Gibson Artist Posted September 9, 2015 Posted September 9, 2015 So i was in a local music store and they had some fender clones from companies i personally have never played, and one never heard of. One was a Tele from a company called Nash Guitars? The other was a strat from a company called Suhr? I have heard of Suhr before but never played one until now. Nash, i have never heard of. The owner told me Suhr has a stellar reputation and that Bill Nash (i assume the ceo of nash?) is a well know maker of custom type instruments. After playing both for several songs i can say i was very impressed by both. The Tele had some smokin hot pickups (for a tele that is) and while the bridge pickup had all the twangy goodness you would expect of a tele, the neck pickup was smokin hot rock, almost p90 ish. Never felt a tele that could do that without an actual humbucker in there. Perhaps i have a lot to learn about guitars but this thin lookin tele pickup really smoked. There was a light relic look to the finish which i found to be perfect. Never been a fan of overdone relic jobs, but this one was lightly done to perfection. I believe the Tele was a T-63 in Burgandy, very nice git. The suhr strat had a great feel to it, but it seemed the opposite of the nash. It had the best clean tone of any strat i have ever played, ever. In fact, i played an American Fender next to it, and it just was not as pure and magical with each note. The Suhr also seemed to outperform the usa strat dirty also, so freakin impressive!! The differences seem subtle, but if you listen carefully you can definitely hear them. All in all, i came away very impressed with both guitars, would like to play more Fender alternative brands in the future. Anyone here own a Suhr, Nash, or other Fender alternative you'd like to share your thoughts on?
rct Posted September 9, 2015 Posted September 9, 2015 Both have been around a while. Nash was an early maker that I think I remember Paisley using. John Suhr was a household word end of the 90's, I played a bunch of his back then. They're copies. Spend the same money at Fender and you'll get the same thing. Remember, you comparing a custom made, some of them still one builder guitar to Fender Factory guitars. Out at Fender you can go in the guitar room and play their very own guitars next to each other and see and hear the same differences. You get what you pay for. rct
kidblast Posted September 9, 2015 Posted September 9, 2015 Suhr guitars are (I think they used to be anyway) more expensive than their fender counter parts. Sort of got a rep for the "hand made/boutique-ish" thing... if you liked that,,, and didn't mind dropping $2k.. they were FOR you!! (I would still rather have a strat be a "USA FENDER" personally you also have other imports like Tokia (Japan) that were making some quite respectable "fender copies". I had an early 80s Tokia strat that was just an amazing guitar. then there is/was Fernades.. I think both of these companies are shadows of their former self..
Gibson Artist Posted September 9, 2015 Author Posted September 9, 2015 Suhr guitars are (I think they used to be anyway) more expensive than their fender counter parts. Sort of got a rep for the "hand made/boutique-ish" thing... if you liked that,,, and didn't mind dropping $2k.. they were FOR you!! (I would still rather have a strat be a "USA FENDER" personally you also have other imports like Tokia (Japan) that were making some quite respectable "fender copies". I had an early 80s Tokia strat that was just an amazing guitar. then there is/was Fernades.. I think both of these companies are shadows of their former self.. I played one of the newer Tokais made in china, it was awful. Buzzing strings, sharp edges on fretboards, poor finishes with blemishes and sometimes even a lump lol. And people here complain about Gibson/Epiphone quality control? Arent the Epuphones made in china? Ive never seen an epiphone wit that many flaws or even close to it. Funny how two different companies can have make gits in the same country and be so different qualitywise. Personally, i always thought ibanez made the best clones of usa made guitars. Burny, Greco, Maya, Edwards all made a solid Git, tho honestly i havnt played the lawsuit era Tokai to know how good they are. They can have duds tho, even in that supposed "lawsuit" era. In fact, i gave away a Epi sg i got in a trade, nothing fance, 200 dollar model. It outperformed a 900 dollar burny lol. That was the best epi i ever played and i gave the thing away to a kid. But, that kid it meant the world to and its kept him off the streets so its all good.
