The site may not work properly if you don't, If you do not update your browser, we suggest you visit, Press J to jump to the feed. Be sure to check out Fender's website for the latest info on their guitars. One thing to always keep in mind with HSS is that you should wire the pickups with the classic HSS autosplit wiring modification. This makes the HSS Strat better suited to metal and hard rock, but don't go thinking you'll get deep, dark extreme metal tones out of it. Position 4 on the strat is pretty damn awesome, and you'll lose that if you humbucker it. Blues and jazz players may appreciate the deeper tone of a humbucker at the neck. What you may run into later down the road is a craving for that single coil sound. The way the pickups are arranged, and the humbucking in positions 2 and 4, give the 3 pickup guitars like the HSS and SSS sounds that I cannot obtain on other guitars. I don't think that you can go wrong with a standard Strat, though. Re: SSS vs. HSS vs. HSH vs. SSH vs. HH vs. HS vs. SH I like the classic S/S/S, or the same with a bridge humbucker, for the specific reason that a split humbucker, or a tapped humbucker, or a parallel HB, or split HBer coils on at the same time through a super switch, simply doesn't nail the sound of a Fender type SC alone, or in notch positions with other pickups. I coil split the humbucher(I could at least, I rarely do actually). If that's you, consider a Strat in a HSS (humbucker/single/single) format. SSS and HSS refer to pickup configurations, not pickups themselves. Of the combinations mentioned I have only used HSS, and even there I have to decide which concept I use - unsplit low output humbucker or split higher output humbucker. I’ve made a HSS from a previous SSS Am Special. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Sweet and sexy in the neck flick the switch and rip your balls out through your mouth metal awesome. By the time we’re done, you ought to be closer to making the right decision for you and your style of playing. They require a bit more work than Vintage Synchronized or 2-point Fender Tremolos, and you can’t switch up your tuning as easily. This guitar will provide you a modern warm sound with lots of gain. They all come with a choice of rosewood or maple fretboards, and include the molded cases that come with all American Professional guitars. The HSS Stratocaster is very similar to the SSS version, with the exception of a Fender humbucker replacing the single-coil bridge pickup. SSS I have a very on/off love/hate relationship with. I then threw it into the humbucker mode and got a lot more growl out of it. This has earned the MIM Player Strat a solid reputation, not only among intermediate guitarists and hobby players but even with working professional guitarists. This allows the notch position between the middle and bridge to have a sound that is different from the bridge alone. Along with the push-pull coil-split, this gives you a range of tonal possibilities. However, for most other forms of rock and metal, the HSS version is a very versatile guitar that will take you from Hendrix to Metallica with the flip of a switch. SSS configuration stratocaster with blender pot ( 7 sound options strat) Some say this is the oldest mods for strat, and i would say this is the best one. By changing the wiring scheme, we convert the first tone pot into a blender pot, blending the pickups. This is the base model with three single-coil pickups, and it is the classic design that put the Strat on the map, over sixty years ago. S stands for single-coil, and H stands for humbucker. The humbucker in the bridge will sound thicker and heavier than a single coil. If you're okay with soldering or even have a couple bucks to spare, you can take it somewhere to coil tap the humbucker, that way it's like having an SSS and a humbucker too. http://www.musicradar.com/us/reviews/guitars/fender-vg-stratocaster-26402. The bridge is a 2-point synchronized tremolo system, which is a nice upgrade from the old Standard Series. Basically the most common mods ever, so yes. Now, if I was only allowed one guitar a HSS Strat might be it. Finally, there's the double locking Floyd Rose vibrato and HSS pickup spec model. A few more models have hit the scene in the past year as well, the HH and HSH. Otherwise, I'd give it a pass and opt for the vintage-style bridge. I agree. This means a big difference in sound when the first position of the pickup selector is engaged. Fender Tex-Mex Strat Pickups. A single-coil pickup is made of a single coil of wire wrapped around a magnet and is usually defined as being "bright" and "snappy" sounding, while a humbucking pickup is made with two coils of opposing polarities, an arrangement that can reduce or cancel