United States · Est. 1997
Suhr Guitars
John Suhr's boutique Californian guitars represent the ultimate refinement of the Fender tradition — handcrafted instruments for players who demand perfection.
About the brand
Suhr Guitars was founded in 1997 by John Suhr in Lake Elsinore, California. Suhr previously worked as a master builder at the Fender Custom Shop, and his guitars reflect that background: instruments built on the Stratocaster tradition but refined to a degree that Fender's production line cannot match.
The Suhr Classic S is the definitive modern Stratocaster — same scale length, same body shape, but with upgraded components throughout: SSCII hum-cancelling system to eliminate 60-cycle hum, superior fret levelling, and meticulous setup that makes every instrument play-ready out of the box. The Modern series extends into higher-output, metal-capable territory.
Suhr occupies the rare position of a boutique brand with genuine production volume — not a one-man shop, but a California factory producing hundreds of instruments per month. This scale allows consistent quality across the range while maintaining the hands-on attention that mass-production brands cannot offer. The brand is endorsed by players ranging from Guthrie Govan to Mateus Asato.
Key facts
- Founded in 1997 by former Fender Custom Shop master builder John Suhr
- Classic S is considered the definitive modern refinement of the Stratocaster design
- SSCII system eliminates single-coil hum without altering the pickup's tone
- Endorsed by Guthrie Govan, Mateus Asato, and other technically elite players
Iconic models
Suhr Classic S
John Suhr's reinterpretation of the classic Stratocaster, built with selected tonewoods and luthier-level specs that make it the perfect Strat.
Suhr Modern
Suhr's high-end superstrat, with its low-profile neck and world-class modern specs for professional musicians.
Suhr Standard
Suhr's entry model, which maintains the company's handcrafted quality standards at a slightly more accessible price.
Suhr Pete Thorn Signature
Designed with guitarist and YouTuber Pete Thorn, a versatile, high-quality superstrat that has become a benchmark of the modern guitar sound.