Fender American Ultra Strat vs. Suhr Classic Pro - My thoughts.

[@tonepoet]

Your subtle humor is underappreciated. Your vibe when you're painting notes is unparalleled. Class act, Shawn, always great videos.

[@essa15555]

Fender stratocaster standard neck pickup sound is incomparable. It's has that iconic sound for decades.

[@SPR-Pedals]

The "better" instrument is the one that makes you want to pick it up and play it. That's been my rule of thumb and why I've sold on several lovely guitars over the years. I've tried many, many Fenders (never got to a custom shop model) and while I've often liked the tones, they just weren't keepers. The noiseless pickups I found to be too sterile in the Elite series. So I took a punt on a used Suhr Classic Antqiue SSS, bought it over the internet without ever having picked one up. I've never looked back. And now I have a second HSS one.

[@keoni927]

I'm in the same boat as you Jonathan. I bought a Suhr Classic Antique HSS over the internet and it was the first one I had ever seen or touched. It's the best sounding guitar I've ever owned and I tell people it practically plays itself. It has Landau single coils in the neck and middle and the SSV hum bucker in the bridge. It has a HUGE (1" at first fret and 1" at twelfth fret C shape neck) with a rosewood board. The craftsmanship is spot on. I have yet to find a single flaw in this guitar. Highly recommended. But like Shawn says, there are lots of good guitars out there and they're all a little different. Just like we're all a little different..... ears, hands, etc.

[@SPR-Pedals]

@@keoni927 congrats. After playing on and off for 25 plus years (although still very much an amateur) it's as close as finding "the one" as I've come. In the same way that I didn't bond with any Fender I couldn't do it with Gibson either, so I eventually got a couple of PRS and they largely cover that singlecut requirement (Tremonti and DGT).

[@kennytseguitar8574]

Try Ultra,you'll know

[@daleantoniuk3291]

I agree : ) Did the same thing more or less

[@algorithm007ify]

KeNnY TsE Suhr Classic Antique over any fender ultra...any day. This is coming from someone who owns 2 American fenders.

[@tool69tool69]

I was always a fender guy but once i tried a suhr everything changed. The craftsmanship is amazing. Suhr was created buy a fender master builder. So sold off my custom shop strats and have never looked back.

[@jean-francoisremillard9513]

Totally agree... same here... I just sold my Gibson Les Paul Standard and my Fender Eric Johnson Strat , to finance a Suhr...

[@beefnacos6258]

Yeah any actual player knows fender custom shops are absolutely overpriced

[@feo130]

@@jean-francoisremillard9513 You shouldn't be "financing" things like these. Save your money man, you're really in no position to buy a $3k guitar...just letting you know the truth.

[@facelessandnameless]

@@feo130 Who are you to tell him what to do with his money? If he wants to finance a guitar that is his choice.

[@keendeesjarlais3636]

@@facelessandnameless cuz you do? work at McDonalds?

[@zinmusic1410]

Finally, a guitarist that doesn’t skip clean tones when reviewing a guitar! Jesus, so f-ing refreshing.

[@Dankflamio]

I know right! It’s so great to be able to actually hear the guitar instead of just pedals and amp

[@oldgoattheantichrist3468]

The best reviews have all stages of gain included. These Fender Ultras in particular sound magnificent under high modern gain situations. Some of us are not blues dudes. The high gain portions of reviews are as valuable to me as clean and blues tones.

[@zinmusic1410]

I understand that. I would just like to hear the guitar under a dry signal before any gain is added. The dry signal lets me know the foundation for which effects can be added. I am a Jazz Studies Major with all types of genre requirements, so it’s just nice to know how the guitar will react to multiple types of effects.

[@TobyKBTY]

@@oldgoattheantichrist3468 THIS. On the other end of the spectrum some of us want to see how certain versatile guitars handle high-gain situations but all we get are bluesy, E standard riffs and breakup tones. It'd be ideal to see how the instrument covers all bases, even with something like drop D chugging on a tight high-gain setting.

[@gregorysmith5375]

I hate when ppl do demo with a heavy metal tone 😡

[@RichusRkr]

I've had several suhr s styles, defenitlely more bright and actually thinner, The Fender strat is it for me, I sold off my suhrs.

[@MrJackal43]

Dave April why would you have a copy of a Mustang sports car, or a copy of a Corvette? The Suhr is nothing but a COPY. A nice copy, but a copy nonetheless. I’m with ya.

[@richmanfilms]

I agree. I've been jonesing for a SUHR (modern or thorn), but I think I am more inclined to look for a good playing LP Custom because the sound is thicker all around ( I used to own one). All the SUHR's I hear do not seem to have a smooth and thick tone. The SUHRs are usually more thin and trebly compared to most guitars that I like.

[@guts2112]

Love how the Humbucker on the strat partially matches the pickguard. Keeps the iconic look of the sss style unless you pay close attention.

[@wilfredoolivenciaolivencia4724]

The Suhr sounded very bright and thin as opposed to the Fender. However Mr. Shawn is an amazing player ! Be blessed sir !

[@algorithm007ify]

Blame the SSCII and 500K tone pots. I removed them on my Suhr, and it sounds so much better.

[@ArtLogins]

Great playing... Fender in the neck position, or neck and middle sounded perfect for me...

[@LaminarSound]

I actually prefer the sound of the Fender in this vid. They aren't night and day different and it's really hard for Tubbs to make any average to pro level guitar sound bad. lol something about the Fender just grabbed me.

