Suhr or Tom Anderson 

My 125 dollar 90's Korean strat w/vintage Bill Lawrence lead humbucker pickup.Plays and sounds fantastic.😊

It's great to see this comparison. I have a Suhr Modern Pro and it's the best guitar I have ever had.🔥 The neck is a mix of the Ibanez thin wizard neck and the Fender Custom Shop C shape neck. Great for chording and awesome for solos. The body shape is also fantastic, and it has a contoured cutaway for easier upper fret access. And it plays like butter with the 2 point trem. If I have to pick between my Gibson 1959 Les Paul, Fender Custom Shop Elite and Suhr Modern Pro. I will not think twice to pick the Suhr any day, anytime. BUT if I want to play for "mass appeal" and with the "imaginary elite club" of gear elitist friends.🤭 I'll pick up the "Fender" or the "Gibson" depending on the "logo" camp. I'll pick Fender/Gibson for that occasion and switch back to Suhr again at home for personal bedroom noodling.😂 And If I want to push some buttons, I'll jam with my Suhr on either camps.🤘SUBSCRIBED!💯

I'm lucky to have a Suhr, Tom Anderson and a PRS. All amazing guitars. All are good enough to be your "forever" guitar.

Love my Anderson. Earlier this year I visited his factory. Loved the tour, simply amazing.

I have owned many amazing guitars and I have to say my Tom Anderson was the most flawless guitar I have ever put in my hands. True story. I didn't even think it was possible. Your description of the craftsmenship of a Tom Anderson is SPOT ON. AMAZING

I appreciate you taking the time to make this video, as well as sharing your love for the guitar. We have similar life stories. I’m just now in the stage of life where I’m able to afford guitars like this and just bought my first Tom Anderson. It’s as you’ve described, and I thank God for the privilege to play it. God bless.

I’ve had both. I think TA might even make the best guitars out there, but I find I prefer the feel and sound of Suhr guitars.

Getting my first Suhr very soon, custom shop modern, TA is drop top is definitely on my list someday.

I watched this when you 1st put it out, and as a lefty I had not had a chance to play a Tom Anderson. Now I own a Pro-Am I ordered after watching this and it's the best instrument I've ever played, better than my Suhrs, Kiesels, etc. The neck joint is ingenious.

Thanks for sharing Barry. Nothing better than good stories about guitar purchases for us guitar lovers!

I have quite a few good guitars. But, the Suhr is pretty much the only one I keep playing. You just can't appreciate the comfort of playing the Suhr until you hold it in your hands. There's nothing like it. Absolutely fenomenal in every way.

I have one of each both are amazing. I had a great experience with both customer service wise as well.

Ive had one of each, and my preference was the Suhr modern T. I do have to say, I prefer MusicMan to both brands.

I imagine these are amazing for studio . So many tones and nuances .

I’m a Suhr player with ten under my belt ! Tom Anderson is on my list ! Suhr and Anderson are the Best !!

Dear Sir, thank you for sharing this video I enjoyed it. Take care & God Bless.

Thank you, beautiful guitars for sure!!!

Those are both very nice guitars. I'm usually looking for something unusual for a different tone... a strat copy or a strat or even a squire with single coils... a Telecaster with the lipstick.. a gibson or similar with humbuckers or P-90's.. or an HSS strat copy.. And finally my favorite guitars Rickenbacker. I owned a 1976 320.. white and black (tuxedo) VERY rare.. which I never sold it.. sold it to buy a 1980 Ric 360 12 string mapleglow. The owner of Dirt Cheap music in Kennesaw (Howie Hannick... I'll never forget him... played with Atlanta Rhythm Section in the 70's) called me one day "I have your guitar... it just showed up. I'll hold it for you. I know you want it" and I DID... I think I paid like $800 for it back in the late 80's. Held on to it for YEARS and sold it because I just didn't play it much. I should have NEVER sold it! I'll buy another one day. I ordered a Yamaha Revstar II standard with P-90's and have a cheapo strat copy and a Guild 12 string acoustic to hold me over.

