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I’ve always preferred HSS. SSS has its moments but I prefer a Tele bridge pickup over a Strat’s anyday. HSS is probably the most versatile guitar ever made.
Yeah am mostly metal player but not only metal and hss strat seems really versatile and i planing to get one, bridge for high gain use, middle for amazing strat clean and neck for soloing and some funk, seems like it could be used over any genre.
I'm mainly an Ibanez Epiphone kinda guy, but I tried a Fender Strat HSS yesterday, and it was amazing. The humbucker wasn't quite as hot as I wanted, but that can be easily swapped out. I would leave the bridge and neck single coil for that strat sound, but the bridge bucker would be for the heavier stuff I like to play that's Guns N Roses like. Definitely seems like the HSS is a bit more versatile than the standard SSS, which makes me wonder why it seems like no famous guitarists use them? From Dire Straits, to Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, U2, all use the SSS configuration it seems.
@@Philminator because HSS is a newer design, unavailable to the 1st gen of guitar gods. I think it all changed after EVH. Now we all know, HSS is the new modern classic
Thanks for another great demo Jack, you always answer the questions, myself, and i'm sure thousands of others want to hear. UA-cam is such a labyrinth, but you keep it clear, simple and concise. Much appreciated.
To start my new found (midlife) hobby, I'll be buying my first Strat in the SSS config. As a firm SRV and Knopfler fan, you've answered my question. I loved those riffs in the video and could listen all evening. I guess it's why I've been a spectator for so long without playing.
Awesome! Congratulations on getting into playing. Knopfler is easily my favorite musician, excellent taste. Stick with it. It can be frustrating at first but it’s a real joy if you don’t give up.
Stirange - get a load of this guy. Calling others a fag when he's the one ridiculing others for their choices in gear. You know where you can shove your single-coils...
Excellent video. I am a Les Paul guy now...used to be a Strat fan. I love that LP HH sound, but I think a Strat sounds best with the SSS pickup configuration and the HH is best on the LP.
I’m an older Rock n Roll and blues guy. I just bought a Player Plus HSS without playing one because I fell in love with the upgraded features and splittable H. Box arrived, and I agonized over whether it really be the “everything” guitar. Finally, I took my newbie butt to GC and tried it, as well as the Player ii HSS and SSS. HSS just doesn’t do it for me. Just not Strat-like. I just returned a Player Plus HSS, unopened. Waiting for the Player ii SSS to go on sale. 😬
This was VERY helpful thank you! I need to get an electric again and I play so many styles of music, rock, metal, folk, hiphop, blues. I think I'm going to go with the HSS. Thanks again!
I just went back to SSS. I find most-buckers to be too woofy, muddy and only sound good-to-me with high-gain. Someone needs to make a humbucker that has the beautiful "Low-Output" and Tonal Profile of a Stratocaster - with the ability to Split the coil. Nice comparison. That Andrew Robertson humbucker did sound very-nice. oNe LovE from NYC.
@@ritchie376 Thanks. I added it to my growing-list. I like-to-do "Thorough Research" before making a decision (so I'm happy with the decision). I appreciate the info. Stay Safe
Honestly, I think Fenders new Player Plus HSS Strats did just that?! I’m about to get one and I’m not sure if I want SSS or HSS. I really want the Olympic Pearl w/candy apple red pick guard… but it only comes in SSS (upgraded Fender’s noiseless pickups) but a MIM Strat for $1100 I really want that specific color in HSS if I’m spending that kind of money. It comes with rolled edges, locking tuners and some other premium’s that the regular Player’s didn’t have like the upgraded saddle block so you don’t have those grub screws scraping your hands
As a non-player/ Christmas shopper for a 15 year old wanting a guitar I can tell you they both sound beautiful. I think some of you are biased by your expectation of what a Strat sounds like. You're listening for the Humbucker rather than evaluating the sound on it's own merit. If it wasn't a strat body but had it's own unique shape and the pick-ups disguised as something new. I think some of you would hear it a lot different. In Jack's other HSS video it's clearer that the HSS shines when it's played clean. It would be right at home with 50's and early sixties rock, jazz, or vintage country and blues. Like SSS and HH I think this has areas it will work best and areas it will work the person playing it. Additionally, the overall amount of distortion some of you think is in 70's rock is exaggerated. Im not speaking of Jack specifically (he's mild by UA-cam standards) but some of the so called 70's guitar people play on UA-cam makes me cringe. Some of them need to turn the gain way way back. Anyway, I enjoyed the video.
Im totally on board with using your ears and not your expectations. I actually talk about that alot in my amp reviews. People get hung up using gear in certain ways that they think SHOULD sound good, and are afraid to tweak them to ways where they actually sound good.
@@JackFossett As I said, I'm not a player but I am an painter. As an artist I understand the challenge of getting out of ones comfort zone and looking at tools and materials in new ways. Growing up on the other side of a bedroom wall from a brother learning to play, qualifies me to talk about guitars. ;)
So you’re unbiased because you don’t play? But you seem to know more about it then other people. Have you ever considered maybe you’re overcompensating for your expectations of what a strat should sound like? Because they sound pretty obviously different to me
Main Problem with an HSS IMO is balancing. H is louder, and fatter, so when switching to Single or Neck, they can suddenly sound thin or weak. Dilemma, do you set your Amp to accomodate the HB Bridge or the other two SC's? It's no accident that 80's HSS Superstrats evolved into single Bridge HB guitars as "Stock"... the Middle and Neck almost became redundant because they were too troublesome to use Live. My preference is SSS, but I also have HH (Les Paul) for when I want, or feel I need, HH. I play my Strats and Teles mostly, with the LP still getting a good amount of use. But, if I'm lazy, it's not too hard getting my Strats beefed up to sound like a Humbucker (as good as an audience would care). On the other hand, I can't make my LP sound like a Strat or a Tele. Before I had (or was privileged to own) a guitar per function, I had a Charvel Model 6 HSS... and used it for over a decade, without too many issues.... but I coveted those true Strat and Tele sounds, which led to where I am now.