[@rcc3music]

I agree, the sound of the Fender wowed me.

[@leonarddaneman810]

@@rcc3music Yeah . . . the Fender neck position killed the Suhr.

[@andredegiant3876]

I know it's silly, but having that Fender logo on that classic headstock shape is what makes me pick the Fender everytime in a race this close

[@algorithm007ify]

It's Stainless steel frets and quarter sawn wood for me, so I go Suhr.

[@michelemanfredi5866]

@@algorithm007ify what’s quarter sawn wood?

[@mechmat12345]

@@algorithm007ify New Ultra Luxe version has SS frets and still quite a bit cheaper than the Suhr.

[@joejohnson8966]

"We hear with our eyes" - Glen Fricker 2021.

[@DustyMcFarland]

Considering the guy who founded Suhr guitars was a master craftsman at fender customs for many years I'd probably go Suhr if cost wasn't a thing.

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

It's quite good fun how the zebra striped HB on the Fender makes it look like 3 single coils if you shut one eye and screw up the other.Most sound great. Your playing is the star of the show as always

[@musicmann1967]

To me the Strat sounded fine until you played the Suhr. Then the openness of the Suhr you mentioned became very apparent. I'm no fan of the noiseless pups. I never played a Suhr, but they sound great, and I do prefer C shaped necks too. My guess is that Fender is aiming at gigging musicians that do anything from churches to weddings and such. Less worries about single coil noise, sounds good, solidly made, and can take a beating pretty well. I personally prefer the Suhr though.

[@jbandy10]

The Suhr is noiseless.

[@musicmann1967]

@@jbandy10 I should have said I'm not a fan of FENDER Noiseless pups. At least not the ones I've heard. If the Suhr pups are noiseless, they're doing it right.

[@jbandy10]

@@musicmann1967 the pickups themselves aren't noiseless. Suhr has a noiseless system installed in their single coil guitars that kills the hum. It's unique to Suhr. Only a few other builders use something like it.

[@musicmann1967]

@@jbandy10 I've heard the system that Ilitch makes, which seems interesting. I think it's passive and doesn't require a battery. Thanks for the info! Ya learn something new every day!

[@keolacam]

I like the sound of the Suhr single coils, really sweet

[@janofdelft]

I like the neck pickups equally well for what they are, the bridge humbuckers are tied for me in the bottom of the 9th inning, but oh, my, that position 2 on that Strat - delicious. I found myself bouncing back and forth between about 2:50 and 7:12 in the vid to A-B compare them. Fender wins in a photo finish.

[@KirillIlyasov]

I own Suhr Modern, they are great guitars, but between those two that you have showed use here my clear preference is Fender - more "body" in sound, and neck position sounds fatter (which I like, some may not). Considering 1000 USD price difference I would buy Fender.

[@rcc3music]

FACTS

[@shred9080]

I own both and I am selling the fender. They sound horrible and the quality is not good for what they ask. This guy isn’t giving a honest review because he doesn’t want to piss off fender.

[@algorithm007ify]

Suhr PLEK is sometimes rushed..leaving boxy frets with slightly sharp fret ends. Wish they would pay more attention there.

[@jackfrost9259]

Nice comparison! I owned a Suhr Classic Pro for 3 years, and thought it was great. Then I bought a second hand Fender 60th anniversary strat, just because I liked the 2-tone sunburst look. I tried to convince myself for the next 2 years that I preferred the much more expensive Suhr, but eventually I sold it and kept the Fender. I just preferred the neck shape and the fret size/shape on the Fender, and found myself always reaching for it when it came time to play. Pickups, bridges and tuners are easily changeable on both, but if you don't like the feel of the neck and the frets, then there's not much you can do other than replace the whole neck! I will say though that the satin finish on the back of the neck of the Suhr was the silkiest, smoothest satin finish I've felt on any guitar. I keep having to rub the Fender neck with a scotchbrite to get it to the same smoothness.

[@MarkFromHawaii]

I recently picked up a Suhr Classic S Antique and am loving it. This video helped me in my choice. One of the reasons is the 3-screw bridge humbucker on Fenders vs 2-screw on most other S-style HSS guitars (in case I want to swap the bridge pup). Whatever the noiseless voodoo electronics Suhr has built into the Classic is astounding.

[@jamesrobinson529]

Definitely not as important as tone and feel, but I just find the Fender sexier. On a more important note, I actually liked the tone of the fender. I thought that I would like the tone of the Suhr over the Fender, initially.

[@AdamGotheridge]

Really well done. Both guitars sounded great, though I kind of liked the more "barky" tone of the fender. I felt like the Suhr was a little more scooped sounded which I think is part of the rosewood board, but maybe the pickups had something to do with that too. In any case, first though was "how was this mic'd" because it sounds great. Then I read through and saw it was the rev20 into daw.... without looking that up, the rev has a di out? Regardless, that tone was fantastic with both guitars. And I think there is one lick in there which I never heard before which maybe I can get under my fingers. ;) Have a great day! :)

[@mr501mc]

28 people didn't like the groin comment! For the record I wasn't 1 of them! There is nothing to dislike about this video!

[@Ralteolly]

The Nick Johnston schecter custom shop at the back 😍

[@evinoc]

Id love a review of the Nick Johnston traditional HSS and custom shop to see how they stack up against these. The traditional seems like good bang for your buck.

[@felixkhawlhring1367]

I neih vang😁

[@MaestroJericho]

A review would be amazing on the Nick Johnston, everyone whose played the US Schecter stuff all say they're all Suhr/Anderson levels.

