SSL-1 vs Fender Custom Shop '69

[STRATDELUXER97]

Both are cool pickups I guess but they don't sound like a vintage Strat should sound to me.

You also know me long enough and well enough,to know that tone isn't something I really can say I struggle with...If it sucks,I either sell it or mod it... ;o)

[the guy who invented fire]

You did repair then mod a DeArmond Square Wave for my dad a while back now...it is still working last I heard.

May I ask why you ask??

As for the Strat bridge pickup issue that's fine, everybody hears things differently but to me an overwound bridge pickup in a Strat just sounds out of place, that's me...

[the guy who invented fire]

I ask because you probably weren't as smart back then as you come across today...Not only did I repair that pedal for your dad,but I tweaked it and made it sound better for your dad....Back then you just seemed to be alot nicer and easier to get along with...Wondering what happened? ;o) I go past your area alot on my way to Kennesaw and actually remember you asking me to look you up on my way past you..Are you the same TGWIF? ;o)

You brought up a nearly 10 year old topic, in somebody else's pickup thread to insult me not once but twice?!

Wow...

TO...so sorry your thread got so far off topic, I had no idea this was going be the case!

[the guy who invented fire]

Methinks I need to try the SSL5.

It's a GREAT pickup...I just grew tired of the EQ shift from the neck middle pickups to the neck...I feel the same way about say a 59 neck and a Custom bridge in a humbucker guitar, works for a lot of guys just not me.

[TwilightOdyssey]

SSL-5 = 12.9k single coil? That would be hotter by a factor of TWO over my current humbuckers!

Not what I am looking for, I'm afraid. Thanks for the recco, though!

[the guy who invented fire]

SSL-5 = 12.9k single coil? That would be hotter by a factor of TWO over my current humbuckers!

Not what I am looking for, I'm afraid. Thanks for the recco, though!

That's about right I think but it's not nearly as hot as a humbucker, even a low output humbucker is still louder/hotter whatever.

If you want great examples of an SSL-5 listen to David Gilmour...he's been using one for a long time now!

[gripweed]

It's a GREAT pickup...I just grew tired of the EQ shift from the neck middle pickups to the neck...I feel the same way about say a 59 neck and a Custom bridge in a humbucker guitar, works for a lot of guys just not me.

When it comes to tone there are three bros whose opinions I value greatly -- yourself, John and Doc Barlo. I tend to prefer a little hotter bridge pickup in a Strat though. Right now I have a Texas Hot Custom in the bridge and it does what I want. But I'm a consatnt tinkerer.

[the guy who invented fire]

When it comes to tone there are three bros whose opinions I value greatly -- yourself, John and Doc Barlo. I tend to prefer a little hotter bridge pickup in a Strat though. Right now I have a Texas Hot Custom in the bridge and it does what I want. But I'm a consatnt tinkerer.

Well thank you for that!

I feel ya on the hotter bridge pickups in Strats and did it myself for a long time but after a while I started finding them a bit limiting...

I guess with things like boosters and compressors I can get a big fat sound from the bridge if I want it even from something like a 57/62 or SSL-1 but for me, if I start with an SSL-5 for example it's hard to take that back down to the thin cutting sound that I do use from time to time.

[STRATDELUXER97]

When it comes to tone there are three bros whose opinions I value greatly -- yourself, John and Doc Barlo. I tend to prefer a little hotter bridge pickup in a Strat though. Right now I have a Texas Hot Custom in the bridge and it does what I want. But I'm a consatnt tinkerer.

Thanks for that and much appreciated....Sorry for the hi-jack T.O. though I did post my opinions earlier...Will take up issues with other forum member(s) via PM...

[JeffB]

Im not a fan of super hot pickups period, and despite the resistance rating, the SSL5 doesnt seem all that hot. Id liken it to more of a medium output. Probably the 43g wire is the key. My rumpel black rope is 43g wound to 10.5k, and while hot for a tele bridge, its not as hot sounding or pushes my amps as much as a BB2 in the mid 8s.

Buti totally get what christian means about mixing pickups that are radically different, and making for what seems like an entirely different guitar from pup to pup. I hate that as well.i prefer similarily voiced pups calibrated for each position, with not too much variance in overall output.

Ive just found the ssl1 a little lacking in the bridge previously..speaking strictly from a heavier rock standpoint ala blackmore, trower, early gary moore, uli roth, etc. For a true classic strat sound with minimal overdrive or clean they sound fantastic.

[STRATDELUXER97]

Im not a fan of super hot pickups period, and despite the resistance rating, the SSL5 doesnt seem all that hot. Id liken it to more of a medium output. Probably the 43g wire is the key. My rumpel black rope is 43g wound to 10.5k, and while hot for a tele bridge, its not as hot sounding or pushes my amps as much as a BB2 in the mid 8s.

Buti totally get what christian means about mixing pickups that are radically different, and making for what seems like an entirely different guitar from pup to pup. I hate that as well.i prefer similarily voiced pups calibrated for each position, with not too much variance in overall output.

Ive just found the ssl1 a little lacking in the bridge previously..speaking strictly from a heavier rock standpoint ala blackmore, trower, early gary moore, uli roth, etc. For a true classic strat sound with minimal overdrive or clean they sound fantastic.

The SSL5/6 is the perfect pickup and I've been using it for years! I don't find it all that hot and I never have a problem matching it to other 6k wound single coils...I think how close pickups are adjusted to the strings,makes all the difference...I like my pickups lower as it takes some of the harshness away...The SSL6 has more overall mids and is ballsier in the lows,but I Like that it's still chimey enough w/out being thin and shrill sounding...I use my volume and tone controls also for the bridge pickup to control it better tonally.Different strokes and whatever works for a person.

I never radically mix different pickups and so it's not an issue...Basically I just like a stronger bridge pickup,but I Like the neck and middle to be A5 pole and bright and chimey...Again,I can adjust the tone controls and thats what they are there for.. ;o) I find the G&L PTB circuit is wonderful also and now using it on 2 of my strats.