cosmo
Full Member
Posts: 156
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Post by cosmo on Jun 7, 2006 8:24:02 GMT -7
With all the great boutique luthiers out there, has anyone tried out all of the top makers of strat-style guitars? I'm really interested in Suhr, Grosh, Anderson, etc.--and a good used classic instrument can be had on eBay for $1400-$1800 from most of them--but I have very limited possibilities of getting hands-on with all of them due to no availability nearby.
I know many Z-ers are also players of some of these. Anyone care to weigh in on the differences? Any advice would be most welcome!
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Post by propellr on Jun 7, 2006 8:38:23 GMT -7
Hold up three fingers, like you are holding up the number 3. Write Suhr on your index finger, Grosh on your middle, and Anderson on your ring finger. With palm down, rap your 3 fingers downward on the edge of a table and wait a few seconds. Go with the guitar manufacturer named on whichever finger stings for a longer period of time. (We used to do the same thing on our SATs in high school to choose the best answer. It worked every time!) I don't think you'll go wrong with any of them.
Seriously, I think it'll boil down to which one you get your hands on first, or a particular finish, or lead time on filling an order, or something like that.
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Post by billyguitar on Jun 7, 2006 8:50:30 GMT -7
The Anderson has the stainless frets, which I really like. Other than that it would be a toss-up between Anderson and Grosh. I haven't spent any time with a Suhr, Lentz or Crook but fom all I've read they've got it goin' on too.
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Post by guitarman1 on Jun 7, 2006 10:43:08 GMT -7
I've owned both Suhr & Grosh Strats and have played a few Anderson Strats. They are all quality instruments. I think Suhr has the best finishes I've ever seen....impeccable, like a sheet of glass! The Andersons I've played are a close second and feel and look great. Although Grosh does tremendous work, I can't get past his non-traditional Strat & Tele bodies. They just look funny to me. I never warmed up to the one I had.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Jun 7, 2006 11:21:11 GMT -7
I've owned both Suhr & Grosh Strats and have played a few Anderson Strats. They are all quality instruments. I think Suhr has the best finishes I've ever seen....impeccable, like a sheet of glass! The Andersons I've played are a close second and feel and look great. Although Grosh does tremendous work, I can't get past his non-traditional Strat & Tele bodies. They just look funny to me. I never warmed up to the one I had. Fascinating. One of the things I like the most (other than the playing and tone) of all my Groshes is the "improved" shapes. Just goes to show we all like something different. By the way, the Groshes that I have all play like a dream and sound wonderful. Superb build quality in all of them.
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Post by bks on Jun 7, 2006 12:00:35 GMT -7
Hate to muddy the waters, but before I opted for the build-your-own-from-parts approach, I was leaning heavily toward a Stonetree... www.stonetreeguitars.com/
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Post by Curt on Jun 7, 2006 13:09:20 GMT -7
There is as many votes as there are players here, I have not played a Suhr or Grosh but have played a Stonetree and own an Anderson Hollow T. I will say that you'd be hard pressed to find a bad Anderson, I love mine, after owning 50 or so guitars it is the most playable of them. The other TAG's I have played were all wonderfull as well. The Stone tree I played was used and @ GC. it was not to my liking, it was heavy, the neck thin for me and the finish showed the grain as if the grain was not sealed, that alone I personally like BTW. Out of all the builders that I have played numerous guitars of, Anderson seems to be the most consistant so buying blind i.e. the web, I think your odd's are increased with a TAG.
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Post by billyguitar on Jun 7, 2006 13:20:39 GMT -7
Those Stonetrees look very cool. One of them I was reading about had stainless frets too.
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Post by hiftbso on Jun 8, 2006 8:29:18 GMT -7
I'll throw my vote in for Anderson as well. They are all very nice guitars but I agree with Tele62 that the Andersons are very consistant. I've played dozens Andersons and never found a bad one. I bought my hollow classic off Ebay about 5 years ago and I have not bought another electric guitar since, although that may change if I find a hot little blond (tele) at guitar center this weekend.
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Post by guitarstan on Jun 8, 2006 13:06:56 GMT -7
I may be biased having one TAG but I've only had it for 9 months. My other guitars I've had for anywhere between 5 and 25 years. The Anderson is my favorite to play no question about it. It also sounds fabulous. If I could only have one guitar would it be the Anderson? That would depend on how I was going to use it. It is not my first pick for certain kinds of hard rock, I like my P-90 PRS for that. I would love to try a Grosh and others but there just aren't any around in this small town.
