Our period-correct vintage output Strat pickups (SSL-1) that deliver all the authentic chime and bell tone enjoyed by Stratocaster players during the 50s.
DCR – Short for DC Resistance, is measured in Ohms and is the total resistance of the copper wire wound around a coil form. The length of the coil form, the number of turns and the gauge of wire all affect the DCR reading. DCR is often used as a gauge of output because as the turns increase, so does the output, though magnet type and the coil geometry also influence output. Magnet – We use several different magnet formulations: Alnico 2, Alnico 3, Alnico 4, Alnico 5, Alnico 6, Alnico 8 and Ceramic 5/8. In the case of pickups, the most significant characteristic is the gauss strength, which is a measure of the density of the magnetic field. Of the magnets we use, Alnico 3 has the lowest gauss strength. From there in order of ascending strength you have A2, A4, A5, A6, Ceramic and A8. As the gauss strength goes up, so does the output. The magnets at the lower end of the scale tend to produce a softer attack and a degree of “bloom” to the envelope of the note.
Ceramic magnets should be considered as an individual case because they do not contain any nickel or iron. This has the effect of decreasing the inductance of the pickup and significantly raising the resonant frequency. It is for this reason that many consider ceramic magnets to have a brittle sound, not their gauss strength. Looking at this from another point of view, ceramic magnets can be said to produce increased clarity, better note definition and faster response to picking. Output – The overall output of a passive pickup is influenced by several design factors: number of turns of wire on the coil(s), strength of the magnet, coil geometry and magnetic circuit geometry.The output of an active pickup is influenced by the same factors but is predominantly determined by the design of the onboard preamp.
OUTPUT
Set
L
H
Neck
L
H
Middle
L
H
Bridge
L
H
Neck
L
H
Neck
L
H
Middle
L
H
Neck
L
H
Middle
L
H
DCR: Set - Left 6.50k,6.50k,6.50k,Neck: 6.50k, Middle: 6.50k, Bridge: 6.50k,Neck/Middle/Bridge 6.5k,Neck/Middle/Bridge 7.5k,Middle RwRp 6.5k,Neck/Middle/Bridge - Left 6.5k Middle RwRp - Left 6.50k
Please use the amp to the right to select which position, tone and mix you'd like to hear sample of.
Description
Our Vintage Staggered for Stratocaster pickups (SSL-1) use hand-ground alnico 5 rod magnets and heavy Formvar mag wire with a special wind pattern to produce that bright, glassy, bell tone with all of the bounce and sparkle you would expect from the best Strat pickups from the 50s. The treble attack is crisp and immediate, while the low end remains articulate and focused. Chords ring out with clear note-to-note separation.
The three pickup combination includes a standard wound neck and bridge pickup, and an RWRP, reverse wind reverse polarity, middle pickup for noise cancellation in the in-between positions. Since 1978, we’ve been building all our vintage Fender style single coil pickups with the right color and thickness of Forbon flatwork, along with the period correct magnet stagger. Each pickup comes complete with waxed and tinned cloth pushback hook-up wires and traditional keyed bottom plate. We hand file the flatwork, assemble, and lacquer the bobbin just as it was done during Fender’s Golden Age.
The Vintage Staggered for Strat pickups are hand built in Santa Barbara, CA and are potted in our wax formulation for squeal free performance. These vintage output Strat pickups are available with either a right or left-handed pole piece stagger, and are available for 6 and 7-string guitars.
Neck/Middle/Bridge position models will have the same output, wind direction and magnetic polarity.
Middle RwRP position (reverse wind/reverse polarity) – choose this to have a pickup that will be hum-cancelling with one of our neck or bridge models.
All sets, except the Jimi Hendrix signature model, come with a Middle RWRP as the Middle Pickup.
Left- for some models with vintage staggered pole pieces, we offer a left-handed option. The stagger will be reversed for left-handed players.
Hand Built in California. Period Correct. Every Time.
Our team of master builders have been with us for an average of 21 years—they take pride in crafting our products to create the most amazing sound possible.
Take Your Tone For A Test Drive
If you’re not 100% pleased with the sound of your Seymour Duncan pickups, you can exchange them for up to 21 days after purchase. This offer applies to any pickups bought from an authorized Seymour Duncan dealer in the USA.