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Just hanging there waiting to be played !!

[@jamesbensonjazzguitar4824]

One of the best reviews I have seen on YT. Thank you for including the clean tones.

[@frantisca]

Hi Shawn, Edit: since my last comment, I have built a Strat with an ML ML SSV+ config that took me quite a while to tweak (pu height, screwpoles, etc.) but once it’s been done, it’s the most satisfying, balanced, dynamic HSS I’ve played. Btw: the loaded pickguard is a Suhr, I’ve been assembling the rest of the parts from gathering bits and pieces on the net. The neck is a gorgeous flamed roasted maple that plays like Butah ;-) and the trem has a floating traditional 6 screw bridge with bent steel saddles that keeps in tune spot on ! Cheers

[@markborneman]

Great stuff Shawn, really appreciate the open comparison, but also giving us a bit of your personal preferences as well.

[@nickardasis4]

People might disagree but the video shows that pickups are the most important aspect, forget the woods. Both are fine instruments but the Suhr is a level above for me sonically. Much strat-ier sound, especially in 2nd/4th position and the bridge sounds fantastic. My American strat suffers from the same problem, the pickups are just mediocre despite the reviews. They are okay but they don't do anything well. They don't sound vintage, they don't sound modern, they don't take overdrives that well. They just have a "ballpark" strat tone that's not good enough for me. I'll definitely check out the Lollar's. Great video as always Shawn.

[@Almost_Baked]

I am also a big believer that the tone is mainly from the pickups.

[@TeleCaster66]

Well said about the pickups in modern Fenders, terrible compared to the "used" guitars I started with played in the late 70's and 80's. They were of course Fender and Gibson's from the 60's and 70's and the pickups were much better than what they've used for the last few decades. Go with a hand wound pickup, I use Don Mare but their are other great choices obviously.

[@dschreck7480]

I felt the same about my American Professional strat pickups...put a set of Lollar dirty blondes in and it sounds incredible now

[@AlisonGirelli]

To me it's a combination of pickups and amp. A good pickup with a shitty amp doesn't work well while a good amp can improve the sound of a mediocre pickup. The problem is that it's easier to change a pickup rather than changing a cone, valve of an amp or an amp itself. Said that I prefer the 2 suhr single coils while I would choose the fender humbucker for a fuller sound in this case.

[@ShamanicSavant]

It's really hard to take tone comparisons seriously when YT compresses the crap out of all audio. We're only hearing half the tones of either guitar. I've never played a Suhr but I just bought the Ultra strat SSS in Arctic white with a rosewood board and I really don't have a single complaint, except maybe the blast of car paint fumes when I open the case. It's my first strat (LP guy) and I'm alot more impressed with it than I thought I'd be. Build quality, playability, and tuning stability with a floating trem are all rock solid. I also really like the gen 5 noiseless pickups, clean, clear, and articulate w/o being thin. Thanks for the comparison, now I know what I'm not missing :)

[@jean-francoisremillard9513]

In addition to what was mentioned here, I would always choose Suhr's stainless steel frets. When I tried a Suhr, years ago, t took me just a few seconds to realize SS frets made it really easy to bend strings and... they last forever.

[@cosmonaut9942]

Great demo. I think that Fender is very responsive to players requests and needs. That strat sounds really great.

[@mottifeldman7100]

Great Video. I love my Suhr, they’re just built like beasts, especially if you gig and fly a lot they’re just great.

[@jboughtin7522]

If some one came walking up to me with one in each hand and "hey man, pick one its yours" I would go with the Fender.

[@kevdean9967]

Absolutely!!!

[@richmanfilms]

Yes, I would choose the two Fenders one in each hand than the Suhr in one hand.

[@hoangnguyennguyen1032]

I really want to own a fender. The only thing that kept me from getting one is they don’t have stainless steel frets. Have those on my Music Man Majesty. It’s 201 now, so believe unless a guitar is specifically designed no replicate a vintage instrument, there should be stainless steel frets on a guitar more than $1000. The durability and feel are just amazing. Some may notice added high ends but they can always dial them out with the EQ in mere seconds if they don’t want that.

[@sarahrogerson1218]

The new fender lux ultra has the ss frets and full heal carving. A great guitar

[@MichaelWilson-ri9pn]

Suhr guitars are amazing. And Greg Kinnear is a fantastic player!! Two thumbs up!

[@ShawnTubbs]

Haha, thanks for watching!

[@VonBluesman]

Great review. I own one Suhr and several Custom Shop strats and the quality of the finish is better on the Suhr, it just seems like Suhr puts a little more care into building his guitars. I told Fender about the bubbles under the paint job on my 54 Custom Shop Strat and they said send it back and we will take care of it, then I have to pay for shipping one way and have a refinished Custom Shop guitar which we all know takes away from the value of the guitar. Fender should never let a Custom Shop guitar go out of the factory with defects on it, same thing with Gibson, I own a couple of Custom Shop Gibsons and you can see over spray on the binding on the neck close to the body, another one has a lacquer finish across the back like a raised line 1/8” all the way across the back of the body. Gibson factory says, we do not warrant finishes. If you want excellent quality, buy a Suhr, Tom Anderson, Friedman, Tuttle, James Tyler, Gene Baker, etc.