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cosmo
Full Member
Posts: 156
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Post by cosmo on Jun 8, 2006 13:37:41 GMT -7
Great to hear different viewpoints on this. Yes, the Stonetrees look really good, too.
hiftbso (interesting handle) -- I've been looking at an Anderson Hollow Classic because I have a swamp ash hollow ASAT Bluesboy, love the light weight and resonance, and would like a Strat that's similar. How does your TAG rate on those criteria?
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Post by billyguitar on Jun 8, 2006 13:38:31 GMT -7
Maz 38, Tom Anderson Tele, Tone tubby, Tweed Deluxe......Are we twins!!!!!!
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Post by hiftbso on Jun 8, 2006 14:15:35 GMT -7
Hey cosmo, hiftbso is an acronym for "How It Feels To Be Something On" an album title of one of my favorite bands Sunny Day Real Estate. I started using it years ago and I'm too lazy to remember different log ins for the dozens of accounts I have online. Plus it's never already taken. On to the Anderson, mine has a hollow alder body and an ash top in 3 color sunburst. It's light and the ash top adds alittle different color to the sound. It is very resonant and I can get almost any tone I can think of out of that guitar, It does have the switcharoo system on it too. If I had to pick one guitar to play for the rest of my life it would be this one. Mark
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shadco
Junior Member
Posts: 72
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Post by shadco on Jun 12, 2006 7:23:31 GMT -7
I have a very hard time picking my favorite, Anderson that is between my Cobra, and new Classic. They've run off everything else. Neck profiles (62roundback) are totally consistant and they are the only guitars where I've actually raised the stringhieght above the minimum it could be without buzzing. My classic was totally playable at 3/64's which is absolutely insane in my experience. Impeccable stainless steel fretwork has totally spoiled me.
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Post by propellr on Jun 12, 2006 7:51:17 GMT -7
I tell you guys what... I'm pretty good at an unbiased opinion, so, since it looks like you're having such a hard time--
Mail me one of each and I'll send the 2 back that I don't like quite as much. I PROMISE!
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Post by billyguitar on Jun 12, 2006 8:27:28 GMT -7
Shadco. I'm crazy about my TAs but the one I use the most has nowhere near that low of action. Also at about the 10th fret the high E zings out mre than it should. I sent it back to TA no change. I'm thinking now it must have a problem that only shows up under string tension. I believe the Plek machines do their business with the neck under tension so I'm thinking I might send it to Glaser in Nashville and have it Pleked.
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Post by propellr on Jun 12, 2006 11:37:22 GMT -7
I think you gotta go with your gut on this one. ONE thing WILL stand out to you and will be the deciding factor, whether it's the stainless frets, the finish, the neck profile, the price, the lead time, the input of one of us jugheads, or something else. For me, the look of a guitar would sell me on a certain model. Salesmanship would sell me on a dealer. I'd drive several hours to find a dealer who stocks both Anderson and Grosh guitars, if not others, also.
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Post by billyguitar on Jun 12, 2006 11:54:22 GMT -7
I was looking at the Lentz site and their lead time is much less than Anderson.
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Post by deltone on Jun 12, 2006 18:03:02 GMT -7
I've never played a Grosh or Suhr so I can't fairly say which one over the other. But, my '94 Tom Anderson Drop Top Classic w/ a maple on basswood body, maple neck, 1 11/16" heavy frets, Floyd Rose trem, and Switcheroo system in beautiful Bora Bora Blue plays like a dream. I've owned it for about 8 years. It's the perfect guitar for me; it suits all my playing styles. There's absolutely nothing about it I dislike. I think it would be hard to find a better playing and sounding guitar. I've played lots and lots of gigs with it and I have never had a bit of trouble with it whatsoever. It still plays and sounds the same as it did when I got it. Except for the occasional scratch or small ding, after all this time, overall the finish on it is still excellent. Wish I could say the same for the case; it's about seen it's last days.
peace<>< dl
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Post by janinedoubly on Jun 13, 2006 14:58:16 GMT -7
My two cents....I love all three Grosh, Anderson, Suhr...Here's what I think the slight differences are between the three; Anderson, the finest "modern" style guitar all around. They do things others don't (the new "wedgie" neck joint, proprietary stainless frets, certain tweaks). Grosh, finest "vintage" style instruments (yeah, the shape is tweaked, but pure nitro finish and they just resonate like vintage guitars do). Suhr, a beautiful finish and a nice combination of vintage rightness and modern sensibilities. Can't go wrong with either, but I personally lean to Groshes.