unwanted electromagnetic interference and produces a warmer, more bold tone. The 2018 Classic S features a new 60’s C vintage standard neck profile with indian rosewood or maple fingerboard and V60LP single coils. The Stratocaster sound works well in rock, blues, country, and even jazz. You'll be able to get some of those thick, crunchy rhythm tones that are somewhat elusive with a single-coil pickup in the bridge, as well as hotter lead sounds. Hey, remember this is all just my two cents. It is nice to once again see an affordable Strat available with a Floyd Rose! The new Ultra series swaps the Tele Thinline for a Jazzmaster and, at launch, there’s no sign of a left-handed model. Fender Player Series electric guitars are budget versions of high-end American-made Fender instruments. This is something I obsessed about a long time before buying my SSS. This is great for metal and hard rock, but players who like to use the bridge pickup for lead playing will also get some extra oomph from an HSS Strat. Ive got an HSS strat that I'm thinking of upgrading with the seymour duncan cool rails and getting a new pickguard. Done. I whole heartedly endorse it for anyone looking for a Strat to find one now on the used market. After researching for my first electric, I'm pretty set on purchasing a American Standard Stratocaster (black w/ maple neck). Just comes down to what you prefer, and that tends to take experience. Or, just get an HH guitar if I need humbucking - maybe a Jaguar. If you play jazz, seriously think about the HSH version with the humbucker at the neck. These pickup set are calibrated and they are perfect for players who love to play something unique with their new instrument. Like the SSS version, this is a guitar that sounds and plays a lot better than it should for the price tag. HSS mean s that the guitar, again usually a Strat, but it could be a tele or really anything else, has a single coil pickup in the neck position, a single coil pickup in the middle position, and a … While the MIM version of this guitar may not have the higher-end appointments of the American version, it still sounds amazing. Guitar Gopher is a guitarist and bassist with over 35 years of experience as a musician. Youll pry my HSS from my cold dead hands. I have a strat with seymour duncans, HSS. For the sake of brevity, we are only going to be focusing on Fender Strats with three Single Coil pickups, or, ‘SSS’ Strats, but this wiring also can apply to HSS strats as well! You must play them all until you find the one for you. So... not much help. Both models are equipped with a Greasebucket tone circuit that maintains gain and clarity when you back down the Tele’s master tone or the Strat HSS’s bridge tone controls. Personally, I'd go SSS. This means they are a great way to add an amazing Fender Stratocaster to your collection for a fraction of the price of a USA-made Strat. I used to only really own HSS Strats, I had a 97 Lonestar strat with two Texas special single coils and a Duncan pearly gates in the bridge, it was a solid mix and it balanced really well, very aggressive without getting into metal territory or anything. Everything I play is darker and sloppier than what a lot of people would produce. It does make a difference. If you play classic rock, blues or country, go with a traditional SSS model. That being said, should I buy the strat with the added bridge hum bucker or should I go with the SSS? The Classic S retains many of the original specifications of the Classic Pro including the SSCII hum cancelling system and stainless steel frets. yes it seems like this setup is not liked very much but this is the best one, If it's your first electric, I'd say go for the HSS, it means you can get a feel for how single coils and humbuckers differ in sound and application (and with that route, you can easily switch to a SSS setup later if you so desire). This is the classic Strat tonal palette, and the MIM version nails it pretty well. I've heard mixed reviews on the bridge single coil and really like the warmth and jazzy tone that a hum bucker produces. There are many different models made in Mexico and this article intends to touch on the most popular, starting with the basic SSS version. It could do crisp and chimey, but also dirty and meaty. A pair of humbuckers is a departure from traditional Strat tone. The Player Strat is available with a Floyd Rose bridge with and an HSS pickup configuration. What I did is to setup the guitar as a traditional SSS with the humbucker splitted. Posted by Matt Perkins October 24, 2019 October 6, 2020 Posted in News Tags: Custom staggered, Full Shred, Hot for Strat, HSS, hss fat strat vs strat, humbucker, PATB-1, Pearly Gates, Quarter Pound