[@paso193]

Hmmm......Based on this very nicely played (and fair) demo of both guitars......I'd have to take the Strat over the Suhr at first blush. I think the fleshier neck on the Strat helps in giving a more 'rounded' overall timbre on all settings. Also, it just sounded more ample than the upper end, airy output of the Suhr. And, like Tubbs said, if that is the sound you're chasing, the Suhr fills the bill. For me, though, I need more meat on the bone and with the addition of the S1 switch, it’s kinda hard to make a true comparison of these two fine guitars.

[@spartan8390]

I have an Elite Strat with that EXACT set of Lollars you spoke of. It is amazing!

[@spartan8390]

I am thinking about getting an Ultra as well, but would it be worth it since my Elite is set up like it is? I don't want to have the same pickups in two guitars, and I don't know what set I would run in the Ultra.

[@smoovegittar]

Great vid - couldn't ask for a better comparison. Appreciate the clean tone and fair dryness.

[@tiagoramalhais5493]

I don't know why fender keeps pushing the noiseless pickups in the deluxe/elite/ultra, when I replaced the ones on my deluxe it was a different world.

[@daleantoniuk3291]

Same here , always replace those noiseless pups as soon as I get the guitar....I usually put in a graph tech nut and stringer saver saddles as well.

[@edmondgebara6163]

Agreed. In my opinion, there's nothing more useless and such a waste as noiseless pickups in an expensive guitar. It's like dropping a shit engine in a Lamborghini. Like they all end up sounding cheao and one dimensional, like you're a studio musician playing an iutro solo on a pop tune. They just all sound so damn awful.

[@MrEwanc]

This is very interesting for me, because I’m actually considering both guitars. I am erring towards the Fender Ultra Strat, but I have to admit on this showing, the Suhr sounds more Stratty!!!. The Fender Ultra still sounds great to me too. I have a Fender Jeff Beck so I’m familiar with noiseless pickups, which I really like as you can get a good all over strat tone, and with a little boost/gain a gritty, kind of overdriven tone, a bit P90ish, in the neck position. Two great guitars, and of course price is a strong factor... I have to say that much of what I learned on guitar has been on Fender Stratocasters, which are just so good to play and feel completely natural to me, but I have a Suhr Guthrie Govan which plays absolutely beautifully too.

[@zachvargas122588]

Picked up a Cobra Blue 2020 HSS model in Mint condition on sale on Reverb for $1569 and it is amazing! I love it, never owned a Suhr tho so I don’t have a way to compare, but the neck feels super nice, sounds amazing even the S1 switch in the bottom 2 positions w some nice overdrive! I would say try and find one on sale or go play one at your local guitar store, if your sold on having a brighter sound go w the SSS ultra model

[@MrEwanc]

@@zachvargas122588 thanks man, I'll take that under advisement ✌🏽😎

[@jacquesbureau5294]

Well I was debating about buying either a Suhr or a fender. First chord you did on the Suhr give me the answer. The Suhr sounds nicerand fuller.

[@ShawnTubbs]

Thanks for watching! Both are great guitars for sure.

[@HollowRick]

Yeah those Michael Landau standards single coils sound amazing especially when paired with the SSV humbucker it's very versatile

[@keoni927]

@@HollowRick You have good ears Jezza 6692. I have one of these Suhr guitars with these same pickups and I can honestly say it's the best sounding guitar I've ever owned. Worth every penny.

[@renatonyc]

I have had both, among several other strats, and although Fender did step up with the Ultra, the stainless Plekd frets on the Suhr are absolutely better (no, there’s no discernible tone difference and they’ll last forever). I personally think that once you go 10-14” radius you lose a certain “stratness”... it makes me play differently. My Suhr had the ML pickups (instead on V63) which I regard as one of the best strat pups, clear and sparkly (especially when playing loud and high gain). Ultimately I decided to sell both and get two strats from an independent luthier. All good now! Love the video! 🙌🏼

[@ShawnTubbs]

Awesome! Go with what works for sure.

[@renatonyc]

Shawn Tubbs - my new favorite neck radius is a compound 7.25” to 9.5” with a medium C profile. Comfy thumb-over Hendrix chords with the choking when bending on upper frets. Best if both worlds! If you care, check out the Californian brand Iconic Guitars.

[@louiscyfer6944]

@@ShawnTubbs have you played some tom andersons. i ended up with that over the suhr.

[@louiscyfer6944]

@@renatonyc i don't really like plekked frets. they are better than a bad guitar tech, but a great tech will finish frets better than plek. the plek doesn't really have the guitar in the playing position. i don't really care if it is stainless frets or jescar evo gold.

[@renatonyc]

@@louiscyfer6944 funny to read my comment now, after two years. I couldn’t really deal with the 10”-14” radius on the Suhr, didn’t feel like a strat to me. After searching, buying and returning several Custom Shop strats I found Iconic Guitars (made in San Diego) and never looked back. Best guitars I’ve ever played. Not plek’d 😂 just extremely well-made and dripping mojo.

[@luckyrocks1]

I've been playing, buying, and selling guitars for some forty years now. I've owned and played Gibsons, Epiphones, Fenders, Squires, Music Mans, G&L's, Collings, Eastmans, you name it. And yet, I had never played a Suhr guitar until I just purchased a Suhr, Pete Thorn Signature model. I was blown away with the perfection of this instrument. On par with Collings for fit, finish and set-up, only with stainless steel frets that are perfect. I immediately sold my Fender American Elite Stratocaster with the noiseless S-S-S configuration. I have plenty of other Strat style guitars that will be posted on Reverb soon. I have medium sized hands and bonded right away with the Suhr C-Slim Neck shape, the 10 to 14 compound fingerboard radius with those beautiful, stainless steel Jumbo Frets! The Thornbuckers sound amazing and can move between Humbucker bliss to Fenderish Single coil tones. After all these years I finally found my keeper guitar! I don't know why it took me so long???