I really appreciated this. I am long-time Gibson ES-175 player and just bought a Strat that needs the bridge pickup. The hard part is: do my ears just want 'that' sound of humbuckers because I am used to that sound, or should I stick with SSS on the Strat. The only rock stuff I would play is mostly 70s/early 80s sound; tube/valve amp with just a little crunch when pushed.
For that style actually an HSS would really go well, even though I'm personally more of a classic SSS fan. And by the way, an ES175 is one of my bucket list guitars!
I’ve been playing an SSS for years. I’ve never had an HSS, though I’ve thought about it. I find that it’s crucial for me to turn down the tone a quarter turn or so on the bridge pickup; I like the tone much better that way. It thickens it up and removes some of the piercing quality that’s too much for my ears.
I can't say that one configuration is superior to another when it comes to HSS or SSS. If I do use a bucker in the bridge in an HSS configuration that bucker will be subordinate to the single coils because I don't want to put in a raging high output bucker that requires very hot middle and neck singles to keep up. So I'd go for medium to vintage output for the bridge bucker. But most of the time I prefer a single coil in the bridge. With a good, stacked hot single coil in the bridge like a DiMarzio Virtual Solo, Heavy Blues 2 or Duncan Custom Plus I can get more than enough power for the sound I want without using a standard humbucker. I never felt standard humbuckers worked as well for a number 2 position strat tone which I use a lot. It's something about the coils and the positioning.
I have a modded partscaster with HSH. I miss having the position 2 on the strat though. I love humbuckers but man there's just something about that SSS Strat sound especially in the out of phase positions and the neck position. It's just incredible.
Excellent video. As I mainly play on neck and neck+middle positions, I'll go with a hss just for the added versatility. And I absolutely love the sound of that PAF, it really is wicked
Nice video. I have a HSS. I like both. However, after watching multiple comparisons such as this, I think it becomes somewhat obvious that you would tweak your amp. The humbucker doesn’t sound as good if you play it in your amp SSS setting. You can make the humbucker sound sweet by adjusting your amp setting.
I prefer the sound of SSS. If i switch the H in single coil, il will never have the sound of the original SSS ? Thank you !! Sorry if you answer in the video... but i'm not english speaking... so difficult to understand..... ;)
@@JackFossett thanks to google trad ^^. i'm a french baguette lol . Does HSS in single coil switched, is exactly like SSS? i'm planning to buy my first guitar... pacifica 112V and it's not SSS. but HSS with single coil switch.... i love your sss sound, i don"t want to make a mistake buying the pacifica 112V in the sound color... :)
Finally someone answered my question! I'm about to buy a Fender Stratocastor Player and was having trouble deciding on which pickup combo to get. Since I have an LTD Deluxe with EMG pickups, I think I will go for the Fender with the SSS combo to get the more original Strat sound. My reason for the new guitar is that I can't quite get a blues tone that I like out of the LTD. With the Fender in SSS and the LTD with 81/85's, I will have a broad spectrum of sounds in only two guitars. Any comments and suggestions would be very welcome. Thanks for the video.
I think the differences between a strat bridge and tele bridge pickup is more apparent when you add gain. Tele pickups add the girth when you throw gain on it. Strat pickups don’t. Personally I think it would be interesting to have a Nashville tele with a strat neck pickup instead of a tele neck pickup.
Lol I had no idea "wicked"was specific to New England. I'm from in Arkansas and use the term all the time, like "Check out that wicked guitar," or "Wicked tone, man."
Is that the translucent cherry mucho mocha whatever? It’s beautiful. I like the HSS obviously, line any sane guitar head would … all thing being equal, of course.
Single coil pickups on high gain cain be unusable depending on the electrical set up you a playing in. If you play rock to metal you have to have an hss. Even with noiseless pickups the bridge single coil will not chug
Hoy many HB did Jimi used on his Strat? How many HB does Ritchie use? When was the last time Yngwie used a humbucker? Hell, even Paul Gilbert uses single coils nowadays
@@ArielCardona yngwie uses stacked humbuckers and a DOD signal booster with a boss NS1 noise hate, blackmore put his guitar through an Aiwa tape deck to fatten it up. Hendrix was Hendri.
Little question. On the new American performer hss the hambucker can be splited. Would that sound like a classic sss? I can't make my minde up on wich one to choose thanks
It certainly bridges the gap and is a good option if you’re leaning HSS. However, the only company I’ve come across that really does cool splitting well is PRS. So yes and no - it will give you a pseudo SSS tone. Not as good as an actual SSS, but better than nothing?
Thanks for the advice because on the new American performer i read that it's a new system and the sound was quite close with the hambucker splited but with the sss you can use 3 single coils together so what do you think is best?
shaun manning I haven’t played the new one so I can’t say for sure. But it does seem like a good middle ground if you’re on the fence. And a lot of other people like coil splitting just fine, mine is certainly not the be all end all opinion.
