In this build we're going to take a cheaper Fender HSS Standard Stratocaster electric guitar and give it a major face life, replacing all three pickups, the bridge and the strings. Since we're using the HSS model, we've got to switch out a humbucker at the bridge position and two single coil pickups at the middle and neck positions.
The body of the standard HSS Stratocaster is made of Alder tonewood, which has been a common ingredient of Fender guitars dating back to the '50s.
It produces strong mids and really thick lows in the EQ, which makes it ideal for a heavier pickup upgrade.
Once we're done, we'll have a Strat that can hang with heavier power chord riffs as much as the Eric Clapton-style melodic soloing.
Here's what we'll use:
Gear Used in this Build Guide
GEAR | Title | Rated | Browse |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Fender Player Series HSS Stratocaster | n/a | |
 | Seymour Duncan P-Rails Trembucker | n/a | |
 | Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Strat (middle) | n/a | |
| Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Strat (neck) | n/a | |
 | Elixir Nanoweb Light/Heavy .052 | n/a | |
 | Fender '62 Reissue Stratocaster Tremolo Bridge | n/a | |
 | Fender Pro Series Case | n/a |
Approximate Total Investment: $1050
We'll swap out the stock "vintage" bridge with a '62 reissue job from Fender, along with the three-part pickup replacement.
Here's a look at the guitar as it comes out of the box:
The HSS Player Series Stratocaster as it comes, straight out of the box.
Once it's all done, we'll have a much more versatile Stratocaster that can handle modern rock as well as the subtleties of more classic blues playing styles.
We'll start with the pickups.
The Bridge, Middle and Neck Seymour Duncan Pickup Replacements
To install all three of our new pickups, we'll need to remove the strings, the volume knobs and the pickguard. While we're at it, go ahead and remove the bridge as well since we'll be replacing that along with the new strings.
Once all those pieces are off, you'll need to remove the stock pickups installed on the HSS Strat.
After those have been removed, use a soldering iron to add the Seymour Duncan P-Rails Trembucker at the bridge position.
Adding the P-Rails humbucker at the bridge position.
Repeat the process for the middle and neck pickups as well, using the Quarter Pound rail pickups for each position.
Adding the Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder rails at the middle and neck positions.
This combination of pickups, on their own, will cause the most notable visual and audible changes in the guitar. The P-Rails Trembucker combines the tones of a humbucker, P90 and Stratocaster rail all into one unit, which will give your Strat a lot of versatility in that pickup alone.
The two Quarter pound rails will help balance out the highs of the bridge humbucker with a thicker, heavier tone.
All told, it's a massive improvement over the stock pickups that come with the guitar.
The Bridge Install
Before you put the volume knobs and pickguard back on, you'll want to take out the bridge and install the '62 reissue replacement version.
This video gives a simple and clear illustration of how to install the new bridge:
Once the new bridge is installed, you can put the pickguard and volume knobs back on, along with the new set of Elixir strings.
Changing out the bridge isn't entirely crucial, though the stock hardware that comes on Standard Fender guitars isn't something we're crazy about keeping. It's not bad, but it's uninspiring and mass-produced, meaning we don't want it to be a permanent part of our guitar.
In the case of the new bridge, it has an indirect impact on the guitar's tone, and a significant say in how well the tremolo functions and how well the guitar stays in tune.
If you don't add the bridge as part of your initial upgrade, and you want to keep the guitar as a long-term investment, we'd recommend replacing the stock bridge eventually.
Adding a Hardshell Case
Since the guitar doesn't ship with a gig bag, or any kind of case, we recommend adding a hardshell case to protect your investment.
The simplest option is the Fender Pro Series case, designed for Telecasters and Stratocasters. It adds a significant amount of cost to your total, but it's worth the extra buy since we're approaching the $1000 total price tag for this guitar without any case.
This particular case is perfectly shaped to protect any Fender guitar.
Your Questions and Ideas
Have a mod or part that you know would work particularly well with the Fender HSS Standard Stratocaster?
Maybe you disagree with the choices we've listed?
Let us know in the comments section below. If you have an idea that holds water, we'll add it to the list so others can benefit as well.
