PETE THORN SUNDAY LIVE

John and Kevin join Pete for a roundtable discussion on Suhr gear. They'll take your questions on how and why they build guitars and amps the way they do! www.suhr.com/
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[@robpags]

Great interview. CONFESSION: I used to hate on Suhr guitars. Thought they were just an over priced fender.... until I tried one. I’ve since sold both my fender custom shops and have bought 4 Suhr guitars. They are now my go to main weapons. Thanks to John for his amazing gear and dedication to the business. Quality guy making quality gear.

[@jppagetoo]

Everytime I listen to John Suhr talk I like him more. He is a smart man, who wants to do the best things for the people around him, customers, workers, suppliers, and artists. We need more like him and not less. I don't hate on China, but I think the current situation makes plain the problems and limitations with the current supply chain arrangements.

[@billphillipstube]

I am in such accord with John at 1:20:30 when he says "I don't want to buy disposable product." Preach! If a designer makes a product that can be repaired, then it prove the designer was thinking about durability and failure modes. You're going to get a better product guaranteed. The added price is though to overcome, however. Guitarists and money are sadly an unlikely combination.

[@AJMartin0321]

Thanks for having the Suhr guys on. I finally had the money to buy a top tier guitar recently and went with a different brand initially. I then found a good deal on a Classic Antique Roasted soon after that and just had to see why everyone gushes over the Suhr guitars. Now I get it! It is officially the most comfortable guitar I have ever had the opportunity to play. I love it so much that the other guitar is for sale...and I snagged another Suhr. :) Have not been able to put them down since I got them. Well done guys. The praise is well deserved.

[@michaelwilkins8178]

Proud owner of a suhr bella and a few your pedals . I bought these knowing that your products are some of the best you can buy hands down. I’m not wealthy so I want to make sure I can the best for my money and I want it to last . Thank you for your hard work mr suhr and thank you to your son for his enthusiasm for the business.

[@LaurenLeon]

A year later but thanks for taking the time to do this, Pete, Kevin and John! I watched the whole thing and enjoyed all the info. I love my Modern!

[@TavaresProject]

I love these 3 hour shows John has so much to say and what he says is all interesting stuff and passionate. Kevin is great too. Awesome show Pete. i listen to it on repeat on my way to and from work/home....I look forward to the drive!. Thanks again!!

[@ThunderFalcon333]

Should have them on once a month. I could listen to these guys all day.

[@julianavilaofficial7064]

The story about Leo and the pickups magnets, just amazing! 🎸

[@KamilKisiel]

I already thought Suhr was a great brand, but after watching this interview my respect for John Suhr went way up.

[@MusicTherapyLaz]

Only caught a bit of this Sunday...we went on a beautiful home and jog around some vineyards here in Livermore, Cali...catching up on this now while I work! So cool to see Suhr Sr. and Jr! You Rock Pete!

[@NickBen11]

Awesome interview! I’ve owned several high-end guitars and Suhr guitars are honestly a great deal for the quality of their instruments. I have stuff from the Suhr Classic line that is easily on par quality wise, if not better than custom shop stuff from fender (that is in the $4-6k range). Another crazy thing about Suhr is the level of consistency among their instruments. I’m lucky to live by a large dealer and I’ve literally never seen one with any issues. Props to John Suhr and the team for doing things right! This is the way gear built in the USA should be :)

[@DiscoD777]

The Suhr PT 15 has so many features, sounds great and built like a tank. People are just not educated on the cost of good products.

[@fiddlix]

This is a great show. Listening to. It again.

[@jimmynorris]

John and Kevin have this company that is just so on top of the game together. Talk about a chip off the block. I think that it is beautiful that so many old school ways are being massaged together with such brand new ideas and technology. Just inspiring.

[@MarkDelsing]

This was one your best videos, ever! Pete, you long ago turned me on to Suhr, and I’m finally the owner of a Classic S Antique and an SL67. John and Kevin are my heroes. This talk was ridiculously informative. I’d love to se a whole show dedicated to discussion of John and his days using and building racks,, and a History of Suhr would be awesome, too. Keep up the great work! Pete, your recent slate of interviews has been a treat addition to the channel.

[@frankschreuders5906]

Fantastic video with lots of info on why Suhr is just plain good. Freaks they are.. They just don’t give up on making things the very very best they can. Keep it up!

