I have a 2010 HSS american special strat. & 2011 SSS american special strat.
I don't notice any difference in tone when I use the tone knobs on these guitars.
I also have a late model Gibson Les Paul and the tone change is noticable when I use the tone on this guitar.
Can anybody explain this and is there a solution?
RJA

Both the US Special SSS and HSS feature a greasebucket tone control which uses a special capacitor reducing the bass frequencies when you roll the treble off.

With a standard tone pot your sound becomes muffled as you've too much lows into the mix when you roll off the highs.