[@michaeleaster1815]

That Pedal Show sent me here! Fabulous playing... just heart-breakingly good

[@ShawnTubbs]

Thanks so much for stopping by and for the kind words!

[@donharrold1375]

I have an American deluxe from 2004 and a 2019 American professional Strat. The deluxe is obviously much older than the ultra model you have here, but honestly it oozes quality. Everything about the build is perfect - even 16 years later it’s still my most comfortable guitar. The noiseless pickups have their own character; still very much a Strat tone but fatter and maybe a tiny bit darker than the traditional fender sound. My American Professional has the V-Mod single coils and a shawbucker at the bridge. It feels a bit more basic than my deluxe; although it is very well built and flawless, somehow it just can’t quite match the softer quality feel of the deluxe. The V-Mod pickups on the Professional are just out of this world. Easily the best single coil sound I’ve ever heard. They’re bright, lively and articulate. Fender carefully blended different alnico magnets to create the sound and really hit the spot. A lot of people probably think that these are just average bland stock pickups but they really are a step up and are great sounding. The shawbucker is medium output but it sounds brilliant overdriven and is a great combination with the middle pickup. You still get some of that classic quack.

[@ShawnTubbs]

Awesome! Thanks for watching and for chiming in!

[@mmatthewias280]

To my ears I like the Fender. Just sounds more “original”.

[@ShawnTubbs]

M Matthews Thanks for watching and for the comment. I think both guitars sound really great and it’s to each his or her own.

[@PatricioLeija]

Yes. I was thinking the same. Sounds more like a strat or open. At least on my iPad speakers.

[@Yury5576]

I have a few vintage fenders and the Suhr is closer in sound to those. My 3 Suhr Classi strats are same, better made and more "authentic" sounding.

[@endocry]

@@Yury5576 this whole thing of setting "vintage" as the gold standard is ridiculous. You realize the classic artists we love were usually playing new instruments off the shelf or out of the factory right?

[@Yury5576]

@@endocry Well the word "original" was used in the comment. To me that means Vintage. Now the quality of Vintage guitars varied even more then today. But their build and materials were different from what we use today. Notice I didn't say "better", just different. When I said I prefer Suhr's, they seem to have the tone myself and many of my clients prefer. None of the modern Fenders get a Guernsey in the last 6-7 years. They look right but soun lifeless. The comparison in this vid was no different. I understand why the OP prefers the Suhr.

[@maddog3902]

The fender neck pickup tone KILLS

[@Relicsun]

It really depends on what you like, they are both great guitars. You can’t go wrong with Fender, you can’t go wrong with Suhr. There will be no regrets on those two great guitars.

[@essa15555]

As per own experiences between fender and Suhr guitar for which fender is having more tuning stability as well as the sound is iconic and it’s advisable to use fender professional 2

[@lrmars]

Hello...this is one of the best, if not THE best equipment review I have ever seen. Your musicianship is exemplary...you are a gifted man, indeed! Bravo!

[@JohnSmith-ty1gm]

Hey Shawn - They both sound excellent in their own way... Now, how about testing a low priced Fender or Squier against the Suhr?

[@marcobellocco136]

The Suhr is a beautiful guitar. It does not have a swich to split the bridge pickup, but the pickup is automatacally split in position 2, so that sound is very close to the position 2 on Strat.

[@colinjansencjaxeman0707]

great breakdown of both guitars Shawn. Totally agreed with you. you gave each guitars its great points. super video

[@BlueSkies32]

Great job Shawn, enjoy your playing too, thank you!

[@mlowack]

Best tone and playing of all reviews, thank you very much! For me, it´s the Fender, sounds more...original, warm, vintage, harmonic, just perfect. Nothing compares to that sound.

[@yusdiy]

Dear Mr. Tubbs, Both no doubt are great guitars in their own right. Tone wise I do not dare to comment. The Fender Ultra Strat tries as much as it to retain its core identity, while the Suhr Classic Pro (identical to 'S' except for hardware,electronics and frets?) able to implement features towards practical usage. However the innovation fell short at the pickguard to neck pocket area. I recently help a friend reinstall a stock treble bleed back into his Suhr Classic S. I saw the neck bolt screws were botch a bit prior but think nothing of it. I finally figured out I had to dis-assemble the neck to take the pickguard out just to get to the electronics. So in short, when you want to swap pickup(s), must take out the neck. Changed your mind about the pickups? Must take out the neck. Need to change the pots? Must Take out the neck. Want to put mojo tone cap? Must take out the neck. If a pickup slip-off the height screws? Yes, Must take out the neck too! While the Ultra Strat neck and body able to maintain good coupling for years without any unnecessary neck dis-assembly, I hope who ever that took out your Classic Pro/S for the forth time knows what his doing. Sure a worn hole can be re-patch and re drill professionally but is it prematurely necessary after spending a couple of thousand? I hope Suhr will correct this issue. I think service friendly factor should be included into a gear review because eventually each of us will have to deal with it one day. As a consumer, I would be piss if a flaw were to originated from the manufacturer themselves which can be month,years or decades later. Thank you for a great content and keep up the good work. Sincerely YGT

[@rumy6871]

@Shawn Tubbs I was shopping recently for a strat and watched your video before hitting some stores. It proved to be very helpful. Like you suggested, I tried both and after a few go arounds preferred the Ultra. I discovered the Fender has a tone bypass, which allows it to sound brighter. I bought one with the rosewood fretboard.

