Fender strat sss or hss
Discussion
Looking to buy a Fender stratocaster MIM to learn. Had a LP copy in my youth, but didn't get far. Now retired and living in Spain, I need a hobby, and would like a Stratocaster. I've been reading up on the different set ups and the HSS seems to be better for rock music. I was a big Led Zep fan in my youth, and a Jimmy Page fan, but don't fancy a LP. Is the HSS the better option?
I'm ordering a Fender champion 100 amp also, luckily I have a cinema/music room in the underbuild, that has good soundproofing
I'm ordering a Fender champion 100 amp also, luckily I have a cinema/music room in the underbuild, that has good soundproofing
I’d say the HSS is a good option and does offer flexibility, but single coil pickups can certainly rock with the best of them, especially if you have the right pedals and amp setup, so either way isn’t ‘wrong’.
The new 2021 Fender Player series guitars are great, I’ve just bought a Fender Player Plus Telecaster and it’s very nice indeed, so I think you’re on the right lines there. Not trying to influence you too much, but don’t rule out the PRS SE guitars too, they’re very well made and mine is a definite keeper. Finally, several of the SE models have humbuckers that have a switch to split the coils, effectively giving you 2x humbuckers and 2x single coils all on one guitar.
The new 2021 Fender Player series guitars are great, I’ve just bought a Fender Player Plus Telecaster and it’s very nice indeed, so I think you’re on the right lines there. Not trying to influence you too much, but don’t rule out the PRS SE guitars too, they’re very well made and mine is a definite keeper. Finally, several of the SE models have humbuckers that have a switch to split the coils, effectively giving you 2x humbuckers and 2x single coils all on one guitar.
mart 63 said:
Thanks guys, it's looking like the HSS. What's the thoughts on the Fender champion 100?
It'll certainly have guts at solid state 100w, some cool amp modelling and built in effects. As a beginner, you certainly won't go wrong if you think you'll need 100w. How much do you like your neighbours? 
I'd consider looking into the Boss Katana mk2 also
[quote=Hrimfaxi]
It'll certainly have guts at solid state 100w, some cool amp modelling and built in effects. As a beginner, you certainly won't go wrong if you think you'll need 100w. How much do you like your neighbours?
I listen to albums and movies wound up in the room, and no complaints yet
It'll certainly have guts at solid state 100w, some cool amp modelling and built in effects. As a beginner, you certainly won't go wrong if you think you'll need 100w. How much do you like your neighbours?
I listen to albums and movies wound up in the room, and no complaints yet
I recorded the same lead line with a Gibson Humbucker and a Stratocaster singlecoil; the Gibson blows the Strat into the weeds for power but if you are just going to noodle in your house HSS or SSS wont make a lot of difference.
100w is severe overkill.
I use a 15W Vox and 90% of the time it is all I need.
100w is severe overkill.
I use a 15W Vox and 90% of the time it is all I need.
The humbuckers in fender HSS strats have always had a unique sound to me - hard to get a vintage/fat tone but good for 80s rock, metal and shred. I wouldn’t consider them versatile but they are great if that’s the sound you want. The neck pickups on some models can sound very differently voiced than SSS strats.
Charvels have always been the best examples of these, both to play and to hear live. They are fender’s sister brand.
SSS strats are quite different overall. If you like guitarists who used strats, you will not regret owning an SSS. Versatile but I need to fettle with amps and effects to get them to sound their best. They would really benefit from a valve amp for the types of music they are good at.
My biggest concern with SSS is that a solid state amp may sound sterile, like the best you can hope for is mark knopfler cleans and stevie ray vaughan solos. To unlock most classic strat sounds you may find yourself needing a valve amp with a good clean channel, and a tube screamer, fuzz and/or compressor in front.
Charvels have always been the best examples of these, both to play and to hear live. They are fender’s sister brand.
SSS strats are quite different overall. If you like guitarists who used strats, you will not regret owning an SSS. Versatile but I need to fettle with amps and effects to get them to sound their best. They would really benefit from a valve amp for the types of music they are good at.