Staggered, Sh-1, Sh-4, sh-5, SH-6, single coil, stratocaster 22 Comments on The Philosophy of the Fat Strat: Single Coils and Humbuckers At Peace Maybe that's not so great if you intend to play death metal, and if so you should probably be looking elsewhere. Essentially, the main differences come down to pickups, neck shape, headstock size and some ingenious tone circuits. You can use any of these guitars for any darn style you want to. Fender Original ‘57/’62 Strat Pickup Set. Set up correctly, a Floyd offers rock-solid tuning stability. The SSS Player Strat features an Alder body with a maple neck and choice of either a maple or pau ferro fingerboard. This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. I’m a big fan of the Floyd and if they had this guitar in their lineup when I bought my HSS Strat this is likely what I would have chosen. On my last build with Lindy Fralins, I had him put on the metal base plate on the bridge pup. Anyway, post the link and i'll tell you what i think. Have a listen and let me know which you prefer and why. I'm not too sure you'll be getting a jazzy tone from a strat humbucker either, but I could be wrong. I left stock volume and tone controls. The single-coil pickup in the bridge will not give you the thick, crunchy sound you need for metal. That being said, if you have a humbucker in the bridge, you are kinda missing out on what I would consider a very traditional stratocaster sound, that bridge single coil may sound harsh at first but once you learn how to properly use it, it really gives you a sweet sound. Even if you go for one and later you find out you prefer the other, it probably won't be a huge deal. What do you suggest? The single-coil at the bridge has a bright, vintage tone that sounds great in these genres, and the #2 position between the middle and bridge pickups has a certain usefulness as well. On a HSS, the humbucker is straight, but on the SSS version, the bridge single coil is angled, and i think the bass half of the pickup would be too far forward to accommodate the single coil into a humbucker route without routing the body. Which Strat is right for you: SSS or HSS? It will give you some nice, warm, round tones you can't get with the single-coil. Moreover, if you really want a humbucker sound, you can always put in a single coil sized humbucker (like a hot rail) with no significant modification. Pickups in different areas may not even see some frequencies, as there may be a node over the pickup. Fender MIM Stratocaster HSS. ). Fender Player Stratocaster HSS Floyd Rose, Unless you want to step down to a Squier Stratocaster, the Player Series is the most affordable way to grab a real Strat for not a lot of cash. SSS mean that the guitar, most likely a Stratocaster, has three single coil pickups on it. This is why Fender Player instruments are referred to as Made-in-Mexico or MIM Stratocasters, a moniker once owned by the Standard Series they replaced. The neck and middle pickups are Texas Special, so I installed a SD Custom Custom on the bridge, is double output than the Texas and share similar midrangey flavour. I have spent a lot of time rewiring most of my guitars to get as many sound possibilities as I can. This is a forum where guitarists, from novice to experienced, can explore the world of guitar through a variety of media and discussion. You can drive an amp crazy with a bridge bucker and still have all the pretty Neck and Middle tones that strats are mainly known for. There is very little you can do to make them the same, as even tweaking with EQ or tone won't bring back some frequencies. hss or sss pickup configs Available in two configurations: SSS with V60LP single coil pickups, or HSS with an SSV humbucker in the bridge position. I normally prefer HH or SSS. Has anyone done something like this? Good luck choosing an awesome MIM Stratocaster! I have several Strats with various single coil pickups. In the end I decided to go with SSS because they were easier to find in the finish I wanted, and I justified it by saying that I could always go back and replace the pickguard and install a bridge humbucker if necessary. A Floyd Rose bridge does take a little more TLC than a vintage-style bridge. Fender nomenclature identifies the bridge pickup as the 1st pickup, the middle pickup as the 2nd pickup, and the neck position as the 3rd pickup. I sold an old Strat that I had and eventually wanted another. Advice? The pickups deliver a classic bright vintage tone that reminds you of the great sound that rules the airwaves during the 1950s. Even if you originally go SSS like I did, there are plenty of single-coil-sized humbuckers you can choose to change things up. The additional sounds given by the Roland pickup are great. You do need a