Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Dave Sloven on August 26, 2013, 03:27:18 PM
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I am wondering why the SSH configuration does not seem to be that common. To me it seems like a good idea but looking around there are very few models in each manufacturer's range. Jackson has a Soloist and the Arian Smith signature, Charvel has maybe one guitar, etc.
The Jackson looks interesting to me but I'm wondering if I am missing something? I'm thinking of guitars with the Floyd Rose type bridge. For my next guitar I think I want something very different from my usual Gibson type guitars, and Guitar IV's review of the Sinner/MM combo got me thinking.
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I like a single coil in the bridge and a 'bucker in the neck. Well, I always liked Teles with that set-up, anyway. But yea I'd rather have all singles or all 'buckers. Dunno why :s
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I think it's partly BS on the part of guitar players ("It's not a strat if it doesn't have 3 single coils"/"If you want a humbucker, buy a guitar designed for humbuckers... wait, what d'you mean the Les Paul originally had p90s?"/"The 80s sucked therefore everything even vaguely associated with the 80s must, too") and probably also the fact that some players don't like the big mismatch in output between humbuckers and singles. Not to mention that some players see them as "Jack of all trades" type guitars (to be fair, with some justification at times- if you have 15 different guitars you might not need a guitar that "does everything").
I like HSS a lot. I like HSH too. They're probably my favourite pickup layouts, if I only could have one guitar. I think they're both unfairly maligned, though at the same time I can understand some of the criticisms of them.
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I have two HSS-strats. They're ideal in a coverband. The traditional SSS-layout doesn't give me the oomphh and the fatness from the bridgepickup that I need for solo's. I have Crawler/Irish Tours and VHII/Mother's Milk-combo's. Versatile sets.
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I've recently rebuilt my Charvel as an HSS.
In the '80's you couldn't move for HSS guitars - they were everywhere.
I've rewired my guitar several times to try to get it right. Maybe it's because of the compromise of using 250 or 500 k pots in order to get the right sound - the SCs in that guitar definitely sounded better with 250 k pots, the HB better with 500 k. I know that there's electrickery that can be done, but maybe it's that sense of compromise that manufacturers are trying to avoid?
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Yeah, SSH guitars seem to be really '80s, that's one reason why they intrigue me.
Here's a photo of Mitch Dickinson with some kind of HSS guitar (can't tell the brand) during the Peel Session for Unseen Terror (1987).
(http://i39.tinypic.com/157btzp.jpg)
I've always been curious as to the reasoning behind angled pickups - any theories?
I was thinking about the 250K/500K pot issue ... I guess you get around this by using separate pots for neck and bridge?
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I like a single coil in the bridge and a 'bucker in the neck. Well, I always liked Teles with that set-up, anyway.
I concur
(http://juansolo.demon.co.uk/stompage/images/bajarefin-7.jpg)
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Ibanez might have some HSS and floyd equiped guitars. Godin has two HSS model, but neither got a floyd. I'm pretty sure Suhr got HSS with floyd on one of their models.
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I bought a HSS Strat not long ago with a 6 point trem and I really like it. I didn't like the idea of the vintage 6 point style trem but having one and learning to use it for a bit of vibrato, it's pretty cool. I have a Floyd on a 7 string and it's a pain when changing strings. I had it blocked for a while but I've taken those blocks out for now.
Maybe look at a HSS strat? They make one with a Floyd
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In the '80's you couldn't move for HSS guitars - they were everywhere.
Most certainly true! :D
I think it's partly BS on the part of guitar players ("It's not a strat if it doesn't have 3 single coils"/"If you want a humbucker, buy a guitar designed for humbuckers...)
I like HSS a lot. I like HSH too. They're probably my favourite pickup layouts, if I only could have one guitar. I think they're both unfairly maligned, though at the same time I can understand some of the criticisms of them.
Agreed.
I can understand the "It's not a Strat..." argument, to an extent, but I do like HSS. You retain three of the classic Strat tones, and with a coil split (or even without) you keep most of that funky, quacky character in position 4. All you lose is the bridge pickup on its own, which is my least favourite Strat tone.