[@formerlysaul4103]

Shawn, I am always blessed by your reviews and your killer playing!!!

[@ShawnTubbs]

Thanks very much! I appreciate it.

[@kaskas55]

Both sounds nice, but I like the Suhr because of the Rosewood board.

[@ShamanicSavant]

You can get the Ultra with a rosewood board. I got the SSS in Arctic white with a rosewood board, but I'm not sure about the HSS version :)

[@xchump]

I have the same pickups in my Classic Antique. SSV + ML Standards. Honestly...best pickups I've ever had in any guitar.

[@wabisabi6802]

That is probably Fender's best noiseless pickups to date. 👌

[@ShawnTubbs]

Thanks for watching and for chiming in! I had a Tyler Strat years ago that had a set of Dimarzio VV pickups in it. They weren't bad at all.

[@wabisabi6802]

@@ShawnTubbs Thanks for the reply. I always hear good things about Tylers and Dimarzio's noiseless pickups but have yet to try them. Btw, how do you record your guitar for your KZbin videos? It sounds awesome even on my mobile phone esp on this part 03:15. 🤘

[@cesarurbani2294]

so nice to hear a guitar player that actually plays making this reviews. Great job, and nice playing!.

[@jakollee]

Great comparison video, the Suhr definitely sounds a little nicer to my ears, although both sound great in your hands. When you were demonstrating the middle pickup on the Fender, you played an amazing lick at 3:04 to 3:07 that really caught my attention! Any chance you could do one of your "playing outside" lessons and break down that lick?! (I'm not even suhr what key it's in!)

[@ShawnTubbs]

I'm not at all suhr of the key myself!! Thanks for watching!

[@steveburrows101]

Nice comparison. Seemed to me that I preferred your playing on the Fender - you sounded fuller, more confident and authoritative as a player. I felt the Suhr tone sounded thinner by comparison in your hands.

[@wt42ds]

Thanks for the demo Shawn and killer playing!! Wish I had a shop close by to demo the Lollar pickups. The sound samples on Lollar’s website as well as KZbin demo’s are helpful but it’s hard to pull the trigger on them with out actually playing the pick ups in person. I’m literally on the fence about getting the lollar blondes for N/M and low wind imperials for the bridge. I have the same Fender Ultra HSS that you demoed and I personally love the guitar. I wasn’t thinking about the different tones that pickups like lollar and others could produce when compared to the noiseless pups when I purchased the ultra a year ago. The argument could also be made that 90% of the way a really good player sounds is due to technique and not gear.

[@ShawnTubbs]

The Lollar's will sound more open and expressive than the Fender noiseless pickups. I've got a bit of a bias toward Lollars though as they've been a favorite of mine for years. ;) Thanks for watching!

[@-b0j-]

YES SHAWN! Been kinda hoping you’d do this sort of comparison ... thanks and interesting outcome.

[@DaleBoyle]

Nice Shawn! It's so key, IMO, to make the point that ultimately it comes down to personal preference. Well done!

[@mb13972]

Both sound good but (and I know this would involve an editing PITA) it would make for an easier comparison if the various pick-up positions were compared side by side.

[@markchristopher2373]

I have a Suhr Pro S2 which is one of their 'mass' production models. I also have a 1988 Fender American Standard Strat which I have had since new - I love it, it is my goto in any situation because I know exactly what it will do in the circumstances. The Suhr came into the fold recently. The Suhr has become a favourite instantly, and I think it may be due to what you imply - the Suhr has a neck that feels instantly 'right', not exactly the same as the old Standard Strat, but just 'right'. This to my mind tells me something about the way that Suhr guitars are designed and built. No bells and whistles, just a feeling that all components are specced for an instrument designed with the player in mind. The Strat has a rosewood fingerboard, the Suhr a maple fingerboard - I prefer rosewood by a mile, but that says something about how good this maple neck Suhr was. Of course the compound radius made a big difference on the Suhr compared to my Standard Strat - all those choking probs just disappeared, but the new Fender Ultra range has compound radius too. Nice to see and hear an honest review, many thanks.

[@cloujitsu]

In Germany, where I come from, you have to be lucky and/or invest some time, to find a 'good' Fender though. A lot of them have severe quality issues. I never ever encountered that with Suhr, each Suhr you find here is pretty much 100%.

[@keoni927]

I agree with you 100% Alex.

[@nicksburson1]

Same in NZ. Got one turned out the trusrod wasn’t put in properly. Never trust fender again. They fixed it but it took a year.

[@cloujitsu]

Nick Burson That’s so messed up, sorry to hear. Truss rod issues, sharp fret edges, tuning instability, uneven frets, etc. .. for almost 2k.. not cool.

[@nicksburson1]

AlexClouGuitar and they just seem to getting more and more expensive a ultra in 4599nzd which is around 2500 usd. The elite which is the ultras predecessor was 3799 nzd and it’s predecessor was $2899nzd that a lot of price increase over the last 5 years

[@nicksburson1]

I worked as a salesman so remember the price

[@embreesmith7613]

fantastic review, Tubbs ! I have a Fender CS Strat, one of the first out long ago .. but I am just not a 25.5" Scale guy :)

[@waichungleung3714]

Very nice demo, and one of the very few that sounded out the difference right away. I say difference because better is personal preference.

