Antiquity II Surf vs. SSL-1/2

M

MKay

New member
Hi,
I want to replace the stock pickups in my MIM Strat. I have decided to get Alnico V single coils with non-overwound bridge, but I can't decide between Antiquity II Surfs and SSL-1/2s. I've listened to dozens of youtube videos featuring these pickups, but I'm still not sure which one to choose. I also couldn't find a video that would compare them on the same guitar + amp. So, which pickup would be better for mostly clean-ish sound - think Knopfler or Frusciante?

Are the vintage staggered Antiquities and SSL-1s known to have any string balance issues on a 9.5" neck? Or is the flat SSL-2 going to sound less "stratty" because the raised G pole piece is a part of the traditional strat sound?

Also, the RW/RP Antiquity seems to be 12 EUR cheaper than the regular version. Is two RW/RPs with regular pickup in the middle a bad idea? :naughty:
 
Re: Antiquity II Surf vs. SSL-1/2

Ssl-1 would be my choice here. The version with flat pole pieces are meant for a flatter radius. You shouldn't experience any loss of tone if you go the with Ssl-2.
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Re: Antiquity II Surf vs. SSL-1/2

Welcome to the forum!

Unless I am using a vintage (7.25") radius AND a wound 3rd string, I always opt for flat poles if there is a choice for that particular model. Surfers have a little less treble and more mids than the SSL-1/2, so decide on how much treble you need/want.
 
Re: Antiquity II Surf vs. SSL-1/2

ALL vintage staggered pickups have string balance issues when using a plain G. That doesn't mean it's necessarily bad sounding, and that you can't learn to use it – lord knows plenty of people have done just fine with it. It's certainly more balanced over all then a non-staggered pickup with 7-1/4" radius. You can eliminate the glaring imbalance by using a wound G, but not many people feel at home with one these days (I use one on just a few of my guitars, which I use primarily for rhythm).

I'm not sure why so many companies still follow the "vintage" stagger to the letter these days, especially on pickups that aren't fooling anyone in terms of vintage accuracy. A vintage-modern stagger would be preferable IMO: vintage stagger, but the G magnet becomes the lowest one (since the plain G is the most magnetically strong string on the guitar).

That said, DiMarzio use a great "modern stagger" on their Strat pickups such as True Velvet, Red Velvet, etc.
 
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Re: Antiquity II Surf vs. SSL-1/2

personally i like the surfers better than the ssl1 but they are all great pups. no reason you cant use two rw/rp with a normal in the middle
 
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