HSS Pickups Explained: Versatility in One Guitar
If you’ve ever looked at an electric guitar and seen “HSS” in the specs, you might’ve wondered what it means. It’s one of the most popular pickup combinations in modern guitars - and for good reason.
HSS stands for Humbucker-Single-Single, and it’s all about giving you the best of both worlds.
🎸 What It Means
An HSS guitar has:
One humbucker pickup (usually in the bridge position)
Two single-coil pickups (in the middle and neck positions)
That humbucker gives you a thicker, more powerful tone that’s perfect for heavier styles, like rock, while the single-coils provide clear, bright sounds for clean tones, funk, blues, or country.
🎶 Why Players Love HSS Guitars
Versatility: From sparkling cleans to heavy riffs, one guitar can cover it all.
Dynamic tone range: The bridge humbucker handles distortion beautifully, while the neck and middle pickups keep your clean tones crisp.
Perfect for beginners: You can explore different styles without needing multiple guitars.
HSS setups are common in modern Strat-style guitars, including many Fender and Squier models, and they’re one of the best all-around choices for players who want flexibility without complication.
⚡ Who It’s For
If you play anything from worship to rock, or you want a single guitar that can handle clean, crunch, and lead tones, an HSS configuration might be perfect for you.
It’s the pickup combo that keeps you ready for anything.
🛒 Find HSS Guitars at Morris Guitar Company
At Morris Guitar Company, we carry a variety of used and refurbished electric guitars featuring HSS pickup configurations - all inspected, set up, and ready to play.