Suhr History
1997
In October, John Suhr and Steve Smith establish JS Technologies, Inc. (JST) and start out producing the Suhr Classic model electric guitars.
1998
JST purchases a finishing booth and John starts painting all the guitars. The Standard model is introduced.
1999
JST acquires a laser engraving machine. The Classic T model is introduced. Kenny Gin joins JST as a Master Builder and starts doing the set-up work.
2000
The Carve Top Standard model is introduced.
2001
JST acquires the Haas CNC machine to augment the Riechenbacher CNC the company started out with.
2002
Archtop Standard model is introduced. Mike Ponce joins JST as a Master Builder and takes on major role as all-around builder and supervisor of an expanding shop staff.
2003
Classic J is introduced and JST makes entry into the bass market.
2004
JST acquires the Plek Pro fret-leveling machine. The OD-100 is reintroduced and JST makes entry into the high-end amp market. The OD-100 is a smashing success.
2005
The SSC System is introduced and creates a stir in the guitar market as the first truly quiet single-coil system that retains the tone of pure single-coil pickups.
2006
JST makes successful debut at the Winter NAMM in Anaheim to much fanfare. A bevy of new products such as the Badger 18w amp, the Pro Series guitars, and the BPSSC are introduced. JST expands facility and acquires a second Haas CNC machine.
2007
JST introduces the Antique Series guitars for those into vintage styling, traditional sounds and aged look and vibe with nitro-cellulose lacquer finish. Aldrich Signature humbucker pickups are introduced to rave reviews as one of the best high-output pickups on the market. Developed in conjunction with studio guitar legend Mike Landau and blues virtuoso Kirk Fletcher, the FL single-coilpickups are introduced to the market and quickly becomes Suhr's top-selling pickup model.
2008
JST celebrates 10th anniversary of business with the introduction of the 24-fret Modern model and the 10th Anniversary Limited Edition guitar. The Modern becomes Suhr's most popular guitar model in less than a year. The Badger 30 amplifier is introduced to the growing family of Suhr-branded amplifiers. JST enters the accessories market with new product category called Tone Tools with theMiniMix and ISO Line Out box.
More Pro Series models are added to reach a wider market of players seeking the very best at an affordable price. John Suhr builds the first of the Handwired Series amplifiers for Scott Henderson (SH100) and Mike Landau (ML100). Neil Morrison (ex-manager of Wild West Guitars) joins JST to aid in the company's expanding marketing, sales and customer services operations. JST and Suhr artist Guthrie Govan team up with Apple Inc. for a series of clinics in Canada to demonstrate guitars being used with Apple computer hardware and music software.
2009
JST introduces the Modern Carve Top model as the 2009 Limited Edition and the Guthrie Govan Signature Model at the 2009 Winter NAMM. Both models are instant hits. Guthrie Govan embarks on a series of clinic tours visiting Suhr dealers in the US northeast, Canada, and northern Euope. The tours are a huge success, drawing hundreds of people to the clinics and spurring the sales of the Guthrie Govan Signature Model.
JST enters the effects pedal market with the introduction of the Koko Boost, Shiba Drive, and Riot distortion pedals. All the pedals are a huge hit with the effects connoisseurs, especially the Riot, which many are calling the best high-gain distrotion pedal ever. JST ships the first Handwired Series amps to artists John Shanks, Keith Urban, and Bernie Williams. Shon Kornfeld joins JST to replace Neil Morrison as the new marketing, sales and customer services rep.
2010
JST has a hugely successful NAMM with its largest booth yet and the introduction of new products such as the 2010 Limited Edition Set-Neck Modern, the Guthrie Govan Set-Neck Signature Model, the Modern 7-String, and new effects pedal prototypes. JST introduces the new Rasmus line of guitars manufactured overseas but Plek'd and set up by the Suhr staff at the JST facility. Suhr dealers immediately order hundreds of the Rasmus guitars.
Guthrie Govan goes on another clinic tour with clinic-shows at GIT in Hollywood, San Francisco, Denver and Boston, including a master class at the Berklee College of Music which drew over 500 people.
Additional clinic tours in Europe and Far East Asia were extremely successful in bringing awareness to Guthrie and the Suhr brand to serious guitar fans around the world.
2011
JST acquires a new facility approximately 27,000 square feet in size about a mile away from the original facility, effectively doubling production capacity for all of Suhr's products. Guitar backorders reach an all-time high of over 1400 units.
Guthrie Govan hooks up with super drummer Marco Minnemann and bassist extraordinaire Bryan Beller during NAMM for a concert and agrees to form a band and record a new studio album to be followed by regional clinic and concert tours. The new Guthrie Govan Antique Modern is introduced and becomes an instant best seller with 50+ pre-orders.