All that said, this seems like a decent price for a quality guitar, and a lefty at that. Buy it if you like it, but not just because it's a Suhr at a good price.

 

[ruedi]

Very true Guildedagain and Coop! I don't care if it's a Fender or something else, as long as I like the feel and the sound.
The seller seems to be a bit nervous about the pandemic situation, but I'm confident that we can negotiate a way for me to check it out before I buy it.

 

[jp]

Here's Tom Bukovac playing his Suhr Classic T :



walrus

Actually, I don't think this is Tom Bukovac. He gives his viewers chord progressions and licks to practice, and this is one of his viewers. I think he does have a Suhr, though.

To your question, ruedi. I haven't played a Suhr before, but I'm also really curious since so many top players play them. From my understanding, the host of custom luthier-made Fender clones demand high prices for the premium hardware, material choice, attention to detail and highly professional setup right off the shelf. This means no jagged fret ends, no sloppy nuts, perfect intonation, no high buzzing frets, flawless action, and above all, a lot of extra hours to ensure premium build quality.

From my experience, Fenders can be finicky and highly sensitive instruments that change with humidity, temperature, and high stress from gigging, string changes, and constant play, esp. non-hardtails. One can tweak a Strat or Tele ad infinitum. Maybe these custom clones hold up much better? Who knows.

I'd bet that if you give one of these luthiers a decent starting Mexican Fender, a large custom hardware budget, and a ton of extra time to fine tune, you'll get back a stunning instrument.

I'm curious to hear your review when you check it out. Good luck!