If you have ever seen a guitar described as “HSS” or “HH” and wondered what it meant, this is the short version: those letters describe the pickups and the order they sit in, from neck to bridge — H for humbucker, S for single coil. The layout, and how it is wired, decides the range of sounds you can get.

The common pickup configurations

• SS — two single coils, think Telecaster: bright, clear, with real bite. SS wiring schemes.
• SSS — three single coils, the classic Stratocaster layout and its in-between “quack” tones. SSS wiring schemes.
• HH — two humbuckers: thicker, louder, quieter under gain. Coil-splitting can bring back single-coil sparkle. HH wiring schemes.
• HSS — humbucker at the bridge, two single coils: a hugely versatile SuperStrat staple. HSS wiring schemes.
• HSH — humbuckers at neck and bridge with a single coil between: maximum flexibility. HSH wiring schemes.

Why the wiring matters as much as the pickups

Two guitars with identical pickups can sound worlds apart depending on how they are wired. Switching options, coil splits, series/parallel tricks and the tone circuit itself all change what is on tap. If you like tinkering, the volume and tone circuits reference covers treble-bleed, 50s wiring and more.

Not sure which is right for you?

Choosing a configuration is one of the first things we work out on a custom build — it comes straight from the music you play. Browse the full wiring resources, or get in touch and we can talk it through.

Commissioning a custom electric guitar means working directly with the maker to build an instrument around you — how you play, the sound you hear in your head, and the way a guitar should feel in your hands. Here is how the process works, and what to think about before you get in touch.

It starts with a conversation

Every bespoke build begins with a chat, not a spec sheet. What music do you play? Which guitars have you loved — and what never quite worked? Those answers shape everything that follows. There is no template to squeeze you into; the design is led by what you actually need.

Designing the guitar

Together we settle the things that decide how an instrument plays and sounds:

• Body and timber — the woods set weight, resonance and looks. I have built with korina, black limba, olive wood and 100-year-old pitch pine, among others.
• Neck feel — profile, depth and fretboard radius are what make a guitar feel “right”. These are worth getting exactly to your hands.
• Scale length — it changes both the feel under your fingers and how the pickups hear the strings.

Pickups and wiring

Pickups set the broad character of the tone; the wiring, switching and pot values decide how usable all the in-between sounds are. This is where a custom build really earns its keep — you are not stuck with a factory loom. If you want to see how different pickup layouts can be wired, I keep a full set of wiring and switching schemes in the resources section, from simple two-pickup guitars to HSH SuperStrats.

What to expect on timing

Good work cannot be rushed — timber selection, construction, finishing and setup all take the time they take. A bespoke guitar is an instrument you keep for decades, so patience is part of what you are investing in.

Ready to start?

If you are thinking about a one-off guitar — for yourself, or even as a build for a cause — get in touch and tell me what you have in mind. There is no obligation; the first step is simply a conversation.