Anyone own boutiques but prefer their Gibson or Fender?

[phoenix 7]

Or other big factory guitar? I've owned Collings, Grosh and Suhr electrics, and they are all absolutely fantastic, but my main squeeze remains my 2004 Gibson R8 Les Paul. My Grosh Set Neck (far left one in photo) is a Lester-style guitar, and it has better playability, better materials and workmanship, and a slightly better clean sound. But the R8 has a look, feel and overdriven sound that I just love. Its big baseball bat neck is a bit harder to play, but it's so stable that I haven't needed a set up since I bought it and the action is great. It's been my number 1 for 4 years now.

[stratman89]

Right now, yes.
I recently sold a Suhr Classic T that I wasn't playing after getting a Fender '52 RI Tele with a neck Humbucker.......... it just suits Classic Rock better.

I still have a Suhr Pro S1, but don't play it that often since I got a '60 CS Strat.

I'm also loving my most recent acquisitions, a LP Traditional Gold Top and a 2009 '58 VOS

[bilbal]

I have two main guitars... Modulus Graphite Blackknife and a Les Paul Traditional.

Though I adore my Modulus and use it exclusively for my Dead band, the Les Paul gets a ton more use. That guitar is pretty much "it" for me.

[paintguy]

Ive had a few really nice boutiques and liked them very much. I still own 1, but I would rate my favorite Les Paul and my favorite PRS DGT on par with them as far as sound and playability.

[Billion81]

I had a Tom Anderson Cobra Tele (Chambered) no doubt a great guitar but my Gatton tele kills it. I traded it for a Eric Johnson model Strat.

I do really want a Suhr rosewood strat. I played Fusion's Suhr Strat with the Vulcanized neck up at the LA Amp show and the 14" radius neck was insane.

Will I ever learn?

[papersoul]

Stick to Fender, PRS and Gibson.

[skhan007]

There's room for the traditionals and boutiques in my collection. I embrace all well-made good-sounding guitars no matter what logo is on the headstock.

[prsflame]

Right now, my main guitar is a 2003 Fender AM standard strat, which is all stock. I still have the boutiques in my collection, but my tastes have changed, and I tend to favor more of the traditional, classic guitars.

[fjs1962]

I went through about a 5 year period where I had several each of Anderson, Suhr and Grosh guitars. They were nice, well made guitars but in the end I came back to Gibson, Fender and PRS. I think there is a certain comfort for me in playing the brands I grew up playing.

[PeeCee]

Not me. I sold some 60's sg specials/jrs and my last two strats last year (1962--my birth year). Don't really miss them. My Suhr has been getting all the action for the last five years.

[wayben]

I have and use both. A great guitar is a great guitar no matter whose name is on the headstock.

Wayne

[fjs1962]

I hope this thread doesn't turn into a debate about which is better or worse. Just in case it does I want to go on record as saying that while I don't have them any more the Suhr, Anderson and Grosh guitars I owned were all fine sounding, first quality instruments. The builders' customer service was above and beyond the call from all three. I've got Fender Custom Shop guitars now and I don't think they are any better or worse than the boutiques. It all just comes down to what makes you happy.

[mslugano]

No.