Best Guitars With SSS Configuration in 2025
Here you'll find the best guitars with SSS configuration. This is the pickup configuration made famous by the Stratocaster. It gives you beautiful clean tones, but also a vintage-sounding distortion. This pickup combination will sound chimey, but you might be surprised at the warmness that you can get from a single-coil at the neck position on a 22-fret guitar. The disadvantage of this configuration is the hum noise that single-coils produce due to their nature.
After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.
There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.
After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.
There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.
1. Ibanez LM1
Compare

What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (10 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (10 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
- Pickups power: Clean (1 vote)
Show All Specs
Ibanez LM1 | ||
---|---|---|
General | ||
Brand: | Ibanez | |
Year: | 2022 | |
Configuration: | SSS | |
Strings: | 6 | |
Made in: | Japan | |
Series: | LM | |
Colors: | White | |
Left-Handed Version: | No | |
Body | ||
Type: | Solid Body | |
Body Material: | Alder | |
Bridge: | Gotoh T1702B | |
Neck | ||
Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
Tuners: | Gotoh MG-T locking machine heads | |
Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
Neck Material: | Roasted Maple | |
Decoration: | Abalone dot | |
Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
Shape: | AZ Oval C | |
Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.81'' (20.6mm) - 12th Fret: 0.89'' (22.6mm) | |
Frets: | 22 Jumbo Stainless Steel | |
Fretboard Radius: | 9" to 12" | |
Nut: | Bone | |
Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
Electronics | ||
Bridge Pickups: | Seymour Duncan Fortuna (H) (Humbucker / Passive) | |
Middle Pickup: | Seymour Duncan Fortuna (H) (Humbucker / Passive) | |
Neck Pickup: | Seymour Duncan Fortuna (H) (Humbucker / Passive) | |
Switch: | 5 | |
Knobs: | Bell | |
Pickup Mods: | Coil Split | |
Volume Controls: | 1 | |
Tone Controls: | 2 | |
Hardware | ||
Strap Lock: | No | |
Hardware Color: | Chrome |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez LM1
Ibanez LM1
- Stainless Steel Frets
- Locking Tuners
- Made in Japan
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Coil Split Pickups
- Luminescent Inlay
- Tremolo
- Compound Radius Fretboard
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
2. Fender American Ultra II Stratocaster
Show All Specs
Fender American Ultra II Stratocaster | ||
---|---|---|
General | ||
Brand: | Fender | |
Year: | 2024 | |
Configuration: | SSS | |
Strings: | 6 | |
Made in: | United States | |
Series: | American Ultra II | |
Colors: | White, Black, Blue, Orange, Red, Yellow | |
Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
Body | ||
Type: | Solid Body | |
Body Material: | Select Alder | |
Bridge: | 2-Point American Ultra Synchronized Tremolo with Polished Stainless Steel Block Saddles and Cold Rolled Steel Block | |
Neck | ||
Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
Tuners: | Deluxe Cast/Sealed Locking (all short posts) | |
Fretboard: | Quartersawn Maple | |
Neck Material: | Quartersawn Maple | |
Decoration: | Black Pearloid Dot 7 mm | |
Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
Shape: | Modern "D" | |
Frets: | 22 Medium Jumbo | |
Fretboard Radius: | 10" to 14" | |
Nut: | Ivory Tusq | |
Nut Width: | 42.8mm (1.685'') | |
Electronics | ||
Bridge Pickups: | Ultra II Noiseless Vintage Strat (Single Coil / Passive) | |
Middle Pickup: | Ultra II Noiseless Vintage Strat (Single Coil / Passive) | |
Neck Pickup: | Ultra II Noiseless Vintage Strat (Single Coil / Passive) | |
Switch: | 5 | |
Knobs: | Bell | |
Pickup Mods: | S-1 Switch | |
Volume Controls: | 1 | |
Tone Controls: | 2 | |
Hardware | ||
Strap Lock: | No | |
Hardware Color: | Nickel |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender American Ultra II Stratocaster
Fender American Ultra II Stratocaster
- Locking Tuners
- Made in United States
- Ivory Tusq Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- S-1 Switch Pickups
- Luminescent Inlay
- Tremolo
- Compound Radius Fretboard
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Expensive Woods
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
3. Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster
Show All Specs
Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster | ||
---|---|---|
General | ||
Brand: | Fender Custom | |
Year: | 2020 | |
Configuration: | SSS | |
Strings: | 6 | |
Made in: | United States | |
Series: | Artisan | |
Colors: | Natural | |
Left-Handed Version: | No | |
