Fender Custom Shop Vs. Suhr or Grosh

[ef86pentode]

Hey You Guys/Girls!
I am posting because while I love my strat (it's a 2003 Fender MIJ Strat, Sunburst '63 RI with Harmonic Design Vintage plus s.c.'s in the neck & middle & a Harmonic Design S90 in the Bridge- it looks, sounds & feels totally killer), & play it prolly more than my other electric (MIA FENDER TELE) I have been thinking that I should probably get an American made Strat.
So, here's the question:
How do the higher end Fender Strat's stack up to those produced by Suhr or Grosh? I have heard simply amazing things about Grosh & Suhr, but not too too many accolades for the higher end Fenders. I will likely pick up something designed to resemble a late 50's, early 60's strat.
If i'm going to lay down $2K for a fiddle, where am I going to get the most possible bang for the buck? Is it----
A. The company who started it all, Fender?
B. A quality luthier unconstrained by factors which can keep big companies from supplying quality axes, Grosh?
C. A guy who worked at the Fender Custom Shop, was renowned for his skill & ventured out on his own, Suhr?
or...D. None of the above...Am I missing anyone? I have heard that Anderson makes a decent Strat, but I don't know.
G&L?
Greenwhich Custom Guitars?
Anyone out there that has pledged allegience to the strat, but not necessarily Fender, PLEASE HELP ME!
Best Wishes,
MG

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Fender Custom Shop Vs. Suhr or Grosh

There are so many outstanding luthiers out there. Very hard to go wrong with a Suhr or a Grosh. I kinda depends on exactly what you want.

I just got through checking out those newish Eric Johnson strats. Not exactly Custom Shop but pretty damn nice. My gripe with most strats has always been neck shape. this one has a nice V down at the nut works up to a C in the upper registers.

Now guys like Suhr can make you whatever you want in a neck shape. So, what's a new custom Suhr cost? You can get the EJ for 1500.

 

[XSSIVE]

Re: Fender Custom Shop Vs. Suhr or Grosh

oh man that's a tough call IMO. but if you want a "classic" 50's-60's style strat i think i'd go fender custom shop myself. but for more of a "super strat" like guitar you can't go wrong with suhr IMO. one of the best strat like guitars i've played. although i tend to look past his vintage style stuff (leave that to fender IMO) and go right for the "super" strats. although the suhr vintage style stuff again are killer guitars. well i'm no help now that i think of it, your screwed lol too tough a call b/t suhr and fender custom shop for me...flip a coin lol b/c either will rock! oh and grosh are cool too but i'd easily take a suhr or fender custom shop over it myself.

-Mike

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Fender Custom Shop Vs. Suhr or Grosh

There's something about Fender Classic Player Custom Shop guitars that's always been on my mind. My next guitar may be a CS Classic Player, which is basically an American strat with the best woods and attention to detail. Twangbanger and 2 Surfers, and sell the stock Texas Specials, or whatever Fender puts in them.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Fender Custom Shop Vs. Suhr or Grosh

like scott said, there are loads of builders. a friend of mine worked at rudys with john back in the day and his guitars are just as good (maybe better). try and find a local luthier that can build you exactlyy what you want. when i was working on the last guitar i built, they guy it was far came overr about once a week to make sure the body carve, neck carve ect... were exactly what he wanted. i didnt mind since i knew the guy was gonna get exactly what the wanted

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Fender Custom Shop Vs. Suhr or Grosh

I've never played a Suhr or Grosh or Anderson or any of those smaller makers...I'm sure they're fine guitars.

What I DO know is, my Fender Custom Shop Tele is the best guitar I've ever owned. There's not a single flaw, as far as I can tell. From the beautifully flamed fat a$$ neck to the most perfectly straight grained premium ash body I've ever seen. The attention to detail/finish is perfect!

I'm not sure what they cost new...probably more than I'm willing to spend, but if you can find one used, they're a definite deal!

Come to think of it, I own 2 electrics right now & they are both Custom Shop models (the other being a Hamer Studio Custom). The Hamer was 6 months old & the Tele was 3 months old when I adopted them.

Again, not sure what they cost new, but as you can see...deals can be found!

