Which 'Strat' do YOU prefer? Fender vs Suhr vs Xotic vs Rutters

I'm not a strat guy at heart, but no collection/tool box is complete without one so I decided to pony up and buy a Fender Custom Shop and see for myself how it compares to my Suhr Classic Pro I've owned for a few years now. My new guitar is a 2020 Fender Custom Shop 65 Journeyman Stratocaster in one of my favorite color combo's ever, Charcoal Frost Metallic with a tort pickguard. The pickups were swapped to Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Surfers by the original owner, which from what I could find online most people deemed an "upgrade". I thought comparing it to just my Suhr would be a bit odd, mainly due to the humbucker vs single coil bridge so I asked my buddy Sean if he'd be interested in partaking in a bigger comparison of our four S-style guitars. Thankfully he agreed and we were able to shoot this video!
Do him a solid for making this video possible and follow him on Instagram: / seanhanlonguitar
So what'd you think? Comment below your favorites and why!
Stay tuned, we're going to swap the pickguards on the Xotic and Fender and install the same set of strings to see how much of a difference the pickups really make. Subscribe so you don't miss it!
Timestamps:
0:00 - Do 4 similar S-types sound the same?
0:13 - The guitars!
1:00 - How they're the same
1:12 - How they're different
1:52 - AXE FX III Dumble Demo
5:55 - Our thoughts? Tweaks needed?
6:49 - Handwired Princeton Clean Demo
7:28 - Add Archer Ikon (klon)
8:07 - Add Supro Harmonic Trem
9:07 - Suhr PT15 CH2 all 5 positions
10:37 - Who did you think I was?
11:28 - Funky town w/ Archer Ikon
12:09 - KOT Overdrive
12:48 - "Dude" Overdrive + Archer
13:26 - Switch to Park FUZZ!
14:19 - Do they clean up at all?
14:43 - Add Big Sky
15:19 - So what did we hear?
17:08 - What are their resistance ratings?
20:12 - NOT what I expected!
20:47 - Acoustic sound compared
21:32 - MY Favorite Sounding??
Thanks for watching, and subscribe if you like this sort of content!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sponsor a coffee if you like the content 😁: www.buymeacoffee.com/YeatzeeG...
Follow me on Instagram: / yeatzeeguitar
Follow me on Facebook: / yeatzeeguitar
Purchase my Line 6 Helix / HX Stomp Presets: www.yeatzeeguitar.com/

[@frankgambale4653]

To me the Xotic is best sounding of all of them. If a piano and a strat had a child, the kid would be the Xotic for sure

[@paulwally9007]

Frank, you are absolutely one of the coolest guys on the planet!

[@impala666]

I bought the Xotic...got a long wait but those guitars sound wonderful.

[@AlienSexGod]

you are deluded........ you are sponsored by them? Rutters with Klien 60 owned with a slight cheat with 10s for more body. It was by FAR the best acoustically and it sounded more body obvious in the relatively undistorted demos @ 11:28 - Funky town w/ Archer Ikon & 1:52 - AXE FX III Dumble Demo. Fender with Antiquities was next best largely because of the pickups.

[@sentimentalgirlviolentjoke]

On god

[@JakeTeee]

Agree 100 percent 🎶

[@johnnywhyayou]

Oh man, swapping the pickguard should be an amazing test!!! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@josippongrac3040]

This is probably the best proper strat comparison i’ve ever seen. Great video, thanks

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

High praise!

[@danr9202]

Great video! Perfect content during my hunt for a high end strat.

[@paulwally9007]

An absolutely epic video! Thank you for your effort.

[@jmcgregor316]

I'm here from Strat-Talk. Very nicely done!

[@robertfalconer5054]

For me, 1 - Xotic, 2 - Fender 3 - Rutters 4 - Suhr I've seen Xotics Before Live, Always brilliant. As Others have noted, the Antiquities sounded Clean and articulate.