humbucker with 4 conductor wiring for this. So, how do you choose between all of these amazing guitars? They probably will play roughly the same, though, a humbucker is worlds different from a single coil. I bought my HSS about 8 years ago and now that i have a gibson and an ibanez i more than have that humbucker on the bridge sound covered, my strat just does a crappier job of it and i find myself wishing i had a strat with a single coil now. Also, you will definitely find aftermarket pickups that are better than the stock Fenders. (This topic is … Hey, that's your problem, but maybe I can help a little. Then I threw it into Tele mode and 12-string, and it just sang. Hello r/guitar. Till recently I had a HHH (jb jnr, duckbucker, lil 59) and that was a great guitar to! I can now get all the sounds of an SSS from my HSS as well as a few of my favorite sounds from my HH guitars. FYI I am fairly new to electrics and have not played enough to really differentiate pickup qualities. There's something wonderful about a dirty single coil in the bridge. Remember, it's still a Strat with an alder body and maple neck, and it retains much of the signature tone. The HSS model adds in a humbucker for thicker, heavier sounds. The Ultra series consists of four models: a standard SSS strat, an HSS strat, a Telecaster and a Jazzmaster. The thing is, you CAN get extreme Metal sounds from an HSS Strat. Fender has a couple of models that incorporate a pair of humbuckers, giving you thick, rich tones at the neck position as well as the bridge. If you are a guitar player who loves the Strat vibe but isn't so crazy about single coils, they offer a solid option. Looks like you're using new Reddit on an old browser. The black pickguard on the white body with the two-tone pickups looks amazing! Even if you coil split a bridge humbucker, it won't sound exactly like a normal single coil in the bridge, it might be worth going SSS just because it brings a lot of good sounds into the mix. The auto split mod splits the humbucker in half and combines it with the middle in that 4th notch position. So, which should you choose, and how do they compare in sound and performance? But there are a few versions to choose from: The SSS features three single-coil pickups like the original Stratocaster. we will get a bridge+neck pickups option just like a telecaster(! If you are more of a traditionalist and will be sticking to only a few genres of music along the lines of blues, classic rock, jazz, and pop, the sss setup would be better. Standard Stratocaster Wiring: To start, we’re going to discuss the standard Stratocaster wiring that … That’s because Player-Series guitars are based on classic Fender instruments that have shaped the sound of rock since the 1950s. Even though my bridge Pickup was a really hot single coil, adding a Seymour Duncan JB Jr gave me the option of really kicking out the overdrive of the amp and getting some really excellent tones ranging from facemelting metal to texas blues depending on volume and gain settings. I had SSS for a while with Lace Sensor Hot Golds all around (check them out). And, they come in some pretty slick-looking colors you can't get on other MIM models. 46 Just want to decide between HSS and SSS. You'll never get all sounds out of one guitar. The California ‘50s strat pickup from Seymour Duncan is a set of three single-coils design. If you want to get a genuine vintage tone with your pickup, … In other words: If you really want a Stratocaster, but you’re a little short on cash, this is the way to go. Grab 5 guitars off the wall at your favorite guitar store. The two “hot” single-coil pickups in this guitar are also the newest offering from Fender. If you want humbuckers, you'd be better just getting a humbucking guitar. I now own a strat with a single coil in the bridge, I actually like it's character more than the humbuckers in the ones I had before. I use the bridge pickups quite a bit. This means a big difference in sound when the first position of the pickup selector is engaged. Whether you are an intermediate player, a beginner with a few extra bucks in your pocket, or an experienced guitarist looking to land a great instrument without missing a mortgage payment, the MIM Strat is worth a look. That's okay. The biggest difference you’ll find is tone. It takes a bit of the icepick sound out of it. The HSS Stratocaster is very similar to the SSS version, with the exception of a Fender humbucker replacing the single-coil bridge pickup. Do you expect a P90 in a basswood body to produce a heavier sound than an EMG humbucker in an ash body? I always use 500K volume pots for HSS. A Floyd Rose is a great option for players into shred and heavy metal. That being said, I also cannot get