Review Demo - Supro Westbury

Read the review: bit.ly/SuproWes...
Oh man, am I experiencing déjà vu! No, I’m not remembering the 1950s and ’60s, when Valco-made brands such as Supro populated the musical instrument sections of those retail palaces we called “department stores.” Nor am I recalling the many Supro revivalists, from Pagey to punks to post-rock artistes. No, I’m flashing back to last summer, when I reviewed Supro’s Zep-tastic Black Magick combo amp in the August 2016 issue, hailing its astute compromise between vintage accuracy and cost-conscious modern production.
Something similar is happening with the first new Supro guitars in 50 years, and it’s a brilliant balancing act.
A quick Supro recap: Valco folded in 1967, but, early this century, esteemed amp designer Bruce Zinky acquired the name and began issuing new amps that both revived and improved old Supro designs. Ownership eventually passed to New York’s Absara Audio, the folks behind Pigtronix pedals. Absara expanded on Zinky’s work, transforming a long-dormant brand into a popular and critically acclaimed amp line.
Judging by Supro’s initial 6-string release, they’re approaching guitar making much as they do amp building. Supro amps use modern production methods such as circuit board electronics and wood-composite cabinets, making them eminently affordable. At the same time, they reference Supro’s bitchin’ mid-century visuals-and, more important, their musical essence. Modern Supro amps usually sound as good as vintage models, and often better. And now Supro is doing a similar thing with guitars.
Continue reading the review: bit.ly/SuproWes...

[@Tyler_Wilson]

I don’t know why these guitars are getting so much gripe. I think they are really cool and different! The tones are great too.

[@irunfromfights]

From what I’ve gathered in researching (and buying and performing with a Hampton) people seem bias against the price and view it as a “luxury” guitar, they also seem to prefer the brighter tones of other guitars, and less so the dark rich tones from these bad boys. I met one person who thinks they look “gay.” So, in summary, most people I’ve encountered have a bias instead of an opinion. Personally the Supro Hampton is perfect for what I’m looking for sound wise, and it feels *amazing* to play.

[@hapax87]

That was a very good review of this Supro guitar. I've been a fan of Supro amps for a while, first saw this model played by Jon Foreman of Switchfoot. I really liked the tone ! Think I'm gonna buy me one ! ( I have one of the old Zinky designed " cigarette " amps, and it's pretty cool. I acquired a Blues King about 6 months ago, and it's become my main amp. )

[@WILLIANSOUTO]

The master playing! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@TheTaulusPaulus]

Dam John! Once again great playing!

[@TheThinker39]

A very nice review and wonderful guitar playing! Thanks!

[@216trixie]

I taught John all his chops.

[@johnbohlinger]

Thank you. They've come in handy.

[@emhezmfe]

Can we really make an evaluation when this guy is demo'ing? He'd make a Hondo II sound killer through a Gorilla 10-watt solid state amp haha. Gotta say, that guitar is cool as hell.

[@sn95_mustang_garage]

Damn...I really dig this guitar. It looks different and sounds killer.

[@Psalmist374DKR]

Feels astounding

[@Casey_J96]

It's funny you mention the gold foils because it does seem that a lot of the boutique builders are using them now. This is the first demo though where I've found I like them. Other demos they seem extremely tinny and not pleasing to the ear. Great job as always!

[@calvinscheuerman]

john makes almost anything sound great. however, you're totally right about gold foils. every company that makes a gold foil these days makes them sound radically different from other manufacturers' (and original gold foils). some of them sound excellent, some of them sound awful. but these *rock*.

[@davidkieltyka9]

IMO the Valco "Vista-Tone" is among the best pickup designs around. I imagine the Westbury's pickups are based on it if not direct repros of it. The gold foil is just a nice cosmetic touch. They do sound really good. The old GF pickups that I like are the Teiscos with the polepieces at one side (not in the middle) and the DeArmonds as found in various Harmony guitars.

[@karlboman]

David Kieltyka they are made by Roadhouse Pickups, who know their goldfoils very well indeed :)

[@davidkieltyka9]

Yeah, I see Ken (Roadhouse) is involved. :) I've got a set of his version of the Vista-Tones. (Got a few guitars with originals too.) They're excellent.

[@sgtmac62]

Really sounds like hot Tele PUPS. Sorta. Like it!

[@johnnymongrel]

Great playing. This guitar sounds fantastic.

[@Psalmist374DKR]

I hear tele, strat and even a hint of les.... So glad I have one absolutely identical and really dig the wide nut for my old sausage fingers. Absolutely a super strat Oh, and looks like an ocean wave... Come on!

[@bdwitt66]

Can we bring back Dukes of Hazzard and have JB do the chase music? I was teleported there for a minute...

[@johnbohlinger]

Yes, please oh please.

[@kevinpaul1719]

Great John!

[@keithriffshard1462]

Great playing.

[@KoolKatDave]

Nice work, John! You remind me of Paul Gilbert's Bluesy Brother! ;p-)

[@Socializedbyantisocials]

sweet like candy

[@wesmatron]

Anyone else think it weirdly sounds like a ES335?

[@BrettDavido]

Hey John, great demo!! What did you write on your hand??

[@johnbohlinger4868]

That's my schedule... I am a caveman.

[@calvinscheuerman]

+John Bohlinger - You are my favorite part of premier guitar; you do, hands down, the best guitar reviews on the internet. Whatever premier guitar pays you, it's not enough. they should be paying you way more, because me (and a lot of others) only read/watch PG because of the master; John Bohlinger.

[@johnbohlinger]

I think I wrote "Record demo at 2".

[@johnbohlinger]

Thank you Calvin. I love working with Premier Guitar. This is as much fun as it looks. Play on, Amigo mio.

[@calvinscheuerman]

The fact that *John Bohlinger* just called me 'Amigo mio' has already made my day. #JohnBohlingerFuckingRules

[@Millo1868]

Is this the Super Sonic 22 or 60? I assume it's the 22, but I'm no genius, so...is it the 22? Playing is great, guitar and amp rig sounds great.

[@michaelbalance98]

Looks like the 22

[@jammyfacefook]

I could be playing for 400 years & still not be as good as John Bohlinger!

[@johnbohlinger4868]

You can, totally. Just play and have fun with. Check out my Premier Guitar "What bohlinger plays". You can nail all that stuff. Thanks for watching and the kind words