The Best Type of Stratocaster-Style Guitar for Grunge Players

With the many stock and custom varieties of Stratocaster guitars on the market, which one is right for you? This guide explains the stock model and custom mods best suited for a grunge guitarist. The stock model is ideal somebody without electrical or woodworking experience, do not attempt custom mods by yourself without proper experience, tools, and instructions.

Stock Model: For a grunge player, the stock model most appropriate is an SSS design. An SSS Strat has three single coil pickups: one angled near the bridge, one in the middle, and one by the neck. This type of Stratocaster is understandably the most popular, because this classic pickup arrangement is conducive to most rock and alternative styles of music. The SSS model provides great tone and range fresh from the box, but a few modifications are in order for a true grunge experience.

Customizations: From the initial standard SSS Stratocaster, some tweaks will help an aspiring grunge musician get a full range of grunge tones. The first recommended modification is adding a high output base plate to the middle pickup. This modification will add a slight increase in midrange output, without overpowering the gritty bass tones necessary for a great grunge riff. In terms of heightening the deep, grungy sound provided by the neck's bass tones, a pickup replacement is the best way to emphasize this SSS Strat tonal quality. A rail pickup provides a nice high output medium between a full blown humbucker and a meeker single coil. Most dual rails allow for coil tapping; this means you can access each rail individually, hooking one up to a mini switch for total control. Lastly, a grunge player will want to install a mid boost/frequency expander circuit for some extra onboard gain. This will allow for some midrange punch and additional output to further increase distorted static, perfect for an edgy grunge musician. This modification can be difficult and time consuming; it requires mounting the circuit on the pickguard, as well as hollowing out part of the body to make a cavity for the required 9-volt battery. Therefore, do not try this modification by yourself if you do not have experience in guitar customization.

A standard Stratocaster is sufficient for most grunge players, but some custom mods can even further improve the guitar's tone. If you follow the modification advice above, you'll end up with the perfect grunge Stratocaster, ready for progressive riffs and gritty solos.