Personally I'm not a fan of HSH, I think the middle pickup gets in the way in that context. And with two humbuckers and a five-way switch you can get some interesting wiring combinations with series/parallel or using different pairs of coils.
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I do think an SSS strat is a beautiful thing. But I'd be the first to say that a guitar is a tool, and one should go for whatever pickup setup works with your style.
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Yeah, SSH guitars seem to be really '80s, that's one reason why they intrigue me.
Here's a photo of Mitch Dickinson with some kind of HSS guitar (can't tell the brand) during the Peel Session for Unseen Terror (1987).
(http://i39.tinypic.com/157btzp.jpg)
I've always been curious as to the reasoning behind angled pickups - any theories?
I was thinking about the 250K/500K pot issue ... I guess you get around this by using separate pots for neck and bridge?
I beleave it's a Fernandes guitar right there... The block logo is burried but the headstock shape reminds me of one.
I love HSS, and own one too, only VHII from BKP at the moment on her though. I think they are very versatile guitars, and a coil split switch for the bridge HB makes it even more versatile. Good all arround gutiar for covering a lot of tones when you play in a cover band, indeed.
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I beleave it's a Fernandes guitar right there... The block logo is burried but the headstock shape reminds me of one.
I did a bit of a look on google and I think it might be a Kramer Striker 600ST
(http://kramerguitar.org/files/2010/12/-82293802945220421.jpg)
Possibly a different generation from the one above as there seem to be differences in terms of pickups and headstock.
EDIT: Actually I am sure it is either a Striker 600ST or a Focus 6000T with the banana headstock. There's a 600T on ebay (US) at the moment: link (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Kramer-Striker-600-ST-3-Pick-Up-wActive-EMG-Humbucker-Pro-Set-Up-Floyd-/181203653563) I also found this 6000T for sale: link (http://www.rarekramerguitars.com/Kramer-Vintage-1986-Focus-6000-Original-Floyd-Rose-Red-Body-Neck-For-Sale_4541.html)
These are middle '80s models so definitely the right era for that photo.
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I've always been curious as to the reasoning behind angled pickups - any theories?
Angled humbuckers align the Gibson space poles with the wider Floyd bridge.. simples! :P
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Angled humbuckers align the Gibson space poles with the wider Floyd bridge.. simples! :P
Angled humbuckers sort of align two of the outer Gibson-spaced poles with the wider Floyd bridge, and the other 10 poles lie around all over the place either side of the strings. It wasn't the most brilliant of ideas. Glad someone came up with Trembuckers and F-spacing.
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For me the ouput thing is definetly a factor. Also while I like my necks to not be too dark I think a SC would push it with a HB bridge.
A P90 SS guitar maybe though sound whise, but I think I would rather go for a strat or tele.
That SC HB tele combo could be more to my taste I think.
My fav combo it HSH with splits, I get so much from that it just works for all I want. Especially with a 5 way autosplit and the HBs flipped the way I tend to do.
Did I mention I hate the look of HSS? It is just very wrong to me...
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^ Yeah I wouldn't be most keen on the looks of HSS... I only really like it on guitars with pickguards (whereas HSH and HH work either way, IMO).
I think the angled pickup thing (nowadays) is just looks, too. As the others were saying, in the 80s it was done for a reason, now it's just done because it looks more 80s :lol:
I've rewired my guitar several times to try to get it right. Maybe it's because of the compromise of using 250 or 500 k pots in order to get the right sound - the SCs in that guitar definitely sounded better with 250 k pots, the HB better with 500 k. I know that there's electrickery that can be done, but maybe it's that sense of compromise that manufacturers are trying to avoid?
Yeah that might be it- though as you said, if they really cared, they could get round it. Even using the possibly-overkill solution of using different volume knobs for the humbucker and the two singles should work (I think). Then again, that adds cost, and most companies try to cut costs where possible...
Agreed.
I can understand the "It's not a Strat..." argument, to an extent, but I do like HSS. You retain three of the classic Strat tones, and with a coil split (or even without) you keep most of that funky, quacky character in position 4. All you lose is the bridge pickup on its own, which is my least favourite Strat tone.
Personally I'm not a fan of HSH, I think the middle pickup gets in the way in that context. And with two humbuckers and a five-way switch you can get some interesting wiring combinations with series/parallel or using different pairs of coils.
