John Suhr’s name resonates deeply within the guitar community, synonymous with unparalleled quality and meticulous craftsmanship. His journey is a testament to passion, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of perfection in guitar building. This is the story of how John Suhr transformed from a repair technician into a celebrated luthier and founder of Suhr Guitars, a brand revered by musicians worldwide.
Suhr’s path to guitar mastery began at Rudy’s Music Shop in New York City, a renowned hub on 48th Street. Landing a job as a repairman at this bustling store, which notably was a Schecter parts dealer, proved to be a pivotal moment. In the 1980s, Schecter was highly regarded for their superior guitar bodies and necks. Working in the boiler room of Rudy’s, John Suhr started assembling guitars from these premium parts. These weren’t just any kit guitars; they were crafted with an emerging expertise and attention to detail that quickly set them apart. Branded with “Pensa-Suhr,” a combination of John’s and Rudy’s last names, these instruments soon captured the attention of prominent musicians. Guitar legends like Mark Knopfler and Lou Reed began performing with Pensa-Suhr guitars, significantly boosting the brand’s profile and demand.
However, John Suhr’s ambitions extended beyond guitar assembly. Driven by a thirst for deeper understanding of guitar electronics, he delved into the complexities of amplifier design and modification. His experiments on a Marshall amp and subsequent discussions with Bob Bradshaw of Custom Audio Electronics led to a life-changing invitation. Bradshaw, recognizing Suhr’s exceptional talent, convinced him to move to California and design amplifiers. This move marked a significant shift in Suhr’s career. At Custom Audio Electronics, John Suhr engineered the now-legendary OD-100 amplifier head and the 3+ preamp. These designs were met with widespread acclaim and solidified Suhr’s reputation as an innovator in amplifier technology.
Despite his success in the amplifier realm, the allure of guitar building remained strong for John Suhr. He returned to his first passion, joining the Fender Custom Shop as a Senior Master Builder. This role provided him with invaluable experience, allowing him to further refine his guitar-making skills while crafting countless guitars and amplifiers. After several years at Fender, the entrepreneurial spirit called again. John Suhr decided to establish his own company, driven by the desire to have complete control over every aspect of guitar production, ensuring the highest standards of quality.
The foundation of Suhr Guitars was solidified when John Suhr partnered with Steve Smith, a CNC programmer and software expert. Smith introduced Suhr to the possibilities of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining in guitar manufacturing. Steve explained that if John could translate his envisioned guitar designs into CAD (Computer-Aided Design) drawings, a CNC machine could precisely bring them to life. This partnership, combining Suhr’s deep understanding of guitar artistry with Smith’s technological expertise, became the cornerstone of Suhr Guitars.
For over two decades, John Suhr and Steve Smith have remained dedicated to blending modern technology with the vintage essence of classic instruments. Their mission is to recreate the coveted “mojo” of vintage guitars in new instruments that offer enhanced playability and reliability. Suhr Guitars’ unwavering commitment to detail and an almost obsessive drive for excellence have established new benchmarks for tone, playability, fit, and finish in the guitar industry. Remarkably, even as the company grew, John Suhr personally applied the finish to every Suhr guitar until 2008, underscoring his hands-on approach and dedication to quality.
Today, Suhr Guitars offers a comprehensive range of inspiring gear, including pedals, amplifiers, and guitars. All Suhr products share a common thread: they are meticulously built by a small team of dedicated perfectionists who are deeply passionate about their craft. Suhr represents not just instruments, but a philosophy of uncompromising quality and a relentless pursuit of the perfect sound. Explore the world of John Suhr and discover an instrument that can inspire your musical journey. And remember, Suhr’s Custom Shop can bring your dream guitar to reality – just a call away to begin the specification process.