Ok thanks i think i will go for the hss to have more options. I like the idea of using it like a classic eaven if its not quite as good and pop on the hambucker if i need it.
PAF+middle is interesting, but I didn't like PAF by itself, it sounded pretty useless to put on a strat. It doesn't really add much body or distorts well, it just loses definition and doesn't sound as sharp and expressive as a single coil does and how it's generally expected to sound on a strat (you have a right point about "stratocaster mood"). I prefer to have a classic strat and a dedicated humbucker guitar. I had a HSS superstrat as my first guitar, but its particular pickups weren't really well matched, humbucker was too loud and mid-heavy and lacked treble. It distorted well though and I liked the strange and full sound of the 2nd position. I'm not sure if there is a HSS set that would be perfectly balanced for me, but I don't need it that much anyway.
Yeah i think i agree. Was looking up sss vs hss to see if it was worth it but think i will stick to my les pauls for humbucker and single coils when i buy my first strat
Thank you for the comparison! Are Neck/Neck+Middle pickups supposed to sound the same across SSS & HSS guitars, since they're not using the bridge coil?
Great video. Yeah, 10-15 years ago I hated hss because it just sounded like it had a split personality. These days there are so many options for cooler-sounding humbuckers and hotter bridge single coils (or single-sized humbuckers), you really can't go wrong with either.
So, when you started playing clean at the 9:45 mark...were you still using the Bluesbreaker amp? Those are *great* cleans! And your voice sort of dropped when saying what reverb pedal you were using during the clean potion...what was that pedal again? Thanks.
Yes thats the Bluesbreaker! Its loaded with dual Eminence Alnico speakers which makes a big difference. When I got it it had Celestion V30s in it which are too brash for my taste. And the reverb pedal was a One Control Prussian Blue. Cheers -
Going to buy my first strat and looking at the Fender Deluxe strat. I think im better off getting hte SSS version for the classic strat tones since i already have two les pauls and a jackson kelly with a jb4. So I won't be using the strat for heavier stuff anyway most likely. Makes sense?
Great playing Jack!!! I hope you or another reader may be able to help me. After 30 years of playing Acoustic guitar, I am finally starting to learn to play electric. I can only afford one electric guitar. I want my guitar to sound most like Clapton, Gilmour, Stevie Ray, Buddy Guy, BB King, and though it sounds most likely impossible, I would also like for it to sound like Garcia and Anastasio. I would also like to play a little Black Sabbath, AC/DC or Nirvana on occasion. If I had to sacrifice one sound it would be the Sabbath/Nirvana/AC/DC sounds. Which guitar do you think would be best for me? Also, I have a great Deal on a Demo HSS lined up and wondered if I should buy it regardless of which configuration I end up with since I plan on upgrading the pups anyway. Will the SSS pups fit properly into the stock Player HSS I have on hold until tomorrow. The one on hold is priced at $550 just because it has a ding on the back. Does anyone with more electric guitar experience have any input?
Definitely go with a classic Stratocaster. Clapton, Gilmour, SRV and Buddy all primarily use classic strats. And you can get closer to a Gibson sound on a Strat than you can vice versa. If you roll your tone back, and push some extra gain and mids, you can get into Gibson-esque territory. Certainly not exactly, but again, closer than a Gibson can get to a Fender sound.
Wow I just love your playing style I really enjoyed this video ! I can see why a guitarist would need both .I think using the paf with the singlecoils really makes sense the tone has a little more growl but is not overpowering thank you for this video!
@@Row2nd American Standard Stratocaster HSS, Rosewood Fingerboard, Sienna Sunburst...it's quite rare to be honest. I also just received two months ago a make to order Larry Carlton series Sire S7-FM-TBL (transparent blue) which to be fair is not a Fender, but for less than half the price sounds almost like and in some spheres better (Humbucker splits when on position 2, bridge and middle)...it's a sweet piece! I have a few other guitars as well. If you're looking for a more affordable version strat that sounds like a strat, this Sire S7 (they also have regular colors and SSS models) is it, honestly.
Humbuckers sacrifice articulation, are muddier sounding, with the benefit of better output and reaction to distortion (metal genres especially like em) and of course, it bucks the hum.
SSS for sure if you are a classic rock player, that unique bridge single coil sound is not replaceable, the versatile of HSS is not relevant for true musician
Just commenting cause’ I love the channel maybe. In some cases the hss seems to fit very nicely from front to back. I own two strats both sss. So now I wonder do I want both and does coil splitting complete or solve the whole thing, surely not🥴
Im still deciding which pickups to use. I want something that gives me the most versatile sound since im mainly a bassist so i dont want to spend loads of money on guitars so im limiting myself to one guitar. I can decide between hss or hsh. Im making the guitar myself so i will wire in a coil tap option and maybe and option to use bridge and neck pickup at same time as well as the normal strat options. Can anyone recommend the hsh option?
Jupiter James-Reynolds I’m not crazy about coil splitting so I much prefer the HSS. But if you dig coil splitting, that can be a cool option. I’d check out one of these smaller companies like Andrew Robertson for pickups. You’ll get a way higher quality, handwound pickup for the same price as a Seymour Duncan or Dimarzio.
