HSH Superstrat options - what's out there?

[hollowbody]

Hey all,

I'm looking to buy a Superstrat at some point this year. Just wondering what Fender models are available out there? I'd like to stick with Fenders at the moment, but depends how limited I am. I might go to Charvels or similar, but I'm not interested in Ibanez's or anything else with super pointyness happening. What I'm interested in primarily is a rock machine, not a shredder.

Features I am looking for are:
HSH configuration (but I can mod a SSH or SSS if I have to)
Floyd Rose
Coil taps for hums, preferably push-pull pots

Also, would I be better off building from parts? I looked into this on eBay and found some reasonably priced parts. But one thing that has me totally baffled is that the necks I've seen on eBay that are advertised as Floyd Rose necks don't have the drilled holes for the locking nut. Would I have to do this myself if I went the DIY? I have no experience with Floyds other than a couple divebombs in a L&M, so I don't really know the technical side of them too much.

[al3d]

Hey all,

I'm looking to buy a Superstrat at some point this year. Just wondering what Fender models are available out there? I'd like to stick with Fenders at the moment, but depends how limited I am. I might go to Charvels or similar, but I'm not interested in Ibanez's or anything else with super pointyness happening. What I'm interested in primarily is a rock machine, not a shredder.

Features I am looking for are:
HSH configuration (but I can mod a SSH or SSS if I have to)
Floyd Rose
Coil taps for hums, preferably push-pull pots

Also, would I be better off building from parts? I looked into this on eBay and found some reasonably priced parts. But one thing that has me totally baffled is that the necks I've seen on eBay that are advertised as Floyd Rose necks don't have the drilled holes for the locking nut. Would I have to do this myself if I went the DIY? I have no experience with Floyds other than a couple divebombs in a L&M, so I don't really know the technical side of them too much.

Check your PM's mate.

When they say Floyd rose ready..it mainly means it as not bone for the stings...not every brand of floyd as the exact hole placing..so you need to get them done once you've chosen your trem

[Drazden]

There's lots of great non-pointy superstrats around there, from everyone from Ibanez (don't check out the RG series... stick with the S's....) Jackson / Charvel, Dean, Kramer, etc, all of whom have very very well-built superstrats that don't necessarily all resemble medieval instruments of torture either.

But you're looking for Fenders...

Fender never has done many 24-fret necks, but there HAVE been a few.

If you can live with only 22 frets, there were Floyd'ed US, Mexican and Japanese Strats made at one time or another. If you can't live without a 2-octave neck, though, your options shrink. Pretty much you get Showmasters and the HM Series.

Upside: if you CAN find them, they're pretty cheap. There was the short-lived HM Series of Strats and Teles in the late 80s, some of which had a single coil-sized humbucker in the neck if I recall. Other than that, maybe the Showmasters? They're 24 frets, and fairly well built. And currently still being made.

So, yeah. Fender Showmasters would seem to be your best bet, at least from my point of view, but make sure you check out the Ibanez S and SV series... more of a traditional, rounded shape, and seriously... great guitars. If you get one of the new Japanese 24-fret ones, you'll be in heaven.

[tomyam]

I recommend Tom Anderson or James Tyler guitars. Great tone and feel +
their wirings are excellent.
Excellent guitars but little expensive

[Robert1950]

Too bad the MusicMan Silhouette doesn't come with a FL.

http://www.music-man.com/instruments/silhouette.php

[hollowbody]

I recommend Tom Anderson or James Tyler guitars. Great tone and feel +
their wirings are excellent.
Excellent guitars but little expensive

Yeah, I loved the Anderson you had for sale. It's just a tad out of my price range :smile:

[hollowbody]

Too bad the MusicMan Silhouette doesn't come with a FL.

http://www.music-man.com/instruments/silhouette.php




Yeah, it's almost there in terms of hardware, but yknow what? I've never been able to love an Ernie Ball guitar. There's something about them I don't dig. A friend of mine gigs with his EB MM as his #1 and a Strat as his backup, but, after playing both, I honestly prefer the Strat.

[Diablo]

Jackson SL2H or Peavey Wolfgang. Both are phenomenal. If you can find a used ESP Mirage, thye are also a great value.

[sysexguy]

You may wish to consider a Suhr Pro series S5 or S6 and add a single coil to the pickguard (to get an HSH config). The body is all ready routed to allow this mod. You can then adjust the wiring to best suit your needs.

A great, great guitar and this option is considerable less expensive than ordering a custom guitar with the same features. Please note that I am biased because we are Suhr dealers but I'm sure others will agree as well.

Andy

[KHINGPYNN]

Too bad the Music Man Silhouette doesn't come with a FL.


They do... Music Man has them in limited run. Vinnie Moore plays one... not a sig either.

If you look on thier site currently you won't see one but keep an eye on fleabay... they pop up there on a regular basis.

The Petrucci models come with a Floyd... they are a Silhouette built to John's spec.

[Milkman]

I'd consider an Ibanez RG1500 or higher.

I think the pickups suck but the necks, bodies and bridges are very good, depending on your tastes.

[al3d]

I'd consider an Ibanez RG1500 or higher.

I think the pickups suck but the necks, bodies and bridges are very good, depending on your tastes.

nice guitar yes..but that's a shredder...i don't think he's into those.