Fender American Special HSS


I went to the guitar shop to day to get my Fender American Special Teley and they sold it. After I stopped crying I tried the Strat HSS after about an hour of playing I decided I want it. I have to wait till Monday to have it set up right. What a nice sounding and well made guitar. What do you Hss Strat lovers think of the Fender American Special HSS?

Honestly, I do not like the Atomic Humbucker. I played a few different Stratocaster models a little over a month ago. The American Specials were part of my trek for my next purchace. Overall it is a nice guitar, I really like the Texas Specials in the neck, middle, and and prefer TS's in the bridge. I just liked the SSS model better. Fortunately for me I already have a HSS Stratocaster with a Dimarzio Super Distortion in the bridge.

If you like it, I say go for it. Overall it is a great guitar. I plan on getting the SSS model as soon as I save the money for it (again).

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

It’s a bummer going to the store to buy the guitar you want and get there and it’s gone. And they had a SSS on hold. The only A.S. they had was the HSS I felt the same as you about the Atomic Humbucker but the more I hear it the more I can live with it. Mostly I play the neck and middle pickups. I’ll probably change it to SSS. I’d rather have a Strat with a rosewood fretboard anyway. But I like Maple on my Teleys. Plus I made the mistake of taking my wife with me to help confuse my decision.

I'm seeing a lot of mixed reviews of the Atomic HB. Professional reviews in guitar magazines seem to be positive about it, but here on the forum some people really dislike it... Who should we believe now?

I was very interested in a black HSS Am. special, but now I'm thinking of getting a CAR SSS and install a DiMarzio SD after reading negative reviews 'by the people'...

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Dean, Epiphone and Fender guitars

I was skeptical at first to but that Hss grows on ya. And I have been getting complaints from even hard core SSS Strat people. And that rosewood with the three color sun burst is a thing of beauty. I may Chang it someday but for now I like it. I have no regrets with this Guitar at all. And remember peoples opinions are what they like not yours.

You could get the HSS AS and after you get to know it, should you decide to exchange the humbucker, change it then. You will need to either modify the exhisting pickguard or purchace a new one with 2 holes to mount the Dimarzio.

I personally have a HWY 1 with a rosewood fingerboard and Dimarzio in the bridge so I do not need another HSS guitar like that in my collection. And compared to the Dimarzio SD in my HWY 1, the Atomic Humbucker is weak compared to it. This was why I did not get the HSS Highway 1 when I purchaced it, I knew I did not like the Atomic Humbucker on those either.

I always say play before you pay, and see if the HSS is truely for you. I do like the SSS model over the HSS model and that is my choice as my next purchace. For me I will most likely get the CAR unless more colors come available once I save enough money for it. I figure I have 5- 6 months before I am ready to purchace. I already have 2 Sunbursts and am looking forward to another color and my first maple fingerboard in a very long time to play on.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

For me, my AS Black HSS Strat, is great, sounds awesome. It adds another "tone" to my "arsenal". I have a 2009 American Std. 3 color sunburst SSS with maple fretboard, and a Mahagony HSS Special Edition. So with all those, I can grab whatever tone I need. The Atomic is "weak" compared to Dimarzio super distortion, but to me thats ok, I dont need all that. I also have the White AS Tele, it just sings!

If I decided to remove the Atomic Humbucker and go TS’ in the bridge what is involved? I know I’ll need a new pickguard SSS. So what is the best TS’ to buy and where?

Honestly this is a qustion that should be left to the pros. I did my own work on my guitar, but I got a lot of advice and researched a lot on the net going from SSS to HSS.

Off the top of my head, first you need to find a TS bridge pickup. Craigslist or ebay should help there. You will also need a soldering iron and wire. As the pots are already 250k it should be a matter of un-soldering the pickup, replace, and mount on new SSS pickguard.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

I'm in no hurry. 90% I play the neck or bridge or both anyway. But I'll eventually change it to SSS. Any more INFO on this will be appreciated.

I not sure how the atomic humbucker sounds but I replaced my Tex-Mex humbucker in my MIM Deluxe Fat Strat(recently discontinued) with a DiMarzio SD. Wow, I couldn't be happier with it.

Its just strong enough to get me into that light metal catagory. Great for classic rock! Best decision I made in a long time.

I managed to keep the original pick guard and drill 2 new holes for the Dimarzio. I kept "dummy" screws in the old holes and it looks just fine.

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2008 Fender Deluxe Fat Strat
1998 Gibson Explorer
1985 Ibanez DT350FR
Peavey Valveking

Wanted to pop this thread open. Any more opinions? I read an interview with the guitarist for Primus and he said this is his favorite humbucker. It has me interested.

Isn't the Atomic basically a JB? It seems that they also have gotten mixed reviews when used in a Strat.

I have the American Special HSS. I was assuming that I would replace the Atomic Humbucker in it, but after taking it home and playing it for a while, I am in love with it. It's not quite as trebly as the JB and it matches the Texas Specials really well. Rock or blues, it is super versatile and has a lot of character. For me, it's pretty perfect.

Wow, this topic really is a blast from the past. I have no idea what my previous post was about again

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Dean, Epiphone and Fender guitars