HSH is pretty much a marmite setup. I wouldn't call it versatile, not in the same way a HSS is; because it detracts too much away from the Strat. Retaining the S/S gives the two popular strat positions of Mid/Neck and since alot of people aren't keen on the thin bridge (obviously strat purists/classic fans can ignore) they get more out of the Bridge drop kick, for leads and heavier needs with a humbucker in there at the back. HSS is my favourite do it all Guitar. Sure I may run my GLP for HH and a SSS for old skool twang but for pop-rock styles or for my band, varying between some twang and some thick growl (often one after the other or at the same time); nothing beats it. HSS often isn't everyones first thought and many people don't give it the right dues. But when you use one and find that sweet spot, nothing can really replace it.
Its called Crimson Red Transparent. Its like Dakota red except you can see a bit of woodgrain through it. Not sure if its currently a production finish - this is a 2003 Highway One stratocaster.
HSS is just underated, Best sounding neck and mid pic ups ever and the Humbucker is like a Les Paul sound better even better because it still has the Strat sound in there.
Thanks for watching everyone! Please remember to like and subscribe, and if you enjoy the channel, join me for some music! open.spotify.com/artist/6RLQFre2Qp5T454mFR5Ol4
Hey Jack. What series Strats are they?
I’ve always preferred HSS. SSS has its moments but I prefer a Tele bridge pickup over a Strat’s anyday. HSS is probably the most versatile guitar ever made.
Yeah am mostly metal player but not only metal and hss strat seems really versatile and i planing to get one, bridge for high gain use, middle for amazing strat clean and neck for soloing and some funk, seems like it could be used over any genre.
try the Fender Custom Shop '54 pickups the bridge pickup is pretty special on those, someone else called it "tele-like" I just think it sounds good
I'm mainly an Ibanez Epiphone kinda guy, but I tried a Fender Strat HSS yesterday, and it was amazing. The humbucker wasn't quite as hot as I wanted, but that can be easily swapped out. I would leave the bridge and neck single coil for that strat sound, but the bridge bucker would be for the heavier stuff I like to play that's Guns N Roses like. Definitely seems like the HSS is a bit more versatile than the standard SSS, which makes me wonder why it seems like no famous guitarists use them? From Dire Straits, to Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, U2, all use the SSS configuration it seems.
@@Philminator because HSS is a newer design, unavailable to the 1st gen of guitar gods. I think it all changed after EVH. Now we all know, HSS is the new modern classic
HSS is the goat, you can add a split coil, and a mid neck series mod to make it even more versatile
Thanks for another great demo Jack,
you always answer the questions, myself, and i'm sure thousands of others want to hear.
UA-cam is such a labyrinth, but you keep it clear, simple and concise.
Much appreciated.
My pleasure! Thanks for the kind words ~
To start my new found (midlife) hobby, I'll be buying my first Strat in the SSS config. As a firm SRV and Knopfler fan, you've answered my question. I loved those riffs in the video and could listen all evening. I guess it's why I've been a spectator for so long without playing.
Awesome! Congratulations on getting into playing. Knopfler is easily my favorite musician, excellent taste. Stick with it. It can be frustrating at first but it’s a real joy if you don’t give up.
4:02 Asking the question: Why would you want SSS vs HSS?
Great demo. I love that you gave the clean section a lot of space so the viewer can listen to the note start to finish. Thank you.
I like the HSS...
HSS has grown on me over the years.
@stirange Wow...you're pretty fucked up.
stirange
Haha
Stirange - get a load of this guy. Calling others a fag when he's the one ridiculing others for their choices in gear. You know where you can shove your single-coils...
Hss is the best!!!
Excellent video. I am a Les Paul guy now...used to be a Strat fan. I love that LP HH sound, but I think a Strat sounds best with the SSS pickup configuration and the HH is best on the LP.
I’m an older Rock n Roll and blues guy. I just bought a Player Plus HSS without playing one because I fell in love with the upgraded features and splittable H. Box arrived, and I agonized over whether it really be the “everything” guitar. Finally, I took my newbie butt to GC and tried it, as well as the Player ii HSS and SSS. HSS just doesn’t do it for me. Just not Strat-like.
I just returned a Player Plus HSS, unopened. Waiting for the Player ii SSS to go on sale. 😬
To be honest, I'd have one of each. Very fine quality and tone. Your playing on the hss though almost lulled me to sleep. Just magnificent.
This was VERY helpful thank you! I need to get an electric again and I play so many styles of music, rock, metal, folk, hiphop, blues. I think I'm going to go with the HSS. Thanks again!
Glad it was helpful!
I've had many of both. Personally, I do prefer SSS over HSS; but HSS Strats are great, too.
I just went back to SSS. I find most-buckers to be too woofy, muddy and only sound good-to-me with high-gain. Someone needs to make a humbucker that has the beautiful "Low-Output" and Tonal Profile of a Stratocaster - with the ability to Split the coil. Nice comparison. That Andrew Robertson humbucker did sound very-nice. oNe LovE from NYC.
Well said!
Bro check out Lambertones Pickups low output, very articulate
@@ritchie376 Thanks. I added it to my growing-list. I like-to-do "Thorough Research" before making a decision (so I'm happy with the decision). I appreciate the info. Stay Safe
Honestly, I think Fenders new Player Plus HSS Strats did just that?! I’m about to get one and I’m not sure if I want SSS or HSS. I really want the Olympic Pearl w/candy apple red pick guard… but it only comes in SSS (upgraded Fender’s noiseless pickups) but a MIM Strat for $1100 I really want that specific color in HSS if I’m spending that kind of money. It comes with rolled edges, locking tuners and some other premium’s that the regular Player’s didn’t have like the upgraded saddle block so you don’t have those grub screws scraping your hands
As a non-player/ Christmas shopper for a 15 year old wanting a guitar I can tell you they both sound beautiful.
I think some of you are biased by your expectation of what a Strat sounds like. You're listening for the Humbucker rather than evaluating the sound on it's own merit. If it wasn't a strat body but had it's own unique shape and the pick-ups disguised as something new. I think some of you would hear it a lot different.
In Jack's other HSS video it's clearer that the HSS shines when it's played clean. It would be right at home with 50's and early sixties rock, jazz, or vintage country and blues. Like SSS and HH I think this has areas it will work best and areas it will work the person playing it.
Additionally, the overall amount of distortion some of you think is in 70's rock is exaggerated. Im not speaking of Jack specifically (he's mild by UA-cam standards) but some of the so called 70's guitar people play on UA-cam makes me cringe. Some of them need to turn the gain way way back.
Anyway, I enjoyed the video.
Im totally on board with using your ears and not your expectations. I actually talk about that alot in my amp reviews. People get hung up using gear in certain ways that they think SHOULD sound good, and are afraid to tweak them to ways where they actually sound good.
@@JackFossett As I said, I'm not a player but I am an painter. As an artist I understand the challenge of getting out of ones comfort zone and looking at tools and materials in new ways.
Growing up on the other side of a bedroom wall from a brother learning to play, qualifies me to talk about guitars. ;)
@@dcg1976 a "non-player"... right..
@@Astral_Wave Do you paint Rick?
So you’re unbiased because you don’t play? But you seem to know more about it then other people. Have you ever considered maybe you’re overcompensating for your expectations of what a strat should sound like? Because they sound pretty obviously different to me
I've both...and I still can't make my mind up. Btw, beautiful playing man.
the same! this year I buy fender strat sss and next year HSS.
Main Problem with an HSS IMO is balancing. H is louder, and fatter, so when switching to Single or Neck, they can suddenly sound thin or weak. Dilemma, do you set your Amp to accomodate the HB Bridge or the other two SC's? It's no accident that 80's HSS Superstrats evolved into single Bridge HB guitars as "Stock"... the Middle and Neck almost became redundant because they were too troublesome to use Live.
My preference is SSS, but I also have HH (Les Paul) for when I want, or feel I need, HH. I play my Strats and Teles mostly, with the LP still getting a good amount of use.
But, if I'm lazy, it's not too hard getting my Strats beefed up to sound like a Humbucker (as good as an audience would care). On the other hand, I can't make my LP sound like a Strat or a Tele.
Before I had (or was privileged to own) a guitar per function, I had a Charvel Model 6 HSS... and used it for over a decade, without too many issues.... but I coveted those true Strat and Tele sounds, which led to where I am now.
Thank you. You answered my question. I am an HSS type.
Glad it was helpful!
@@JackFossett hi what pickup is best for lead guitarist? Im play rock metal
I really appreciated this. I am long-time Gibson ES-175 player and just bought a Strat that needs the bridge pickup. The hard part is: do my ears just want 'that' sound of humbuckers because I am used to that sound, or should I stick with SSS on the Strat. The only rock stuff I would play is mostly 70s/early 80s sound; tube/valve amp with just a little crunch when pushed.
For that style actually an HSS would really go well, even though I'm personally more of a classic SSS fan. And by the way, an ES175 is one of my bucket list guitars!
I’ve been playing an SSS for years. I’ve never had an HSS, though I’ve thought about it. I find that it’s crucial for me to turn down the tone a quarter turn or so on the bridge pickup; I like the tone much better that way. It thickens it up and removes some of the piercing quality that’s too much for my ears.
I'm not even a native english speaker but immediately got the meaning of "wicked" from the context...
You must be wicked smaht bub. WICKED smaht.
@@JackFossett nah 😂
Strat shaming.....love it! As a fellow Mainah, these vids are wicked cool!
Hey thanks bub
Nice video comparaison. Thanks for sharing. Going for SSS
Hss is better
I can't say that one configuration is superior to another when it comes to HSS or SSS. If I do use a bucker in the bridge in an HSS configuration that bucker will be subordinate to the single coils because I don't want to put in a raging high output bucker that requires very hot middle and neck singles to keep up. So I'd go for medium to vintage output for the bridge bucker. But most of the time I prefer a single coil in the bridge. With a good, stacked hot single coil in the bridge like a DiMarzio Virtual Solo, Heavy Blues 2 or Duncan Custom Plus I can get more than enough power for the sound I want without using a standard humbucker. I never felt standard humbuckers worked as well for a number 2 position strat tone which I use a lot. It's something about the coils and the positioning.
HOW ABOUT CONFIGURATION SHH ??
Anybody Knows ???????
I have a modded partscaster with HSH. I miss having the position 2 on the strat though. I love humbuckers but man there's just something about that SSS Strat sound especially in the out of phase positions and the neck position. It's just incredible.
you can wire the pos 2 an 4 to split the coils. Just wire the white and red of the HB to the pos 3 lug.
I’ve got an epiphone les Paul so would make sense for me to get the sss imo
Was the humbucker tapped in position 2?