the true HH sounds from an HSS or SSS guitar. Well, for what it's worth (which probably aint much), I'm really a single coil kind of guy, except I like HBs in the bridge position. The Fender one's are great but the 3rd party pickup manufacturers have so much more to offer for just about anything you want to do. Thanks for visiting. The first one gives you a good tonal balance at the expense of the #4 position (#1 = neck pickup … I prefer a humbucker of some sort in the bridge, anything else sounds thin to my ears, but a single coil in the neck or a clear humbucker is great. All of my Strats are in the SSS (three single coil) configuration and I was wondering what difference in tone and versatility the HSS (one HB and 2 singles) would make. Here are my thoughts: All that said, surely somebody reading this is yelling at their computer screen because they use a single-coil Strat for jazz or humbuckers for blues. The HSH gives a player a "best of both worlds" option. For me it's gotta be SSS. Taking its cue from the groundbreaking guitar tweaking of Edward Van Halen, the immensely affordable Squier Classic Vibe ‘70s Strat features a fat-sounding 'bucker in the bridge position. The Fender MIM Stratocaster is one of the most popular guitars in the world, and there’s a good reason for this. Three single-coil pickups will give you those classic Strat sounds players like Hendrix, Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan made famous. Thanks. So, maybe you dig a humbucker on your Strat so much you want two of them. For that reason I tend to lean towards brighter sounding instruments to balance things out. The Stratocaster HSS has a Double Tap humbucking pickup at the bridge with a coil-splitting function that is engaged via the lower tone knob’s push/pull pot. Personally, I've been playing an HSS Standard Strat for several years and I couldn't be happier with it. Musiclily 11-Hole SSS Prewired Loaded Pickguard with Dual Hot Rail High Output Pickups Set for Fender Squier Strat Electric Guitar, 3Ply White 4.4 out of 5 stars 199 $34.46 $ 34 . best info I've gotten thanks... is it possible to split a single coil sized hum bucker? The pickups are Fender single-coils with the standard one-volume, two-tone layout with a 5-way pickup selector switch. But if you like what a Floyd can do and are willing to learn how to use it and care for it you will find it is totally worth it, particularly if you are into shred and metal. One of the ways they cut costs is to outsource construction to their facility in Mexico. I'm not a strat guy, but I do much prefer the HB bridge vs. a SC bridge when they're by themselves. I'd say if you're after getting a great deal of versatility and mileage out of your strat, a Humbucker in the bridge is the way to go for sure. I like SSH because you get the single coil neck goodness, and you can get the beefy tone of a HH guitar. On the bright side, there's nothing wrong with either setup. I have hotter guitars for extreme metal, and I have SSS Stratocasters for traditional rock tones, but for most applications, I go for my HSS version. I find myself playing it as a normal American Standard Strat most of the time and not really wanting a humbucker in the bridge. The outgoing Elite series consisted of five models: a Strat in SSS and HSS pickup configurations, a Tele and Tele Thinline, plus a lefty Strat. The single coil on the bridge is what gives that characteristic strat sound during solos IMHO. I have SSS and HSS. The way the pickups are arranged, and the humbucking in positions 2 and 4, give the 3 pickup guitars like the HSS and SSS sounds that I cannot obtain on other guitars. In this article, you’ll learn more about some of the guitars in Fender’s Player Series of instruments. The HSS Jag is one of my favorites, but only after I installed a push/pull pot to coil split the humbucker. Thanks to the 5-way pickup selector there is a wide range of tones to choose from. Do you need a Floyd Rose? I also love my SSS guitars too. Playing a guitar with a Floyd Rose bridge does not come without its hassles. HSS will offer one Ultra Double Tap humbucking bridge pickup with two Ultra Noiseless Hot Strat single-coil pickups (middle and neck). It sounds great, looks cool, it's one of those zebra coloured ones. However, if you are hoping to play heavier forms of music you may want to look at a MIM Strat with a different pickup configuration. I am finding that I pick up my HB guitars more and more lately. Maybe some new pots too depending on their resistance. The only real difference between these 2 guitars is the humbucker. Before we get into the different series we should highlight that we’ll be taking about the classic SSS (3 x single coil) configuration rather than those