[@pronaypal100]

Congrats guys! It was a very good,valuable chat. John is a very bright and a true person! Thx!!👍🏻❤

[@passionplayer7]

Always a great time listening to John Suhr with his amazing experience and passion. Glad his son is carrying on the creativity and desire to progress same as his father. Would not mind another episode for sure!

[@justinespinosa7878]

Amazing Pete! Please have these as often as you are able or go on ToneTalk more! I love these discussions!

[@stuart_rose]

Awesome stream and discussion with the Suhrs on their Tech-Tone Theory, thanks Pete. I agree tubes are better but in apartment lockdown I'm getting some impressive sounds in my "silent" studio with the Suhr Bella 1x12 IR loaded on my Two Notes Torpedo Cab M, a Revival Drive Compact as preamp and UA Arrow interface. UA's AKG BX 20 spring reverb adds massiveness. Cheers for all the tone tips! 👍

[@rimnton]

Just ordered my first Suhr after watching this. Been kinda going back and forth but after listening to what goes in to the building of their products, I was sold!

[@bbqranger4854]

Just bought a Bella LE because of Andy Wood, you, and this interview. Both Suhr's seem like great people and I want to be a part of the Suhr family.

[@roscoepcoltrane23]

Great show. Big fan of Suhr.

[@JonKaneshiroGuitar]

I have so much respect for these guys! Love my Classic Pro. Can’t put it down.

[@arsenaulta]

This was really amazing! Mr Thorn thank you for the continully great content and forget the negative comments. I am a big Music Man/Mesa guy (love the Luke shoutouts because an LIII has been my number one for years now), but every time I watch a video with you and John Suhr I want to own something he has made. Just the humble attitude, honesty, and total love of the instrument (even after all these years) is inspiring.

[@ishancooper]

This is so awesome!! Thanks you guys for your time and amazing info!! Legends!!! . Funny you mention the CTS pots though. I had to laugh as my volume pot feels like it’s got sand in it after only about 3 months now. By far the best guitar I’ve ever owned though thanks to John and the Suhr family.

[@ajsrhodes]

Great video! I liked hearing how your PT-15IR started as an idea of a hot rodded Corso. I'm a Corso user and I feel they don't get the recognition they deserve. It's a very usable 4 watt amp

[@faridh2999]

Really interesting interview, especially regarding R and D, would be interested in a part 2 👍

[@GMHG777]

Great livestream Pete !! John is such a wealth of knowledge and is such a cool dude, Kevin was an awesome bonus for the stream as well !! Thanks for doing stuff like this man !

[@sebm89]

Love all your interviews/talks with suhr

[@CoreyJamesGuitars]

Unfortunately I listened to this and bought two new moderns this month. Roasted alder and roasted ash. Great interview!

[@duckydrummer6331]

Hey Pete, great stuff. Obviously I missed this live but i could listen to these types of interviews all day.

[@jeffroq]

Fantastic show this re-watched a few times . "You can have almost nothing, but you gotta have something" - John, that belongs on a t-shirt my friend. Thank you guys. BTW Don't get upset about the Scouser dudes review of the PT15IR. I just bought one on the back of 1. Pete getting a match sound with the SL68 and 2. that fellas review or more accurately the way you responded to it - Passion for and belief in the product. Love it !!!!!

[@andrewwongyk]

My first guitar isn’t by Fender,Gibson..., but Suhr modern. Cos suhr’s QC is better than the others. Thanks John, kevin and pete. A newbie from Hong Kong.

[@willdenham]

If anyome pioneers us past tubes, it'll be John.

[@RobvandenBoogaard]

Man this was great, thanks for this Kevin, John and Pete! Wouldn’t mind a part 2!

[@MadMax_1984]

This is great! Did a little guitar maintenance, small changes go a long way

[@HansJohansson]

Thanx for doing this! Great interview!!

[@huskvarsm]

The suhr aura straight up one of the greatest guitars ever made….wish I could afford one ask Doug aldrich what he thinks or the Aura.

[@tmitz73]

Great Episode and Hang Pete and Suhr family!! Stay safe, healthy and groovy!!!

[@paniccleo]

The ethos about making products that aren't disposable is a great one environmentally too.

[@derekwilliams5149]

Thanks Pete.. Always great shows .

[@carlwagoner77]

Another Home Run Pete !! Thanks Gentlemen 👍🏻

[@FT-64]

Great interview! I really enjoyed the insights into the requirements for running a US-based electronics business. Kudos!