The three best guitar brands, from that area: Suhr, Tom Anderson and James Tyler. They are build very very nice. If you like nice necks, the JT is amazing.

Ayyyyye!! Barry’s back again! Working overtime, he’s coming with the videos quick!

I bought a TA in 1992 when I was studying at Musicians Institute. It is still my main guitar to this day 😁. I also bought a used Scott Henderson model from Suhr in 2017. A great guitar as well.

Moms are the best.... Mine is just about to turn 85 and all I can hope for is to have another decade with her before the inevitable goodbye.... Nice guitars too...

Very cool, thanks for sharing you story. Insane guitars.

John is a great friend of Tom and he has high regard if his craftmanship.

The best guitar I own is a Schecter Custom Shop Sunset II with H-S-H pickup configuration. I'd like another one in H-S-S but unfortunately there's nowhere in Australia selling Schecter Custom Shop or Masterworks guitars anymore. As an alternative we do have a few dealers selling Suhr guitars. Hopefully they are similar quality to my Schecter.

I have Suhr Standard HSH Floyd for long time. But dreaming to get Tom Anderson ArcAngel HSH Floyd. Full Mahogany guitar, maple top, 24 frets, 24.75 scale. All this is best for me.

yep, at this level of guitar you know you are getting quality.. and some you gel with and some you don't. I have 3 Suhrs, a PRS I have had forever and getting a Tom Anderson in a few days. Couldn't afford one in my 20s but I can now. I have had some amazing guitars that I just didn't click with and moved on. My take is that if have that much money in a guitar I have to LOVE it. If not, off it goes.

I have suhr mahogany deluxe. The original spec plate is actually in mahogany as well, and your flame maple plate is even more special well deserved for your guitar. Yours is special in every way 😊

Nice guitars! I too own a TA(HDT) which is my favorite by far! Looking to add a Bobcat in the near future.

You spicing up your tracks with some Texas Pete? LOL I love that too!

I got my TA from a guitar center in Nashville also!

I've never played either an Anderson or a Suhr guitar. I've seen many, many RU-vid demos of both. I don't like the Suhr pickups. To me, the Anderson pickups sound better. I swapped out the stock pickups on my Strandberg for Anderson's HF1 and HF2 pickups and couldn't be happier.

I currently have a Suhr Modern and I’ve ordered a Tom Anderson Angel. I’m excited, but delivery is still 7-8 months away. I’ve owned several high end guitars including a Knaggs SSC, Luxxtone El Machete, PRS and several high end Ibanez prestige and Jem models. All great guitars but different. I like the thin, wide necks. Mahogany bodies and Floyd’s.

You experienced good customer and that is pretty rare these days.

For modern style playing definitely get the Suhr, Tom Anderson or James Tyler.

Barry, I wish you can explain what little matter that make both guitar special in term of craftsmanship. At least, mere mortal, like me, who can't try these guitars let alone buy it, can understand its quality.

I too have had both maker's guitars. The only guitars I have that match them are a 'Nick Huber, Orca 59. And a Michael Spalt. I refuse to pay the exorbitant prices for a Fender or Gibson although they make great custom shop instruments. I have yet to own a PRS but that is on my list.

If you could compare tones & sounds, that'll b great 🤓 Used to b a fan of Tyler but you gotta check out Sadowsky😜😉 Then we could hav a tone feast🔥🔥🔥

Does anyone has an idea why super strats from Suhr and TA sustains more compared to Fender?

I had a Suhr Modern with Guthrie specs, and sold it for a TA Angel. Never looked back. The Angel plays like a dream.

I also have guitars from both companies. The build quality from either brand is essentially beyond reproach. They both have very good reputations for top tier customer support should you find an issue. I think it ultimately comes down to player preference as to which brand builds guitars to fit their musical needs. Suhr design is focused on perfecting the classics whereas Anderson guitars are less reverential to the designs of the 50's and 60's and are consequently more unique. Visually, Suhr guitars are more generally pleasing to me, but the Andersons are better ergonomically (better fret access, more contoured lines). Suhr pickups again reflect the goal of perfecting the classic designs. Anderson pickups span the whole range from vintage style to totally unique proprietary designs. I like both brands, but my TAG Angel is my favorite guitar full stop.