Body | ||
Top: | Spalted Maple | |
Type: | Semi-Hollow | |
Body Material: | Roasted Ash with Spalted Maple Top | |
Bridge: | Custom Shop Vintage Synchronized Tremolo | |
Neck | ||
Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
Tuners: | Vintage Style with Tortoise Shell Buttons | |
Fretboard: | Round-Lam Ebony | |
Neck Material: | 3A Roasted Birdseye Maple | |
Decoration: | Mother of Pearl dot | |
Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
Shape: | '60s Oval C | |
Frets: | 21 Narrow Tall | |
Fretboard Radius: | 9.5" to 12" | |
Nut: | Bone | |
Nut Width: | 41.9mm (1.65'') | |
Electronics | ||
Bridge Pickups: | Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Fat '60s Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) | |
Middle Pickup: | Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound RWRP Fat '60s Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) | |
Neck Pickup: | Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Fat '60s Single-Coil Strat (Single Coil / Passive) | |
Switch: | 5 | |
Knobs: | Bell | |
Volume Controls: | 1 | |
Tone Controls: | 2 | |
Hardware | ||
Strap Lock: | No | |
Hardware Color: | Chrome |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster
Fender Custom Artisan Spalted Maple Thinline Stratocaster
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Tremolo
- Compound Radius Fretboard
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
4. Music Man Cutlass HT SSS
Compare

What our users think
- Neck access to high frets: Normal (1 vote)
- Fret edges: Smooth (2 votes)
- Tuning stability: Not bad (1 vote)
- Weight: Lightweight (2 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
- Pickups power: Hot (2 votes)
Show All Specs
Music Man Cutlass HT SSS | ||
---|---|---|
General | ||
Brand: | Music Man | |
Year: | 2022 | |
Configuration: | SSS | |
Strings: | 6 | |
Made in: | United States | |
Series: | HT | |
Colors: | White, Sunburst, Black, Red Burst | |
Left-Handed Version: | No | |
Body | ||
Type: | Solid Body | |
Body Material: | Alder | |
Bridge: | Music Man Modern Tremolo | |
Neck | ||
Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
Tuners: | Schaller M6-IND locking | |
Fretboard: | Brulee & Raspberry Burst Figured Roasted Maple | |
Neck Material: | Roasted Figured Maple | |
Decoration: | Dot | |
Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
Shape: | HT | |
Frets: | 22 Medium Jumbo Stainless Steel | |
Fretboard Radius: | 10" | |
Nut: | Compensated | |
Nut Width: | 41.3mm (1.625'') | |
Electronics | ||
Bridge Pickups: | Music Man Custom Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
Middle Pickup: | Music Man Custom Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
Neck Pickup: | Music Man Custom Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
Switch: | 5 | |
Knobs: | Dome | |
Pickup Mods: | Boost | |
Volume Controls: | 1 | |
Tone Controls: | 1 | |
Hardware | ||
Strap Lock: | No | |
Hardware Color: | Chrome |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Music Man Cutlass HT SSS
Music Man Cutlass HT SSS
- Stainless Steel Frets
- Locking Tuners
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Compensated Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Boost Pickups
- Tremolo
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
5. Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature
Show All Specs
Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature | ||
---|---|---|
General | ||
Brand: | Schecter | |
Year: | 2017 | |
Configuration: | SSS | |
Strings: | 6 | |
Made in: | United States | |
Series: | Artist | |
Colors: | White, Orange, Blue Nitro | |
Left-Handed Version: | No | |
Body | ||
Type: | Solid Body | |
Body Material: | Alder | |
Bridge: | Schecter Vintage 2-Point Tremolo | |
Neck | ||
Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
Tuners: | Schecter/Hipshot Staggered Locking Tuners | |
Fretboard: | Macassar Ebony | |
Neck Material: | Contoured 4-Bolt Wenge | |
Decoration: | Silver Ring | |
Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
Shape: | Nick Johnston Custom C | |
Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.825'' (21mm) - 12th Fret: 0.865'' (22mm) | |
Frets: | 22 XL Jumbo | |
Fretboard Radius: | 14" | |
Nut: | Black Tusq XL | |
Nut Width: | 42.4mm (1.67'') | |
Electronics | ||
Bridge Pickups: | Schecter USA Nick Johnston Signature Atomic Set (Single Coil / Passive) | |
Middle Pickup: | Schecter USA Nick Johnston Signature Atomic Set (Single Coil / Passive) | |
Neck Pickup: | Schecter USA Nick Johnston Signature Atomic Set (Single Coil / Passive) | |
Switch: | 5 | |
Knobs: | Bell | |
Volume Controls: | 1 | |
Tone Controls: | 1 | |
Hardware | ||
Strap Lock: | No | |
Hardware Color: | Chrome |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature
Schecter Nick Johnston USA Signature
- Locking Tuners
- Made in United States
- Expensive Wood
- Black Tusq XL Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Tremolo
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
6. Sire Larry Carlton S10 SSS
Compare

What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (18 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (9 votes)
Show All Specs
Sire Larry Carlton S10 SSS | ||
---|---|---|
General | ||
Brand: | Sire | |
Year: | 2024 | |
Configuration: | SSS | |
Strings: | 6 | |
Made in: | Indonesia | |
Series: | S | |
Colors: | Sunburst, Natural | |
Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
Body | ||
Type: | Solid Body | |
Body Material: | Swamp Ash | |
Bridge: | Gotoh 510TS-SF1 Gold | |
Neck | ||
Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
Tuners: | Sire Premium Locking Tuner | |
Fretboard: | Hard Maple Edgeless (Rolled Fretboard Edges) | |
Neck Material: | Hard Maple | |
Decoration: | Abalone dot | |
Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
Shape: | C-Shape | |
Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.9'' (22.9mm) - 12th Fret: 0.94'' (23.9mm) | |
Frets: | 22 Medium Jumbo Stainless Steel | |
Fretboard Radius: | 12" to 14" | |
Nut: | Bone | |
Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
Electronics | ||
Bridge Pickups: | Seymour Duncan Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
Middle Pickup: | Seymour Duncan Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
Neck Pickup: | Seymour Duncan Single Coil (Single Coil / Passive) | |
Switch: | 5 | |
Knobs: | Bell | |
Volume Controls: | 1 | |
Tone Controls: | 2 | |
Hardware | ||
Strap Lock: | No | |
Hardware Color: | Gold |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Sire Larry Carlton S10 SSS
Sire Larry Carlton S10 SSS
- Stainless Steel Frets
- Locking Tuners
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Tremolo
- Compound Radius Fretboard
- Made in Indonesia
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
7. Reverend Pete Anderson Eastsider Baritone
Compare

What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (6 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (8 votes)
Show All Specs
Reverend Pete Anderson Eastsider Baritone | ||
---|---|---|
General | ||
Brand: | Reverend | |
Year: | 2021 | |
Configuration: | SSS | |
Strings: | 6 | |
Made in: | South Korea | |
Series: | Signature | |
Colors: | Black Satin | |
Left-Handed Version: | No | |
Body | ||
Type: | Solid Body | |
Body Material: | Chambered Korina | |
Bridge: | Wilkinson WV6 SB (Steel Block) Tremolo | |
Neck | ||
Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
Tuners: | Reverend Pin-Lock | |
Fretboard: | Roasted Maple | |
Neck Material: | Roasted Maple | |
Decoration: | Dots | |
Scale Size: | 28.625" | |
Shape: | Medium Oval | |
Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.85'' (21.6mm) - 12th Fret: 0.9'' (22.9mm) | |
Frets: | 24 Jumbo | |
Fretboard Radius: | 10" to 14" | |
Nut: | Boneite | |
Nut Width: | 43mm (1.693'') | |
Electronics | ||
Bridge Pickups: | Talnico Bridge (Single Coil / Passive) | |
Middle Pickup: | Salnico Middle (Single Coil / Passive) | |
Neck Pickup: | Salnico Neck (Single Coil / Passive) | |
Switch: | 5 | |
Knobs: | Dome | |
Pickup Mods: | Series Split | |
Volume Controls: | 1 | |
Tone Controls: | 1 | |
Hardware | ||
Strap Lock: | No | |
Hardware Color: | Nickel |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Reverend Pete Anderson Eastsider Baritone
Reverend Pete Anderson Eastsider Baritone
- Locking Tuners
- Expensive Wood
- Boneite Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Series Split Pickups
- Weight Relief
- Tremolo
- Compound Radius Fretboard
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- Made in South Korea
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
8. Charvel Pro-Mod DK22 SSS 2PT CM Mahogany with Walnut
Compare

What our users think
- Neck access to high frets: Very Easy (2 votes)
- Fret edges: Smooth (2 votes)
- Tuning stability: Holds tune well (2 votes)
- Weight: Very lightweight (2 votes)
- Neck profile shape: D (12 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (17 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (4 votes)
- Pickups power: Hot (4 votes)
Show All Specs
Charvel Pro-Mod DK22 SSS 2PT CM Mahogany with Walnut | ||
---|---|---|
General | ||
Brand: | Charvel | |
Year: | 2022 | |
Configuration: | SSS | |
Strings: | 6 | |
Made in: | Mexico | |
Series: | Pro-Mod | |
Colors: | Natural | |
Left-Handed Version: | No | |
Body | ||
Top: | Figured Walnut | |
Type: | Solid Body | |
Body Material: | Mahogany | |
Bridge: | Gotoh Custom 510 Tremolo | |
Neck | ||
Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