[@GertvanderDoes]

Funny. He's got broken Dynaudio monitors. I've got active Behringer studio monitors I bought in 1995. Still working great.

[@thetheoryguy5544]

Damn I was interested in buying a Suhr Classic SSS now I will make it my goal to save up for one after watching this 😊

[@shiftgears211]

Please don’t change. I will always happily pay more for made in USA or Canada. Keep the manufacturing here on this side of the world.

[@rjlane3475]

my one wish is to have John build me his version of an LP. Please put out a DA LP !

[@ishancooper]

No compromise builds are always the way to go! Costs less time and money in the end. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@kuringmundo]

i love my classic pro. Anybody want "SUHR GEAR SHOW"?

[@krisersn3092]

I love my suhr classic s roasted maple guitar!

[@MisterTee]

Great episode.

[@sowhat5150]

Bummers about the Aura not becoming a production model. I’ve been waiting for that ever since the Aura was announced. I’ll just have to wait to see what Suhr releases. I have autographed Thornbuckers and am definitely a Suhr fan. This was a great live talk.

[@MrAletube]

i think if they have 5k requests,at 3.5k each,maybe they are going to do it

[@GraniteSoundtrack]

Wish I could’ve asked a question. Bummer I live in Tokyo, I had to work.

[@keithmitchellguitarlessons585]

My main axe is a PRS Silver Sky - but oh my god I'm pining for a Pete Thorn Suhr........

[@MiguelMorenoGP]

Sorry for spamming my question, went to dinner and didn't realize it was answered!

[@hasben5674]

Thank you for giving the love to King's X. Famous or not, their music matters and will last.

[@steverherb]

Kings X is just about the best band you can see in a smaller venue. I've seen them just about every time they came around my general area.

[@TKevinRussell]

Great show!

[@jayrichardson5811]

Feet Thorn - Joan and Evlen Suhr

[@steveymoon]

Can't believe I missed this. I have a question, which bugs me so much: Why doesn't anyone make a really good Strat style bridge that has a pop-in arm, like Ibanez use on their trems? I've not owned a single screw-in arm that stays where I need it to stay. I hate them... even my Suhr. ☹️

[@RicardoDiazHimself]

If you have a Gotoh 510 bridge, either the 2 post or the 6 screw, you can adjust the torque of the arm with the small hex screw on the collar. So you don't even need to screw it to keep it where you want it. Just pop it in and adjust the torque so the rubber washer tightens the trem arm. I Do think this is the best collar there is, as the Edge bridges flop out as soon as the white washer rings wear in 3-4 pop-ins.

[@steveymoon]

@@RicardoDiazHimself - but I've had the same Ibanez RG for years and the nylon washers on the trem arm are the originals. It seems such an excellent design - I don't know why others haven't adopted it. I even sold a really nice Charvel I had just because I couldn't do with the screw-in arm on the Floyd Rose.

[@nicfox3874]

Apparently Ozzy used to call "Woman tone" the "Cow tone", according to a Zakk Wylde interview I read many years ago :-)

[@derekwilliams5149]

Wow, great . John helped me out so much.. cae preamp transformer burned out.. he had one and sent it to me free . Paid for shipping.. wow.. yes I own a suhr guitar. S1.. what a great person..

[@rictube11]

Great Live Stream! I wish more companies had this philosophy. Attention to detail and at a fair price so that it's a win win for everyone. I love my Suhrs. I had a few stolen last year while I was on vacation and it really was a heartbreaking loss.

[@PeteThorn]

Sorry to hear about that! Thieves suck

[@rictube11]

@@PeteThorn Thanks Pete! You are a wonderful artist and a great human being. Thanks for the sentiment. And YES...they totally suck!

[@Sco3000]

'Just' a Nuemann he says.

[@ryanintopeka]

Kevin. Be my friend.

[@stevekirby7333]

Why "develop" an iPad system to "stuff" boards? Directed stuffing machines like Contact CS500s or Royonics machines have been around for decades. CTS pots were moved from the US to Puerto Rico long before John started his company.

[@PeteThorn]

No no no no. The iPad was just used to create kind of a training course for people that are building the amps. Like when you are training one of the builders- they can follow a step-by-step course that kevin put together on the iPad. It makes it super easy to reference, and has increased productivity. When you make a new amp, and it goes into production- They have to learn somehow which part goes where, and now they have an easy reference. Make sense?

