HSS vs SSS

philip602 · **Posted:** Fri May 01, 2009 5:47 pm

For your overall list, I'd say an HSS. II agree with other posters that SSS is THE classic and correct Strat sound. But since you tossed in jazz and flamenco, the HSS configuration is needed for such a wide variety of non-rock sounds (my opinion). I have one of each and I'm basing my comments on a 2004 AmStd SSS and a 2008 AmStd HSS.

I've never tried flamenco on an electric but I'm thinking the switch in position 1 or 2 and tone muted on an HSS would be plausible in context. I have played Spanish tunes on both Strats (not flamenco of course) and I think the SSS wouldn't approach the overall balance you'd need.

There are great jazz players who use Strats but some at least (Joyce Cooling comes to mind) seriously mod and often have at least one humbucker available. So that's the other part of my nod to the HSS, assuming you can get only one.

orvilleowner · **Posted:** Fri May 01, 2009 5:52 pm

Stratkiller wrote:

I own numerous Strats all with HSS formatting and I find them to be incredibly versatile. I play in a copy band that covers a lot of ground (Allmans to Z.Z. Top) and it's really nice not to have to switch guitars when going from a MOUNTAIN song to a Hendrix song ! I never had any real love for the piercing, biting bridge pup of a Strat ! JMHO

I agree with the two main points here: HSS is very versatile and the bridge pup is my least favorite position of a SSS standard set up.

As mostly a neck pickup player, a HSS strat works the same as a SSS for me. The H gives me that other option for non-strat-type rock songs.

guitarmanjt · **Joined:** Fri May 01, 2009 2:30 pm **Posts:** 69

I haven't had that much experience with stratocasters, but the decision between an HSS and a SSS strat depends mostly on the style. Every guitar is voiced differently. For instance, I have a les paul copy and it sounds similar to a telecaster with hot single coils, except the tele is brighter. It also depends on your setup. I would reccomend HSS for hard rock and for SSS, it depends on hot or normal pickups. I think it's good to have a guitar with warm, mellow humbuckers and another guitar with bright, punchy single coils. That's why I want a telecaster to go with my les paul copy. So, when deciding between HSS and SSS, it depends on voicing, style, and your setup. At least, that's my take on it.

dgonz · **Posted:** Sun May 03, 2009 2:54 pm

BigJay wrote:

I tend to agree with Dgonz and JSJH. I built my Kickassocaster to emulate the late '60s classic vintage SSS strats. Someday I intend to have a very nice Les Paul to balance out the quiver. Then maybe a hollow body electric like an ES or a big bodies Gretch.

On the other hand, for most guys on these boards multiple guitars just may not make sense. In these cases, a single guitar that is versitile may be the best choice. Moreover, there is much more to a Strat than the 3 single coil pups. The necks and bodies can be unique as well and there is some ego appeal for some to own a "Strat". Maybe no Strat is the best choice for versatility. But he asked about Strats, so in this case the HSS may be the best for him.

I agree to that. If you can afford a few guitars, I would want one pure "Strat". If you can only have one guitar, then yes - you can mode it more.

For me, I put a humbucking single-size JB Jr on my main strat that I can dial up the inner coil with. I wanted a Strat that still sounded and felt like a strat, but that I could play balls-out high gain on with a little more humbucker-ish tone. I got that, but at a price. Even when you split that single-sized humbucker, it's still not "quite" a single coil in tone. It's damn close, but for pure bridge single strat sounds, I'll grab my MIM that I threw the MIA pickups on. I'm happy with that.

Lesson to me: a split humbucker, even a single-sized humbucker, is not equal to a pure single coil pickup.

musiluna · **Joined:** Mon Feb 02, 2009 7:28 am **Posts:** 41

frankafru wrote:

well? for a MIM strat, which is better for blues/rock/metal/flamenco/jazz? something with an actual strong output, not just make a noise and die, i think sustain's the word. Por favor, ayudame (help me plz)

Hi.
I had the same "problem" a couple of months ago 1when i bought mu first true American Deluxe Stratocaster SSS which felt real nice but after a day playing, there was something missing! Although the factory set up was excellent i found that So the i opened a thread here to gather some opinions including changing the pups then i changed my mind and went back to the store and exchanged it for the hss model here is a picture of it:

so i hold it for 4 days until i went back to the store and exchanged again for the original SSS.So i guess what was lacking was actually me lol.

bjk · **Joined:** Mon Apr 13, 2009 7:34 pm **Posts:** 17

Stratkiller wrote:

Arctic Bass wrote:

...or how about a SSS standard strat set up and ....a Billy Corgan signature?

AB

Call me a dinosaur, narrow minded, or whatever ! I don't care how many records the man sold or how allegedly influential his band is.....Billy Corgan DOES NOT deserve to have a signature model Stratocaster!!!
To be honest.....he a crappy player!!!

That is reserved for the player of the highest order...ie...Jimi, Jeff Beck, Robin Trower, Eric Clapton/...ect......

What are they going to do: give a signature Stratocaster to any new wave/alternative knuckleneck just because they sell 5 million records!!

Meanwhile Joe Bonamassa had to go over to the Gibson camp PERMANENTLY (!!!) because Fender told him he didn't sell enough records to warrant a signature model.

Heck....Gibson gave him a signature Les Paul........GRRRRRR

Actually, on the Corgan point, the guy may be better than you think. I saw a YouTube clip of him from 1985. He was ripping it up pretty good there. He doesn't play in that style nowdays, but I was definately surprised. Check it out if you get the chance.

bjk · **Joined:** Mon Apr 13, 2009 7:34 pm **Posts:** 17

atolleter wrote:

schmintan wrote:

IMO, a true strat is SSS, as per the original design. The sound of a strat is the single coil.

I would never get a strat wtih a humbucker. There are plenty of good guitars out there that are designed with humbuckers in mind ( some gibson variant for example, designed for humbuckers).

+1

For HB get SG or LP.

I've actually got 2 Strats and they're both HH (with Floyd Rose). I love the look and feel and playability of the Strat, but I'm not a single coil guy. I always pick up SSS strats at the store and plug them in, but I can't get a good tone to save my life. Les Pauls are great sounding and looking, but they are completely a foreign object in my hands. Plus most other guitars are generally a knockoff of a Fender or Gibson. I'd rather play the real (albeit modded) thing.

01GT eibach · **Posted:** Mon May 04, 2009 7:44 pm

DeVinci13 wrote:

I have a Strat with the HSS and I love it. But, I want a Strat with SSS.

I have an SSS that I love to death, but I want an HH, too. So, I am currently building one. Stay tuned, everybody...

tbazzone · **Posted:** Mon May 04, 2009 8:06 pm

Get the SSS and put a Hot Rail in the bridge. It make for a very versitial guitar.

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