Oh I agree, I really like SSS strats too- when I want an authentic strat type of tone. I'm talking about the people who act like an HSS (or HSH) strat is "wrong", even if it would suit the player in question better. Maybe it's just Ultimate Guitar (I doubt it), but any time someone posts a thread asking about HSS or HSH superstrats there are always one or two smart alecs who post responses along the lines of "Get a Gibson if you want humbuckers/A strat's supposed to have single coils". Which is daft, if you ask me. The guitar is there to suit the player, not the other way round.
Also agreed about HSS- again, a lot of people act like it doesn't sound like a strat at all, which again is daft. In the absolute worst case scenario, as you said, you have 60% authentic strat tones. To be fair, that's not good enough if you need all the authentic strat tones, but then an SSS strat isn't good enough if you also need rockier high gain tones.
I like HH in superstrats more than I used to, as you said, you can get some nice options. I still like HSH, though. :lol:
I do think an SSS strat is a beautiful thing. But I'd be the first to say that a guitar is a tool, and one should go for whatever pickup setup works with your style.
exactly :)
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I like a single coil in the bridge and a 'bucker in the neck. Well, I always liked Teles with that set-up, anyway.
I concur
(http://juansolo.demon.co.uk/stompage/images/bajarefin-7.jpg)
Dats beggin for a relic 8)
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Taste is indeed something individual :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
I HATE the HSH look, makes me think of the 80's glam look that I don't dig, or worse, makes EVERY f@#$ing axe look like a damn cheap Ibanez :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Seriously, I can't look to a custom Suhr or Tom Anderson in HSH shape without crying... I dig the HH or HSS (but this last one needs a pickguard though)... Also Like the SSS and double P90's too... Hate the HHH Gibsons and the HS charvels.... it's even worse when one of the pups is angled. :shock:
I also dig weird stuff like the jazzmasters, firebirds and so on (no wangcaster plz).
Taste is like butt.... everyone has yours. 8)
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A HSS-strat retains it's strattiness when you pick carefully the pickups. A splitted Crawler and the middle-IT provide classic quack on the fourth position. I find the result with a splitted VHII and a Mothers Milk not as good, but still convincing and useful.
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Yeah that might be it- though as you said, if they really cared, they could get round it. Even using the possibly-overkill solution of using different volume knobs for the humbucker and the two singles should work (I think). Then again, that adds cost, and most companies try to cut costs where possible...
What about a 250K pot as master volume for the two single coils and a 500K volume pot for the humbucker?
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Here's mine. IT's & Crawler combo with Suhr HSS wiring so i got classic Strat tones in positions 1-4 with 250k pots and full humbucker in position 5 with 500k pots.
I've always loved Strats but never really got on with the bridge pickups so this is the perfect compromise for me. As far as versitality goes, it slays all my other guitars.
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I like how with the black pickguard and the zebra pickup it gives you a SSH that looks like a SSS
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^ agreed
Yeah that might be it- though as you said, if they really cared, they could get round it. Even using the possibly-overkill solution of using different volume knobs for the humbucker and the two singles should work (I think). Then again, that adds cost, and most companies try to cut costs where possible...
What about a 250K pot as master volume for the two single coils and a 500K volume pot for the humbucker?
That's what I meant, sorry for the ambiguity :lol:
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Here's mine. IT's & Crawler combo with Suhr HSS wiring so i got classic Strat tones in positions 1-4 with 250k pots and full humbucker in position 5 with 500k pots.
I've always loved Strats but never really got on with the bridge pickups so this is the perfect compromise for me. As far as versitality goes, it slays all my other guitars.
Great combination, isn't it? I can play three sets in the coverband without changing guitar. It's my workhorse.
I responded in another thread to your guitar. Looks nice and the zebra makes it a stealth.
Here's my swampash MXG Customstrat (handmade by Patrick Eggle) with Crawler and Irish Tours. I have it wired different. I can split the Crawler, but also use the Crawler in humbuckermode with the middle-IT. The other one is a Fender American Series with VHII/Mother's Milk.