[@lewisratford2908]

Xotic for me 👍 has all that vintage vibe, but with all that modern playability. The necks are simply incredible

[@gregs8685]

Great comparison! For me: 1. Fender 2. Xotic 3. Rutters 4. Suhr Would have been interesting to see how a PRS Silver Sky and a Grosh would have fared.

[@GuitarHouseLima]

Such a great vid!

[@GuitarHouseLima]

Xotic for me!

[@jonaszdabrowski]

I think you can't go wrong with either. It's all about making great music now :) Also, I have a soft spot for a Suhr with ML pickups, they're different and might change your experience with suhr in general. Great video!

[@thatmg]

Great comparission!

[@wabisabi6802]

Sold on the Xotic and Duncan Antiquity. 🔥👌

[@juancarlospereira7073]

great video! they all sounded good to me

[@hibernative]

Great editing, especially the intro with the finger snaps haha. I liked the Fender and Xotic the most. You said the Xotic had a lot of high mids but I felt like the Suhr was almost unbearable in the highs and didn’t really have any interesting note bloom. Funnily enough, it also didn’t sound that resonant. I’d probably lower the pickups even more on the Suhr and Xotic. Generally seems like Fender just does something very right. I love the squishy low end of the Xotic.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Did I say high mids in the video? My bad if I did I definitely meant low-mids and mids. As for resonance youre not far off the Suhr definitely feels the least resonant in the hands

[@ppguitars]

I think the Fender was the most authentic (surprisingly, lol) what I expect Strat sound like and you can add some mid boost via pedal (Koko Boost or similar) to give a little extra push.

[@impala666]

We need your follow up video about the Fender / Xotic differences!

[@engelsjn]

The back of the neck on that Xotic is insane! Liked the sound of the CS then the Suhr. 👍

[@MWHOME]

All sounded fantastic. For me it'd be coming down to neck feel which seems to be different on the guitars you have here. Thanks for doing vid!

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Yes neck feel (and just overall feel) are big factors that obviously weren't covered here. Sean and I were opposites on feel preferences, I definitely preferred the more rounded feel of the neck / fret board on the Fender/Suhr because of how comfy it was with my thumb over technique. They all have decently sized necks for a strat style, but the Xotic and Rutters have a flatter wider feel to me as you go up the neck that wasn't quite my thing. Sean preferred that though, particularly on the Xotic. The Xotic's neck did feel really good, similar to my Danocaster but I didn't gel with it past the ~5th fret.

[@grawggydawg]

Xotic FTW. I’ve owned and played them all and currently have the Suhr too. The Xotic sounds soooo good!

[@huuss]

playability side ? and how can you compare xotix and suhr sir ?

[@davetang9308]

Love the demo! I agree with your rankings too. If the Fender has stock pickups, then the results may be quite different.

[@cosmicgeek8464]

Sound is one thing :) The mojo and feel of the Xotic wins hands down. I have them all. Well, if you like the vintage vibe and sound Xotic really nails it. And the neck is amazing. I don't think i will ever buy another strat after my Xotic.

[@fenderosa]

I'd go for the Fender. But, there is a but. We stay in this side of the screen, the fact is we can't have an idea of the differences in terms of playability, the way the guitars react to the touch. I have a Suhr and I think it is an incredible guitar for the reasons above. Great vid, mate.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Timestamps: 0:00 - Do 4 similar S-types sound the same? 0:13 - The guitars! 1:00 - How they're the same 1:12 - How they're different 1:52 - AXE FX III Dumble Demo 5:55 - Our thoughts? Tweaks needed? 6:49 - Handwired Princeton Clean Demo 7:28 - Add Archer Ikon (klon) 8:07 - Add Supro Harmonic Trem 9:07 - Suhr PT15 CH2 all 5 positions 10:37 - Who did you think I was? 11:28 - Funky town w/ Archer Ikon 12:09 - KOT Overdrive 12:48 - "Dude" Overdrive + Archer 13:26 - Switch to Park FUZZ! 14:19 - Do they clean up at all? 14:43 - Add Big Sky 15:19 - So what did we hear? 17:08 - What are their resistance ratings? 20:12 - NOT what I expected! 20:47 - Acoustic sound compared 21:32 - MY Favorite Sounding??

