Suhr Custom

For almost three decades, John Suhr and his team at their Lake Elsinore-based workshop have established one of the top boutique instrument brands in the industry, and two minutes playing one makes it easy to see why. Suhr guitars, amps, and effects epitomize both a staunch commitment to quality as well as the mentality that a great guitar or piece of audio gear should have “everything you need, and nothing you don’t.” Pitbull Audio is very proud to have been a top dealer for Suhr’s amazing gear several years running!

Examples of Suhr’s innovation on their instruments range from tastefully subtle to distinctively straightforward. Locking tuners come standard on all Suhr guitars. The venerable Gotoh 510 two-point tremolo bridge comes standard on tremolo-equipped models, which makes using the tremolo way more stable in terms of tuning, while hardtail models all come stock with compensated brass saddles (for T-styles), allowing you to perfectly intonate your guitar while keeping the same classic resonance, or high-quality, rock-solid TonePros Tune-o-Matic bridges. All models have a contoured neck heel for shredder guitar-like upper fret access on a vintage-style instrument. And perhaps the most important, game-changing feature Suhr has brought to the table is their patented SSCII system - it allows the use of traditional non-stacked single coils without the typical 60-cycle hum that comes with them. This has made getting that iconic single-coil tone in a variety of studio and stage settings much easier. It’s no surprise why these guitars have found themselves in the hands of incredible players who simply want a reliable, high-quality instrument to make music with. Suhr’s guitar offerings span the gamut of what the contemporary player is looking for - their product lines are a one-stop shop for the quintessential musician’s taste.

The Classic series models, currently featuring the Classic S, Classic T, Classic JM, and Classic J & P basses, faithfully pay tribute to the heritage of vintage bolt-on guitars with their aesthetics and finishes while incorporating the benchmark Suhr features, offering musicians an accessible and familiar platform. The primary choice of elite players such as Mateus Asato, these models are often many players’ first introduction to Suhr, and they’re a damn fine one. Variants such as the Classic Antique and, most recently, the Classic S Vintage models push the pendulum even further in the vintage direction, utilizing some of their lower-output vintage-esque pickups, vintage-spec neck back shapes, authentic nitro lacquer finishes, and tasteful finish aging.

Their “Standard” line, as the name implies, is Suhr’s bread & butter. The original Suhr model archetype and John’s pride and joy, it’s the company’s unapologetic take on what a modern S-style guitar should be. It’s a departure from vintage in all the best ways, but manages to honor the legacy and history of the instrument as well for the best of both worlds. The specs reflect this, with the pickups, body shape, and neck profile all serving as a nice middle ground between the Classic and Modern lines. This model is the go-to choice of Pete Thorn, Reb Beach, and John Suhr himself.

For all of the shredders, metalheads, and progressive virtuosos out there, Suhr has stepped up to the plate for you as well - enter the Modern line. Featuring both Superstrat-style “S” shapes as well as some T-style offerings, these models incorporate flatter, faster neck profiles, high-output pickups such as their SSH and Aldrich humbuckers, and on some models, double-locking Floyd Rose-style tremolos. This is a great option for those wanting an 80s-style shred-ready guitar with Suhr’s attention to detail, classy aesthetic choices, and meticulous quality.

If Suhr’s myriad of ready-made guitar options weren’t enough, their “Custom Shop” instruments are built right alongside their production line guitars. Check out their Instagram page for just a taste of the incredible custom-spec axes coming off the line. We spec out a nice selection of these babies for our inventory every year, but ordering your very own Suhr custom guitar or bass is as easy as giving us a call or shooting us an email. If you’d like to join the ranks of top-notch players rocking a Suhr, drop us a line.

Lastly, Suhr builds some incredible guitar amps and effect pedals as well, and the same attention to detail and commitment to practical innovation is present. Amps such as the Pete Thorn signature PT-100 and SL68 were designed with the same ethos - classic tone presented in a practical, modern, and completely usable package. These amps have become increasingly seen in many studios and venue backlines across the globe for both their unparalleled tone and unwavering reliability. We have a nice selection of these on hand, including our personal favorite, the little studio beast in all its glory - the PT-15 IR!

You may notice something about the signature artists Suhr enlists on its roster. Mateus Asato, Pete Thorn, Andy Wood, Ian Thornley… these players are among the best and most discerning the industry has to offer. There’s a reason for that - these players gravitate to Suhr because they know exactly what musicians are looking for out of their instruments. Check one out and experience the difference!