Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
I was recommended the Thornubucker Neck as a companion for my SSH+. Have you had a chance to compare it to the SSV?
SD JB/Jazz vs Suhr SSH+/SSV?
- Thread starter sumitagarwal
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Archer250
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Yes. I've used the SSH+ and Thornbucker neck combo before, sometimes with an Aldrich bridge.
The thornbucker neck is really thin and bright, like a very low output PAF (which it is). The SSV and DSH are noticeably thicker
I kinda like it
sumitagarwal
New member
It's interesting how different ears are. Here's John Suhr disagreeing with somebody else on this: https://www.thegearpage.net/board/i...ssv-vs-thornbucker-plus.2138050/post-30337741
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Archer250
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he's talking about the Thornbucker bridge
The Thornbucker neck is, like 7.2k A5
I wouldn't say the bridge A4 Thornbucker is brighter or thinner or not. IMO the SSV bridge has both more highs and more lows so eh
sumitagarwal
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I like a lot of what people are saying about the SSV/SSH+ combo.
I also think the fact that Strandberg uses that as their standard configuration speaks volumes. It seemed that Ola's goal was to create an evolved guitar that could be used by anybody, presumably for any type of electric guitar music, so I'm sure the set was carefully chosen.
Strandberg also uses a particularly interesting 5-way scheme that swaps the middle position to splits instead of humbuckers, and has a neck outer coil switch position. Smart.
I also think the fact that Strandberg uses that as their standard configuration speaks volumes. It seemed that Ola's goal was to create an evolved guitar that could be used by anybody, presumably for any type of electric guitar music, so I'm sure the set was carefully chosen.
Strandberg also uses a particularly interesting 5-way scheme that swaps the middle position to splits instead of humbuckers, and has a neck outer coil switch position. Smart.
Ola tends to favor one or 2 types of music, though. Those are guitars for players that play a certain way. Talking to him, I think he is aware of that.
sumitagarwal
New member
That makes sense, they're probably factoring in what genres are more open to the aesthetics of such unconventional guitars. Has he mentioned anything around his own musical preferences?
Obviously they also offer a whole bunch of other models that are largely differentiated by the pickup selection, for different genres and sounds. Being that there's the overarching Suhr partnership it looks like most have various Suhr models. Metal gets Aldrich, Jazz gets Thornbuckers. Interestingly the switching scheme on HH models is mostly consistent and uses their unusual 5-way layout
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Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
FWIW, I think I'm like Ola in the sense that I only really play Metal through my SSH+'s.
That being said, I think it will pull off many types of music. I think that's what it has that the JB doesn't. I'm not one of those guys that think the JB is a one trick pony. But the SSH+ has a more balanced EQ that can be shaped more freely and easily and a more open feel. It's not blistering hot either. I'm sure it will split better than most vintage output PAF-types too since it's not as low DCR (thin). I think it will pull off most of the stuff that you throw at it, personally.
Take that as a grain of salt, though. I don't really put the SSH+ through its paces playing Jazz Fusion or soulful Blues or whatever very often either. But it's not like Suhrs designs pickups (or guitars) aimed at the same demographic as BC Rich either.
That being said, I think it will pull off many types of music. I think that's what it has that the JB doesn't. I'm not one of those guys that think the JB is a one trick pony. But the SSH+ has a more balanced EQ that can be shaped more freely and easily and a more open feel. It's not blistering hot either. I'm sure it will split better than most vintage output PAF-types too since it's not as low DCR (thin). I think it will pull off most of the stuff that you throw at it, personally.
Take that as a grain of salt, though. I don't really put the SSH+ through its paces playing Jazz Fusion or soulful Blues or whatever very often either. But it's not like Suhrs designs pickups (or guitars) aimed at the same demographic as BC Rich either.
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sumitagarwal
New member
I think you get at part of what can make a pickup like the SSH+ or JB even more versatile than a PAF-type: the high wind let's you kick down to a solid split tone, so you get your high output and your soul too. I'd argue that a good split tone is often better for blues/etc than a PAF anyway. PAF's can be great, but they seem to me to often be a reasonable compromise between chimey single coil cleans and pushed overdrive heat
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Also, just to make it clear, I don't thin the SSH+ is *better* than the JB. I like both equally. But lately, the SSH+ is really been working for me, and if you want versatility, of the two, I think the SSH+ is probably more shapeable.
Ola digs metal, and metal-toned fusiony players.
I wish he would seriously consider a 22 fret instrument, but I think he doesn't have much use (or care much) for the tone of neck pickups. I do like the design of his instruments, although it might take me a bit to get used to his neck. I love the idea of ergonomic headless instruments. I bet something like a carbon fiber Strandberg with a TransTrem would be one hell of an instrument.
I wish he would seriously consider a 22 fret instrument, but I think he doesn't have much use (or care much) for the tone of neck pickups. I do like the design of his instruments, although it might take me a bit to get used to his neck. I love the idea of ergonomic headless instruments. I bet something like a carbon fiber Strandberg with a TransTrem would be one hell of an instrument.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
I haven't played a Solar. Is there anything in particular that makes the neck having to get used to? I remember reading it was a pretty standard thin-ish C-shaped neck?
sumitagarwal
New member
Agreed on the 22 fret. I'm especially surprised that their Strat-styled HSS model isn't 22 fret to attain the neck tone Strats are famous for.
sumitagarwal
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Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
LOL! Oh, so it's the Endurneck.
I think the neck tone on their humbucker guitars is pretty bad, but to be fair, I've never seen a Strandberg player use a neck pickup.
Kotsos1981
New member
How you would describe SSH+ in comparison to Aldrich? How do they compare? I have an SSV neck in a drawer in white, and while I was aiming for the Aldrich, I can only find SSH+ in white. I liked the aggression of the Aldrich in clips, I don't know how good can SSH+ handle e.g. 80's thrash metal compared to Aldrich.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
I would say the SSH+ is overall more balanced. The upper mid spike of the Aldrich seems to be shifted up for more open-ness in the highs, and the lower mid throatiness of the Aldrich seems to be shifted down. I also found my SSH+ to be noticeably hotter, but at the same time "cleaner" (if you know what I mean) than the Aldrich. That being said, I can tell both of them are related, and they share more similar traits than differences.
I like to think of them this way: Let's say a Custom 5 is a 1 and JB is a 5. Then the SSH+ would be a 3, and the Aldrich would be a 4. I'd say the SSH+ is kinda halfway between a Custom 5 and a JB (loosely speaking, but kinda), and the Aldrich is kinda like a JB with a very slight hint of Custom 5 sprinked on. That's very loosely speaking, since both the Aldrich and the SSH+ kinda have the "Suhr thing" going on, but that's the analogy I can think of that best describes them compared to more common Duncans.
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sumitagarwal
New member
What's the "Suhr thing" sound like?
