The SSM was Samick's high-end Strat-style model, and part of the American Classic Series. The SPM is the bass version of the SSM.
The S slotted below the SSM in the hierarchy of Start style models.
Note: Some examples have Artist Series logo instead of Valley Arts logo.
Made in Korea by Samick.
Related:
SSM-1[]
- 1993-2001
Body:
- Contoured, solid Alder body
- Valley Arts Scarf JointTM heel
- Belly carve
Neck:
- Bolt-on Maple neck w/ scarf joint
- Maple fretboard with dot inlays
- Rosewood "skunk stripe"
- Rounded headstock (Early 1993)
- Wave logo
- Valley Arts headstock
- Valley Arts logo
- Artist Series logo (1997)
- 21 frets (1993-1995)
- 22 ArticuFretsTM
- Higher crown
- 25.5" scale
Electronics:
- Three single coil pickups
- 5-way switch
- 1 Vol, 2 Tone
Hardware:
- Chrome hardware
- 16:1 ratio lubricated, die-cast machine heads
- Single-ply, 8-screw pickguard (1993)
- 2-ply, 8-screw Pearloid pickguard
- "ST-40" vintage style, 6-point tremolo
Finishes:
- Black (BK)
- White (WH)
- Metallic Red (MR)
- Cherry Sunburst (CS)
- Tobacco Sunburst (TS, TBS)
- 3-Tone Sunburst (3SB)
- Lake Placid Blue (LPB)
- Sea Foam Green (SFG)
- Metallic Burgundy Mist (MBUM)
- Fluorescent Green (FOG)
- Natural Satin (NS)
SSM-1 PH[]
Same as SSM-1 but with humbucker in bridge position.
Same finish options as SSM-1.
SSM-1 BU[]
Also available as SSM-1 BU PH
- 1999-2000
Body:
- Contoured, solid Ash body w/ Bubinga veneer
- Valley Arts Scarf JointTM
- Belly carve
Neck:
- Bolt-on Maple neck w/ scarf joint
- Maple fretboard with dot inlays
- Valley Arts headstock
- Artist Series logo
- Bullet style truss rod
- 22 ArticuFretsTM
- Higher crown
- 25.5" scale
Electronics:
- Three single coil pickups
- 5-way switch
- 1 Vol, 2 Tone
Hardware:
- Chrome hardware
- 16:1 ratio lubricated, die-cast machine heads
- 2-ply, 8-screw Pearloid pickguard
- "ST-40" vintage style, 6-point tremolo
Finishes:
- Natural (N)
SSM-1 LH[]
Left-handed version of SSM-1.
Finishes:
- Black (BK)
- Metallic Red (MR)
Hard Rock Guitar[]
This was a limited run model done for a 2000 Hard Rock Cafe live event in Orlando, Florida. It was based on the SSM-1 PH, with the only differences being a custom engraved neckplate and custom painted headstock with flames and the Hard Rock Live logo. They included a Certificate of Authenticity, and only 50 were produced.
Finishes:
- Lake Placid Blue (LPB)
SSM-2[]
The design of the SSM-2 was inspired by Valley Arts' Standard Pro model.
- 1993-1999
- $249 Street (1996)
- $315 Street (1999)
Body:
- Contoured solid Alder body
- Contoured solid Ash body (NA finish)
- Valley Arts Scarf JointTM
- Belly carve
Neck:
- Bolt-on Maple neck w/ scarf joint
- Rosewood fretboard with dot inlays
- Rounded headstock (Early 1993)
- Bullet style truss rod
- 21 frets (1993-1995)
- 22 ArticuFretsTM
- Higher crown
- 25.5" scale
Electronics:
- Two single coils, one humbucker
- Black molded plastic pickup covers
- 5-way switch
- 1 Vol, 1 Tone
Hardware:
- Chrome hardware
- Black hardware (NA finish)
- 16:1 ratio lubricated, die-cast machine heads
- Single-ply, 8-screw pickguard (Early 1993)
- 3-ply, 8-screw pickguard
- "KKT-3" Licensed Floyd Rose locking, 2-point tremolo
- Zero fret locking nut
Finishes:
- Metallic Red (MR)
- Candy Apple Red (CAR)
- Translucent Red (TR)
- Translucent Black (TBK)
- 3-Tone Sunburst (3SB)
- Lake Placid Blue (LPB)
- Sea Foam Green (SFG)
- Natural Ash (NA)
SSM-3[]
Same as SSM-2, but with gold hardware.
- 1993-1999
Finishes:
- Black (BK)
- Metallic Red (MR)
- Tobacco Sunburst (TBS)
SSM-10[]
Same as SSM-1, but with Wilkinson/Gotoh VS-100 2-point tremolo.
- 1995
Finishes:
- Black (BK)
- White (WH)
- Metallic Red (MR)
- Cherry Sunburst (CS)
- Tobacco Sunburst (TS, TBS)
- 3-Tone Sunburst (3SB)
- Lake Placid Blue (LPB)
- Sea Foam Green (SFG)
- Metallic Burgundy Mist (MBUM)
- Fluorescent Green (FOG)
- Natural Satin (NS)
SPM-1[]
Left-handed SPM-1 LH also available (in BK, MR).
Body:
- Contoured solid Alder body
- Rear belly carve
Neck:
- Bolt-on Rock Maple neck
- Maple fretboard with dot inlays
- Rosewood "skunk stripe"
- Valley Arts headstock (Late 1993-1998)
- Silk-screened Valley Arts logo
- Bullet style truss rod
- 20 frets
- 34" scale
Electronics:
- One split P-Bass pickup
- 1 Vol, 1 Tone
Hardware:
- Chrome hardware
- 14:1 ratio lubricated, die-cast tuning machines
- 3-ply pickguard
- Metal knobs
- Heavy-duty adjustable bridge
Finishes:
- Black (BK)
- Pearl White (PW)
- Metallic Red (MR)
- Candy Apple Red (CAR)
- 3-Tone Sunburst (3SB)
SSM-1C Tiger[]
Hand-made in the U.S.A. at the Valley Arts Custom Pro Shop.
- 1999-2000
Body:
- Contoured, solid Alder body
- Flame Maple bent top
- Valley Arts Scarf JointTM
- Belly carve
Neck:
- Bolt-on Maple neck
- Maple fretboard with 12th fret inlay
- Mother of Pearl Valley Arts logo inlay
- Heel-adjusted truss rod
- 22 frets
- 25.5" scale
Electronics:
- Three single coil pickups
- 5-way switch
- 1 Vol, 2 Tone
Hardware:
- Gold hardware
- Die-cast machine heads
- Pearloid pickguard
- Knurled metal barrel knobs
- 6-point vintage tremolo
SSM-1C Dragon[]
Hand-made in the U.S.A. at the Valley Arts Custom Pro Shop.
- 1999-2000
Body:
- Contoured, solid Alder body
- Quilt Maple bent top
- Valley Arts Scarf JointTM
- Belly carve
Neck:
- Bolt-on Maple neck
- Ebony fretboard with 12th fret inlay
- Mother of Pearl Valley Arts logo inlay
- Heel-adjusted truss rod
- 22 frets
- 25.5" scale
Electronics:
- Three single coil pickups
- 5-way switch
- 1 Vol, 2 Tone
Hardware:
- Gold hardware
- Die-cast machine heads
- Pearloid pickguard
- Knurled metal barrel knobs
- 6-point vintage tremolo