Suhr Sparkle heaven! You gotta see this........

[shallbe]

Around 1980, I missed out on buying the best Strat I have ever laid my hands on. It was a pre-CBS Strat that someone had refinished in an unusual sparkle color---not really gold, not orange or yellow. It was visually unusual, but it played and sounded amazing. Price? $400. I was teaching guitar in a music store at the time, and was trying to figure out how to get the funds together that day. While talking to one of my students, another local guitarist bought it. My loss, and I watched him play that guitar for years afterwards. It has always haunted me. No other Strat I have owned or played has been as good as the one that got away.

Since John Suhr has hit it out the park on other custom builds, I decided to have a Suhr Classic built inspired by that old guitar, but with the more modern features I really want. I asked about sparkle finishes---John said, "Sure!" He sent me a chart of about 50 sparkle colors to choose from----and they nailed it. They sprayed big flake on the mahogany body, and it is flawless and unique looking.

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m87/shallbe/DSC_0679.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m87/shallbe/DSC_0696.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m87/shallbe/DSC_0697.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m87/shallbe/DSC_0698.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m87/shallbe/DSC_0708.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m87/shallbe/DSC_0719.jpg

Getting good pictures was difficult, and this is the best I could do. However, they do show the actual color.

The neck is quartersawn, with a very dark and smooth African board with nearly no pores. It has SS Heavy frets, and a 7.5 to 9.5 radius. This is my second Suhr with a quartersawn neck---it makes for a very loud and punchy guitar. Loud acoustically, and incredibly dynamic and sensitive. The mahogany body adds sonic depth and sweetness without any shrill tones.

Other goodies: there is no tone control on the cluck positions, giving them more volume and cut. Wonderful! The 56 Big V neck is a very subdued V, and really fits the hand nicely. The rolled edges feel so nice. Fretwork is flawless. This guitar is a great combination of the best of old and new, for me.

I'm gradually tweaking the action just a a bit (I like it high), but already have about 30 hours on the guitar. I've had it five days, already changed strings. It is really sounding great and will be gigged this weekend. I can't wait!

Suhr hits another home run for me. The customer service between John and Neil could not have been any better. I also want to show a lot of love to Eddie Berman at Indoor Storm. He's the best I've dealt with--great player, knowledgeable, great guy.

[dumbell78]

Very cool guitar bro, congrats! I love my Suhr and agree they go the extra mile.

[donostia13]

Thanks for the background on your guitar; I hope you love it as much as the Strat that got away!

[freedom's door]

Badass.

[mprvise]

I can see you are serious! Maybe you should change your TGP handle?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2546/3749757992_896171c758.jpg

Love the guitar - enjoy!

[enharmonic]

That's hot! :dude

[paintguy]

Yeah baby! That's killer!

[TaronKeim]

Gorgeous guit, the grain on that board looks very tight indeed. Fantastic sparkle finish as well - looks like something you'd see on a hot rod.

_TJK*

[shallbe]

Thanks for all the responses guys. Looking at the guitar at home right now, it is a little more gold than the pictures show, but not anywhere near the color gold like the Fessler CS Strat.

Its a great guitar. I am loving playing it, and it sounds amazing through my Victoria with a Lunar Echo in front. Very inspiring.

[RayRay]

That's *awesome* !!!! I will have a sparkle finished guitar one day.

[jiml]

Love sparkles, that looks sweet!

[guitarman_1]

Steve
That is a gorgeous guitar, Im a sparkle guitar fan too.I love them big sparkle finishes.Hope she is all you wished for.Enjoy that beautiful guitar sir!

[diego]

Oh. My. God.

You know, you could probably just put that on, walk around stage, and no one would know that you didn't play anything -- because they'd be so amazed by the ultimate sparkleness of that bad boy.

I like the strap too.

[cmatthes]

I've got a thing for sparkle finishes. Big ol' flake is really cool!

[Mike Dresch]

Geez, that is spectacular! Congrats! I sooooooo love sparkle finishes! Any guys out there with experience shooting this type of finish care to chime in on the types of spray guns needed to achieve this? I really want to do something like this but I'm fairly sure that the gun I have can't handle that big of flake.

