Duncan SSL1, california set

[fenderiarhs]

I'm a big fan of these pickups. Infact i plan on installing them on a 2nd strat i own.

I already own a set i bought back in 2005. What i recall is that at the time, and correct me if i'm wrong, all three pickups on the ssl1 set had the same wind and dc resistance. No overwound bridge pickup, and i think (but not 100% sure on this) no reverse wound reverse polarity.

Now by looking at Duncan's site i see that the california set which consists of 3 ssl1, duncan claims that the set has a slightly hotter bridge pickup and is RWRP.

https://www.seymourduncan.com/pickup/california-50s-set

Has the set changed specs during these years, going from 3 exactly same pickups--------> 2 same pickups +slightly overwound bridge, or my memory fails me and it was always like this?

 

[jeremy]

Re: Duncan SSL1, california set

the california set is ssl1/ssl1 rwrp/ssl1 there is no hotter bridge model as far as i know so that description is wrong. its two ssl1 and one ssl1 rw/rp for the middle to cancel hum in the notch positions. ill bring it up to someone at duncan to get confirmation.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Duncan SSL1, california set

I've heard differing stories on that California set, so I'd like to know once in for all, too.

 

[JoePeeper]

Re: Duncan SSL1, california set

I just got a set in that I will be installing in a MIM when the rest of my parts come in. All three measured the same dc resistance.

 

[fenderiarhs]

Duncan SSL1, california set

A response from someone from the duncan team would help since the description in the webpage is quite confusing


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Discharged]

Re: Duncan SSL1, california set

the description in the webpage is quite confusing

https://www.seymourduncan.com/pickup/california-50s-set

Quote from the product description, which is accurate, IME:

This three pickup set includes a standard wound neck pickup, an RWRP, reverse wind reverse polarity, middle pickup for clucky in-between tones, and a slightly overwound bridge pickup for easier pickup balance.

I see that english is not your mother language (not mine either, BTW), so I hope this somehow helps you.

/Peter

 

[jeremy]

Re: Duncan SSL1, california set

yes, thats what it says. however, i have not found that to be true on the california sets ive installed for people. the bridge pup wasnt hotter than the other pups in any appreciable way and there is no ssl1b model available for sale separately. if they do make a ssl1b or ssl1+ then they should sure as hell be selling it by itself. i just dont think that is the case though. the text for the pup used to say "a calibrated set" which many people took to mean the bridge was hotter than the neck and middle but ive never seen proof of it

 

[gregory]

Re: Duncan SSL1, california set

I don't see how Peter can know the truth based on an "estimation". You either have the set and measured them or work at SD in a capacity to actually know (which Dave apparently doesn't, disappointingly), or you are putting your faith in a website known to have had (at the very least) erroneous and/or contradictory information.

I touched upon this with the SSL-6 set a short while back. Calibrated can mean the pickups are all the same within a specified window (like a calibrated set of tubes or a calibrated measuring tool), or it can mean each pickup has been compensated to give the same output based on its relative position. Or it can mean something else altogether. Also, since when did a middle and neck produce the same output from identical pickups, with only the bridge being in need of additional winding?!?

 

[freefrog]

Re: Duncan SSL1, california set

The last set that I've bought measured 6.54, 6.57 & 6.55k for an inductance of 2.6H, 2.61H & 2.63H.

Now, the strongest one had slightly more charged alNiCo rods, according to the lab teslameter that I use sometimes. This difference was not significant (and might be merely accidental) but it was there.

In the 90's, I had noticed more variations, with measurements like 6k, 6.1k, 6.4k.

One of my friends still owns the guitar with my first set of SSL1's, bought in the early 80's. I'll try to measure again their LRC specs and magnetic charge the next time...

 

[Discharged]

Re: Duncan SSL1, california set

I don't see how Peter can know the truth based on an "estimation". You either have the set and measured them or work at SD in a capacity to actually know (which Dave apparently doesn't, disappointingly), or you are putting your faith in a website known to have had (at the very least) erroneous and/or contradictory information.