[@NorthwestGuitarworks]

That Suhr outplays that fender in my opinion

[@TonyClarkGuitar]

Thanks for the video Shawn. I have a Suhr Classic Antique and a Kiesel and several Strats and I play the Suhr and Kiesel more than anything. My friends all jokingly tell me I play cheap Fender knock offs because a guy on Facebook once told me a Suhr is just an overpriced cheaply made Fender knock off. But now I have to reconsider Fender and will check out the American Ultra! That being said... I LOVE the Suhr SSV pickup and the bright characteristics of the Suhr. And I agree that those bridge saddles are a pain. I used to use Thomastik-Infeld strings and my Suhr would break the high E often.

[@jonnorris4204]

Noiseless pickups have their place. I prefer the sound of Single Coil Alnico Pickups.

[@ericwong1972]

Love my suhr. I do think it’s a precision instrument compared to the fender. Only thing I don’t like is the weight

[@lockedowng]

I almost went for the elite hss (last gen before ultra but after deluxe) and played an ebmm cutlass hss and had to go with that. I'd love to see the suhr and cutlass go head to head.

[@obicross]

Played some suhr classics before i bought my modern. It was hard to play for me. Something in it felt stiff to play. Then i played ebmm, and anderson. Wow, just wow. Easy to play neck, slinky, great tone, even with dead strings on ebmm (go figure)

[@fedexnman]

I think the humbucker in the suhr and the singles in the fender .

[@ChrisDeJuanMusic]

Great comparison reveiw, straight to the point with all the important things! Very tasteful playing too!!

[@stroopwafel6141]

I would install a BKP Crawler and Irish Tours in the Fender. I play that set for years on stage, in my Eggle made custom HSS strat. From SRV on the neck to thick rocktones at the bridge, and all in between. Nice review again Shawn!

[@Haru08816]

The Ultra is highest annual sales volume in Fender history. It's a really great guitar. But if you're thinking about buying it, go for SSS. HSS's single coil has dark tone for balance with humbucker

[@Cinnemax77]

Without question 110% I agree

[@firststep7750]

I was looking for just such a review! Excellent mate. Cheers.

[@ahall3823]

The Suhr has a better build quality and higher grade wood. No question. And in my personal opinion, none of the noiseless (read, stacked coil) pickups ever get a genuine 'strat' tone. The fender noiseless pickups feel halfway between a humbucker and single-coil, but not really doing either of them well. I agree with the presenter re what I would do to modify the Fender.

[@algorithm007ify]

I would put the Suhr Classic S against the Ultra Luxe, both having SS frets. Suhr Classic S guitars are great except that the PLEK they use can sometimes make frets "boxy" on some samples I have played. Sometimes, fret ends are also not rolled enough on Suhr guitars. The Fender Ultra luxe's I have seen, however, have really good rolled fret ends but sometimes have minor tool marks visible. Suhr's rosewood fretboards are usually better examples of wood. Both unfortunately do not sort for weight when it comes to body wood selection, so it's the luck of the draw with that. Lastly, the Suhr ML pickups definitely sound better than noiseless, however, Classic S often come with the V60LP pickups which are much more sterile.

[@daveholmesmusic7786]

Hi Mate - Dave from Aussie - you sure a wonderful musician - beautiful playing!! and very helpful comparison - Cheers

[@matthewg.garcia9415]

They both sound great! But I think that has more to do with the player. I would be happy owning either one (the current Strat I own is a Mexican which is still pretty good). What I like about Suhr is the boutique aspect of a crafted guitar with good fit and finish. But the new Merica Ultra line seem pretty nice, I like that they added some more contour to the contour body. I wish we had a place to play and compare Suhr to Fender here where I live. The best thing about the Ultra it the new Texas Tea color!

[@carlmoretonmusic]

Hi Shawn, just wanted to say thank you for doing your videos. Super professional, informative and great playing ;-) I'll also add, I watched this video again yesterday and it inspired me to go online and actually buy myself a Shur Classic S Limited. I also have USA Fender Deluxe Strats from 2000 era which I love, but always fancied Shur after playing a friends. So, If 'Mr Shur' is watching, it's because of this video I went and bought one of your guitars. :-)

[@ShawnTubbs]

Thanks so much for watching my channel!!

[@carlmoretonmusic]

@@ShawnTubbs People will always watch quality Shawn. Keep up the good work, much appreciated by us all.

[@GianfrancoTorrisiguitar]

Nice playing and feel man, you make them both sound great!

[@BJ-fj6jw]

I like you better on the Fender than on the Suhr. You play differently, I think with more "feel". Love your micro-bluesy bends -- well executed, my friend.

[@josephdelluomo4023]

Someone who can play and knows how to get a killer tone.

[@garythomas4431]

Really good comparison of two great guitars. I own a fender ultra strat and to me, it's like a hot rod strat. I am fortunate and have quite a few guitars, many of them strats. When I compare the ultra noiseless pickups to my Eric Johnson signature Virginia stratocaster, the ultra is missing that "snappy" tone that the EJ strat has ( plus the EJ strat is a sassafras body where the ultra is alder). So once again it's preference. I record with my EJ stratocaster because the combination of a sassafras body with 62? Pickups really stands out on a track. But..the Ultra is a blast to play. It just fits good and plays itself.

[@graveljaw]

"focusing on the sonic differences" - The pickups are arguably the easiest/cheapest thing to change, but most significant part of a solid body electric guitar. I'd guess that roasted maple (more stable, etc.), SS frets would have more to do on the "fit and finish/playability" side of things. All that said, if you're inclined, just build/assemble your own. There's no need to pay these sorts of prices for anything anymore. Get exactly what you need, cheaper. MJT/Musikraft/Warmoth...Amazing stuff. I've been selling off all my top end name brand guitars ever since I "built" mine.