My biggest concern with SSS is that a solid state amp may sound sterile, like the best you can hope for is mark knopfler cleans and stevie ray vaughan solos. To unlock most classic strat sounds you may find yourself needing a valve amp with a good clean channel, and a tube screamer, fuzz and/or compressor in front.
Just to add to the above, you should find that an HSS into a Champion 100 would be far closer to Jimmy Page than SSS.
Following from the comment that Jimmy was more Telecaster than Stratocaster, have you considered HH telecasters? I picked up a Fender Vintera 70s Tele Deluxe a few years ago, the one with a strat neck and two humbuckers (marketed as 'wide range humbuckers' but which are actually pretty much standard humbuckers). It's not the most elegant looking thing, but it's versatile and really captures the sounds of 70s rock, among other things.
Following from the comment that Jimmy was more Telecaster than Stratocaster, have you considered HH telecasters? I picked up a Fender Vintera 70s Tele Deluxe a few years ago, the one with a strat neck and two humbuckers (marketed as 'wide range humbuckers' but which are actually pretty much standard humbuckers). It's not the most elegant looking thing, but it's versatile and really captures the sounds of 70s rock, among other things.
https://www.madridhifi.com/p/fender-champion-40/?u...
https://www.madridhifi.com/p/fender-player-stratoc...
Thanks for the input, just ordered this combo.
https://www.madridhifi.com/p/fender-player-stratoc...
Thanks for the input, just ordered this combo.
Guitars are very personal things, so it would be worth your while getting down to a music shop and trying a few to see what takes your fancy. I've got a couple of Strats and Teles as well as a Les Paul and SG.
I find the Gibson guitars more forgiving to play, harder to keep in tune and not as well balanced as the Fenders. The SG in particular is very neck heavy. They sound great but really mainly do one sound
The SSS Strat is what I play the most at home - very versatile, more of a scalpel to the Gibson hammer, but quite capable of rocking it up. Loads of different sounds available.
The Tele is what `I play mostly when gigging. It has a real bite to it that cuts through in a band situation much better than the others. I much prefer the rock sound of a Tele to that of a Gibson.
If you go for a Tele don't dismiss the single coils without trying them - humbuckers in a Tele takes away the essence of what makes it a great guitar IMO.
I find the Gibson guitars more forgiving to play, harder to keep in tune and not as well balanced as the Fenders. The SG in particular is very neck heavy. They sound great but really mainly do one sound
The SSS Strat is what I play the most at home - very versatile, more of a scalpel to the Gibson hammer, but quite capable of rocking it up. Loads of different sounds available.
The Tele is what `I play mostly when gigging. It has a real bite to it that cuts through in a band situation much better than the others. I much prefer the rock sound of a Tele to that of a Gibson.
If you go for a Tele don't dismiss the single coils without trying them - humbuckers in a Tele takes away the essence of what makes it a great guitar IMO.
mart 63 said:
https://www.madridhifi.com/p/fender-champion-40/?u...
https://www.madridhifi.com/p/fender-player-stratoc...
Thanks for the input, just ordered this combo.
Nice choice and colour, hope you enjoy!https://www.madridhifi.com/p/fender-player-stratoc...
Thanks for the input, just ordered this combo.
HSS maybe the way to go for the Bucker. Don't know if they have coil tap?
Lots of good amps too. I bought one of these several months ago to reduce the amount of times i have to lug a 30kg twin around! It's pretty good, loads of pre set sounds (that can modified) and programmable foot switch. you can also down load more sounds and control from a smart phone. Headphone socket too, I live in an apartment...
https://www.muziker.pt/fender-mustang-gtx100?gclid...
Lots of good amps too. I bought one of these several months ago to reduce the amount of times i have to lug a 30kg twin around! It's pretty good, loads of pre set sounds (that can modified) and programmable foot switch. you can also down load more sounds and control from a smart phone. Headphone socket too, I live in an apartment...
https://www.muziker.pt/fender-mustang-gtx100?gclid...
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