with 2 x humbuckers HSH and 1 x humbucker HSS configurations. An HSS strat has a humbucker in the bridge position, an SSS strat has a single-coil pickup. As an HSS owner its a fantastic first "good" electric guitar and it's very versatile. Don't listen to the bridge haters - with a little care, you can get some wonderful tones from it. Fender also uses slightly lower-quality components and woods than what you’d typically see in their American instruments, but that doesn’t mean these are badly made guitars. TLDR HSS fantastic if its your only guitar, very versatile, SSS very distinct strat sound. It's your guitar, after all! It would also be nice to gain some perspective from someone whose played both since I have actually never played either (previously owned a MIM start). The important thing is to have fun. Hi guys As my first electric guitar, I'm planning to buy a fender stratocaster. The HH version features a pair of Fender Blacktop humbuckers. You could always just buy a bridge single coil and a new pickguard. But Fender took them away for a while, only to bring them back a few years ago. I also owned a American deluxe with a humbucker in the bridge, again, it was balanced well and sounded good enough, I had no complaints really. If you have guitar related questions, use the "Search" field or ask the community. I would also be willing to replace the pickups if say you feel the HSS is worth getting rather than the SSS if you replace it with a better bridge pickup (or vice versa). The SSS Stratocaster is a great choice for rock and blues, and even country. Welcome to r/guitar, a community devoted to the exchange of guitar related information and entertainment. But the one H gets me close on the bridge and the overall number of sounds I can get from SSS/HSS guitars seems to be greater than my other guitars (this is subjective). The HSH version has those same awesome humbuckers, with a single-coil wedged in between. As the name implies, the humbucker by design suppresses hum (annoying noise picked up through electromagnetic induction from the mains electricity, amps etc. Just as a follow-up, I plugged in the VG Strat tonight to a Vox AC15 with a Crowther HotCake pedal. The MIM Stratocaster is among the best electric guitars under $1000. Fender American Ultra Stratocaster HSS. The HSH Player model is a bit off the beaten path when it comes to traditional Fender tone. Some people think the Strat bridge pickup is a bit of a weed. The Player Plus Top comes enhanced with a maple veneer top and the choice of a SSS and HSS pickup format. Wood doesn't make THAT much of a difference. **[Editor’s Choice]** If you are looking for a good quality strat pickup … Your playing style, your fingers... well they have a lot to do with it. Again, that's your decision, but I'd think about it long and hard before taking the plunge. Thus, Fender uses HSS to indicate a hum bucker at the bridge and single coils in positions 2 and 3. That being said, I also cannot get the true HH sounds from an HSS or SSS guitar. Even with a humbucker, you will not get the same kind of resonant, deep low-end you'd hear with a mahogany or basswood-bodied guitar. The first letter refers to the bridge position, and the last refers to the neck position. If you really think you'll use it in your playing, go for it. Otherwise the bride humbucker will overpower the single coil middle PU, which has lower output by default of it being single coil. I like that sound. SSS sounds rather different from HSS. These pickups also include a push-pull coil tap for reverting to that single-coil sound when you need it. I usually coil split and series/parallel my humbuckers and can get some sounds that come close to an SSS strat but never all the way. If you are already a Strat enthusiast, they present the possibility of adding something unique to your collection. I have even thought of two HBs on a Strat as well. I came across the VG Strat, albeit when they were new. Just use a boost for solos, or roll off the tone a little clean if you don't want it to sound as sharp. The best place to start if you're new is right below in our "Rules" section. I have SSS strats, an HSS Jag, and all kinds of HH and SS guitars. With a legendary pedigree but a budget price tag, it gives many guitar players a chance to own a real Fender guitar. Re: SSS vs. HSS vs. HSH vs. SSH vs. HH vs. HS vs. SH A pair of good humbuckers like a '59N/Custom bridge combination, along with coil taps for both should be quite versatile for most styles. Love the brightness, bite and snap/twang but sometimes feel they're wimpy n thin when I want to get down n dirty. That said, when combined with the middle, I prefer the SC bridge. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts.