Suhr Standard Plus HSS PF TWB

Suhr Standard Plus HSS PF TWB review

The Suhr Standard Plus HSS PF TWB is a USA-made, ST-style electric guitar with a blue Faded Trans Whale Burst finish, a flamed maple top, and a pickup layout built for a broad range of sounds. Its listed price is 4499. Suhr describes the model as a Standard Pro, while the supplied product name identifies it as the Standard Plus HSS PF TWB. It has been available since December 2018, and its item number is 436053.

The specification sheet lists a linden body, also described as basswood, with a flamed maple top and binding. A bolt-on maple neck meets the body at an ergonomically shaped heel. The pau ferro fingerboard has white dot inlays, 22 medium stainless steel frets, and a compound radius that moves from 10 to 14 inches. Scale length is 25.5 inches, and nut width is 1.65 inches. Suhr's Even C Slim neck profile is intended to feel slim without becoming uncomfortable. One owner described it as comfortable for both chord work and soloing.

Pickups, controls, and noise reduction

The HSS arrangement combines a Suhr SSH+ bridge humbucker with V60 single-coil pickups in the middle and neck positions. This gives the guitar a high-output bridge option alongside two single-coil voices. The control layout includes a master volume, a tone control with a push-push coil-split function, and a three-way toggle switch. The listed controls provide a direct way to access the bridge humbucker and split-coil sound, though the supplied specifications do not detail every switching combination.

Suhr's SSCII system is designed to reduce 50 and 60 Hz mains hum from the single-coil pickups without changing their sound. It needs no batteries and is described as transparent hum suppression. That is a practical addition for players who want single-coil sounds in electrically noisy rooms. It does not change the basic HSS character: the bridge humbucker supplies a stronger option, while the V60 pickups cover the brighter single-coil side.

Hardware and setup considerations

The guitar has a Gotoh 510 tremolo, chrome-plated hardware, Suhr locking tuners, and a Graph Tech TUSQ nut. The factory string gauge is.010 to.046. A gig bag is included; a hard case is not listed. The tremolo is one area that deserves attention before purchase. One owner reported that the bridge sat unusually high and that intonation became unreliable when using the arm more assertively. This is an individual report, not a confirmed issue across all examples, but it is significant at this price.

The same owner said their guitar needed professional setup work, nut filing for a different string gauge, and attention to frets that had lifted. These observations do not establish that every instrument requires such work. They do make a careful inspection worthwhile, especially of bridge height, intonation, fret seating, and setup. Another reported concern was a tone-control knob that appeared off-center and wobbled when turned. Prospective buyers may want to check the control fit and finish in person.

Playing feel and finish

Feedback on the guitar is mixed. Positive comments describe excellent comfort, strong playability, and a versatile sound palette, with one owner calling the workmanship top-class. The slim neck profile and shaped heel support easy access and a relaxed feel. The flamed maple top and Faded Trans Whale Burst finish are also central to the guitar's visual appeal.

Other comments criticize the appearance of the pau ferro fingerboard, describing its grain as unattractive, and report uneven color in the burst finish. One player also found the sound duller and less balanced than expected when comparing it with another Suhr and custom shop Fender guitars. These are subjective impressions, but they point to areas where the finish and tonal response may not meet every buyer's expectations. The supplied feedback does not include measured sound tests, so pickup performance should be judged with the actual instrument and amplifier where possible.

Verdict

The Suhr Standard Plus HSS PF TWB offers a useful combination of a bridge humbucker, two single coils, coil splitting, and battery-free hum reduction. Its compound-radius fingerboard, stainless steel frets, locking tuners, and included gig bag round out a detailed specification. Reported strengths include a comfortable neck, easy playability, and broad tonal range. Reported drawbacks concern the tremolo setup, finish consistency, fingerboard appearance, and individual quality-control details.

At a listed price of 4499, buyers should inspect the specific guitar rather than relying on the model name alone. Check the bridge action and return to pitch, confirm stable intonation, examine the finish and fretwork, and try the pickups across the available settings. A well-set-up example could suit players seeking one guitar for contrasting styles, but the reported variation makes hands-on evaluation especially important.