[@RickDanner]

cant see paying these prices buddy

[@graveljaw]

@@RickDanner Assuming you mean for a Suhr or a Custom Shop? I agree, they're far too $$$ for what you get. You could build your own for under a $1k. Even much less if you're willing to source used parts and take your time.

[@pd-kx4qw]

Not apples to apples but I just got an ultra strat a couple weeks ago. I was replacing an Epi Les Paul standard pro I just got a year and a half ago that I really don’t like. I’d say it’s okay at best but I don’t understand people’s fawning over them. I had a MiM SSH before that and a Washburn before that. My thought was okay I’m done settling for less than amazing. I will say it’s amazing. Maybe I’m late to the party and other brands have already made Strats that have the features of the ultra but I’m running it through the clean channel on my amp with pedals and oh my god does it sound amazing. I didn’t go with the American pro because I can’t have the buzzing unfortunately. The playability of the ultra makes it at least for me awesome, it’s beautiful and is super light comparatively. I thought about getting rid of the noisesless for the vmod ones in the American Pro but if they’re good enough for Clapton they’re good enough for me and I like how they sound. Also little to no hum is amazing. I give it two thumbs up.

[@ShawnTubbs]

Awesome! Glad you dig the Ultra and thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@Tone5DP777]

I owned a Suhr Classic Pro and I have two American Deluxe Strats, all HSS. To me, the Suhr sounded more sterile so I sold it. For my American Deluxe Strats, I took the S1 switching out and put an EVH Wolfgang in the bridge of both. In the one, I have Fender CS Fat 50's and the other Kinman Fat 50 Impersonators. Both guitars are outstanding. The video confirmed my experience, as I liked the tone of the Fender. The Suhr is a very well made guitar.

[@daleantoniuk3291]

You are comparing maple fretboard to rosewood. Completely different pickups. Apples & oranges... Suhr can be ordered with what ever neckshape, radius, fret size, bridge, saddles, pickups, neck, fretboard and body woods you want. Try doing that with your Fender Ultra. Never liked Fender noiseless pups, switch them out as soon as I get them. Got my first Suhr 4 weeks ago, have another on order from February, should be seeing it in September. Absolutely love my Suhr neck, the intonation, pickups, fit and finish, playability. Amazing build quality in the Suhr. I'm keeping my Fender Select Tele & American Standard Strat ( both with upgraded pups and saddles ) But would definetly buy another Suhr before I would ever buy another assembly line Fender. Cheers : )

[@anonanon5791]

Fender Mod Shop. Pretty close

[@metalmover]

I just bought my 2nd Fender American Ultra....my first was the strat with maple neck and the HSS config in "Ultraburst". My 2nd guitar is the Telecaster with Rosewood neck and in Texas tea. I LOVE THESE GUITARS. There's something about them being a real "Fender" as well that makes them so impressive. I haven't bought a guitar since 1995. This year I bought 2....and I want that jazz bass badly (and I am not a bass player). The fender sounds better. Thanks for the video. BTW the HSS strats are hotter than the SSS ones in the ultra line...they have more midrange.

[@ShamanicSavant]

I have the SSS and personally I love the pickups. Clear, clean and articulate without being thin... and no annoying hum :)

[@peterdadswell7998]

I also have the SSH ultraburst strat and Texas tea Telecaster. What's your take on the the strat noiseless. I love the tele noiseless but not so sure on the strat...

[@metalmover]

Peter Dadswell , it’s definitely more of a midtone Strat ...I find myself in slightly different positions on the selection switch. For me it’s the playability...I’m getting old and that neck allows me to play much longer. Lately I’ve been playing the tele mostly. That’s crazy we bought the same guitars...you have good taste ;)

[@peterdadswell7998]

And you have good taste too, Lol. Enjoy them both

[@frantisca]

Hi Shawn. Obviously, you are using the Suhr for years and feel more in your comfort zone for the tweaks. Sounds indeed more trebly/airy but still with a lot of presence. Reminds devinitely more of a Strat... than the American Strat itself :) I personnally feel more at ease with a fat neck. But soundwise: yes, the Suhr does it for sure (no pun intended). I find that by choosing compromises (tap, noiseless pickups, bells whistles and what have you) you apparently have a more versatile guitar, but in exchange, you loose some of the vibe. If I had to choose: Suhr with a fat neck ! My ideal rig: a single pickup guitar, a cable and a (good) amp. There you go ! ;-)

[@TimGuitarcouk]

A really sensible, well judged and measured assessment. Congrats on a very professional and helpful video.

[@firstsgtrichard]

Nice video. Interesting though that you played the Suhr very differently than the Ultra. For instance, when you started off with the neck pickup on the Suhr you really dug in and played jazzier on the Ultra. Just seeing you do bigger bends and shaking the Suhr more makes me think you are way more comfortable with it. It is a more open sound though like you say. Again, thanks for the upload!

[@ShawnTubbs]

Thanks for watching!

[@------YeahOK------]

I always found the Suhr guitars to sound quite mid-rangey, or was that all in my head? 😅

[@davidwoods358]

Nice comparison. I wouldn't complain owning either. I want a Strat so bad! I just wish they could move that darn volume knob out of the way, down about a half an inch just might do it.

[@kennethschweighardt4920]

Damn Shawn.. I love your playing!!! Thank-you for the review