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Here's mine. IT's & Crawler combo with Suhr HSS wiring so i got classic Strat tones in positions 1-4 with 250k pots and full humbucker in position 5 with 500k pots.
I've always loved Strats but never really got on with the bridge pickups so this is the perfect compromise for me. As far as versitality goes, it slays all my other guitars.
That is just about the only HSS I love the look of. That zebra in the bridge just makes it work...cause it looks like a strat now. Cool thing really.
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^ ^ wow that mxg looks badass
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Here's my swampash MXG Customstrat (handmade by Patrick Eggle) with Crawler and Irish Tours.
I always wondered what that guitar of yours looked like! :D
Is the top a rosewood veneer or something like that?
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Classy finish on that MXG.
It was reading this forum that turned me on to IT's/Crawler combo and i couldn't be happier. The scope i can cover with this guitar alone has been the main reason i have now thinned my collection down from 5 to just 2 electrics and used the funds to focus on my pedal board. i get that from a purists point of view an HSS is not a Strat in the traditional sense but for my tastes i've got everything thing i love about Strats - body shape, maple neck, vintage trem and quack but coupled with a big fat humbucker sound when i want it. It's like a Swiss-army do-it-all guitar!
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Here's my swampash MXG Customstrat (handmade by Patrick Eggle) with Crawler and Irish Tours.
I always wondered what that guitar of yours looked like! :D
Is the top a rosewood veneer or something like that?
It's an exotic Cocobolo-top. With the light on it, you see some wild patterns, wilder than rosewood. But I agree, it has some touch of rosewood. It looks nice, but I don't think it adds much to the sound. The body is premium swampash, the neck maple and the fretboard ebony. It's quite punchy, but warm and full at the same time, so it's quite balanced. The ash Fender doesn't hold up to this guitar.
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I guess with humbucker-sized P90s an SG Custom could be made into any configuration of P90 single coils and humbuckers. HSS, HSH, SHS, SSH, HHH, SSS.
SHS would be odd.
I've never played a three pickup Gibson but I'm guessing that the middle pickup might get in the way a bit
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I guess with humbucker-sized P90s an SG Custom could be made into any configuration of P90 single coils and humbuckers. HSS, HSH, SHS, SSH, HHH, SSS.
SHS would be odd.
I've never played a three pickup Gibson but I'm guessing that the middle pickup might get in the way a bit
I agree that the middle pickup gets in the way, but the biggest pain with three-pickup Gibson SGs and Les Pauls is the awkward wiring arrangement using the normal 3-way switch and pairs of volume and tone controls. A three-pickup Gibson would be cool with more Strat-like wiring using a five-way switch.
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http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/electric_guitars_detail.asp?stock=11011312573532&gclid=CP_LofKDpbkCFZPItAodtzAAlg (http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/electric_guitars_detail.asp?stock=11011312573532&gclid=CP_LofKDpbkCFZPItAodtzAAlg)
SHS
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Here's mine.
https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=18963.msg255241#msg255241 (https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=18963.msg255241#msg255241)
Mind you, I have installed a resistor for both the middle and neck pickup, between the volume pot and the hot wire (IF I remember correctly). The effect is that the single coils see the volume pot as 250k, and the humbucker sees it as 500k. I got the advice directly from doing a search on this forum.
The guitar was brighter when it was brand new (sounds warmer and very balanced now, after a few years and lots of hours of playing) , and the SCs felt a bit brittle with the 500k pot. This was an easy fix and the cost was next to nothing.
HSS strats really are versatile instruments, especially when you get a pickup combination that works for you and the guitar. If I have to pick just one guitar for our cover set, this is usually it.
-Zaned
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HSS strats really are versatile instruments, especially when you get a pickup combination that works for you and the guitar. If I have to pick just one guitar for our cover set, this is usually it.
-Zaned
I think that's a very important point- a lot of HSS (and HSH) guitars have very modern-sounding pickups, and I get the feeling a lot of people write them off as a style of guitar because of the pickups they've happened to try them with, which isn't really fair. (I get a similar feeling about high gain amps which tend to be paired with modern-sounding speakers and cabinets.)
Obviously that's not to say you still can't like them, but you might as well give them a fair shot at the same time.