Silvercrow Posted September 9, 2015 Posted September 9, 2015 Suhr makes a great guitar; similar to Fenders but as Kidblast said- "booteek". Superior attention to detail, all quality parts / craftsmanship. Think more of a Fender Custom Shop. High priced but worth it if you are looking for that sort of thing. Medley Music in my area, now out of business, was an early "distributor" for Suhr. Nash...dunno. IF I had $1500.00 or more to spend on a new Fender style guitar, but not a Fender, I'd go with a G&L. Leo Fender's last company before he died- they make excellent guitars "to order". Basically you go to a dealer, tell them what you want; body material, color, pickguard, etc and they will build it for you. Personally, I liked the G&L trem better than the current Fender offering. Beefier, the trem bar has a nylon bushing and is press fit- you can adjust the tension. Consistant workmanship, all offerings I ever saw or owned were excellent fit and finish. Hey, George Fullerton (the "G") and Leo Fender (the "L" in G&L) formed the company and designed the guitars. I personally hated the G&L headstock shape- looked "off" compared to what we know and love as Fender. Also the G&L "standard" neck profile was not to my liking- but their "#4" style neck was was...(more beefy than a Fender "C", less so than an early Tele) I wanted a Tele style G&L which is their G&L "ASAT Classic", Tobacco burst, Alnico pups rather than the MFDs that usually come with the ASAT Classic, mint guard and amber tinted #4 neck, med jumbo frets. I was quoted $1350.00 (back in 2010). A day later I got a call- they had one at the factory, same specs, that someone ordered but for whatever reason did not receive. I got it for $1100.00. Just being at the right place at the right time. Fine guitar- should not have sold it... Brian
Gibson Artist Posted September 9, 2015 Author Posted September 9, 2015 Suhr makes a great guitar; similar to Fenders but as Kidblast said- "booteek". Superior attention to detail, all quality parts / craftsmanship. Think more of a Fender Custom Shop. High priced but worth it if you are looking for that sort of thing. Medley Music in my area, now out of business, was an early "distributor" for Suhr. Nash...dunno. IF I had $1500.00 or more to spend on a new Fender style guitar, but not a Fender, I'd go with a G&L. Leo Fender's last company before he died- they make excellent guitars "to order". Basically you go to a dealer, tell them what you want; body material, color, pickguard, etc and they will build it for you. Personally, I liked the G&L trem better than the current Fender offering. Beefier, the trem bar has a nylon bushing and is press fit- you can adjust the tension. Consistant workmanship, all offerings I ever saw or owned were excellent fit and finish. Hey, George Fullerton (the "G") and Leo Fender (the "L" in G&L) formed the company and designed the guitars. I personally hated the G&L headstock shape- looked "off" compared to what we know and love as Fender. Also the G&L "standard" neck profile was not to my liking- but their "#4" style neck was was...(more beefy than a Fender "C", less so than an early Tele) I wanted a Tele style G&L which is their G&L "ASAT Classic", Tobacco burst, Alnico pups rather than the MFDs that usually come with the ASAT Classic, mint guard and amber tinted #4 neck, med jumbo frets. I was quoted $1350.00 (back in 2010). A day later I got a call- they had one at the factory, same specs, that someone ordered but for whatever reason did not receive. I got it for $1100.00. Just being at the right place at the right time. Fine guitar- should not have sold it... Brian I had a G&L strat earlier this year. Had to sell due to bills,it was a Comanche. Here are a few shots of it, this is not a usa model but in 700 highway one range.
kidblast Posted September 9, 2015 Posted September 9, 2015 I played one of the newer Tokais made in china, it was awful. Buzzing strings, sharp edges on fretboards, poor finishes with blemishes and sometimes even a lump lol. And people here complain about Gibson/Epiphone quality control? Arent the Epuphones made in china? Ive never seen an epiphone wit that many flaws or even close to it. Funny how two different companies can have make gits in the same country and be so different qualitywise. Personally, i always thought ibanez made the best clones of usa made guitars. Burny, Greco, Maya, Edwards all made a solid Git, tho honestly i havnt played the lawsuit era Tokai to know how good they are. They can have duds tho, even in that supposed "lawsuit" era. In fact, i gave away a Epi sg i got in a trade, nothing fance, 200 dollar model. It outperformed a 900 dollar burny lol. That was the best epi i ever played and i gave the thing away to a kid. But, that kid it meant the world to and its kept him off the streets so its all good. yea, I wouldn't know about any recent tokai's unfortunately to draw a fair comparison. the 57 copy I had, was quite nice. Ibanez was killing it back in the 80s too,, and recently they've been seeming to launch a comback. some of the newer Prestige models sound killer. I had a 1979 MC400 that I played to death for 20+ years.. Great guitar, had to be 14 lbs tho.. good on ya for gifting the guitar to a kid btw...
