STRICH SST-S20 Electric Guitar Beginner Kit User Manual

1. Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of the STRICH SST-S20 Electric Guitar Beginner Kit. This comprehensive kit provides everything a new guitarist needs to start playing immediately. Designed for ease of use and quality sound, this manual will guide you through the setup, operation, and maintenance of your new instrument and accessories.

Image 1: The STRICH SST-S20 Electric Guitar Beginner Kit, showcasing the guitar, amplifier, and various accessories.

2. Kit Contents

Your STRICH SST-S20 Electric Guitar Beginner Kit includes the following items:

• STRICH SST-S20 Electric Guitar (Black HSS)
• Sleek Black Gig Bag
• Portable Mini Amplifier (10W, Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C rechargeable)
• Multiple Sets of Spare Electric Guitar Strings (09-42 gauge)
• Comfortable Guitar Strap
• Selection of High-Quality Guitar Picks
• Guitar Capo
• Amp Cables (10ft guitar cable)
• Digital Tuner (clip-on, chromatic, guitar, bass, violin, ukulele modes)
• Audio Converter
• Hex Key and Truss Rod Wrench (for adjustments)
• Seamless Cleaning Cloth
• USB-C Charging Cable (for amplifier)

Image 2: Detailed view of the complete accessory set, including the gig bag, mini amp, tuner, and various tools.

3. Setup

3.1 Guitar Preparation

Your STRICH SST-S20 guitar comes pre-strung. A protective film may be present on the pickguard; gently peel this off before playing. The guitar features a slim C-shaped maple neck and a poplar wood body for comfortable playability.

Image 3: The guitar's C-shaped neck and smooth fretboard designed for comfortable playing.

3.2 Attaching the Strap

Attach the guitar strap to the strap buttons located on the body of the guitar. One button is typically on the lower bout, and the other near the neck joint.

3.3 Tuning the Guitar

Use the included digital clip-on tuner to accurately tune your guitar. Clip the tuner onto the headstock of the guitar. Pluck each string individually. The tuner display will indicate the note and whether it is sharp (too high) or flat (too low). Adjust the corresponding tuning peg until the tuner shows the correct note and indicates it is in tune (usually green light).

3.4 Connecting to the Amplifier

Plug one end of the amp cable into the input jack on your guitar (located on the lower bout). Plug the other end of the cable into the 'INPUT' jack on the mini amplifier. Ensure both connections are secure.

4. Operating the Guitar

4.1 Guitar Controls

Your SST-S20 electric guitar features:

• Volume Knob: Controls the overall output volume of the guitar.
• Tone Knobs (x2): Adjust the tonal characteristics (brightness/darkness) of the pickups.
• Five-Way Pickup Selector Switch: Allows you to select different pickup configurations for varied sounds. The HSS (Humbucker-Single-Single) configuration offers a wide tonal range.

Image 4: Guitar controls including volume, tone, and 5-way pickup selector.

4.2 Using the Whammy Bar

The whammy bar (tremolo arm) can be screwed into the bridge of the guitar. It allows you to temporarily change the pitch of the strings, creating vibrato effects. Use it gently to avoid putting excessive stress on the strings or bridge.

4.3 Using the Capo

The capo is used to shorten the playable length of the guitar strings, effectively raising the pitch of all open strings. Clip it onto the desired fret on the neck of the guitar. This allows you to play in different keys without changing your fingerings.

5. Operating the Amplifier

5.1 Amplifier Controls

The mini amplifier features the following controls:

• BT/AUX VOL: Controls the volume for Bluetooth or auxiliary input.
• GAIN: Adjusts the amount of overdrive or distortion.
• TONE: Adjusts the tonal balance (bass/treble).
• POWER VOL: Controls the overall output volume of the amplifier.
• CLEAN/DRIVE Button: Toggles between clean and overdriven (distorted) sound modes.

Image 5: Amplifier controls for volume, gain, tone, and clean/drive modes.

5.2 Charging the Amplifier

The amplifier is rechargeable via USB-C. Use the provided USB-C cable to connect the amplifier to a compatible power source (e.g., USB wall adapter, computer USB port). The charging port is located on the back of the amplifier.

5.3 Headphone and Auxiliary Input

The amplifier includes a headphone jack for silent practice and an auxiliary input to connect external audio devices (e.g., phone, MP3 player) to play along with music.

6. Maintenance

6.1 Cleaning

Regularly wipe down your guitar with the provided seamless cleaning cloth to remove dust, fingerprints, and sweat. This helps maintain the finish and prolong the life of your instrument.

6.2 String Replacement

Over time, guitar strings will wear out and lose their tone. Your kit includes spare sets of electric guitar strings. Refer to online tutorials or a local music store for guidance on how to properly replace guitar strings.

6.3 Truss Rod Adjustment

The included hex key is for adjusting the truss rod, which controls the neck relief (the slight forward bow of the neck). This adjustment should only be performed if you notice issues with string action or buzzing, and it is recommended to consult a professional guitar technician if you are unsure.

7. Troubleshooting

• No Sound from Amplifier: Ensure the guitar cable is securely plugged into both the guitar and the amplifier. Check that the amplifier is turned on and charged. Verify that the guitar's volume knob is turned up.
• Guitar Not Staying in Tune: New strings often stretch and require frequent tuning. Play the guitar for a few minutes and then re-tune. Ensure tuning pegs are tightened appropriately.
• Buzzing Strings: This can be caused by low string action or improper neck relief. If you are a beginner, it is recommended to consult a professional guitar technician for adjustments.
• Distorted Sound (when not desired): Check the amplifier's GAIN knob and ensure it is not set too high. Make sure the CLEAN/DRIVE button is set to 'CLEAN'.

8. Specifications