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Post by johngourlay on Jul 18, 2006 10:45:36 GMT -7
I love Anderson's but over here in the UK you have to find 'em. I got my hands on a hollow T but some complete selfish person bought it whilst I was thinking about it. I first saw John Suhr's stuff at the London Guitar show and they were beautiful, it was so loud at the show that I could't hear it all that well. Melancon make a tele type axe that is gorgeous in looks and sound, there's so much stuff over in the states, it's like guitar desert over here.... Check out some of the pics on this Forum.
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Post by billyguitar on Jul 18, 2006 10:53:56 GMT -7
I just ordered a $3,000 Lentz DL90. I never see these used. I guess they're all keepers which is a good sign. I think any guitar that costs $2,500 or more new, not from a major manufacturer, is going to be a great axe. On your side of the pond, how about Gordon Smith guitars?
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Post by hdahs143 on Jul 18, 2006 16:09:08 GMT -7
I've owned a TA Hollow Drop Top Classic for a about 2.5 years now and I love it. Looks great, sounds great, and not to borrow their lingo, it really does play like butter. Stellar guitar. I've played several Suhr Tele's and Strat's, and they are awesome guitars as well, and if I ever buy another high end guitar, I may send my business John's way. He also has the wildest finishes and tops I've ever seen. I dont think you can go wrong with either one, as they are both incredibly consistent. I've had "strat fever" lately and just purchased off eBay, an '04 Fender American Deluxe "V" neck Strat, 2 tone sunburst with tinted maple neck and fingerboard. I really like this guitar alot! It plays very nicely, and sounds great, and with the S1 switching, is very versatile. The best $800 guitar I've ever had !
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Post by guitarman1 on Jul 19, 2006 6:45:45 GMT -7
My two cents....I love all three Grosh, Anderson, Suhr...Here's what I think the slight differences are between the three; Anderson, the finest "modern" style guitar all around. They do things others don't (the new "wedgie" neck joint, proprietary stainless frets, certain tweaks). Grosh, finest "vintage" style instruments (yeah, the shape is tweaked, but pure nitro finish and they just resonate like vintage guitars do). Suhr, a beautiful finish and a nice combination of vintage rightness and modern sensibilities. Can't go wrong with either, but I personally lean to Groshes. Well said!
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Post by S.F. franky on Jul 19, 2006 10:28:35 GMT -7
I almost hate to add to this pantheon of privateers. But I have to say it: If you can find a used Callaham S, buy it.
I've played many guitars over the years, but I've never played a better "Strat" than my Callaham S. Just last night I was playing it acoustically and couldn't believe the resonance that body was picking up from the strings. She's the most lively solid body I've ever played, bar none. She stays in tune better, plays better, sounds better and looks better than any "Strat" I've ever played - and I used to own a nice "L" series '64 sunburst.
Of course, ordering one is almost out of the question - unless you have the patience of a saint. My advice is to troll for one and use the "Buy it Now" as soon as you find one. You won't be sorry.
Frank
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Post by johngourlay on Jul 19, 2006 10:52:16 GMT -7
I managed to break my addiction to famous names on headstocks and got a guitar made by a top luthier near me in the UK. It's gorgeous. I still love those USA beauties though. Pics of Lentz guitars on this forum make me very envious..........
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Post by tele1962 on Jul 19, 2006 12:11:51 GMT -7
The Tom Andersons, while having excellent build quality, and very nice finishes, don't sound enough like a Stratocaster or Telecaster to please me. I just did some work for a session player who's got a Lentz as well, and he is going back to a real Strat for real strat tone.