[@stevekirby7333]

@@PeteThorn Thanks for the clarification. At least they weren't entirely reinventing the wheel. The kind of machines I'm talking about have a light that shines on the board where the part goes and bins of parts inside that shuffle around so one bin comes under a door. The operator reaches in and puts that part where the light shows. Really easy. Music is my passion but electronics assembly has been my career for more than 35 years. Back in the mid '90s when I built an SMT factory for Dolby Labs (also an audio company where Ray wanted to control his own quality and responsiveness) they already had one such machine they used on the SR noise reduction boards. Ray didn't believe in trim pots that could be mis-adjusted. So the boards were calibrated on a computerized fixture and then the necessary resistor values transferred to the stuffing indicator where the techs would insert 54 resistors (it is a very complex circuit) according to the needed alignment values. That was in the mid '90s. Now there are software systems that you transfer a CAD circuit design into and they automatically display assembly instructions for the operators along with bar code scanning so there's a record of who did what when. Just like CNC routers and PLEK machines, there's a whole new world out there for electronics assembly. The circuit board technologies I'm working with now are so far beyond what a hard wired circuit can do it's not funny. We even couldn't be having this on-line discussion if not for the telecommunications equipment I built over the last 20 years, none of which would work if it was hard wired. :-)

[@tongusgrump2261]

Good luck finding good 6v6’s they ‘re either great or not

[@johnstitt2615]

Hey man...that’s too close. Social dist.....oh its a video call ✌️😎

[@tongusgrump2261]

I gig bars that’s it and spill a beer on a PCB or solid state kemper or axe fx and it’s garbage. My tube heads always live to fight another day. For KZbin bedroom players or pop gigs playing to tracks the other stuff is best.

[@grtxyz4358]

Yesss to: no disposable products! Totally unnecessary!

the amount of combinations is astounding ... take any "strat" set it to middle pickup and start at 0 0 0 .. you have 1000 till you get to 999 on the knobs... add in the +- 20 % on the pots...and the magnet types and winding..and height of pickup and string metal content etc.. by the time you plug it in............ forget it. tell me about the wood again...

[@alecr666x]

Just watched the Tony McKenzie video of the PT 15. Seen some of his video's before, the guy's an idiot. He has no idea what he's talking about most of the time. Unfortunately, a lot of people will watch this and make a decision based on his review. I have never seen a Suhr product that hasn't been flawless in build its quality and finish. Maybe John should do a live video with Tony so he can tell John what he would change and why. That would be fun.

[@rockwriter9054]

Tony mac kenzie philip mac knight just keep away from tbeir channels same a mac Donaulds rubbish!

[@alecr666x]

@@rockwriter9054 Yep, i agree. It's so difficult to watch these guys. As a professional guitar and amp tech/builder, i am quite often dumbfounded as to how little knowledge these so called experts seem to have.

[@adamr8878]

Hahaha Tony Mckenzie. Yep he has always rubbed people the wrong way with his in depth, yet knows nothing, reviews. Where he also plays them, but can't really play, either.

[@Sir_Dickbag]

Yeah that guy is a total joke. He pokes around the amps like an ape would poke at an iPad. No clue what he's talking about. Horrendous player too.

[@jfo3000]

You guys must be talking about Tone King, correct?

[@adamr8878]

@@jfo3000 lmao

[@harrisfrankou2368]

Ive seen so many guys by 6...8 10 cheap guitars and nothing they will keep for life. They dont even play them.

[@fullmetalsal]

Its definitely true that USA made Suhr guitars are superior quality to offshore made. But what is still not answered is why offshore can't get to the USA level? There is no reason why it can't be made there for cheaper. GUitar is not something you buy one of, when you need so many at 5k each its becoming ridiculous.

