Suhr Classic JM S90 Review: The P90 Middle Ground

If you're a fan of blues or gospel guitar, chances are you've played a Les Paul and you've played a Strat. But if you're like me, you may have never really discovered what a P90 guitar can do.

I just picked up this Suhr Classic JM with P90s from Chicago Music Exchange. Quick note up front: this video is not sponsored by anyone. I paid market price for this guitar. I just want to share my insights so you can decide whether it belongs in your arsenal.

The tone test

Fender style, clean with a little delay

Super clean and super articulate. If you've ever played a Tele, this is definitely hotter than a Tele. Both the neck and bridge pickups stay clear and defined.

Vox style

Vox is all over the old Queen records, Third Eye Blind, and if you play CCM music it's prevalent across the board. With the P90s I think it sounds best on the neck pickup, and it really shines when you roll the volume back. Roll it up and you're right at that edge of breakup sweet spot. The tremolo arm is there too, though I don't reach for it much.

Full lead tone

Delays, reverbs, more gain. The sound gets really, really huge. This guitar has a genuinely great lead voice.

Bluesy edge of breakup

Through a bluesy Morgan style amp, this is where it won me over. It's got this quack to it, a little bite, and a really smooth side when you back off. You can get tender, or you can dig in and push it, and it even does that Tele style snap when you want it. Add a little more juice and it just sings.

Where it sits: the middle ground

Here's the honest positioning. It's not a Tele, not a Strat, not a Les Paul. It's hotter than a Strat or a Tele, so you get more bark. But it doesn't have as much bark as a humbucker Les Paul. It's the middle ground, and that's exactly what makes it interesting for blues and gospel players who want something a little unique.

Feel over specs

Before I bought this, I swear I played over 100 guitars. Every brand you can think of. And for me it's all about feel. I don't shop the spec sheet, I sit down and ask: can I write music on this? Can I be creative on this?

With this one, the answer was immediately yes. The neck is smooth, the playability is there, none of the pots creak, and Suhr's quality control is pretty darn good. When I pick it up I feel inspired, and that's the head space I want to be in.

Specs

• Body: 2 piece alder, gloss finish, gold
• Neck: maple, 60s C shape, bolt on
• Fingerboard: Indian rosewood, 10 to 14 inch compound radius
• Frets: 22 medium stainless steel
• Scale length: 25.5 inches
• Pickups: Suhr S90 P90 single coils, neck and bridge
• Controls: one volume, two tone
• Bridge: 2 post tremolo with Suhr locking tuners

If you're in the market for it, here's the guitar: Suhr Classic JM at Sweetwater. Full transparency, that's an affiliate link, and it costs you nothing extra.

Watch the original video: Suhr Classic JM Tremolo S90 Electric Guitar Review

Want to sound as good as the gear?

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And if you want me to look at your playing personally, start here: work with me.