Ant II Surfer?
- Thread starter BadAspen
- Start date
BeKindRewind
New member
Depends : there are 2 versions of the bridge pickup, there's the regular version and the hot rodded one that's over wound to about 10.5k (I believe they call that the custom bridge version).
Either way. They are on the pretty low side of things. If you want to think of them as an aged set of SSL1s (which they basically are) then they're just about the lowest output/most vintage Strat pickup.
There are SSL5 which are beefier, but not hot enough to kill the single coil vibe. the SSL4 (quarter pound) which are even beefier, and with those you're starting to get more into a humbuckery sound just due to the amount of turns on the thing. and the SSL3 which are scorching hot.
If you have the custom bridge version of the Surfer II set, I think that sits on about the same level as what the SSL5s put out, but the EQ is still a bit more vintage chimey rather than the more modern SSL5 sound.
The only other standard single coils I really have experience with are the modern stock Fender USA ones which I would say are pretty similar in output and tone to the SSL5s
Either way. They are on the pretty low side of things. If you want to think of them as an aged set of SSL1s (which they basically are) then they're just about the lowest output/most vintage Strat pickup.
There are SSL5 which are beefier, but not hot enough to kill the single coil vibe. the SSL4 (quarter pound) which are even beefier, and with those you're starting to get more into a humbuckery sound just due to the amount of turns on the thing. and the SSL3 which are scorching hot.
If you have the custom bridge version of the Surfer II set, I think that sits on about the same level as what the SSL5s put out, but the EQ is still a bit more vintage chimey rather than the more modern SSL5 sound.
The only other standard single coils I really have experience with are the modern stock Fender USA ones which I would say are pretty similar in output and tone to the SSL5s
i love the surfers. they sound like a good early 60s strat pup. low output in the grand scheme of things but hotter than some other vintage output strat pups. the custom bridge is a bit higher output and a bit thicker/warmer and not as bright. not as hot as the specs would suggest. i would not say the output is the same as the ssl5
Yeah, I wouldn't consider the Surfers hot at all...maybe on the hot side of vintage/low output singles. They aren't as clear as the SSL1 or 2 but nowhere near the thickness of an SSL5/6 or QP. I think they are some of my favorite true single coils, along with the Five Twos.
Ascension
New member
Have a set of Surfer !!'s in my 94 Washburn USA Silverado with the hotter Custom Bridge. It's the best sounding Strat I have ever played period.
Had SSL 1's with a SSL 5 bridge in my first Silverado, but this set up killed it. The Surfer II's have a killer vintage Strat tone, but have more fullness than a set of SSL=1s. The Custom bridge is kind of in between a good Tell tone and a Strat. It's fatter and less harsh than a typical vintage Strat bridge pickup, but still has some sparkle and great glassy tone when run with the middle pickup.
Had a Texas Hot set in my 99 Fender Mex Srat and like the Surfer II's much better.
Here is a live clip of the Silverado with the Surfer II's
Had SSL 1's with a SSL 5 bridge in my first Silverado, but this set up killed it. The Surfer II's have a killer vintage Strat tone, but have more fullness than a set of SSL=1s. The Custom bridge is kind of in between a good Tell tone and a Strat. It's fatter and less harsh than a typical vintage Strat bridge pickup, but still has some sparkle and great glassy tone when run with the middle pickup.
Had a Texas Hot set in my 99 Fender Mex Srat and like the Surfer II's much better.
Here is a live clip of the Silverado with the Surfer II's
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