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Post by Hohn on Jul 19, 2006 12:39:41 GMT -7
I almost hate to add to this pantheon of privateers. But I have to say it: If you can find a used Callaham S, buy it. I've played many guitars over the years, but I've never played a better "Strat" than my Callaham S. Just last night I was playing it acoustically and couldn't believe the resonance that body was picking up from the strings. She's the most lively solid body I've ever played, bar none. She stays in tune better, plays better, sounds better and looks better than any "Strat" I've ever played - and I used to own a nice "L" series '64 sunburst. Of course, ordering one is almost out of the question - unless you have the patience of a saint. My advice is to troll for one and use the "Buy it Now" as soon as you find one. You won't be sorry. Frank Funny that you mention that acoustic resonance, because just last night I was playing my Zion "strat" and had the exact same thoughts Lol! The acoustic resonance of the guitar makes it a lot of fun to play UNplugged. I've learned that if a guitar doesn't sound good unplugged, the amp is never going to fix it. Fellas, I've never played a Suhr or Grosh or Crook or a DeTemple. But I've played Andersons and I've played a couple other nice axes from much smaller makers. There may some axes better than a TAG, but I've never played one. For the purist, I agree that they might not be spot on to a strat or Tele-- they are TAGs, after all. But they sound so good and play like a dream. For sheer bang/buck, Zions seem to deliver quite well. My Zions listed for only $1600 new, and nothing even remotely close could be had for less than $2k at the time. I dunno what a new Zion "strat" or "tele" goes for now, but if they are still in the $1600-$1800 range they are positively a STEAL! I know that Zion isn't really considered a big player in the "booteek" game, but I'd put mine up against anything under $2500 (and some that are more). The company is so small that they are pretty scarce and hard to "play before you buy". It's worth checking out-- as you may find a dream axe for a lot less $$. See the pics in my other thread and you'll see that Zion doesn't cut many corners. The hardware is good stuff (Mannmade USA on mine-- the "PRS hardware"). Pups are great-- fralins, Bardens, etc-- your choice. The imprefections in my pics are MY imperfections-- finger funk on the neck and bridge, etc.... Too bad you aren't closer, as you could borrow one of my Zion fiddles. In the end, it's a GREAT time to be a guitar buyer. Never in my memory have so amy great guitars been available to so many for so little (relatively). Justin
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Post by guitarman1 on Jul 20, 2006 6:02:26 GMT -7
I almost hate to add to this pantheon of privateers. But I have to say it: If you can find a used Callaham S, buy it. I've played many guitars over the years, but I've never played a better "Strat" than my Callaham S. Just last night I was playing it acoustically and couldn't believe the resonance that body was picking up from the strings. She's the most lively solid body I've ever played, bar none. She stays in tune better, plays better, sounds better and looks better than any "Strat" I've ever played - and I used to own a nice "L" series '64 sunburst. Of course, ordering one is almost out of the question - unless you have the patience of a saint. My advice is to troll for one and use the "Buy it Now" as soon as you find one. You won't be sorry. Frank Funny that you mention that acoustic resonance, because just last night I was playing my Zion "strat" and had the exact same thoughts Lol! The acoustic resonance of the guitar makes it a lot of fun to play UNplugged. I've learned that if a guitar doesn't sound good unplugged, the amp is never going to fix it. Fellas, I've never played a Suhr or Grosh or Crook or a DeTemple. But I've played Andersons and I've played a couple other nice axes from much smaller makers. There may some axes better than a TAG, but I've never played one. For the purist, I agree that they might not be spot on to a strat or Tele-- they are TAGs, after all. But they sound so good and play like a dream. For sheer bang/buck, Zions seem to deliver quite well. My Zions listed for only $1600 new, and nothing even remotely close could be had for less than $2k at the time. I dunno what a new Zion "strat" or "tele" goes for now, but if they are still in the $1600-$1800 range they are positively a STEAL! I know that Zion isn't really considered a big player in the "booteek" game, but I'd put mine up against anything under $2500 (and some that are more). The company is so small that they are pretty scarce and hard to "play before you buy". It's worth checking out-- as you may find a dream axe for a lot less $$. See the pics in my other thread and you'll see that Zion doesn't cut many corners. The hardware is good stuff (Mannmade USA on mine-- the "PRS hardware"). Pups are great-- fralins, Bardens, etc-- your choice. The imprefections in my pics are MY imperfections-- finger funk on the neck and bridge, etc.... Too bad you aren't closer, as you could borrow one of my Zion fiddles. In the end, it's a GREAT time to be a guitar buyer. Never in my memory have so amy great guitars been available to so many for so little (relatively). Justin I agree with you Hohn. Zions are top notch, first rate guitars.
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Post by johngourlay on Jul 24, 2006 11:54:52 GMT -7
Since coming across Zions on this site I'm curious. How do they compare to the boutique beauties?
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