[@mistere6011]

My definite favorite was the Xotic 😍 Twas not a fan of the Rutters in any of the clips. Awesome job on the video! I can't phathom the amount of editing that must've taken yeesh

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Haha thanks! Yes, no small task but to do a comparison right imo it requires getting the timing and cuts and everything lined up well. It's worth it.... I think lol. Share the video so it makes it worth it 😂

[@frantisca]

Thx for uploading ! To me, the Antiquities in that Fender CS sounded best by far ! Then came Rutters, Xotic and last Suhr. Sorry John …🥴

[@tylergorham7301]

I've never had a comparison video where a single guitar consistently turned my head like the Xotic did here. Listened in the background and every time a tone caught my ear it was the Xotic. Wow!

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

That's a good sign!

[@tylergorham7301]

@@YeatzeeGuitar Update: As a direct result of this video (and similar great shootouts by Peach Guitars), I purchased a used Xotic XSC-1! It's relic'ed like Mayer's BLK1 but with a maple board. I've had a Suhr for 4 years (an incredible instrument in its own right) but the Xotic has more of a vintage sound that I can't help but love. If anyone reading this would like a 2017 Suhr Classic Pro HSS, check Reverb. :)

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

@@tylergorham7301 Awesome, and congrats on the new guitar!!

[@williamjohnbennettiii]

You got yourself a good one in that Fender. Was surprised how hot those xotic pickups sound

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Me too! Even more so after checking their resistance rating, really surprising.

[@elevenAD]

That Fender CS easily sounds the best to me, damn near perfect! Cant believe the pick ups are Duncans!

[@kennytseguitar8574]

It seems now become Fender vs Xotic battle for me, They are both great,hard to choose,

[@craigthomson3621]

I am lucky to own a lefty Fender Custom Shop SSS Strat (with Josefina Campos pickups) and a lefty Xotic HSS. Both great guitars.

[@GraniteSoundtrack]

Funny that Fender and Duncan sound so good in a pack of gear that is made essentially under the idea that the bigger names can’t get it as right as smaller boutique gear.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

If you really appreciate these sort of (very) time consuming videos and want to show your thanks you can buy me a coffee here😊 ---> www.buymeacoffee.com/YeatzeeGuitar

[@mountainman8775]

Sitting on the fence, all four sounded good …though I’d say the xotic was probably the most vintage and the Suhr the most modern

[@Turn0vers]

That Fender was really good actually kinda surprised the Antiquity made that much of a difference. Xotic was really good probably the best and most well rounded and I’m actually looking at one. Suhr seemed flat in some instances more low mid/bass response kinda sucks cause I own a Thornley signature model but it doesn’t seem like that to me. Though I love it and honestly aside from TA guitars they’re the best built things quality wise. The Rutters honestly seemed the most inconsistent to me it really shined in some moments and absolutely wasn’t it in some. I’m gonna say the bridge’s really change all these guitars and how they sound mostly. Suhr has that modern 2pt system, Rutters a Tele style saddle bridge, Xotic and Fender tend to be vintage style. Xotic seemed to be fatter in all the good things the kinda way I like it, Fender were actually very clear yet brittle I would honestly have many uses for it, Rutters seemed actually nasally at times but did good on the JM licks, Suhr I think can be the most versatile but aren’t too hot to the point of extinction but that’s just my experience off owning one then again my spec is way different than that base Classic S.