Tuners: | Charvel-Branded Die-Cast Locking | |
Fretboard: | Caramelized Maple | |
Neck Material: | Caramelized Maple | |
Decoration: | 4mm Pearloid Dot | |
Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
Shape: | Charvel Speed | |
Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.77'' (19.6mm) - 12th Fret: 0.83'' (21.1mm) | |
Frets: | 22 Jumbo | |
Fretboard Radius: | 12" to 16" | |
Nut: | Ivory Tusq | |
Nut Width: | 42.9mm (1.688'') | |
Electronics | ||
Bridge Pickups: | Seymour Duncan Hot Rails Strat SHR-1B (Humbucker / Passive) | |
Middle Pickup: | Seymour Duncan Custom Flat Strat SSL-6 (Single Coil / Passive) | |
Neck Pickup: | Seymour Duncan Custom Flat Strat SSL-6 RWRP (Single Coil / Passive) | |
Switch: | 5 | |
Knobs: | Bell | |
Volume Controls: | 1 | |
Tone Controls: | 1 | |
Hardware | ||
Strap Lock: | No | |
Hardware Color: | Gold |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Charvel Pro-Mod DK22 SSS 2PT CM Mahogany with Walnut
Charvel Pro-Mod DK22 SSS 2PT CM Mahogany with Walnut
- Locking Tuners
- Expensive Wood
- Ivory Tusq Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Luminescent Inlay
- Tremolo
- Compound Radius Fretboard
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- Made in Mexico
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
9. PRS Silver Sky
Show All Specs
PRS Silver Sky | ||
---|---|---|
General | ||
Brand: | PRS | |
Year: | 2018 | |
Configuration: | SSS | |
Strings: | 6 | |
Made in: | United States | |
Series: | Bolt-On | |
Colors: | Gold, White, Blue, Green, Brown, Red, Gray | |
Left-Handed Version: | No | |
Body | ||
Type: | Solid Body | |
Body Material: | Alder | |
Bridge: | PRS Steel Tremolo | |
Neck | ||
Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
Tuners: | Vintage-Style, Locking | |
Fretboard: | Maple or Rosewood | |
Neck Material: | Maple | |
Decoration: | Small Birds | |
Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
Shape: | JM635 | |
Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.87'' (22.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.97'' (24.6mm) | |
Frets: | 22 Vintage | |
Fretboard Radius: | 7.25" | |
Nut: | Bone | |
Nut Width: | 42.1mm (1.656'') | |
Electronics | ||
Bridge Pickups: | PRS 635JM (Single Coil / Passive) | |
Middle Pickup: | PRS 635JM (Single Coil / Passive) | |
Neck Pickup: | PRS 635JM (Single Coil / Passive) | |
Switch: | 5 | |
Knobs: | Bell | |
Volume Controls: | 1 | |
Tone Controls: | 2 | |
Hardware | ||
Strap Lock: | No | |
Hardware Color: | Nickel |
Strengths & Weaknesses
PRS Silver Sky
PRS Silver Sky
- Locking Tuners
- Made in United States
- Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Tremolo
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Expensive Woods
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
10. Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige
Compare

What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (10 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (10 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
- Pickups power: Clean (1 vote)
Show All Specs
Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige | ||
---|---|---|
General | ||
Brand: | Ibanez | |
Year: | 2023 | |
Configuration: | SSS | |
Strings: | 6 | |
Made in: | Japan | |
Series: | AZ | |
Colors: | Black, Blue | |
Left-Handed Version: | No | |
Body | ||
Type: | Solid Body | |
Body Material: | Alder | |
Bridge: | Gotoh T1502S | |
Neck | ||
Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
Tuners: | Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P. | |
Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
Neck Material: | Roasted Maple | |
Decoration: | Mother of Pearl dot | |
Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
Shape: | AZ Oval C | |
Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.81'' (20.6mm) - 12th Fret: 0.89'' (22.6mm) | |
Frets: | 22 Jumbo Stainless Steel | |
Fretboard Radius: | 9" to 12" | |
Nut: | Bone | |
Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
Electronics | ||
Bridge Pickups: | Seymour Duncan Fortuna (H) (Humbucker / Passive) | |
Middle Pickup: | Seymour Duncan Fortuna (H) (Humbucker / Passive) | |
Neck Pickup: | Seymour Duncan Fortuna (H) (Humbucker / Passive) | |
Switch: | 5 | |
Knobs: | Bell | |
Pickup Mods: | Coil Split | |
Volume Controls: | 1 | |
Tone Controls: | 2 | |
Hardware | ||
Strap Lock: | No | |
Hardware Color: | Chrome |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige
Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige
- Stainless Steel Frets
- Locking Tuners
- Made in Japan
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Coil Split Pickups
- Luminescent Inlay
- Tremolo
- Compound Radius Fretboard
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock