Suhr Classic Antique vs. Classic Pro: Similarities, Differences, and Which One YOU Should Get!

[@jayceburns8246]

Both look and sound great! I personally favor both the look and sound of the red one. It had a little more stratty sparkle to it - though I do agree that with a small change in amp eq you could make up for any difference between them.

[@RiggsTaylor]

Totally! Yeah, the brighter tone from the Pro is more appealing for strat tones, but I lean towards darker sounds since I also play a Tele and 339, which makes the Antique more my vibe. But I’d love to have both 😂

[@aquinojose94]

I love Suhr guitars

[@RiggsTaylor]

Same here!

[@kuanchen6697]

I just bought a Suhr JE line classic antique with a 60s C Vintage Medium .830 - .950 roasted flame maple neck from Japan. So far most comfortable neck I have played on a strat guitar.

[@RiggsTaylor]

Their necks are amazing - still my favorite!

[@frankhillbrecht1349]

Both are great sounding guitars

[@RiggsTaylor]

Agreed!

[@nethbt]

First time owning a SUHR..It's heaven

[@RiggsTaylor]

They’re killer guitars! Glad you’re enjoying yours!

[@nethbt]

@@RiggsTaylor it's a 2019 Throwback Standard Pro S2 Butterscotch satin maple neck

[@aaronsanchez93]

Man I love that gold strat. Definitely my fav for sure sounds so clean. Can’t go wrong with a strat! And I can see that gold one you definitely vibe with.

[@RiggsTaylor]

Thanks man! I was actually surprised how different they sound. I’d probably run the amp a bit brighter with the gold antique, but I do like that they are warmer pickups.

[@cloujitsu]

To me, the pro sounded a bit 'stiff' here, ..but good. Both look and sound great. I play a classic antique with V63s and an SSV, had the laquer removed from the neck, put a cover on the humbucker and switched to 9.5 - 44 strings. Love that guitar.. just got tired of the black color recently, so I’ll have it refinished soon.

[@RiggsTaylor]

Agreed. Did you just have the neck sanded down to remove the lacquer? Curious about the difference in feel before I do it!

[@cloujitsu]

@@RiggsTaylor Exactly, sanded it down and then rubbed some oil (Axwax) on it. Now it feels like a satin neck, well, actually now it kinda is one and it feels just great. Really smooth. I was scared to do it first, because I didn’t want to alter this 'perfect' guitar, but it got even better this way. No regrets at all!

[@RiggsTaylor]

@@cloujitsu Good to know! Will probably do something similar myself. Always good to know what others are doing!

[@cloujitsu]

@@RiggsTaylor Go for it! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@prokopiskranidiotis1951]

The Firemist Gold Classic Antique sounds and looks better for me... What is the radius?

[@RiggsTaylor]

Yeah, it’s my favorite in all aspects too. 9-12” compound radius!

[@futurepullmusic]

I definitely like the nitro finish better and the gold color. I prefer the satin neck though, but couldn’t choose between any of the pickups! I want them all. Good thing you have two suhr guitars. I’m going to try some out this weekend, thanks for the inspiration

[@RiggsTaylor]

I wish they were both mine- I sold the Classic Pro to a friend to buy the Antique! Glad to help- hope you find one you dig!

[@guitarnerd_luke]

Bought a Classic T Antique last week to accompany my Classic S Antique HSS and now I am looking for a nice SSS Antique. I like the classic pros too, but I tend to ding my guitars...and I don't care with the Antique finish, that's a huge plus for me. (the aging on my antiques is heavier than on yours)

[@RiggsTaylor]

Nice! Yeah, a lot of Antiques have more “aging” than this one. They’re this clean as a standard option I believe, but of course dealers can get them aged heavier.

[@nortonpedals8280]

I love nitro finishes, and your gold Antique is so cool.

[@RiggsTaylor]

Thanks man! I’m definitely partial to it!

[@descentintozachstrom]

Great demo man

[@RiggsTaylor]

Thanks dude! Glad you liked it

[@gregs8685]

Very good comparison. I just ordered a used Classic Antique HSS with a Roasted maple neck. Can’t wait to get it. Not sure what pickups or neck specs it has. It will be my first ever guitar with SS frets. I’ve played a few guitars with them and they definitely felt and sounded different (hard and bright) than the softer nickel silver. I’m hoping I can get used to them.

[@RiggsTaylor]

Thanks man! While it is different, I found it to be an easy adjustment. The Classic Antique is a lifetime guitar for me.

[@jldkrank]

I preferred the pro! Both are very nice though.

[@RiggsTaylor]

Agreed! Both killer guitars in my opinion.

[@ron980]

I preferred the MLs slightly for clean. It has a little bit of a “padding” to the attack that I like. However, I liked the v70s better for dirty sounds. The v70s sound more in-your-face. I have a Suhr Classic S HSS with v70s and (I think) an SSV+. I actually wanted an Antique, but this Classic S had the weight I preferred (not much more than 8 lbs), and a dark fingerboard. It’s a great guitar, but I’ll eventually get a Classic S Antique if I find one with the right weight, color, and wood! (All of the superficial things I like!)

[@RiggsTaylor]

Yeah, I agree on those observations! I basically did the same thing. Got the Pro for a good deal, loved it, but found the Antique with the aesthetic I loved and made it happen!

[@ron980]

@@RiggsTaylor Nice! Oddly enough, my next amp is likely a Suhr Badger 30. Were you able to try the Badger 18 vs. any of the other iterations of the Badger? If so, what did you think?

[@RiggsTaylor]

@@ron980 I’ve only owned the 18, but it’s also the only model that is tube rectified. I’ve thought about getting a 30 or 35, but the 18 is my favorite amp! I’ve owned a lot, but currently this and my ‘67 deluxe are my only two real amps, and I love them.

[@huuss]

Hello Sir wonderfull playing and inspirational channel.... I am wondering are they ''60s c'' neck profile or '' even C medium'' if they are different which is more comfortable

[@RiggsTaylor]

These are both the same profile! I believe they are the “even C medium” measuring .83-.92

[@johnstillwell4353]

Well I have one of each and I like the Antique much better. Can't really say why, more of an intangible quality

[@RiggsTaylor]

That’s a good way to put it! I agree that my antique feels more together in a sense.

[@melbindas3819]

Thanks for Demo, very timely! I’m debating PU changes in my Suhr Classics, this gives examples to think about. Keeping a Sonic Blue SSS all V63, great vintage vibe! Black Antique HSS currently ML’s and Thornbucker. My go SSS ML? Lake Placid Blue Classic Pro HSS ML and Asatobucker, but thinking of going V70’s and Thornbucker…. What to do???

[@cloujitsu]

Love the V63s !! 👍🏻

[@RiggsTaylor]

So many options! If you have All SSS V63, HSS ML & Thornbucker, maybe go V70’s SSS or V70’s with Thornbucker. Tons of options with that many Suhrs!

[@Stboser]

The gold sounds a little fuller, maybe more mids? The red sounds a little more scooped and the pickups sound lower output. Your body language changes when you played the first comparison on the red version but that’s probably because you wrote the riff on the red one ha. Both sound amazing, the playing is excellent and the video itself is a pleasure to watch. I’d drink a cup of coffee to this again in the future lol.

[@RiggsTaylor]

Ah, very kind- thanks man! Yeah, the ML’s (gold Suhr) definitely have more mids which make it more versatile as an “only” guitar. The V70’s (red Suhr) are still a bit fatter than typical strat pickups, but still scooped. I wish I had both!

[@Stboser]

@@RiggsTaylor I very stupidly started watching suhr videos and now want one. I have a core silver sky that I love, I think an HSS with the MLs would be the way to go.

[@RiggsTaylor]

@@Stboser Silver Sky’s are great! I really love my Suhr though - it’s the benchmark for S-style guitars for me.

[@Stboser]

@@RiggsTaylor have you noticed any wear yet on the SS frets on your 2015?

[@RiggsTaylor]

@@Stboser none at all. I sold the red one to fund the gold one, but borrowed it from the current owner for this video. My gold one is currently my #1 guitar and it shows no fret wear.

[@mynamesjondowell]

I just picked up a limited edition paulownia classic s. I Hate it....the tall frets are sharp and uncomfortable. Are these models the same way? I hear amazing things about suhr and now I'm not so sure I want to take the risk again with a different model.

[@RiggsTaylor]

Yeah, these are also fairly tall.

[@mynamesjondowell]

@@RiggsTaylor so when you wrap your hand around the neck and slide up and down you can really feel the fret ends?

[@RiggsTaylor]

@@mynamesjondowell You can feel them if you’re trying to, but it doesn’t ever bother me really.

[@donlestv]

Brooo... Both are good, but I prefer the antique one ❤️😁🎶

[@RiggsTaylor]

Same here!

[@doncowie8653]

Are Suhr S type guitars not sometimes on the heavy side?

[@RiggsTaylor]

There are a ton of variations, so I’m sure there are some heavier ones. A classic S style probably won’t be, but some of the customs with quilted maple tops and heavy tremolo setups probably are.

[@doncowie8653]

I love the build quality but the limited number I’ve tried have been over 8lbs

[@RiggsTaylor]

@@doncowie8653 interesting! I don’t know the weight on these exactly, but they’re closer to 8lbs I think. Not uncommon for Strats, especially alder.

[@vejichan]

Which is higher output and fuller astobucker or thorbucker? Which do you prefer and why

[@RiggsTaylor]

Thornbucker is fuller/slightly higher output. Asato “blends” with singlecoils better. I’m back to an SSS setup, but if I go back I’ll go Thornbucker or the SSV that comes stock.

[@vejichan]

@@RiggsTaylor which do you prefer thornbucker or ssv in the bridge and which singles would you go for in the neck and middle?

[@RiggsTaylor]

@@vejichan this has the ML’s, which I really like because they’re darker/fatter. If you want a more traditional but still great set, I like the V70’s. I’ve never tried the SSV, but I do like the Thornbucker. The SSV is stock in most Suhr HSS Strats, and I think the guys at Suhr have a pretty good idea of what sounds best, so I’ll try that next.

[@vejichan]

@@RiggsTaylor which single coils in the neck and middle would work well with a thornbucker in the bridge ?

[@RiggsTaylor]

@@vejichan I’ve used both the ML’s and the v70’s with a Thornbucker. ML’s are fatter, v70’s are “Strattier”, but both are great!

[@MrFreddBoy]

Fiesta Red.

[@theaaronimal]

Great video Riggs! Love the comparison. How did you get the Suhr Antique in Gold? Was it a special order or something???

[@RiggsTaylor]

Like most things, I got it used. It was a limited run of 200 they did in 2017! Very glad to own it.

[@theaaronimal]

​@@RiggsTaylor ahh! I'll just have to keep looking on Reverb. I have a JM Pro in Gold so I love the color.

[@RiggsTaylor]

@@theaaronimal the JM’s are sweet! Yeah, I seen different “custom” colors like this pop up from time to time. One will come along I’m sure!

[@theaaronimal]

@@RiggsTaylor ready!

[@wender_instrument]

💥💥🔥🔥

[@jsguitar3065]

fiesta red one is so much better

[@RiggsTaylor]

Haha, don’t I know you from somewhere 😉

[@guitarwoman]

Vote to firemist gold :)

[@RiggsTaylor]

I’m with you!