[@michael_caz_nyc]

I had a vintage Fender Stratocaster. Once I purchased my Suhr, I never played my Fender anymore. (sold-it). The Suhr is upgraded and improved in every way. I also have Lollar dirty-blonde pickups installed. The Gotoh 510 tremolo system is amazing. Stainless steel frets, locking tuners, proper: nut and fret-work = phenomenal guitar. All these guitars sounded great. Enjoyed your demo.

[@mseabs741]

In the second part, where you are playing..the weakest guitar was the Suhr in MHO. The Xotic and fender CS came out on top with the Rutters close behind.

[@yogiiswara9133]

Personally, i like fender's tone mostly, but the xotic & rutter is badass too. I dont like the suhr, it is just sounded like different kinda guitars type, not stratish. Very good comparison dude !

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Thanks for watching!

[@Erickchicas]

Easy Win for Suhr specially for the killer sound on the HB, then Fender, then Xotic but very close to Rutters. They all sound great though.

[@imgonnagetbanned]

Wow awesome!!! Looks like we have a lot of the same gear.... I have that same multimeter! (I also have a Suhr Classic S, but that's not as funny). Great video!

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Thanks!

[@sideasoundlab]

those duncan pups sound great

[@kyates1]

Nice, great content!

[@patmepin15]

For me : 1. Fender 2. Rutters 3. Xotic 4. Suhr

[@fandiwoworchannel7902]

Fender Custom Shop sounds amazing

[@gearathon]

Rutters stood out sounding best to me. But I read it did not have the same strings. Maybe if you undertake this massive effort and do it again they could all have new the same brand strings and gauge and similar setup? I guess they are all so good that setup differencies shine through? Thanks a lot , very nice video

[@rayschoch5882]

I like the Fender best. Not surprising - my own Strat is a 35-year old made-in-Japan Squier that I bought in 1986, stock middle and neck, DiMarzio in the bridge.

[@dickjonesify]

So good 🤘🏼 Your new CS all day long. That guitar is amazing. Suhr was my least favorite.

[@algorithm007ify]

Suhr > Fender CS from my experience...just a better built guitar.

[@gregs8685]

@@algorithm007ify Fender Custom Shop kills Suhr. I’ve owned and played them all and Suhr plays and sounds like a Fender American Ultra HSS.

[@daviddowns16]

Love the Aristocrats/Guthrie Govan lick starting at 4:29!

[@cechichan]

from what song is it ;3 ?

[@daviddowns16]

@@cechichan Bad Asteroid

[@Kweesh]

@@cechichan bad asteroid

[@cechichan]

@@Kweesh thank u!!

[@Terribleguitarist89]

The xotic with the fender following closely behind.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

So let's hear it! What did you think? Was there one you preferred most of the time? All the time? Comment below!

[@donharrold1375]

Probably prefer the Fender. Might be the cheapest of all of the 4 guitars. Maybe it’s just the classic looks.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

@@donharrold1375 Actually I think the Fender might be the most expensive :)

[@sibike1]

Very nice comparison, thank you for this, may I know what you think about the balance of the Suhr compared to the fender? Which one has "better" balance when wearing the guitar with a strap? I'm just curious because the Fender Strat is famous for its great balance (which is perfect for me) while wearing it, but with a smaller headstock from the Suhr, the balance might change. I just wanna know how much difference (if there's any) do you feel about their balance. Thank You. Edit: Also, may I know what song is played @ 3:45 :D

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Fender, but it's more because the suhr was pretty heavy.

[@brandonthompson8640]

the Custom Shop sounds amazing even if the pickups might not be my ideal, those would be the Josephinas (Rabea Massaad did a few videos of testing different pickups in one of his strats and those have been my dream set of pickups since). but i also might be biased towards the CS because if i ever do get something from there, itd be a strat in Charcoal Frost Metallic with a Tort guard and a rosewood board. i feel like its not too flashy of a combo but its also not everywhere. everyones seen somebody play a strat in the basic colors. black, white, sunburst, your various reds, blues, and greens, those are great looking but theyre all over the place.

[@netzarim1277]

Sound wise from best to worst: Fender CS, Xotic, Suhr. Felt like the Suhr had some tight frequencies in the low-mids and it was missing some air.

[@kaneo67]

wow, I think the suhr and the rutters are the best. they all sound great though. the xotic pickups must be super hot..its probably as good as any of them but the amp gain may have to be turned to get the same tone because it has some breakup. the fender is also very awesome but it comes last. rutters first from this demo,its resonance is so apparent

[@jakhanez]

I have exactly the same suhr, even the color. Its output is very low and thin but still sounds good and unique. I just ordered SD Antiquity Hot pickups. I want to get a bit higher and fatter sound. I hope antiquity would not be so dark sounding.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Nice! You'll have to report back what you think after they're installed!

[@jakhanez]

@@YeatzeeGuitar I will do. May be surfer would be better pick because I dont want very dark sound. V70s have great balance with SSV. I am afraid of losting that balance as well. What can you say about the difference between V70s and surfers?

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

@@jakhanez All the differences are shown in this video :) Let your ears decide :)

[@jakhanez]

@@YeatzeeGuitar yes I can hear it but playing and listening are different. I wanted to ask you your actual experience. anyway, video is still very helpfull. Thanks for good sharing :)

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

@@jakhanez I preferred the SD's here, but they are brighter and thinner so if you want thicker I wouldn't recommend them.

[@lukather1]

Suhr for me

[@frankswildyear]

I tried all of them at one point, and for me the winner was a K line followed by Xotic

[@notpopebuthope]

... cool video! SALUT!

[@staggs5034]

I like the Fender the best. I would like to hear the fender with those Klein pickups. The exotic had to much output for a wide range of strat tones. Could be fun to play tho. Sorry but the Suhr sounded a little sterile at times. Cool video.

[@CentaurusRelax314]

I’m late to this party but I’d say I’d be happy with the tone from all of them except the Suhr. Looks wise, the Fender wins, easily.

[@rojocinco]

Could you share the axe fx3 preset that you used, please?

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

I cannot, sorry

[@m4ssi86]

I like the HB of the suhr, for the other positions i like the Rutters. Which pickups there are installed on it? Have you tried the music man cutlass (i have it in charcoal frost)

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

The rutters has Klein epic 60s pickups we think

[@m4ssi86]

@@YeatzeeGuitar Thank you! it sounds amazing to me.....i always prefer the low output pu

[@musikus7092]

To me the Fender sounds best

[@guitarlson]

Xotic and CS - I’m fortunate to have played or own all of these and the video pretty much sums up my experience with a few rare exceptions. Suhrs are fantastic especially for heavy gigging but there are duds so I would never buy one without playing first. Xotics are 1K less than CS so pretty much a no brainer there

[@gregs8685]

Fender CS is tops for me. Grosh also makes a great strat copy. Every Suhr I have played has been a total dud for some reason. Heavy and non-resonant wood. Dead. And their pickups are harsh sounding.

[@zelejazz]

1.Fender 2.Xotic 3 and 4 Suhr and Rutters.

[@taxo]

Honestly the Suhr sounded somehow dull compared to the others. I've personally never fully appreciated any Suhr I've played, their craftmanship is beyond amazing but the always sounded wrong to me. I've liked far more many Grosh, Schecter, Anderson I've played.

[@JP-gt8qr]

I completely agree with you about Suhr. Their craftsmanship’s are second to none, however, every Suhr guitars I’ve played were missing this vibe that fender has or even Grosh, K-line and lsl has. Due to of Suhr’s consistency with quality control, ordered two classic strats SSS and SSH configuration but after three weeks of owning it, sold them all! Tried very hard to really like them and they’re indeed beautiful instruments, however, it doesn’t make me want to play longer period of time like my Eric Johnson strats. Never bonded with Suhr guitars sadly.

[@impala666]

Overall, the Fender sounded best. I was very disappointed that the Suhr's HB sounded so flat.