Rabs Posted September 9, 2015 Posted September 9, 2015 Im not sure if you guys get them over there but theres a cool maker called Michael Kelly... They have some really nice stuff and do Strats and Teles and all sorts of shapes... http://www.achamilton.co.uk/Michael_Kelly/michael_kelly_1963_AC.htm?gclid=CNGTkfjh6scCFUFmGwodsCkHpA http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/221689100106?adgroupid=16885268106&hlpht=true&hlpv=2&rlsatarget=kwd-124273568466&adtype=pla&ff3=1&lpid=122&poi=&ul_noapp=true&limghlpsr=true&ff19=0&device=c&chn=ps&campaignid=270621186&crdt=0&ff12=67&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff14=122&viphx=1&ops=true&ff13=80 http://www.guitar.co.uk/michael-kelly-hybrid-special-spalted-burst-guitar?gclid=COC55LPi6scCFSgGwwodJ6wMlQ
Gibson Artist Posted September 9, 2015 Author Posted September 9, 2015 Im not sure if you guys get them over there but theres a cool maker called Michael Kelly... They have some really nice stuff and so Strats and Teles and all sorts of shapes... http://www.achamilton.co.uk/Michael_Kelly/michael_kelly_1963_AC.htm?gclid=CNGTkfjh6scCFUFmGwodsCkHpA http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/221689100106?adgroupid=16885268106&hlpht=true&hlpv=2&rlsatarget=kwd-124273568466&adtype=pla&ff3=1&lpid=122&poi=&ul_noapp=true&limghlpsr=true&ff19=0&device=c&chn=ps&campaignid=270621186&crdt=0&ff12=67&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff14=122&viphx=1&ops=true&ff13=80 http://www.guitar.co.uk/michael-kelly-hybrid-special-spalted-burst-guitar?gclid=COC55LPi6scCFSgGwwodJ6wMlQ We have michael kelly in the states. I thought they were a mandolin company?
stein Posted September 9, 2015 Posted September 9, 2015 In a way, they are ALL "Fender alternatives", even those made by Fender. Especially if you want to get technical. Unlike Gibson, Fender went out and back in, from, say, 1984 on. (before or after, depending on what criteria you use). Saying this because, by then, Fender "alternatives" were the only thing a guy COULD get that was either any good, or like a supposedly "real" Fender. Fender, at a certain point, had to re-learn how to make, well, a Fender. And, they learned this from those who made so-called, "Fender alternatives". And indeed, there are STILL makers who know more about Fenders and how to MAKE Fenders than Fender does. So...while Fender has made some good, and Fender-ish guitars in the past 10 years or so (as good as anyone at times, In my humble guitarist opinion), if you also want to get technical, they are a different company in a different factory in a different location. I understand that, Nash is one of the companies that are into the "real" Fender thing, and makes models with reverence to the roots of the company, with lots of "Fender knowledge".
brc Posted September 9, 2015 Posted September 9, 2015 If you want some thing like a Fender, but not the price of a Fender, build your own. Pick out your body, type of neck, radius on the neck, pick out your own pick ups. It would be less than 1/2 the cost of a "Fender" but it will have the specific parts you want.
stein Posted September 9, 2015 Posted September 9, 2015 If you want some thing like a Fender, but not the price of a Fender, build your own. Pick out your body, type of neck, radius on the neck, pick out your own pick ups. It would be less than 1/2 the cost of a "Fender" but it will have the specific parts you want. Not bad advice, but in my experience, doing it that way is often MORE expensive. Good parts are costly, just like anything else. Guess it depends on what one considers good. I might add, for me what has been the least costly, and perhaps the most fun, was finding "fender-like" guitars that had a good part, or good parts, and buying the whole guitar for the parts I wanted. But that was some time ago. You know, back when they had guitar shops where you could actually SEE what you were going to buy.