Are the Suhr & Anderson the exact same headstock?

would like to see the plek printout on a Suhr and Anderson

How about playing a couple of riffs so we can hear them?

They are both amazing , but that Suhr is magnificent 😜and of course you won’t be selling them , they’ll be going to your son , I’m looking at a TA Drop Top at my local high end shop, I can’t get it out of my head , I’m hoping they’ll take a smidge $$ off for me since it’s been sitting 😜, to be continued ……

My Tom Anderson Angel Koa is hands down the best guitar I have ever played. Went to the music store for a Suhr and left with Tom Anderson.

I cross-shopped a Suhr with an Anderson, and to me it wasn't close -- I went with Anderson. Suhr makes a very, very nice guitar, but the Anderson Angel with a koa top I got is a special guitar. It's just on a different level.

Barry Knaggs should be on your radar for next boutique Guitar!

Can't go wrong with either

Great video on 2 gorgeous guitars! I’ve never had the opportunity to try an Anderson but I’ve tried a few Suhrs and never gelled with the examples I tried. The issues were the weight (all were 8 lbs plus), slim neck profile, flat finger board radius and stainless frets (do not like the feel). Most use polyurethane paint which I also avoid. I have a Grosh NOS Retro and an Xotic XSC-2 (both HSS S-types) and would suggest anyone looking for a high end strat to check out these two as well. They are both super light, have beefy necks, 10” radius, nickel silver frets and are finished in nitrocellulose lacquer. Neither have figured maple tops.

Fender custom shop makes some amazing guitars too, if you can find a used strat by all means check it out.

No James Tyler?

thanks do you play guitar??

Subscribed :)

What color is that Tom Anderson?

Suhr outstanding

Suhr 🥇

Tylers? They are also amazing!

Great video, thanks

They just had a great setup and good bridges

Tom anderson guitars only having 2 screws on the back has always bugged me for some reason

Would have been nice to hear some sounds, not only talking

You broke two fingers! Every musicians nightmare 😕

John suhr is great. . I bet he only sleeps a hour a nite. He answers all kinds. Question on gear .

T Anderson pickups always sounded off to me

Tom Anderson makes the best guitars in the world! There is nothing equal even a Suhr in my opinion.

Cajun Magenta.

How about Don Grosh guitars..

今はトムアンだけ残ってるけど、 サーも7本買って良いギターだった❗ ただしプロシリは👎

An arm or a leg**

There's no question that both companies build super high quality guitars. If someone gifted me one I would be most grateful......BUT...please remember that all the great music ever made was recorded with off the rack guitars and bone stock amps.

TS 4eva

You don't look like a Metalhead to me...Why would you try to gel with a Tom Anderson Angel or Surh Modern ?...Seems that you bought the more classic versions of these two companies and it was the great move to do...

Tom anderson all the way

Definitely Fender because they are sooooooo much more beautiful!!! Specially the headstock. These have horribly looking headstocks !!

meh.... TA or Suhr vs. Fender Custom shop can largely be a wash. Excellent builders.... but they aren't significantly better than many builders these days.... probably thanks to them raising the bar. I remember I had a TA Classic S - my first TA... and there was this speck on the volume knob... like some remnant of the molded plastic (this is called 'splay' in injection molding) and it ruined the guitar... because it was the only imperfection... lol... but other than that... the guitar was just impossible to bond with because it had no character - a common complaint for both these builders.

way to much money can buy same thing 500 to 700 hundred even used for 300 and put a earvanna pat. nut on them so they go into tune any guitar without this nut who use a unwrapped g is out of tune no matter what they claim

It's priorities. If you are young, don’t screw around complaining about how much these cost. Get another part time job and save your ass off and buy one because you won't regret it if you're a serious young guitar player.

I've owned both...........just build your own strat style with warmoth parts. Both are overpriced fenders

there is no such thing as standard Anderson guitar neck. ALL Andersons are custom order - all of them.

What color is that Tom Anderson?