Don’t get me wrong I really like a good original (pickup style) but I just can’t get past how good a bridge humbucker sounds IMO
Excellent video. As I mainly play on neck and neck+middle positions, I'll go with a hss just for the added versatility. And I absolutely love the sound of that PAF, it really is wicked
Norbie thanks!
I love the warmth and tone of the Fat Strat. The sss is a little too bright for my taste. :)
SSS without doubts .. crispy and clear !
Gotta have at least one of each.
David Powers agreed 🍻
Exactly
no, I will just work on my Guitar Playing. Jazz, Blues etc
right? best of both worlds
The single's sound is amazing!
That’s my thought too!
Nice video. I have a HSS. I like both. However, after watching multiple comparisons such as this, I think it becomes somewhat obvious that you would tweak your amp. The humbucker doesn’t sound as good if you play it in your amp SSS setting. You can make the humbucker sound sweet by adjusting your amp setting.
I prefer the sound of SSS. If i switch the H in single coil, il will never have the sound of the original SSS ? Thank you !! Sorry if you answer in the video... but i'm not english speaking... so difficult to understand..... ;)
We understand each other perfectly!
@@JackFossett thanks to google trad ^^. i'm a french baguette lol . Does HSS in single coil switched, is exactly like SSS? i'm planning to buy my first guitar... pacifica 112V and it's not SSS. but HSS with single coil switch.... i love your sss sound, i don"t want to make a mistake buying the pacifica 112V in the sound color... :)
Finally someone answered my question! I'm about to buy a Fender Stratocastor Player and was having trouble deciding on which pickup combo to get. Since I have an LTD Deluxe with EMG pickups, I think I will go for the Fender with the SSS combo to get the more original Strat sound. My reason for the new guitar is that I can't quite get a blues tone that I like out of the LTD. With the Fender in SSS and the LTD with 81/85's, I will have a broad spectrum of sounds in only two guitars. Any comments and suggestions would be very welcome. Thanks for the video.
Tom Askey buy the sss one, I bought an hss one but wanted more strat tones. So i switched the bridge humbucker pickup to a single coil.
@@juliusmillermusic cool. I got the SSS and went for the Plus Top. Love it! Thanks.
I think the differences between a strat bridge and tele bridge pickup is more apparent when you add gain. Tele pickups add the girth when you throw gain on it. Strat pickups don’t. Personally I think it would be interesting to have a Nashville tele with a strat neck pickup instead of a tele neck pickup.
Lol I had no idea "wicked"was specific to New England. I'm from in Arkansas and use the term all the time, like "Check out that wicked guitar," or "Wicked tone, man."
It at least used to be - I first heard about it spreading maybe 10 years ago or so
It's an English thing - it was part of normal London slang long before anywhere else
Can you link the humbucker cover please?
I use sss for funky sound
Makes sense!
Is that the translucent cherry mucho mocha whatever? It’s beautiful. I like the HSS obviously, line any sane guitar head would … all thing being equal, of course.
Single coil pickups on high gain cain be unusable depending on the electrical set up you a playing in. If you play rock to metal you have to have an hss. Even with noiseless pickups the bridge single coil will not chug
Hoy many HB did Jimi used on his Strat? How many HB does Ritchie use? When was the last time Yngwie used a humbucker? Hell, even Paul Gilbert uses single coils nowadays
@@ArielCardona yngwie uses stacked humbuckers and a DOD signal booster with a boss NS1 noise hate, blackmore put his guitar through an Aiwa tape deck to fatten it up. Hendrix was Hendri.
You gained a subscriber today. Great video. Helped me decide which one I wanted. Thank you.
Agreed, SSS is where it's at
Can someone PLEASE do a demonstration with an HSS Strat vs a SSS Strat with a SD Hotrail pickup in the bridge?????
Little question. On the new American performer hss the hambucker can be splited. Would that sound like a classic sss? I can't make my minde up on wich one to choose thanks
It certainly bridges the gap and is a good option if you’re leaning HSS. However, the only company I’ve come across that really does cool splitting well is PRS. So yes and no - it will give you a pseudo SSS tone. Not as good as an actual SSS, but better than nothing?
Thanks for the advice because on the new American performer i read that it's a new system and the sound was quite close with the hambucker splited but with the sss you can use 3 single coils together so what do you think is best?
shaun manning I haven’t played the new one so I can’t say for sure. But it does seem like a good middle ground if you’re on the fence. And a lot of other people like coil splitting just fine, mine is certainly not the be all end all opinion.
Ok thanks i think i will go for the hss to have more options. I like the idea of using it like a classic eaven if its not quite as good and pop on the hambucker if i need it.
Great video,can anyone tell me which one would be better for nostalgic( sad )songs,with a cleen sound.Thanks.
Thanks! As far as sad songs, I mean, thats totally subjective -- just depends on the sound you want.
What you think of the Mexican fender player series hss ?
They're quite good IMO. Mexican Fenders are usually a great quality/value.
I sold my Squier SSS and bought a Fender Player Series HSS. I looove it, it's a great guitar!
PAF+middle is interesting, but I didn't like PAF by itself, it sounded pretty useless to put on a strat. It doesn't really add much body or distorts well, it just loses definition and doesn't sound as sharp and expressive as a single coil does and how it's generally expected to sound on a strat (you have a right point about "stratocaster mood").
I prefer to have a classic strat and a dedicated humbucker guitar. I had a HSS superstrat as my first guitar, but its particular pickups weren't really well matched, humbucker was too loud and mid-heavy and lacked treble. It distorted well though and I liked the strange and full sound of the 2nd position.