Likewise, if you have an idea for a guitar (electric or acoustic) build, you can drop it there as well and we'll take a look.
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Written by GC Editorial on Electrics and Build Guides
Written by Bobby on Electrics and Build Guides
Hi. I know this article is from quite awhile ago but I just acquired a Fender HSS Strat and was considering replacing the bridge pickup.
I was wondering how you got around the issue of the Fender humbucker having 2 screw holes on one side and most replacement pickups only having one.
Thank you
Hey Bruce – if I remember correctly, when you take the pickguard off, the humbucker can be screwed into the body, then the pickguard goes back on top.
first off i wanna say that this site is really good. Your content comes across as actually having a lot of thought put into it vs the standard listicle which is repeated year after year with just the current year number changed. It would be great if you could get more eyeballs, perhaps through some youtube presence?
Coming to my query, I am looking to buy an electric guitar that would be pretty versatile and handle a variety of tones and genres (everything from the ’60s to the ’90s except really heavy high gain metal stuff). To give some sort of an idea – I would wanna be able to do Led Zeppelin, David Gilmour, Black Sabbath, SRV, as well as Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, a bit of Metallica and Megadeth, but definitely not Children of Bodom or Slipknot or Meshuggah.
I would ideally not wanna cross 600 dollars, but 700 is where I would absolutely draw the line. Based on the stuff I wanna do, I think I should be looking at a guitar with either a combination of Humbuckers and single coils or at least humbucking with coil split functionalities. This is where I am confused as to what kind of guitar I should go for, a superstrat (like Ibanez s series or Jackson Adrian Smith SDX) or a PRS se or standard or go the route of getting a MIM Fender and ‘heavy’ it up like this article suggests. Going the Fender route then creates another dilemma of going for Fender or for the G&L Legacy or Godin Session strat style guitars.
Any tips you could offer here?
Hey man – thanks for the comment and the kind words.
For what you’re doing, if you’re just talking about a broad brand recommendation, I’d go with PRS to get the versatility you’re looking for. I’ve played them since I was 16, and they’re the most accommodating to different styles and sounds.
They’re pricey, but I got mine (a 2005 CE 24) from the Guitar Center used section at a pretty steep discount (I think it was $1300).
Is this helpful? Let me know if I need to clarify or misunderstood your question.
Thanks for the reply Bob. I have heard mostly great things about the PRS guitars, so that does make sense.
Do you think the advice still applies to their SE or standard range? Since the American range even used would be way over my budget. 🙁
Also apart from brand advice, do you have any particular models in mind around that price point (<=700ish $) that you think could be a good fit for my requirements?
One last thing, this is a specific question but do you think the Ibanez S series would be completely unsuitable for genres other than metal and hard rock? Because otherwise something like the 670qm would tick a lot of important boxes for me. If so is this something that could be alleviated with pickup swaps a year or two down the line?
The 670QM is a great guitar. I’d say it’s designed more for speed, and not necessarily just metal. Joe Satriani is probably the best example of what an Ibanez is made for.
To be honest, if that checks a lot of your boxes, I’d go with it. You can always mod the pickups if you want a little bit of a different sound.
As far as PRS goes, the SE series is fantastic. I’ve had (and played) one since I was 15, in addition to the Maryland-made PRS I have now. Both are excellent guitars.
Hi! Any recommendation for doing this kind of upgrades but with a 22 fret strat. I really like having that extra fret
Hey Jose – the process should be pretty much the same. Do you have a model in mind, or are you wanting to mod it with a 22-fret neck?
Maybe trying with a Fender Player Strat. To be honest, I didn’t know you could change the neck, so that might be an option
Yeah, the bolt-on necks can be changed out. What I’d recommend is find the guitar/neck you want to combine and then having a professional do the mod, unless you’re comfortable with it yourself. Stewmac has some helpful articles on how to do it.
I think Fender sell some original necks. An upgrade I will suggest is to ad the coil split feature. Do you know how to do that?
Yeah, the only issue there is that we’re presuming you’re working with an HSS or HH Strat. This video shows you how to split the bridge on an HSS Strat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r-3LMLGl0U