Finally found my favorite humbucker for a Strat...

[JB_From_Hell]

... and it’s an SSL-5.

(Yes, I’m aware it’s not a humbucker)

I’d been swapping magnets in the C5 in my Strat’s bridge, and nothing had as much bite and punch as I wanted. On a whim, I pulled the SSL-5 from the neck, put it reverse slanted ala Jimi in the bridge, and put the other Tex Mex in the neck.

Bite with plenty of muscle in the bridge, plus all the bluesy Stratty goodness in the middle and neck. The 2 & 4 positions are pretty great, too.

[TVFV]

Re: Finally found my favorite humbucker for a Strat...

Today, I played a Strat with the Lil’ Screamin’ Demon in the bridge and I frickin’ loved it! But the SSL-5 is cool too.

[hamerfan]

Re: Finally found my favorite humbucker for a Strat...

I have the SSL-5/-1/-1 combo. Sounds good, but the ssl-5 needs to see 500k at the vol pot to excel.

[Hank-]

Re: Finally found my favorite humbucker for a Strat...

Try the 59/C hybrid when ya get a chance, you might like it more than the stock custom lineup.

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Finally found my favorite humbucker for a Strat...

I’ve got a 500k volume in it currently. Definitely suits the SSL-5. The Tex Mexes sound great with it, too.

I thought about getting a 59/C hybrid, and probably will try it at some point, but I think that single coil focus is what I was missing. Maybe it’s psychosomatic, but whatever... I’m happier now.

[GuitarStv]

Re: Finally found my favorite humbucker for a Strat...

I have the SSL-5/-1/-1 combo. Sounds good, but the ssl-5 needs to see 500k at the vol pot to excel.

I run the SSL-6 in the bridge with a 250k vol and no tone pot. It does really well like that too.

[Despair]

Re: Finally found my favorite humbucker for a Strat...

I pulled the SSL-5 from the neck, put it reverse slanted ala Jimi in the bridge, and put the other Tex Mex in the neck.

Gilmour set is pretty hard to argue with.

I really wish reverse slant bridge pickups were more common. I really think it should be the standard slant, it fixes so many of the problems of a standard strat bridge pickup, without resorting to extra EQ, compression or overdrives.

[I'd go for the STK-S6 & STK-S4s, but it only makes sense to try what you have on hand before spending money--and of course don't bother if you don't need or want the hum cancellation.]

[Diego]

Re: Finally found my favorite humbucker for a Strat...

I love a good old JB in the bridge of a Strat. And the Screamin' Demon is great if you want something special and different.