[@sooparticular]

I wonder how the original pickups in the 65 were!!

[@richiebohr5421]

The Suhr was the most balanced to me. I prefer HB's in the bridge though. While a little chimey, the Fender was a close second. I didn't like the Xotic in this test at all.

[@user-tu2yz3hi9k]

私はsuhrを持っていますがxoticのサウンドが１番好きでした。

[@CoztheWizard]

Don't tell your friend but I like your two guitars better. Prefer the Suhr because it sounds a little thicker but the Fender had 9s, right? So maybe that's what I'm hearing.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

😂 Well Sean prefers his guitars and me mine so we're all good 😂 the suhr and fender had 9's, the others 10's

[@1977mvilla]

Xotic all the way....BUT position 2 in fender....❤‍🔥

[@61jojo61]

Suhr for me.

[@yfytgfjhgkjhg]

Which guitar is most stable and has the best bulid quality?

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Imo Suhr Probably has the best build quality. All are stable in my experience with them, but I don't have much time on the rutters or xotic.

[@jemikloumigs]

Xotic would be my choice🤙

[@sboy1955]

I’m 100% Suhr which one I prefer, but I don’t want to offend anyone so I won’t say 😎

[@sooparticular]

u are soooo offensive Suhr!!

[@nicolasdelcastillo6497]

There might be some differences between them, but other than HSS vs SSS there is really no difference in a musical context. They're all strats that do the strat thing. Rutters sounded the most truthful to vintage strats in my ear, but I like Suhr the most.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

This sort of stuff is definitely more for the player than the audience.

[@algorithm007ify]

From my personal experience, Suhr is generally better than Fender...in terms of construction and flexibility...even against Fender CS non-masterbuild varieties.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

I definitely think the Suhr's are built REALLY well

[@user-hw1fd8zh8h]

Xotic ❤

[@babagadoush1]

Which one felt the best?

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Fender for me, suhr second probably

[@gitaradam9057]

Best sound suhr

[@dionysisdaras1289]

Xotic and Fender sounded more vintage-y,Suhr will always be more modern sounding.i liked the Rutters,it has personality.Too bad a Tyler isn't here to show everyone what's what

[@RubinhoBorges]

What do you do for a living man? So much great and expensive gear! Props on the video!!

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

I chose a business career over trying to be a musician.

[@RubinhoBorges]

@@YeatzeeGuitar Cool man! I’m heading to Canada in December. I wish I could make money there as well, I’m from Brazil

[@cechichan]

@@YeatzeeGuitar How much time to u get to play over an average week?

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

@@cechichan Depends if I've got a gig to practice for. If there's nothing going on I'll play around a few hours a week, if I have something to prepare for it's a lot more.

[@cechichan]

@@YeatzeeGuitar Rly nice to hear that u gig sometimes, rly jucy playing in this vid :D, may i ask around what business u do ? I have a "similar " situation, wasnt ready for conservatory when i finished HS but now(4 years later of almost done with law school which im studing as -way to sustain my living when needed) even my privat teacher( since 2013, a rly amazing conservatory classical guitar teacher that also play electric fro the past 20 years) tells me i have no reason to go to a music school cuz im at the point of just " go and do music kid" . But im still proly gonna finish law school(im in top 5 in uni but tha didnt rquire a lot of work ...more headaches but yeah ) and i have a "help with contracts private business with my father and my old man deals with a security business and other average investitions( not spinning crazy money by any means but a rly nice living) . I wanna be a musician and at least that to be my main occupation in a day, but sometimes its really worth it to put some time in other more profitable activities...its nice doing music, not so nice to do money out of it, im gonna continue pushing on my music adventure and im sure i can do it tho but not in a day. Rly wanted to share (some parts) of my journey with u cuz i dont talk with a business-good musician man too often :p

[@benink5690]

Lots of differences in pickups here. But a cool comparison non the less. But you cannot feel a video in your hands folks. Go to your local music shop and compare yourself!