I'm not sure if there is a HSS set that would be perfectly balanced for me, but I don't need it that much anyway.
I tend to agree
Yeah i think i agree. Was looking up sss vs hss to see if it was worth it but think i will stick to my les pauls for humbucker and single coils when i buy my first strat
Thank you for the comparison!
Are Neck/Neck+Middle pickups supposed to sound the same across SSS & HSS guitars, since they're not using the bridge coil?
Yes, they will sound same.
we love your vids bro. Thanks for the excellent comparison!
Awesome, thank you!
Is Andrew Robertson still in business? Facebook page is gone and I can't find any sign of him elsewhere... Oh well.
Sadly no, he stopped building pickups about a year after I shot this video.
I think I realized that I don’t want a strat for the bridge pickup at all. I want the warm tones of a strat.
Great video. Yeah, 10-15 years ago I hated hss because it just sounded like it had a split personality. These days there are so many options for cooler-sounding humbuckers and hotter bridge single coils (or single-sized humbuckers), you really can't go wrong with either.
Well said!
So, when you started playing clean at the 9:45 mark...were you still using the Bluesbreaker amp? Those are *great* cleans! And your voice sort of dropped when saying what reverb pedal you were using during the clean potion...what was that pedal again? Thanks.
Yes thats the Bluesbreaker! Its loaded with dual Eminence Alnico speakers which makes a big difference. When I got it it had Celestion V30s in it which are too brash for my taste. And the reverb pedal was a One Control Prussian Blue. Cheers -
Great sounding stuff
Going to buy my first strat and looking at the Fender Deluxe strat. I think im better off getting hte SSS version for the classic strat tones since i already have two les pauls and a jackson kelly with a jb4. So I won't be using the strat for heavier stuff anyway most likely. Makes sense?
Makes perfect sense. Nice to have versatility in tone.
Great playing Jack!!! I hope you or another reader may be able to help me. After 30 years of playing Acoustic guitar, I am finally starting to learn to play electric. I can only afford one electric guitar. I want my guitar to sound most like Clapton, Gilmour, Stevie Ray, Buddy Guy, BB King, and though it sounds most likely impossible, I would also like for it to sound like Garcia and Anastasio. I would also like to play a little Black Sabbath, AC/DC or Nirvana on occasion. If I had to sacrifice one sound it would be the Sabbath/Nirvana/AC/DC sounds. Which guitar do you think would be best for me? Also, I have a great Deal on a Demo HSS lined up and wondered if I should buy it regardless of which configuration I end up with since I plan on upgrading the pups anyway. Will the SSS pups fit properly into the stock Player HSS I have on hold until tomorrow. The one on hold is priced at $550 just because it has a ding on the back. Does anyone with more electric guitar experience have any input?
Definitely go with a classic Stratocaster. Clapton, Gilmour, SRV and Buddy all primarily use classic strats. And you can get closer to a Gibson sound on a Strat than you can vice versa. If you roll your tone back, and push some extra gain and mids, you can get into Gibson-esque territory. Certainly not exactly, but again, closer than a Gibson can get to a Fender sound.
Jack, thanks very much for sharing another excellent video. Very informative! Cheers.
Glad you enjoyed it!
On the hss did you roll down the tone knobs or where the at 10 ?
10
Excellent pickups all around.
How is the wiring with the paf humbucker ? You play amazing man !
Thank you! Its wired up normally for this one, but it has the extra wires for push/pull splitting if you want it.
Well I do love classic rock..
So I'll go for sss..
“My boy is wicked smart”
Wicked smaht! 😂
How'd you like them apples?
@Jack Fossett I got'ah numbah!
Wow I just love your playing style I really enjoyed this video ! I can see why a guitarist would need both .I think using the paf with the singlecoils really makes sense the tone has a little more growl but is not overpowering thank you for this video!
Sure thing, thanks for the kind words!
sss for the win,those pickups sound really good.i'm going to look this guy up. Excellent Boston accent,loved it.
I've had years of practice! These are great pickups, definitely check him out. He makes one of the best tele sets I've ever played.
that humbucker is not so good tho'. It's quite weak. Even my Deusemberg has more chung, more drive and punch. And it's a Grand Vintage Humbucker.
Wire the S bridge with a tone control and you're on business
@@UnknownHumanoid you don't love Strats. We get it
HSS for me, more versatility. I may however be slightly biased as I own a US standard HSS myself. I love it!
what color did u get?
@@Row2nd American Standard Stratocaster HSS, Rosewood Fingerboard, Sienna Sunburst...it's quite rare to be honest. I also just received two months ago a make to order Larry Carlton series Sire S7-FM-TBL (transparent blue) which to be fair is not a Fender, but for less than half the price sounds almost like and in some spheres better (Humbucker splits when on position 2, bridge and middle)...it's a sweet piece! I have a few other guitars as well. If you're looking for a more affordable version strat that sounds like a strat, this Sire S7 (they also have regular colors and SSS models) is it, honestly.
@@Row2nd btw my Fender HSS is a 2008, very first month, first editions of that series.
Thank you -- really helpful!
Glad it was helpful!
Do the neck pickup (in the neck position) sound different with the two configurations??
No they sound the same
They absolutely sound different during the clean playing in this video.
What is the song?
