Well, only have the FM3, because it fills my needs. But my Ultra SSS sounds fantastic. A good example, is try Burgs Rig 102. He shared patches for the III nd the FM3.First about me: I play a 2018 Les Paul HP into my AXE FX III, coil-tapped/split to all single coils mode, playing primarily jazz, rock-jazz fusion and Eric Johnson, Jeff Beck style, with heavy Mclaughlin and Metheny influences. I don't use a pick, I use my fingers to play.
I had a chance to play an open-box Fender American Ultra SSS thru my Axe FX III and was blown out of my chair. The true single coils (noiseless) sounded fantastic thru all my my favorite amps on the Axe. I thought it was an absolute PERFECT match for the Axe FX III. I returned the open-box item and am contemplating buying a fresh new Ultra.
But then there is the Ultra HSS, that has a humbucker in the bridge(which I will not use), and the 3 single coils are listed as 'Hot' versions of the noiseless pups. Has anyone played it thru the Axe FX III? I absolutely loved the SSS, and wonder if the HSS 'Hot' single coils will push the clean presets like the 'EJ Clean' into distortion when I don't want them to. I realize I have complete control over the guitar and input volume controls, etc., but just curious if anyone has first-hand experience.
Anyone who has experience with the Ultra HSS or SSS, please feel free to chime in with advice and also to tell me how your Ultra sounds thru the FX III.
Thanks!
Yes, I think Suhr is pushing Fender to achieve better and better Strat technology. I agree the Ultra SSS does sound fantastic.Well, only have the FM3, because it fills my needs. But my Ultra SSS sounds fantastic. A good example, is try Burgs Rig 102. He shared patches for the III nd the FM3.
Sounds amazing, imho. .................................
I've owned the Ultra sss and hss. I didn't gel with the pickups in the hss; the humbucker or hotter singlecoils. I sold the hss, but the sss is a keeper. I swapped the stock pickguard for a black one.First about me: I play a 2018 Les Paul HP into my AXE FX III, coil-tapped/split to all single coils mode, playing primarily jazz, rock-jazz fusion and Eric Johnson, Jeff Beck style, with heavy Mclaughlin and Metheny influences. I don't use a pick, I use my fingers to play.
I had a chance to play an open-box Fender American Ultra SSS thru my Axe FX III and was blown out of my chair. The true single coils (noiseless) sounded fantastic thru all my my favorite amps on the Axe. I thought it was an absolute PERFECT match for the Axe FX III. I returned the open-box item and am contemplating buying a fresh new Ultra.
But then there is the Ultra HSS, that has a humbucker in the bridge(which I will not use), and the 3 single coils are listed as 'Hot' versions of the noiseless pups. Has anyone played it thru the Axe FX III? I absolutely loved the SSS, and wonder if the HSS 'Hot' single coils will push the clean presets like the 'EJ Clean' into distortion when I don't want them to. I realize I have complete control over the guitar and input volume controls, etc., but just curious if anyone has first-hand experience.
Anyone who has experience with the Ultra HSS or SSS, please feel free to chime in with advice and also to tell me how your Ultra sounds thru the FX III.
Thanks!
Very cool!!I've owned the Ultra sss and hss. I didn't gel with the pickups in the hss; the humbucker or hotter singlecoils. I sold the hss, but the sss is a keeper. I swapped the stock pickguard for a black one.
Thanks! I had a set of Suhr MLs in this guitar and sold-off the stock PUs. Later decided I let go of the stock PUS too hastily, so bought a loaded pickguard from Stratosphere. I'm glad I was able to swap back. I dig the sound of those Fender pickups and like that they're noiseless.Very cool!!
Hss without hesitation .
As simple as thatIf you tried the sss and loved it, just buy that one.
I don’t care about the manufacturer’s standard setups, but if it is high for your tastes, string height is easily fixable with a basic setup (which every guitar I’ve ever bought, even my Eric Johnson Strat, needed). The one thing to be mindful of is to adjust the pickup height after the setup. Decreasing the distance between the strings and pickups (by lowering the strings) will affect the sound and might lose some of what you like. That is also an easy fix (just turn those screws with a screwdriver), although it can be tricky to get the distance exactly where it was before (then again, maybe you will find a setting you like more).Good point. I know this is really true. But the strings were higher than Fender's standards, and some pick marks, a ding in the paint. I have no idea what was done to this guitar by someone else. But I hear you, every guitar is different, and if it sounded that good regardless of its history, I may need to grab it.
You guys are great! Thanks for all the helpful suggestions!!
I have one. It's a fun guitar. Easy to play, stays in tune, kind of weighty, though. The pickups are good but to my ears are a little 'safe' ... a little neutral, perhaps. But I enjoy it and haven't sold it yet so that's saying something. Here's a video I made with it when it first arrived. My playing style is a galaxy away from yours (going by your description) but this may help. All Axe-FX III....Anyone who has experience with the Ultra HSS ...
Thanks!