SSM

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:**

* S
* Saber
* SMX-3
* SMX-4

## 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