But I have a bug to try a Stratocaster.. You have any thoughts... Hi J! This guitar is awesome for punk music and pop-punk music. Read honest and unbiased product reviews … Firstly, you can choose two finishes for the Special Stratocaster HSS guitar; 3-colour sunburst and all black. Neck and middle pickups are single-coils (dubbed Noiseless by Fender) and they deliver more traditional Strat-sounds like heard for example in the Jimi Hendrix- songs. I prefer maple because I like the high-end definition it seems to bring, but also because I really like the way it feels. While the guitar does not have the depth you'd expect from a Les Paul or any mahogany or basswood-bodied instrument, the bridge humbucker does have a very thick sound suitable for metal. The Fender Player Stratocaster is the new MIM HSS Strat. The Stratocaster HSS has a Double Tap humbucking pickup at the bridge with a coil-splitting function that is engaged via the lower tone knob’s push/pull pot. The versatility of this guitar allows you to play and sound great with so many different styles. It’s tough to beat Fender Custom Shop pickups, but the stock MIM Strat pickups make a good show of it. The entire body is made from Alder and the has a glossy urethane finish whereas the fretboard is crafted from Rosewood. The Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster HSS also allows you to include the finest Fender-designed quality to your playing. I have a Mim standard strat sss and obviously the pickups are different than the American so when adjusting pickup height we can't go off of Fenders recommended settings for the American Standard so what is the recommended place to adjust the pickups on a mim standard? With the original Strat guitar body shape and tremolo bridge, this is a Stratocaster that rocks with a traditional vibe and screams out modern sonics with the hot humbucker at the bridge. I also like that I can grab a real Stratocaster for around half the price of the American-made version. Guitar Gopher (author) on August 21, 2020: Since MIM stock guitars are good enough for Jimmie Vaughan there should be no reason to worry. I have a Strat with a sweet maple neck and fingerboard with rolled edges. One of the benefits of choosing a MIM Fender is that you can swap out the pickups to something better without feeling like you're compromising an expensive guitar. Fender lent me one of their new HSS Strats—meaning there is a humbucker in the bridge (which Fender calls a Shawbucker) and two single coil pickups, one in the neck and one in the middle position. And, you may know this too, but HSS stands for Hum-Sing-Sing, or a humbucker and two single-coil pickups. That sort of pricing just isn’t realistic for the budg… By Paul Riario 14 March 2013. The controls comprise a five-position blade pickup selector, master volume with an S-1 switch to activate the Custom Double Tap feature, a neck/middle tone knob plus bridge pickup tone knob. Good luck with your decision! A new standard for players looking for their first Fender? Removing our review guitars from their stackable moulded hard cases reveals that the asymmetric heel idea has been carried over from the Elite series, but now the heel tapers to approximately 13mm at its thinnest point under the neck plate. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Fender Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar - HSS - Maple Fingerboard, Brown Sunburst at Amazon.com. The Fender Standard HSS Strat is the best way for guitar players on a budget to land a real Fender Stratocaster with a hot humbucker and two single-coil pickups. It’s way too easy to get caught up in the bull thrown in guitar forums, or peer pressure from your buddies, and let them convince you the only way to go is an American Fender Stratocaster. Also, it has been well recognized for its remarkable influence on the sounds of modern music. The Fender Stratocaster has featured in a lot of recordings since 1954 when the musical instrument was introduced. With a considerable number of modern tweaks and an entire arsenal There are a lot of sad tales of quality control issues for guitar in this price range. At $1,399, the Professional’s price is about average for a U.S.-made Fender Strat—costlier than the American Standard (which the Professional replaces) and American Special instruments, but not as expensive as high-end American Elite and American Vintage models. Squier by Fender Affinity Stratocaster HSS 3.85 out of 5 based on 83 ratings . Fender really goes to town whenever it's time to revise its pride and joy, and this Player Series Stratocaster is no exception. The other thing that impacts the tone is the construction of the guitar itself. Nice hub. Both models are equipped with a Greasebucket tone circuit that maintains gain and clarity when you back down the Tele’s master tone or the Strat HSS’s bridge tone controls. I believe the Fender MIM Strat is just about the best intermediate-level guitar you’re going to find. So don’t expect the precision of a USA-Strat with the neck, but I can’t complain about it. The new Fender American Professional II HSS Stratocaster was a great first experience with an HSS so read on for the full review. Fender gives us so many options when it comes to the Strat. Guitar Gopher (author) on August 27, 2014: Thanks! But the Player Strat is the MIM of the future. Overall I feel this guitar is perfect for any type of genre. According to Fender, recommended pickups height for standard single coils is 2mm on bass side and 1.6 mm on treble side. It can play all sorts of different genres and will appeal to an awful lot of players. I have no hesitation about that, even after all these years. It's also great for modern rock, classic rock, and electric blues. 