Gibson Artist Posted September 9, 2015 Author Posted September 9, 2015 ooops Was watching the band Neon Trees do a show and the guitarist had a yellow strat with rosewood fretboard. The contrast of colour is just awesome, i love the look of that.
rct Posted September 10, 2015 Posted September 10, 2015 Was watching the band Neon Trees do a show and the guitarist had a yellow strat with rosewood fretboard. The contrast of colour is just awesome, i love the look of that. Chris and I are brothers of the EJRW. rct
Silvercrow Posted September 10, 2015 Posted September 10, 2015 I had a G&L strat earlier this year. Had to sell due to bills,it was a Comanche. Here are a few shots of it, this is not a usa model but in 700 highway one range. VERRY NICE! Never played a non-U.S. or Tribute model but they get great reviews! The offset pups in the Comanche are cool. I could never "cotton" to the MFDs- too hot for this guy. But in the right hands / style they sound fantastic! @ Stein- I just read a pamphlet that came with a UK guitar mag I picked up used a couple weeks back. The company was held / kept going by Fender Japan while Bill Shultz and the boys re-tooled the new factory. Fender, to me, is a model of intuition, ingenuity, innovation and longevity no doubt! And hey, I'm the PROUD owner of a new 2014 Ltd. Ed. Strat that is darned near flawless; I've really gotta be unrealistically picky to find anything that's not 100% right. Whatever anyone says- Fender was "on their game" with these American Standard Strats. And the EJs are superior guitars (hey RCT!). Great thread, this! Brian
kidblast Posted September 10, 2015 Posted September 10, 2015 Not bad advice, but in my experience, doing it that way is often MORE expensive. Good parts are costly, just like anything else. you're quite right Stein. But some guys just like the whole idea of "I built it myself". When it comes to the "Fender" design, you can do a lot of different things with out having to own a whole bunch of tools and shop supplies.
surfpup Posted September 10, 2015 Posted September 10, 2015 Suhr makes excellent everything (guitars, amps, pickups, pedals). Expensive but very well made. A friend of mine is one of Suhr's endorsees and he rarely plays anything else. Admittedly he gets them for free, but he is the pickiest guitar player I have ever met. If John Suhr's stuff is fine with him it's gotta be top notch...
Dennis G Posted September 10, 2015 Posted September 10, 2015 I'm not a fan of solid body guitars but for those that like them, for Fender alternatives, there is Suhr: http://www.google.com/search?q=js+technologies&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8 and G&L: http://www.glguitars.com/ Me, I'm liking my semi and hollow body guitars...
4Hayden Posted September 13, 2015 Posted September 13, 2015 Both have been around a while. Nash was an early maker that I think I remember Paisley using. John Suhr was a household word end of the 90's, I played a bunch of his back then. They're copies. Spend the same money at Fender and you'll get the same thing. Remember, you comparing a custom made, some of them still one builder guitar to Fender Factory guitars. Out at Fender you can go in the guitar room and play their very own guitars next to each other and see and hear the same differences. You get what you pay for. rct When I read fender clones I stopped right there, I've never even picked up a clone and only buy American made guitars. 4H
surfpup Posted September 13, 2015 Posted September 13, 2015 ... and only buy American made guitars. Nash and Suhr are both American guitar builders.
Mikeo Posted September 13, 2015 Posted September 13, 2015 I have a friend that I told him about Melancon guitars and when he was in New Orleans , he bought one from Gerald. Nice guitar.
Dennis G Posted September 13, 2015 Posted September 13, 2015 Nash and Suhr are both American guitar builders. G&L also has an American made line. No offense to anyone, but trying to find anything totally "American Made" anymore is just near impossible. I appreciate the sentiment and effort, but this has truly become a global economy.
rct Posted September 13, 2015 Posted September 13, 2015 Not really. Am. Std. Jazz Basses. That fretless makes me...well, uh...you know. rct
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