SSS in an HSS Strat

[pirate357]

This may be a stupid question but can I put three single coils in a HSS routed American Strat? Thanks.

[phil_104]

Yes you can. You just need to get a new pickguard that has the SSS configuration.

[KeeperOS]

^ What he said.

In fact my MiM Strat was SSS when I bought her but when I looked "under the hood" I found an HSS routing which was just perfect since that's how I wanted to mod her

[blueman335]

If the cavity below is big enough, which it obviously is, it'll work. Were you thinking there was some law or statute on the books preventing you from doing this?

[tc]

Hey give him a break! Before I started playing guitar, when I bought my first guitar I used to think nylon string guitars were actually three nylons and three steel strings!

You can imagine the "D'oh!" when I found out later lol!!

[73roadrunner]

Get a seperate pickguard & wire it for sss, keep the HSS pickguard.. then you can switch back & fourth

[super rad stuff]

Get a seperate pickguard & wire it for sss, keep the HSS pickguard.. then you can switch back & fourth

this is definitely the way to go

[KeeperOS]

Hey give him a break! Before I started playing guitar, when I bought my first guitar I used to think nylon string guitars were actually three nylons and three steel strings!

You can imagine the "D'oh!" when I found out later lol!!

Erm, you mean they're not?
And why don't I still have the D'oh experience?

(to answer my own question, because I started and have since stayed exclusively to electric guitars. If it doesn't have a pickup then it's not sth I know much about I'm afraid )

[Empty Pockets]

dude no! NO!!

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!

WHY?!! WHY?!! NOOOOO!!!!!!!!

[73roadrunner]

this is definitely the way to go

I'm full of great ideas

[Fender_Punk]

you can even do HSS in a SSS pickguard in a Strat with HSS routing.

[crusty philtrum]

So many people put 'buckers into the bridge of Strats, I think it's great that someone wants to go the other way and restore a Strat to the instrument it really is.

[Fender_Punk]

But Strats rock so much more when there's some beef in the bridge. SSS is ok but the bridge position itself is unusable unless you have it wired to a tone pot.

[KeeperOS]

Yeah, I'm a strat diehard but I still can't really gel with a SC in the bridge.

I still love them in the neck and middle though!

[tc]

Erm, you mean they're not?
And why don't I still have the D'oh experience?

(to answer my own question, because I started and have since stayed exclusively to electric guitars. If it doesn't have a pickup then it's not sth I know much about I'm afraid )

I mean the wound strings are wrapped nylons, not steel.

And about what people say about bridge SCs...I hate the ones that regularly come on guitars, like the ceramics that tend to come on MIMs and Squiers. Go with a beefier and smoother A2 single though, and it's a whole nother world!

[cvansickle]

I have a MIM that was originally HSS, but now it's SSS with a new pickguard. It's a guitar that I can't stop playing! I switched the wimpy bridge single for a Fralin Steel Pole 43 though, and it's got plenty of beef.

[blueman335]

But Strats rock so much more when there's some beef in the bridge. SSS is ok but the bridge position itself is unusable unless you have it wired to a tone pot.

+1. A HB is far more usable in the bridge slot on a Strat. None of the Strat players I know use their bridge SC's because they're like nails on a chalkboard (and these guys love Strats). If you want to get the SC openness, use Phat Cat or P-94 there, which will have a much more usable tone. Otherwise, it's just there for looks.

[Mark Cearlock]

I tried a seth/surfer/surfer combo in my strat.Whlie I really liked it, I went back to 3 surfers, just to differ it from all my hb guitars. Also, I really like the way a strat looks with 3 sc's.
I did like the seth/surfer combo, But it made all my guitars "kinda" sound the same, and I need some variety.

[Fender_Punk]

+1. A HB is far more usable in the bridge slot on a Strat. None of the Strat players I know use their bridge SC's because they're like nails on a chalkboard (and these guys love Strats). If you want to get the SC openness, use Phat Cat or P-94 there, which will have a much more usable tone. Otherwise, it's just there for looks.

P-90s rock in pretty much anything. If I didn't already have a Phat Cat in a Tele I'd probably want one in my Strat.

As much as SH Teles rock at Blues, neck/middle pups on a Strat in series is my favourite blues sound.

[Lake Placid Blues]

I have a MIM that was originally HSS, but now it's SSS with a new pickguard. It's a guitar that I can't stop playing! I switched the wimpy bridge single for a Fralin Steel Pole 43 though, and it's got plenty of beef.

All of my strats have eventually ended up HSS. And full sized hummers at that. There is one that will stay SSS though, but it has a pretty strong single for the bridge position. Steel base plates for the bridge single is secret weapon for many.