[cheetah77]

Beautiful, unique color, well done!

[shallbe]

Thanks everyone! VERY rough & long day at work today. Great to come home and see these responses from my TGP brothers. After the kids went to bed I just sat and played this guitar with some Bells's Two Hearted Ale on the side. You gotta live life while you got it!

What an incredible neck Suhr carved for this one! I have another Suhr with the 56V and the 7.5 to 9.5 radius-----this combination is the bomb, IMO.

Where this guitar feels different is the V is very subdued compared to the Classic T, and it has the Heavy Frets--which is kind of a misnomer, because the heavy frets are slightly wider but not as tall as the medium frets on my Classic T. The medium frets feel "heavier" if that makes sense, because they are taller.

I just restrung my old black Suhr Classic T to take as well, my security blanket guitar (swamp ash T with a quartersawn maple neck and board). I've never had a bad gig when it has been along. I'll be all Suhr this weekend, all quartersawn necks, bold and dynamic as I can muster.

We have a good crowd promising to come this weekend. If I get forwarded some gig pics, I'll post what this sparkle baby looks like under our lights, such as they are.

I've got three tough work days until then. Man, I love playing.........and great instruments like this are the icing on the cake. Thanks for the comments. This guitar is a long ago missed opportunity now turned dream come true.

[GAT]

Steve, I really mean this, that is incredible!!!! You know how I like sparkle, especially gold. (Gold Klon, Gold Fessler Strat, Gold Double Bound Danocaster Tele)!

Wow!

I am really interested in the "no" tone control in the cluck positions. Does the bridge still have a tone control?

[Stefan S]

What a wonderful guitar, great color and the perfect neck option.
Enjoy that beauty!!!:beer

And if you love sparkle, here´s mine.....
http://inlinethumb38.webshots.com/45285/2055962930103067944S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2055962930103067944FbxlHX)
Green is healthier than gold...more vitamins...:nuts:crazy!!!

[Lucidology]

Way way cool ... Very interesting because another TGP member here, Red Suede,
has a Tyler with almost the same finish ... maybe he'll share it here too.

[atquinn]

That's rockin!

-Austin

[clothwiring]

Love it, it reminds me of my gold sisters!

http://www.apollo19.com/goldtele/sisters02.jpg

[gassyndrome]

Congrats to the OP. Thats looks spectacular, and a great sentiment to the posts too. Enjoy it in good health!

[Phil M]

Steve, what tint did you order on that neck? I'm about to order a classic and I like the color on yours. My previous Suhrs have all had what looked like little or no tint on the maple part of the neck--almost looks white.

[andy888]

Wow, I don't even like sparkle guitars and that looks amazing.

[shallbe]

Steve, I really mean this, that is incredible!!!! You know how I like sparkle, especially gold. (Gold Klon, Gold Fessler Strat, Gold Double Bound Danocaster Tele)!

Wow!

I am really interested in the "no" tone control in the cluck positions. Does the bridge still have a tone control?

Thanks, Gilbert.

The no tone control in the cluck positions is something that Suhr does for Henderson and Landau I think. It really is an improvement to me---and yes you do have tone control on the bridge and every other pickup. I'm sure a superswitch of some sort is involved.

[shallbe]

Steve, what tint did you order on that neck? I'm about to order a classic and I like the color on yours. My previous Suhrs have all had what looked like little or no tint on the maple part of the neck--almost looks white.

Phil, I ordered extra vintage tint. It came out just like I wanted---not light and not too orange.

[shallbe]

Love it, it reminds me of my gold sisters!

http://www.apollo19.com/goldtele/sisters02.jpg

That pair is just amazing, man.

[Phil M]

Phil, I ordered extra vintage tint. It came out just like I wanted---not light and not too orange.

Perfect, that's what I thought. Thanks.

[pennylink]

Bet that makes quite a statement under stage lights:JAM

[GuitarGuy510]

I love big flake sparkle finishes, that is top notch!!! :bow Congrats on the new guitar, sounds like a cool story behind it too! :)

[teletalkin]

Where will you be playing this weekend Steve? If I can get away I'd like to see and hear that fine looking guitar!