[@dominickortega8489]

Danny There are many reasons why suhr guitars will not and should not be making guitars out of country for less money. A few things before I continue; suhrs production models (classic, modern, standard) do not go for 5k...they go between $2.5k-3.3k. They will start going between $3.8- and above for custom made depending on the specs. Back to the topic of offshoring, suhr will not keep their high quality standards. John answered that question in the video. He said that there is little to no control on every aspect of the guitar being made. From the quality of wood and materials etc. He has people that has worked for him for many years and he knows exactly how they work. He has his builders doing little aspected of making guitars do it a certain way John needs then to do them so that the standards are kept high. He has full control of the USA made guitars at his factory so that everything is perfect. He cannot keep this level workmanship offshore. He can made them more affordable forsure by manufacturing out of country like you said but he looses control of his standards if he does that. He cannot he be in two countries at the same time. You may wonder, well why can’t John just hire people to have food QC offshore? It’s not that’s simple. If I was a guitar builder and owner of a manufacturer with skills like John, and if I had a customer request a 10k custom build, I would rather bet on my skills and my own work to build those guitars than have someone in another country whom I’ve hired to build it without me being there. I also would rather hire someone in USA train them and be able to watch them build the guitar rather than having someone other person build in another country. His reputation is on the line if the standards of building are not on par with how it is in the USA. If you want something cheaper don’t get a suhr. It’s simple. If you can’t afford a suhr you should be getting a more affordable guitar.

[@fullmetalsal]

Dominick Ortega good points brother. I own several suhrs and wasn’t complaining about the price from a personal standpoint but for others. I agree the quality aspect is the prime reason to not outsource. If you think about it, there was a time many years when there were a couple of models that were Korean made. On the price the 5k was based on being in Canada. The exchange rate is another huge reason why the price is an issue and that’s not Suhr to blame at all. I work in technologies and we build systems that run bank securities and health care systems, lot of it outsourced. At the end of the day it can be done, it’s a matter of Suhr choosing not to and I can appreciate that. Cheers.

[@dominickortega8489]

​@@fullmetalsal Ya I know John can and like you said the RAMSUS suhr right? And yes it is unfortunate that the exchange rate kinda of screws of other countries;/ but at the end of the day I just know it is going to hurt the rep they have. As much as I love suhr and their products, they are very costly and I do wish they were cheaper. Again I would have to factor in the CS and if my guitar or amp ever malfunctions or something went wrong without my doing, then they have me covered. If I need something modded they can do it for me and do it right. If I pay less for an ibanez az prestige ($2000). I know if something went wrong with the guitar down the road without my doing, I would pay out of pocket. After having one of them, I had to pay to get it setup because it needed major setup. With a suhr its ready to go.

[@fullmetalsal]

Dominick Ortega good points again Dominick. Yes the Ramsus is the one I was referring to. Oddly enough the guitar was one of the best offshore products I had ever come across. That was a testament to my point about the offshore doable part. But anyhow it is what it is. 🤟🏼

Watch when the "100" year old wood goes away ... that they have promised you was the source of the tone... they will either admit that is was BS ... by claiming the new stuff has "vintage| tone " as opposed to admitting they where full of it..." Or, they will go out because the wood is not available .... should "gi$son ..say hey we are sorry...; since the wood is no longer available we can no longer offer quality guitars" OR will they admit "hey... we can make a guitar out of anything..." they made there own "tone" wood death bed,,,, let them die in it.

[@billhewlett1214]

Wwwwaaaaayyyyy over priced

[@WyattWillis88]

How? I don't see how they could price their amps or guitars lower and stay in business. Can you honestly explain your gripe?

[@sweetmotash]

why you're here? Go away, take a look at something more suitable for your pocket.

[@PeteThorn]

Sigh. What is, Bill? Why don't you price out some US custom shop Fenders and Gibsons and then get back to me. Look at Humbiucker Music for example, pages and pages of suhr guitars many for under 3k. Try and find me a custom shop Fender for under 3k- it's hard, if you can even find one. Some people want to pay for an American luthier-built guitar, built with pride by folks with tons of experience making a good living, that have health insurance/benefits. No one's getting rich- they are just charging what it costs tome a flawless instrument/amp, pay their employees, turn a reasonable profit, and stay in business. End of story

[@shfnderrock]

Pete Thorn Exactyle Pete, people do not realise the cost of running a business with employees and the need to keep investing in the Business to keep up with technology etc. and keep creating quality products and Service. You get what you pay for people

[@Jibosau]

I always laugh when I read comments like this about Suhr products. The level of customer service is worth the price of admission alone. Then factor in that these are quality american made products, with an unmatched attention to detail, ridiculously good playability, flawless craftsmanship, and I'd consider the cost a bargain. I worked very hard to own a Suhr guitar and would buy it 100x over. I know this was just a feeble attempt to troll, but for anyone reading these types of comments, saying Suhr products are overrated couldn't be farther from the truth!