10 user reviews Overall, I like this guitar. For the same money, I have chance to purchase 2003 HSS MIM or a year old MIM SSS. And it doesn’t matter if Fender sends “inferior” tonewood blanks to Mexico and keeps the good ones for the American guitars. I'm a relative new player. It's a good match for me. The rest of this article refers to the Standard Stratocaster. That’s nonsense, and anyone who thinks less of a player because their instrument isn’t expensive enough needs to reevaluate their priorities as a musician. Mexican Strats get a polyester finish, where American instruments get a Urethane coat. Rosewood generally has a rounder, warmer sound where maple is a bit crisper. My advice? It really doesn’t matter if the body is two pieces, or three pieces, or eighteen pieces if you like the sound of the guitar. Fender apparently got the hint somewhere along the way and began to produce Strats with the HSS configuration. If not, the SSS would likely be fine for your needs. So here’s my advice: Make your decision based on logic, not hype. Standard HSS Stratocasters sound amazing, look as cool as their American counterparts and have what it takes to get the job done jamming in the basement or onstage at the club. In fact, I have another Strat with Fender Custom Shop Texas Special pickups, and, frankly, I like the stock MIM pickups better. Then I will make a personal comment about how well I´ve got along with this guitar (since I bougt it about a year ago). Especially since it seems like you've never owned a Strat before, you might want to experiment with those SSS sounds. The new one purchased for someone who gave it up for drum lessons.. If you want the best of the best, something like an American elite with the Fender name proudly emblazoned across the headstock will easily set you back over $1,500. It sounds good, but I might switch out the humbucker for something with more power. As said before, I am a very varried musician Who needed a very versatile guitar. It sounds amazing with clean tones, or with a touch of overdrive for that SRV blues sound. The fretboard has been extended and the pickups upgraded. If you play country or blues this might be just what you're looking for, but for rock and heavier forms of music, the humbucker is what you want. The guitar plays very well, and the neck feels solid and fast. If you’re a tone geek you’ll notice they aren’t as rich and full as the American Fender pickups, but if you are one of those guitarists who believe most of your tone is in your hands, you won’t miss much. This guitar is a great match to any sort of music. However, I do have certain problems with the guitar. Would like to hear it with overdrive and distortion too. The Fender HSS strat or FAT strat as it is widely know is a very popular guitar amongst new players since it is relatively cheap, but very reliable. This also paved the way for the Super Strat revolution of the 1980s, which led to the rise of now-legendary guitars like the Ibanez RG and Jackson Soloist. So why do I dig the Standard HSS Strat so much? One reason is value. Guitarists knew this even back in the '70s. On the other hand, if you don’t want to spend a lot of cash, but you do want a solid guitar that sounds great and will stick by you for years to come, the MIM HSS Strat might be the way to go. Fender knows the audience it’s aiming for with the Player series, and based on the performance of our review Stratocaster, it’s hit the bull’s-eye. I’ve had the guitar for a few years, so I hesitate to say too much about the feel of the instrument since this is the type of thing tends to vary from year to year. So Fender Stratocaster, while being a pricier option, tends to get more favorable ⭐ reviews than the $200 Fender Standard Stratocaster HSS, as seen on the chart below. If anything ever happened to my Strat I’d be devastated, but I can also replace it without straining the family budget. The Player Series takes Fender's classic electric guitar designs, offering a generous range of features for a tricked-out spec that makes them ideal for today's musician, then builds them at the Big F's Mexican factory and sells them at a very attractive price. I have been playing for about 2 years now and this is my favourite guitar. In my opinion it comes down to personal preference and how much you want the humbucker. But if you feel like spending a whole lot less and still ending up with a great Strat, MIM is the way to go. Before we go any further I think it is worth mentioning that Standard Stratocaster has been replaced by the Fender Player Stratocaster in Fender's lineup. I have an affinity for Strats with maple fingerboards. Maybe that’s true for you, but if it is let it be because it’s really what you want, not because you think you’ll be looked down on for playing a Mexican HSS Strat. Fender Player Stratocaster Floyd Rose HSS. The 2-point tremolo is smoother and a little more reliable than the 