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

You're a lucky man if your music shop has a suhr, an xotic, or even a fender custom shop! I wish mine did

[@giorgiomarchetti8943]

Fender has the right balance...it's the winner 🥇

[@papasmamas1]

All 4 sound too close for me, just by having 1 of them would be enough for me, and the sunburst one is the winner.

[@emmanuelibus]

Suhr for the modern appointments. Fender for the classic vibes.

[@akshayseller73]

I’ve played enough suhrs and on paper they sound amazing but they never really sound great on video or when you play it. My fender American pro II slays them each time. Now Xotic is by far the best sounding of these.

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

They've got a more modern sound to them I think

[@christiancatedral1141]

Maybe the pots of the xotic are 500k that's why they sounded higher output? I think It would be great if you look into the electronics of each guitar on your next video hehe

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

It'd be WAY brighter if it was 500k, but when we swap the pickguards we'll see :)

[@christiancatedral1141]

@@YeatzeeGuitar Excited to see the next vid! I'm planning to buy a xotic Strat and I tried one last week and it sounded great for me.

[@marklong2951]

What pickups were in the Suhr?

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

V70 and I believe the bridge was an ssv

[@marklong2951]

@@YeatzeeGuitar thanks. I just got a Classic S which has SSV & V60LP pickups. I’m not sure if I will change pickups, but I will likely split the SSV to see if I can get a more quacky sound in the 2 position.

[@Eric-dd8bk]

Suhr and Fender on top.

[@GraniteSoundtrack]

Liked Suhr the least. It’s strange how hyped Suhr can be but playing them and hearing them I’ve never really liked them.

[@NGS2410]

Suhr with xotic pickups for me heheheh

[@micantino]

For me: 1. Fender 2. Xotic 3. Suhr

[@ilmisxx2]

The DC resistance of the pickups does not equal output, I have no idea where that myth came from 😁

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Yeah I've been told this before, but I'd argue in the vast majority of cases there is a trend that aligns with that. Probably why it became a common thing for people to mention.

[@ilmisxx2]

@@YeatzeeGuitar well in my experience not really, about half of the time lower dc resistance pickups are either hotter or the same "hotness" as the higher dc resistance pickups, but inductance reading in my experience 100% of the time aligns with how hot the pickup is. The dc resistance more so describes the high frequency content of the pickup, the higher dc resistance the muddier the pickup if we compare same pickup design

[@maxza5553]

Xotic The best

[@sooparticular]

overall that new co. fender stole the show.

[@leftlifegolfsaga9105]

I was surprised at the Xotic - it came out my favourite, and in second the Suhr - which I was hoping would win, I have the Modern plus. The custom shop definite third for me, though in a couple of styles it came a second (HS vs SS in a lead tone for SS sounds) and the Rutgers far back in last. Too hot and no clarity

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Pretty interesting how we all interpret sounds differently! Particularly you thinking the rutters was too hot and wasn't clear, I thought basically the exact opposite! 🙂

[@AlienSexGod]

@@YeatzeeGuitar the guy is on drugs. The relatively undistorted demos @ 11:28 - Funky town w/ Archer Ikon & 1:52 - AXE FX III Dumble Demo reveal utters with Klien 60 owned with a slight cheat with 10s for more body. It was by FAR the best acoustically and it sounded more body obvious in the cleans. As usual once distortion and compression comes in the differences are less obvious though still there. Fender with Antiquities was next best largely because of the pickups.

[@goswo]

I have owned the Suhr and now happy owner of the Xotic, so I know how they sound great. Sorry but I thought they all sounded really bad in the first section. Not sure why, guess its the amp :-(

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Different strokes, that's why there's excerpts with several different amps and overdrive combos. Can't please everyone, but I sure do try.

[@martinmarini9848]

Try a Grosh Retro Classic...