GGJaguar
Reverential Member
I decided to do this comparison mainly to see how the HB-1 pickups compare to the HB-2 pickups. Still, I think it’s important to look at the specs for the models because they are different enough to impact the tone of the guitar.
The HH (made in China) has a chambered “mahogany” body with a flame maple top. The S-100 Deluxe (made in Indonesia) is a “mahogany” solid body guitar. Both have “mahogany” set-in necks, but the HH has a pau ferro fingerboard while the S-100’s is ebony. Both have pearloid block inlays. The neck profiles are different with the HH having a D profile that feels noticeably larger than the S-100's C profile neck. However, I wouldn’t call the HH neck fat. I think they are both kind of average. It's just D- versus C-shaped. The specs below confirm this.
Acoustically, the HH is pretty darn loud and feels resonant. Surprisingly, the S-100 is louder and even more resonant. I didn’t see that one coming.
The HH, with its HB-2s, seems to stress the fundamentals and doesn’t have the thickness that most humbuckers are known for. Don’t get me wrong, they sound fine and I like them because they aren’t overly warm sounding, but combined with their lower output I can see why some folks may think they are a little weak-in-the-knees. Really, it’s just a matter of turning the amp’s volume up to compensate for the lower output. And pedal people probably have stompbox remedies on hand (or foot) to tweak the sound to their liking.
The S-100’s voice is similar, but definitely has more clarity and is more articulate. That’s not to say the HH is muddy, but the clarity of the S-100 is noticeable in direct comparison. The output is about the same as with the HH and the S-100 responds well to pedals as does the HH.
There’s no “better” here, just different. It comes down to player preference in body style and neck profile more than just the slight difference in tone. For me, the S-100 fits me better physically and sonically. Plus it has a Guildsby.
During the comparison I found myself playing the S-100 twice as long as the HH, so that’s pretty telling. I think the HH will be released back into the wild for someone else to enjoy.
The HH (made in China) has a chambered “mahogany” body with a flame maple top. The S-100 Deluxe (made in Indonesia) is a “mahogany” solid body guitar. Both have “mahogany” set-in necks, but the HH has a pau ferro fingerboard while the S-100’s is ebony. Both have pearloid block inlays. The neck profiles are different with the HH having a D profile that feels noticeably larger than the S-100's C profile neck. However, I wouldn’t call the HH neck fat. I think they are both kind of average. It's just D- versus C-shaped. The specs below confirm this.
Acoustically, the HH is pretty darn loud and feels resonant. Surprisingly, the S-100 is louder and even more resonant. I didn’t see that one coming.
The HH, with its HB-2s, seems to stress the fundamentals and doesn’t have the thickness that most humbuckers are known for. Don’t get me wrong, they sound fine and I like them because they aren’t overly warm sounding, but combined with their lower output I can see why some folks may think they are a little weak-in-the-knees. Really, it’s just a matter of turning the amp’s volume up to compensate for the lower output. And pedal people probably have stompbox remedies on hand (or foot) to tweak the sound to their liking.
The S-100’s voice is similar, but definitely has more clarity and is more articulate. That’s not to say the HH is muddy, but the clarity of the S-100 is noticeable in direct comparison. The output is about the same as with the HH and the S-100 responds well to pedals as does the HH.
There’s no “better” here, just different. It comes down to player preference in body style and neck profile more than just the slight difference in tone. For me, the S-100 fits me better physically and sonically. Plus it has a Guildsby.
During the comparison I found myself playing the S-100 twice as long as the HH, so that’s pretty telling. I think the HH will be released back into the wild for someone else to enjoy.