[Jerrod]

That's as cool as Tortuga's ElectraJet. Man.

[shallbe]

Where will you be playing this weekend Steve? If I can get away I'd like to see and hear that fine looking guitar!


Nick,

We will be playng at Trader's on the Causeway, with an early start of 8 PM. Come see us if you can. I think Bob Burt may show up as well. I've been told we will have a good crowd for tonight.

[Thor]

Awesome guitar - really dig that finish!

Enjoy it in the best of health!

[A-Bone]

Another very cool Suhr for you, congratulations!

Always nice to get closure on the ones that got away.

And let me add a big +1 for John Suhr and company and also Eddie Berman at Indoor Storm, who have always done right by me, as well.

[shallbe]

I was out of town on business for two days, grabbed this guitar first thing back. The neck already feels like and old friend. I really enjoy tweking my guitars (action, pickup height, etc) and think I have this one just about perfect now.

I don't know what John does differently with his finishes, but they just feel so supple and inviting. I love the feel of the guitar under my forearm, and it never gets sticky. I can wait to play a few sets with it at club volumes, to really hear how it works with our set lists.

Thanks for all the kind compliments.

[Bob Burt]

I will put my eyes and ears on it tonight Steve. I will see you there. Me and my girl gonna ride the bike over for a relaxing night of Jams...

See you then,
BB

[shallbe]

I will put my eyes and ears on it tonight Steve. I will see you there. Me and my girl gonna ride the bike over for a relaxing night of Jams...

See you then,
BB

Bob, it will be great to see you. Let me know how everything sounds when we break.

[R13D]

I love the big metalflake/sparkle.That looks totally cool!

[Glowing Tubes]

Wow, excellent axe! congrats man

[edwarddavis]

very nice , great color , enjoy it . super cool looking guitar

[shallbe]

Thanks guys!

I'm just cleaning it up from last nights gig. It was the first gig with the guitar and I played it for every song but one, when I used my Suhr Tele for dropped D.

The guitar is everything I hoped. It is loud and very clear without being shrill or overly bright. Through my Matchless, I usually had the neck tone control on 7-8 and the bridge/middle tone from 6-9, depending on the song. The tone was big, dynamic, loud and clear. Every position was great on the switch, and the no tone control on the cluck positions really made those tones pop and cut.

It worked great with all my pedals, and stayed in tune even with heavy trem bar use. The guitar was SO easy to play---in fact, the action is still a little low for what I really want so I'm going to raise it a hair.

The JS noiseless pickups are really sweet. No need to make any changes due to tone or volume wishes, and they were dead quiet, even when using a boost and overdrive at the same time.

My Suhr Tele is one of my loudest guitars acoustically, and it is the same amplified. Only one of my Les Pauls is louder. The great news is this guitar is just as loud and resonant. I love acoustically loud electric guitars because they give you so much dynamic control.

There were a lot of people there last night commenting on the look and sound of the guitar. It is definitely a keeper and a new favorite. Bob Burt was there last night and got to hear it through his vertical cab I've been using for years now. He gave it the thumbs up.

Bob, thanks for driving over to hear us. It is always a pleasure to hang out with you.

[Phil M]

Steve, sorry if I missed it earlier in the thread (I looked but didn't see it): which pickups did you go with? Did you get BPSSC?

[Bob Burt]

Hey Steve,

It was a real pleasure as always to come hear Small Zoo.... Such a tight - Mature band... Good music and good people.

I have to say, your guitar sounded very clean last night. Strong and balanced. I surely think you have a keeper there.

I would give it a thumbs up for sure...

Let me know when you guys are doing it again. I need another excuse for a night time bike ride..

Take Care,
Bob
Thanks guys!

I'm just cleaning it up from last nights gig. It was the first gig with the guitar and I played it for every song but one, when I used my Suhr Tele for dropped D.

The guitar is everything I hoped. It is loud and very clear without being shrill or overly bright. Through my Matchless, I usually had the neck tone control on 7-8 and the bridge/middle tone from 6-9, depending on the song. The tone was big, dynamic, loud and clear. Every position was great on the switch, and the no tone control on the cluck positions really made those tones pop and cut.

It worked great with all my pedals, and stayed in tune even with heavy trem bar use. The guitar was SO easy to play---in fact, the action is still a little low for what I really want so I'm going to raise it a hair.

The JS noiseless pickups are really sweet. No need to make any changes due to tone or volume wishes, and they were dead quiet, even when using a boost and overdrive at the same time.

My Suhr Tele is one of my loudest guitars acoustically, and it is the same amplified. Only one of my Les Pauls is louder. The great news is this guitar is just as loud and resonant. I love acoustically loud electric guitars because they give you so much dynamic control.

There were a lot of people there last night commenting on the look and sound of the guitar. It is definitely a keeper and a new favorite. Bob Burt was there last night and got to hear it through his vertical cab I've been using for years now. He gave it the thumbs up.

Bob, thanks for driving over to hear us. It is always a pleasure to hang out with you.

[ford]

If you are going to go sparkle, go big! Looks great.

Bryan

[shallbe]

Steve, sorry if I missed it earlier in the thread (I looked but didn't see it): which pickups did you go with? Did you get BPSSC?

Phil,

It does not have the SSC OR BPSSC> It just has a set of John Suhr noiseless pickups in it. I tried one in my other Classic years ago (SHH) and loved the sound. So I went with a full set here, and they are really nice. Open, clear and sweet, nice output and totally quiet. I know they are not as popular as some of his other pickups but I certainly prefer them to the V60's.

Teletalkin' played the guitar today at a music store. If he sees this he may give his thoughts on the tone as well. I know he loved the no tone control cluck positions.

This may be as perfect I guitar as I have ever laid my hands on---from feel, functional, sound and visual standpoints. I would not change anything about it. The only thing it needs it is be played more, and I'm working on that! :D

[shallbe]

Hey Steve,

It was a real pleasure as always to come hear Small Zoo.... Such a tight - Mature band... Good music and good people.

I have to say, your guitar sounded very clean last night. Strong and balanced. I surely think you have a keeper there.

I would give it a thumbs up for sure...

Let me know when you guys are doing it again. I need another excuse for a night time bike ride..

Take Care,
Bob

Will do Bob. Thanks again for coming out! I also appreciate the dancer you brought along with you. We love having people enjoy themselves.

[teletalkin]

My fellow "Pagers" I did have the pleasure of playing this guitar today. Without hesitation the most comfortable Suhr neck I've played......any neck for that matter. Everything on this guitar is so thoroughly thought out.....and more importantly completely usable. The no tone on the second and forth pickup position is such a brilliant idea. The "cluck" is still there but with added fullness and volume. One thing I've always disliked about this position is the slight drop in volume and the thinness in the tone. With the tone circuit removed it is rounder and louder.....while still retaining the cluck.

I am not a trem guy but this bad boy is perfect. Just the right amount of tension and feels solid when you use it. I asked Steve if it had five springs or three and he said he hadn't even taken the back guard off to see. Certainly a testament to the superb set up the guitar received before leaving the factory. Overall the tone is what you would expect from Suhr pickups. IMO one of the best sounding you can buy.

Back to the neck.......the slight narrower nut combined with a 7.25 to 9.5 radius is where the magic is. The guitar plays so effortlessly it was hard giving it back. Metal flake finish has never been my thing but man oh man did John nail it with this one. I walked in the shop today and was floored when I saw Steve holding it. It is just one of those guitars that makes you smile when you see it....and then flippin go nuts when you play it. I'm not just trying to make a friend feel good about his purchase....Steve knows I would be honest about his guitar. This is one killer Suhr and I really appreciate Steve letting me have a few minutes with it!

[shallbe]

Nick,

I'm glad you liked the guitar. You never know when you spec out a custom guitar if all your ideas and wants will translate into a great instrument. In this case, this guitar has exceeded my expectations. It is a really outstanding guitar, and you are welcome to play it any time.