Good luck in your search & do yourself a favor: Don't settle...wait till you find what you want. You can spend a lot of money searching & settling...may as well just get what you want from the start!!! It took me a while to figure that one out! :laugh2:

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Fender Custom Shop Vs. Suhr or Grosh

Hey You Guys/Girls!
I am posting because while I love my strat (it's a 2003 Fender MIJ Strat, Sunburst '63 RI with Harmonic Design Vintage plus s.c.'s in the neck & middle & a Harmonic Design S90 in the Bridge- it looks, sounds & feels totally killer), & play it prolly more than my other electric (MIA FENDER TELE) I have been thinking that I should probably get an American made Strat.

I'm confused. If your MIJ Strat "looks, sounds & feels totally killer," and you love playing it, why replace it? Is there something else you're hoping to get from a Strat that you simply can't get from this one?

- Keith

 

[philthis]

Re: Fender Custom Shop Vs. Suhr or Grosh

at that level of quality and price you can find very good Luthiers in this business. Tom Anderson and others are great guitars. You can do what a lot of players do. You could go get a part time job at a guitar store and get your Fender Custom Shop guitar at or almost at cost :laugh2: Thats how alot of guys do it. Meanwile if your not planning to work part time at a guitar store then its all about cost verses quality. Go play - SEVERAL- Tom Andersons and other custom guitars. one of the things you will find is most builders have a certen feel about there guitars unless they are building you a copy of someone elses. Thats going to be the real differance. The quality at that price range is usualy already there. Its now about bang for the buck and over all feel of the product in your hand. Oh ya, check how long it would take from the time you order till the time you can get your product in your hand. Some of thiese guys have waiteing lists so check that too.
:beerchug:

 

[ef86pentode]

Re: Fender Custom Shop Vs. Suhr or Grosh

Thank you for the responses, you guys rule...
The only real complaint with the MIJ was the pickups, which has been fixed. Also, I prefer a nitro finish on the body & neck. I have to admit that the guitar does feel kind of "plastic like", just because the finish they use is so thick or something. That's my only real beef with the guitar & for $500, it can't really be beat. Yeah, i'll be keeping my MIJ strat, but I would like an American made, high end strat, simply because I want one.
Does anyone else have experience with the MIJ Fenders? I think they are quite a value...

 

[Xeromus]

Re: Fender Custom Shop Vs. Suhr or Grosh

Aside from all the recommendations everyone already made:

Don't overlook G&L. See if you can get your hands on a G&L Legacy sometime. After all, it's the Company Leo Fender and George Fullerton started after they sold Fender to CBS. It's Leo's final evolution of the stratocaster and tele.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Fender Custom Shop Vs. Suhr or Grosh

for as much money as a CS is, I'd rather give the $ to a private builder, rather a corporation. If what you are looking for is just the ideal classic strat, buy a real vintage classic strat.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Fender Custom Shop Vs. Suhr or Grosh

When talking about booteek stratlike instruments, Melancon definitely deserves consideration.

That said, if you want a guitar that feels and sounds like a Fender, get a Fender. If you're looking for something along those lines but prehaps a bit different than the original, go the booteek route.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Fender Custom Shop Vs. Suhr or Grosh

When talking about booteek stratlike instruments, Melancon definitely deserves consideration.

That said, if you want a guitar that feels and sounds like a Fender, get a Fender. If you're looking for something along those lines but prehaps a bit different than the original, go the booteek route.

+1 on both statements!

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Fender Custom Shop Vs. Suhr or Grosh

Thank you for the responses, you guys rule...
The only real complaint with the MIJ was the pickups, which has been fixed. Also, I prefer a nitro finish on the body & neck. I have to admit that the guitar does feel kind of "plastic like", just because the finish they use is so thick or something. That's my only real beef with the guitar & for $500, it can't really be beat. Yeah, i'll be keeping my MIJ strat, but I would like an American made, high end strat, simply because I want one.
Does anyone else have experience with the MIJ Fenders? I think they are quite a value...

