want to hear your opinion

[Architect-128]

Hello, My guitar is a strat SSS MIJ CLONE (made by Fujigen) strat with 3 SSL-4's on it now. It has alder body, maple fretboard, Wilkinson VSVG with SDS510. i don't like the sound of SSL-4, so i'm thinking to make it HSS and put TB-14,SSL-7. the TB-14 has good rating and i like the sound. the TB-14 is very good and i like the sound. the SSL-7 is very good and i like it. I am also told that SSL-7 is stratty than SSL-4. And I like the look of it. I am thinking of buying an SSL-7 with a tap and making it more Stratty with the tap. I am thinking of putting an SSL-7T on the neck, SSL-7T Rwrp in the middle, and a TB-14 on the bridge. Now, what do you think about this? Please let me know your opinion.

[Mincer]

Welcome to the forum!

The SSL-7 by itself sounds much thicker than a regular Strat pickup, and 'feels' different due to the compression of the higher output. It is a good match output-wise with the Custom 5, but doesn't sound particularly Stratty.
Tapped, it might work, however providing the tap is in a better place than the dead middle of the coil. As far as the Custom 5, it depends what kind of sound you are going for. It is a very scooped pickup, with virtually no mids. It sounds exceptional in a mid-heavy guitar, but might be too scooped depending on the sound you are looking for. What music do you like? And what don't you like about the current pickups?

[Demanic]

Throw a decent compressor after it and you will be amazed.

[Architect-128]

Hmmm...is that so? In Japan, for some reason, SSL-7 is said to be more stratty than SSL-4. Some people have actually compared them, and they say it improves on the shortcomings of the SSL-4. I like the look of it.
As for the TB-14, I decided to choose it because it sounded great when I played my friend's guitar. It has an alder body so I think the mid tones are ok.
I like to listen to various kinds of music such as rock, jazz, metal, and pop. I want to do many things with this one guitar.
What I don't like about the SSL-4: ...... Well, I'm still a beginner so I don't really know, but I don't really like it for some reason. That's when I came across the TB-14 on a friend's guitar i like it. and the reason I'm sticking with the SSL-7 is due to the output balance and looks lol.

[Architect-128]

I don't have money…… i can't buy pedal

[Teleplayer]

Since you have the SSL-4 set already, I think it is worth trying them with a humbucker to create your own HSS set. However the RW/RP should go in the neck position and the normal SSL-4 in the middle. That way it will be hum cancelling with a split coil humbucker in position 2.

SSL-7 has generally similar specs to the SSL-4. If you want to make it more Strat-like, I suggest to change to tone pot to 500k and keep the SSL-4. Flat stagger poles of the SSL-4 should be a better match for most of today's guitars.

[Mincer]

If you really want a Strat sound, go for an SSL-2, or a Classic Stack, which are ideal Strat sounds.

[Architect-128]

Ok,thank you
I am also intrigued by the SSL-52. If I can't get it to work with the SSL-7, I will put the 52 on. What do you think?

[jeremy]

i like the 5/2 a lot. way less power than the ssl7 or ssl4

[Mincer]

Yes, the Five Two has less power, but sound a lot more Stratty (if that's your goal).

[IMENATOR]

Have you heard the demos of the Yamaha Pacifica 612vii ? It has TB-14 and a pair of SSL-1, that seems to be a nice combo. Maybe Classic stack if you need noiseless.

[Teleplayer]

SSL-2 makes a great middle pickup, and I think the output level will match better with the 1/4 pound pickups.

[Architect-128]

Thanks,everyone
Actually, I would like to be able to tap the SSL-7 so that it can be handled like a regular single coil. I would like to be able to use full and tapped differently.
I am torn right now between the SSL-52 and the tapped SSL-7. I don't have any audio samples of the tapped SSL-7 so I can't compare them. What to do.

[Architect-128]

And can I use SSL-52 for metal? I want to use it for various genres (pop, blues, classic rock and mass rock, and even metal) after modification.

[Architect-128]

Play genreop,blues,classic rock,jazz,hard rock,metal,progressive,Electronica……all genre!
Which is better, the tapped SSL-7(SSL-7)T or the SSL-52? Which one can handle various genres (including metal)?