Anyone fancy a bargain Suhr?

[Sifu Ben]

Comparing like for like is probably a more reliable method for estimating how much they're going to cost. Like I say, I figure $900-$1000, although, as illistrated by the Epiphones, could be as low as £800. The MSRP on the Les Paul Prophecy GX is actually more than the Rasmus models, and that goes for £550ish. Realsiticly, and looking at the models around the $950 mark I'd say probably £600-£650. Since Ibanez's price hike, this makes them cheaper than a Japanese RG, with proper pickups and the same hardware as the US Suhrs. They're Plek'd, and provided they do decent QC (I can't see they won't) they should be great instruments.
One of the things that was a pleasant surprise for me while researching this post is that US and UK guitar prices are roughly equivalent at the moment  :o

[Lew]

The Suhr forums were raging when this was announced  :lol:

 

[hunter]

This has been discussed at length weeks ago on the HRI forum. Bottom line is that these will end up at a price point to compete with the Charvel SoCals at the 1,000 mark.

The guitars will be preproduced in asia but assembled, Plek'ed and set up in the US. Their hardware will be original parts (i.e. no cheapo Floyds and stuff like on the Charvels) and the guitars are supposed to be of the same standard as the Suhr Pro series, with a different badge and no nice maple veneers.

In my opinion the price/value ratio will be very very good. But the brand is not for me, I hate the name and the headstock logo. I'd rather had the Suhr logo with something like "LE" or "SE" or what not added to it.

[Lew]

iirc the hardware is actually slightly different, could be wrong though. They do look bland and boring, but then, so do Suhrs custom stuff - they're just decent Strats with pretty tops and nice hardware!

In the bigger picture, 1k for a Chinese guitar will either challenge current opinions and truly open the door to Chinese guitars in the same way Fender did with Japan or will be a complete flop. Either way, Suhr have de-valued the brand with this, (you can disagree but you're wrong) although, they had already started that with the pros - I knew it was just a matter of time for the 'budget Suhrs'.

1000 quid for a Chinese Strat copy?! $%&# off.

[FELINEGUITARS]

The Suhr forums were raging when this was announced  :lol:

 

In a positive or a negative way?

I always feel big brands do themselves a dis-service when they dilute their brand in this way
BC Rich ruined a very prestigious name when they flooded the market with the far eastern stuff - I know Bernie had always done that with the BC Rico and NJ series  but I think it all went too far in later years.

I know the bottom line is what has to be looked after and maybe more cash is earned by selling an offshoot like this than the top flight stuff - I just feel it tarnishes the image of the good stuff.

[hunter]

iirc the hardware is actually slightly different, could be wrong though. They do look bland and boring, but then, so do Suhrs custom stuff - they're just decent Strats with pretty tops and nice hardware!

In the bigger picture, 1k for a Chinese guitar will either challenge current opinions and truly open the door to Chinese guitars in the same way Fender did with Japan or will be a complete flop. Either way, Suhr have de-valued the brand with this, (you can disagree but you're wrong) although, they had already started that with the pros - I knew it was just a matter of time for the 'budget Suhrs'.

1000 quid for a Chinese Strat copy?! $%&# off.

Well this is not entirely fair. It's made from American woods with Gotoh hardware and USA Suhr Pickups. Plus it's Plek'ed and set up in the US. I don't think it's a bad price (will be more 800GBP anyways => see Charvel prices).

[Afghan Dave]

So you expect me to believe that they ship the USA wood to China - CNC it to shape - Then ship it back to the States?

B.O.L.L.O.X

 :lol: :lol:

[Lew]

In a positive or a negative way?

I always feel big brands do themselves a dis-service when they dilute their brand in this way
BC Rich ruined a very prestigious name when they flooded the market with the far eastern stuff - I know Bernie had always done that with the BC Rico and NJ series  but I think it all went too far in later years.

I know the bottom line is what has to be looked after and maybe more cash is earned by selling an offshoot like this than the top flight stuff - I just feel it tarnishes the image of the good stuff.

Both, people were complaining that like you said, the brand was getting diluted and less valuable and other members were arguing with the people saying that, saying everything Suhr do is fine and dandy.

Well this is not entirely fair. It's made from American woods with Gotoh hardware and USA Suhr Pickups. Plus it's Plek'ed and set up in the US. I don't think it's a bad price (will be more 800GBP anyways => see Charvel prices).

Maybe. But, are you going to buy an 800 Chinese Strat, Hunter?

IMO, they should let it get assembled in China and sell it for 400-499 street. Then they would have a monster!

[hunter]

So you expect me to believe that they ship the USA wood to China - CNC it to shape - Then ship it back to the States?

B.O.L.L.O.X

 :lol: :lol:

Well I met both, John and Ed and I don't think they're the type that would lie about a fact like this on their web site. Indeed I believe 100% that what they state on there is true.

[Lew]

So if it's the same wood, hardware (I don't think it is exacty the same hardware) and electrics on the Rasmus as the customs and it's all assembled and set-up in the same place and same way as the customs...  

If you ordered a Suhr std with the same options and spec as a Rasmus you're paying 1200 quid difference for the wood to be cut by a CNC machine in America rather than in China and a different logo?

If so, how much extra tone do the American CNC machines have over the Chinese ones, then? 'cause either A)Suhr buyers have been getting ripped off big time, B)Suhr are telling fibs about the Rasmus construction or C)Suhr are just exploiting Chinese working conditions for a massive profit.

I've had a couple of Suhrs but I've not paid over 1400 for either and I wouldn't. Great guitars but hardly exceptional at 2k+.

[Sifu Ben]

So you expect me to believe that they ship the USA wood to China - CNC it to shape - Then ship it back to the States?

B.O.L.L.O.X

 :lol: :lol:

we live in a world where scottish salmon and cod is shipped to Thailand, packaged, then shipped to the UK for sale in supermarkets.

[Afghan Dave]

So you expect me to believe that they ship the USA wood to China - CNC it to shape - Then ship it back to the States?

B.O.L.L.O.X

 :lol: :lol:

we live in a world where scottish salmon and cod is shipped to Thailand, packaged, then shipped to the UK for sale in supermarkets.

That's as maybe, but the Suhr claim still seems very fishy to me  :? :P

[Sifu Ben]

Why? An Alder bodied maple neck Ibanez or Fender has to have the wood shipped to Japan and then the finished project shipped to the states. It's just the nature of global manufacturing.