I don't have MIJs, but I do have a MIM Strat and a MIM Tele. Aside from the "vintage" frets (read: itsy-bitsy) and the lack of a 22nd fret, I'm really happy with both guitars. I've replaced the stock pups in the Tele and plan to do the same with the Strat (although it doesn't need replacements as badly as the Tele did), and with each I'd like to have the necks refretted with either jumbo or medium jumbo wire. I really think that makes a huge difference.

The beauty of buying an MIM is that you get good quality from the start and can upgrade to American specs or customize beyond that...and do all this over time as your budget allows.

I'm certainly not knocking the American Fender axes -- they're sweet -- but I'm very satisfied going this direction with my Fenders.

- Keith

 

[Dave]

Re: Fender Custom Shop Vs. Suhr or Grosh

Here's what my experience has been (vicariously through my fickle friend's guitar ownership)

He's had a few CS strats and a CS relic esquire, as well as a two andersons. WHile I thought all were fantastic, the Andersons had a leg up on the CS strats. They just felt tighter and the necks were more comfortable. If Suhr and Grosh are on par to anderson, and I'm sure they are, I'd go with one of them.

High quality, small shop, support the little giants!

Pickups in all were awesome-FWIW

 

[philthis]

Re: Fender Custom Shop Vs. Suhr or Grosh

When talking about booteek stratlike instruments, Melancon definitely deserves consideration.

That said, if you want a guitar that feels and sounds like a Fender, get a Fender. If you're looking for something along those lines but prehaps a bit different than the original, go the booteek route.

yup ive met those guys and they are very cool as well.
:beerchug:

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Fender Custom Shop Vs. Suhr or Grosh

Thank you for the responses, you guys rule...
The only real complaint with the MIJ was the pickups, which has been fixed. Also, I prefer a nitro finish on the body & neck. I have to admit that the guitar does feel kind of "plastic like", just because the finish they use is so thick or something. That's my only real beef with the guitar & for $500, it can't really be beat. Yeah, i'll be keeping my MIJ strat, but I would like an American made, high end strat, simply because I want one.
Does anyone else have experience with the MIJ Fenders? I think they are quite a value...

My main strat is an MIJ 57ri. It's a great guitar. Graph techs, sperzels and duincan aps/ant texas hot.

Pickups aside, I love the more vintage-style MIJ guitars. I was in the studio this weekend and there was one of those cheesy MIJ foto-flame strats. I picked it up and it had a perfect fat v to c neck, and unplugged it sounded amazing.

As far as high end guitars go, I'd love to get a Tom Anderson at some point.

 

[Stringmachine]

Re: Fender Custom Shop Vs. Suhr or Grosh

I have played Suhr and Fender Custom Shop models, and both can build you exactly what you want, and you would be extremely happy.

Never tried a Grosh so I cant really say anything about them.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Fender Custom Shop Vs. Suhr or Grosh

It should be pretty obvious what guitar maker I went with after these pics:

I LOVE my Grosh. It's pretty hard to go wrong with a Suhr or a Grosh. My recommendation is to play them both and see which one works for you. I feel that Don Grosh makes one heck of an amazing guitar. The vintage, broken-in feeling neck is what sold me on it. If you have a guitar that feels, looks and sounds amazing, you're not gonna wanna put it down.

Welcome to the forum! Great taste in boutique pickups! My Grosh is loaded with a Harmonic Design Z-90 in the bridge, and Wagner Custom Rewinds SRs in the middle and neck.

Definitely make it a priority to check out Don Grosh's stuff

 

[briand]

Re: Fender Custom Shop Vs. Suhr or Grosh

I got an American strat in 2000. It was a child hood dream to have one. I played hundreds of guitars from all kinds of manufactures in many different states. Then one day I was in Omaha, Nebraska and went into Russo’s music www.russosmusic.com and played an AM Fat Strat Deluxe and just loved it the search was over so I thought. The one I played was candy red and it just wasn’t talking to me if you know what I mean. Then one night a couple of month’s later back home at the time in Arkansas the now bride and I went to a move and the door going in to the theater was this translucent green stain and I thought yea that’s it. The next day I called Russo’s and they said it comes in a translucent teal green and after a few mods I had it in my hands a couple of weeks later.

Keep looking and don’t settle you will know it is the one when the time is right. It’s almost like it finds you.