6-screw. You probably already know this, but Standard Strats are made in Mexico, and instruments in the Fender Standard Series are often referred to as Mexican or MIM Fenders. The Fender Standard HSS Strat is the best way for guitar players on a budget to land a real Fender Stratocaster with a hot humbucker and two single-coil pickups. Fender’s new Select Series guitars and basses are designed for the dedicated Fender player who loves the classic appeal and functionality of a Strat, Tele, Precision Bass or Jazz Bass but … This Stratocaster is very impressive with its vigorous tone and swift, easy-breezy playing, so you can try practicing for hours. What does matter is things like the finish. You can check out the Fender Player Strat HSS and see if the upgrades are worth it to you. I am thing about buying my 17 year old grandson an electric guitar but do not want to spend a lot of money unless he sticks with it. On top of that, it's fairly safe to say that Fender Stratocaster is a more popular electric guitar, based on its 200+ reviews. It can play all sorts of different genres and will appeal to an awful lot of players. Moving from the clean slice of the former to the warm growl of the latter is a quick and easy way to make amps and pedals speak in different dialects. This product is no longer manufactured. I got what I asked for. The Stratocaster HSS has an Ultra Double Tap humbucker at the bridge and Ultra Noiseless Hot Strat single-coil pickups at the middle and neck. The most obvious one is the pickups. Have a Les Paul Special II now. The only other instrument that gives it a run for its money is the Epiphone Les Paul Standard. Over the past few years, the Fender MIM HSS Strat has been my main instrument, and in this article, I'm going to tell you why. Single coil pickups in the bridge position tend to have a thinner, brighter sound. I get all the bluesy, glassy sounds I like from the single-coil pickups, along with the thick crunch of a humbucker in the bridge position. It a matter of preference, and neither is better than the other. That said, your HSS config sounds terrific. Sure, there will be those who’ll knock some of the non-1950s aspects of this guitar, but I say try it before you deny it. They give you the classic Fender tones where they should, in each of the five pickup positions. :-). $300. American Special Stratocaster HSS [2010-2018], STC-Shaped Guitar from Fender in the American Special Stratocaster series. Even the less glamorous deluxe models sit at around $800, and the American standard series that many players clamor for generally retails at around $1,000. That’s a good thing, but it can also be confusing. Disclaimer. In an unspoiled and elegant Olympic White, this Affinity Series Strat prides itself by having a humbucking bridge pickup, a rosewood fretboard with 21 massive frets, single-coil neck and middle pickups, and a synchronous tremolo bridge. I think I'm on my way to moving to HSH for my next strat, with mods to get extra pu combos. This probably does account for some of the improved sounds of the USA-made Stratocaster, as does the high-mass bridge block used in the American version. There really is no need to explain who Fender … Guitar Gopher is a guitarist and bassist with over 35 years of experience as a musician. I have a few Hubs around here on beginner guitars that can probably help you out. Don’t worry about it. Do you play a lot of hard rock and metal? stella vadakin from 3460NW 50 St Bell, Fl32619 on August 26, 2014: Good information. On the HSS model, you can pull it out ... Fender American Performer Stratocaster review: Verdict. The sonic versatility of guitars with both single coil and humbucking pickups appeals to tone hunters. The 10 best Stratocasters: our pick of the best Strat guitars Along with the usual suspects, we get some neat additions, such as the Mustang guitar and bass - the first US-made Mustangs since anyone can remember - along with a Jazzmaster that drops in a Strat’s vibrato, and the cool, if oddly named, Telecaster Hum: a neck-humbucking version of the standard Performer Telecaster. Standard HSS Stratocasters sound amazing, look as cool as their American counterparts and have what it takes to get the job done jamming in the basement or onstage at the club. This is more of a review of Andrew Robertson PAF humbucker pickups than an overall comparison of SSS vs HSS. A humbucker in the bridge position offers the thicker tone often sought in heavier forms of rock music. The Vintage Noiseless single-coils and Twin Head humbucker explode with complex, pro tone. Third, the HSS pickup configuration gives me a great deal of flexibility and an array of available tones. This guitar is potentially an excellent guitar. Hands down the best value in Electric guitars today. The Stratocaster is the ideal guitar for me. Gibson makes the best quality guitars overall, but for the price Fender guitars are the best value. Guys like Eddie Van Halen started slapping humbuckers on Strat bodies to get the thick tones they liked from guitars like Les Pauls, combined with the playability of a Strat. Always be sure to purchase from somewhere with a solid return policy. Personally, I've found no need to do this so far. This page contains information, pictures, videos, user generated reviews, automatically generated review and videos about Squier by Fender Affinity Stratocaster HSS but we do not warrant the quality, accuracy or completeness of any information on our web site. The MIM Fender neck is chunkier and feels more substantial. Shares. Review: Fender Select Stratocaster HSS. I know if I end up in a band tomorrow it will be the guitar I play. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. In the following review I will talk about its features, quality and value. But there are other reasons I highly recommend the Fender MIM Strat, and this review will cover them all. But you have to ask yourself how much the humbucker matters to you. They are still made in Mexico, but they feature some improved features over the older Standard model. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Fender American Special Stratocaster HSS, Black at Amazon.com. Stratocaster with humbucker is basically Eddie Van Halen – invention and it is a really good weapon for heavier rock-music where the power of the humbucker gets to shine. Personally, I've seen no need to upgrade from my Standard, but I do like some of the new specs on the Player Series. Obviously this isn’t a problem I’ve had, but it can happen, even with an American-made instrument. So check it out, and decide if the Standard HSS Stratocaster is the right guitar for you. For generations, the Fender Stratocaster has been at the forefront of the electric guitar world, with its instantly recognisable silhouette and gorgeous bell-like tones. The Standard Strat HSS guitar features special switching for its humbucking bridge pickup and two single-coil pickups in the neck and middle positions. ... Fender American Ultra Stratocaster HSS: 8/10. You can still grab a Standard new, or used for a good price. The Stratocaster is the ideal guitar for me. I have been playing guitar for over 5 years and use this mainly with a Peavey Bandit 112 and DigiTech... Also do not be put off by the fact it's made in mexico, as it plays and sounds amazing. Fender Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar (Maple Fingerboard, with Gig Bag) Count on a ton of bang for your buck with the Deluxe HSS Strat. The standard Player Stratocaster is a very fine instrument and you can buy one brand new for … As you may know, just like the American version the MIM HSS Strat is available with either a maple or rosewood fingerboard. If you get hung up on these things, by all means, don’t settle for anything less than an American HSS Stratocaster. The Fender Stratocaster prides itself as one of the most iconic guitars in the market today. Now that all the newbies are up to speed, let's get down to business. I've been playing for about 2 and a half years now and own 7 or 8 guitars. The neck pickup is glassy and smooth, just like a Strat ought to be. However, I do have certain problems with the guitar. The Special Stratocaster (non HSS) comes with a regular coil bridge pickup whereas the HSS version comes with a much better Fender Atomic humbucker bridge pickup with a high 16.4 kilo Ohms outpu… To me the newer SSS Strat would be a better deal, as long as it is in good shape. An American Standard HSS Stratocaster comes with a pair of Fender Custom Shop Fat ’50s pickups and a Fender Diamondback Humbucker, where the MIM Strat comes with pickups Fender refers to simply as Standard Single-Coil Strat and Standard Humbucking pickups. by Phil O'Keefe Fender's Standard Series of made in Mexico guitars have long represented some of the best values that Fender has offered to musicians. It boasts a volume knob and two sep… Fender American Special Stratocaster and Telecaster Review, Squier vs Fender Stratocaster Guitar Review, Best Squier and Fender Stratocasters for Beginners. So why choose the HSS instead of the classic SSS setup? I hope you found this Fender Standard HSS Strat review useful, and good luck with your new Strat! The hardware and electronics are solid, and except for taking the output jack plate out and tightening the nut now and then (a common Strat issue), I’ve not had to make any repairs. That makes it seem like there’s no contest, doesn’t it? But I can tell you in several years of using the Mexican Strat as my main guitar it hasn’t let me down yet. Maybe this will help you decide whether or not it is the right guitar for you! Hi Ron! The good news is they are very different guitars, so you can justify having one of each! For the style of music I play, this guitar is pretty good. Enter the American Standard Stratocaster HSS Shawbucker, a formidable beast with a bridge humbucker and two single-coils. There are countless rumors and myths surrounding the way Fender decides which guitars get which tonewood pieces, and what exactly lurks beneath the finish of a Mexican-made Fender. This guitar is pretty damn close to perfect for everything I've ever wanted. I suggest experimenting with different heights to see what you like best. I have a bunch of guitars, and I've played and owned countless others during my career. Yeah, that neck is a little better than the one on my Mexican Fender. There are a few differences that separate the sound of the Mexican HSS Strat from the American. 2016 saw the venerable American Deluxe series being replaced by the American Elite series, with many of its diverse features making a return. The only real downside to the Fender strat is the price point.