An HSS Strat is a type of Stratocaster guitar that has a humbucker pickup in the bridge position and two single-coil pickups in the neck and middle positions. The humbucker pickup gives the guitar a thicker, fuller sound, while the single-coil pickups provide a brighter, more jangly sound.
The ideal pickup height for an HSS Strat will vary depending on the player’s preferences and the type of music they play. However, there are some general guidelines that can be followed.
- The neck pickup should be set slightly higher than the middle pickup. This will give the guitar a warmer, fuller sound in the neck position.
- The middle pickup should be set about the same height as the bridge pickup. This will give the guitar a balanced sound in the middle position.
- The bridge pickup can be set slightly lower than the middle pickup. This will give the guitar a brighter, more aggressive sound in the bridge position.
It is also important to consider the string gauge when setting pickup height. Heavier strings will require the pickups to be set higher in order to avoid muting the strings.
To adjust the pickup height, you will need a screwdriver. The screws that adjust the pickup height are located on the bottom of the pickup. Turn the screws clockwise to raise the pickup and counterclockwise to lower it.
Once you have adjusted the pickup height, play the guitar and experiment with different settings until you find a sound that you like.
Here are some additional tips for adjusting HSS Strat pickup height:
- Fret the guitar at the highest fret and adjust the pickups so that there is a small gap between the strings and the pole pieces. This will ensure that there is no fret buzz.
- Play the guitar and listen to the sound of each pickup. Adjust the height until you are satisfied with the sound.
- Experiment with different pickup combinations. For example, you can try using the neck pickup and the middle pickup together for a warmer sound, or the bridge pickup and the middle pickup together for a brighter sound.
The ideal pickup height is a matter of personal preference, so experiment until you find a sound that you like.