The info contained in the website is often erroneous, even more often misleading and other times just plainly wrong. We all know that.

However, in this case, from the last California set I've installed, I have my notes that say the following: the neck measured 6.18K, the middle 6.2K and was RWRP (the finish lead was yellow), and the bridge 6.52K. That's why I stated "IME". And it so happens that it matches the description. Luck of the draw? Everything is possible in WonderDuncanLand.

/Peter

 

[jeremy]

Re: Duncan SSL1, california set

that would be a good set! not what ive seen in the california sets though. the pups were all around 6.5k as in freefrogs set

 

[Discharged]

Re: Duncan SSL1, california set

that would be a good set! not what ive seen in the california sets though. the pups were all around 6.5k as in freefrogs set

Jeremy, I believe you.

That particular set I didn't buy it personally, but the client brought it to me in the Duncan case. However, the case was already open when I got'em. That particular golden tonality of the Formvar wire used in the SSL-1s quite distinctive, FWIW.

Maybe they weren't even Duncan? They surely looked like'em... however, to be fair, the yellow wire in the middle p'up does not match any of the many pictures I've found on-line. And now that I think of, the covers didn't have the logo, but I thought he just wanted the guitar to look "untouched" and they fit the p'ups like a glove!

OK, let's say I can't confirm with absolute certainty the p'ups I talked about were actually Duncan, so take it for what it is.

And Jeremy, yes; they sounded great in that American Strat I installed'em in, as I was in the studio with my "customer", to ensure that everything was ok with it. I may even have a track recorded with that guitar somewhere.

/Peter

 

[marcboomer]

Re: Duncan SSL1, california set

Yes, it does appear that we have a discrepancy on our site with the California 50's set specs. That set has all three DC Res's to be as close to the same as relatively possible. We also sell a "Calibrated SSL-1 Set", which as a specific descending DC res between each position, having a hotter bridge, less hot middle and less hot neck. This Calibrated Set is currently not on the site, but we will address re-adding it ASAP. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Duncan SSL1, california set

can the hotter bridge be purchased separately?!? is this calibrated set available readily?

 

[marcboomer]

Re: Duncan SSL1, california set

We have the Calibrated Sets in stock. "11201-01-Cset $199. We currently only offer as a set.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Duncan SSL1, california set

Boomer comes through with the info! I found all kinds of misinformation on other forums. I will correct them if I come across it again.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Duncan SSL1, california set

We have the Calibrated Sets in stock. "11201-01-Cset $199. We currently only offer as a set.

what are the approximate resistances of the different positions? ie how much difference between each. 6.5/6.3/6.1 or ? can it be had in flat poles?

 

[Discharged]

Re: Duncan SSL1, california set

Yes, it does appear that we have a discrepancy on our site with the California 50's set specs. That set has all three DC Res's to be as close to the same as relatively possible. We also sell a "Calibrated SSL-1 Set", which as a specific descending DC res between each position, having a hotter bridge, less hot middle and less hot neck. This Calibrated Set is currently not on the site, but we will address re-adding it ASAP. Sorry for the confusion.

Hey Boomer, while you're at it, can you confirm or deny the use of yellow-colored lead wire for the RWRP middle p'up?

Please, do tell?

 

[Discharged]

Re: Duncan SSL1, california set

can it be had in flat poles?

Jeremy, as long as I can remember, the flat-poled SSL-1s have always been SSL-2s.

https://www.seymourduncan.com/pickup/vintage-flat-strat-calibrated-set

This set says "Calibrated", but it's listed with the same DC reading on all three p'ups. Just like all other "Calibrated" sets.

So, that make one wonder... what exactly is what it makes those sets "Calibrated"?

Talking about confusion...? You bet!

 

[jeremy]

Re: Duncan SSL1, california set

I know the flat pole version is the ssl2 but there is no California set with flat poles, I was questioning if the calibrated set was available in flat poles. I don't care for staggered poles if I can help it