Original tunes in this one, the intro is a song called My Rebecca and the clean part at the end is from a song called Sailing at Sunset
HSS has always sounded muffled to me. Sounds like someone singing while covering their mouth, if that makes any sense.
i don't know why I understand ths lmao
Hums always sound thicker. That's the appeal.
That's a humbuckerbpickup. They sound different. That's the reason they make hss
Humbuckers sacrifice articulation, are muddier sounding, with the benefit of better output and reaction to distortion (metal genres especially like em) and of course, it bucks the hum.
It's called distortion.
SSS for sure if you are a classic rock player, that unique bridge single coil sound is not replaceable, the versatile of HSS is not relevant for true musician
Thank you for explaining!
So what’s better for soloing sir?
I think thats pretty subjective to be honest. Either is great, depends on the sound you're going for.
Both sound Awesome, those pickups are great! But i still prefer SSS. Although the HSS can give you a lot of versatility
Agreed!
3:45 Hahahaha! I'm.Aussie, n can just barely understand you here...but it is hilarious! Extra points for effort!🤣
We aim to please here at Jack Fossett & Friends
Just commenting cause’ I love the channel maybe. In some cases the hss seems to fit very nicely from front to back. I own two strats both sss. So now I wonder do I want both and does coil splitting complete or solve the whole thing, surely not🥴
Which amp are you using?
Ken Sonny Marshall Bluesbreaker
@@JackFossett Thank you, also great video, I've found out that I like the twangy voice of the single coil as I prefer the cleaner bluesy tones. 😅
@@kensonny8857 Thanks! HSS strats have grown on me but I agree, overall I much prefer standard.
Thank you!
Welcome!
İn Europe, Hss is a little cheaper than Sss. Anyone knows why?
Im still deciding which pickups to use. I want something that gives me the most versatile sound since im mainly a bassist so i dont want to spend loads of money on guitars so im limiting myself to one guitar. I can decide between hss or hsh. Im making the guitar myself so i will wire in a coil tap option and maybe and option to use bridge and neck pickup at same time as well as the normal strat options. Can anyone recommend the hsh option?
Jupiter James-Reynolds I’m not crazy about coil splitting so I much prefer the HSS. But if you dig coil splitting, that can be a cool option. I’d check out one of these smaller companies like Andrew Robertson for pickups. You’ll get a way higher quality, handwound pickup for the same price as a Seymour Duncan or Dimarzio.
HSH is pretty much a marmite setup. I wouldn't call it versatile, not in the same way a HSS is; because it detracts too much away from the Strat. Retaining the S/S gives the two popular strat positions of Mid/Neck and since alot of people aren't keen on the thin bridge (obviously strat purists/classic fans can ignore) they get more out of the Bridge drop kick, for leads and heavier needs with a humbucker in there at the back.
HSS is my favourite do it all Guitar. Sure I may run my GLP for HH and a SSS for old skool twang but for pop-rock styles or for my band, varying between some twang and some thick growl (often one after the other or at the same time); nothing beats it.
HSS often isn't everyones first thought and many people don't give it the right dues. But when you use one and find that sweet spot, nothing can really replace it.
Love the NE accent! lol reminds me of my grandmother, she was from Boston
Wicked good town bub! Ain’t that a pissah
how many guitars do you have? Also what is that colour called? I haven't seen it before
Its called Crimson Red Transparent. Its like Dakota red except you can see a bit of woodgrain through it. Not sure if its currently a production finish - this is a 2003 Highway One stratocaster.
I make the same facial expressions when I play bro lmao foreal
🍻 to great guitar faces
10:13 & 11:47
2:37 ---- 4:07
To me the best Strat configuration is with a P90 on the bridge
Funny I was just thinking of experimenting with that configuration recently, but I've never actually tried it.
@@JackFossett I am sure you are going to love it....the P90 is mingling very well with the other single coils. I've used a Humbacker size P90 on mine.
@Lord Quilton send a pdf
HSS is just underated, Best sounding neck and mid pic ups ever and the Humbucker is like a Les Paul sound better even better because it still has the Strat sound in there.
Yes i will put a humbucker in my sss stratocaster
Nice
that boston accent tho 😂
My boy’s wicked smaht
I love the sound of strats but aesthetically i think they are ugly. I play sg's because they have that fender twang with gibson looks and sustain.
Kizzy C yeah. The new fender ultra texas tea in a really good looking strat. But its really pricey.
Gibsons are trash.
603!!
Up
I prefer a SSS. I would rather get a HH than a HSS. That’s just me.
I prefer sss too.
only sss=fender
Still another non-player showing off with > 1 guiyar on camera
?
If they're modified there's no comparison!
?
@@JackFossett Taylor pick-ups aren't stock are they?
They’re Andrew Robertson pickups.
@@JackFossett my bad. But Robinson isn't stock.
Why does that matter? It isn't a model specific comparison, its a pickup configuration comparison.
Stop switching between the pickups. We're only interested in the bridge pickup.
Mark Stockford who’s we? People overwhelming like this video. And I explain the reason for switching in the narration. Have a great day!
@@JackFossett We disliked this video. Have a nice day. I will.
Mark Stockford ...still can’t figure out this whole “we” thing... 🤔
@@JackFossett "We", the people watching the video.
Mark Stockford again, I point to my original response. It’s fine you dislike it. Speak for yourself, most others seem to have a different opinion.
SSS are soooooo Fender sounding,,, which is a good thing. I love both styles. Just depends on what genre I am playing at the time.
So what’s better for soloing sir?