Bridge Pup For Strat
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STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Bridge Pup For Strat
I'll use my magnet polarity tester and see how the poles show on the 2 different types of Duncans..Sometimes when you mix different manufacture pickups,you run into phase issues..Even though you are using Duncans,I think they aren't actually wound the same and sometimes just a switch on the 2 wires..Sometimes I've had to put the rwrp polarity pickup in the neck spot..When you mix say Fat 50s and Duncans,you learn what works and what doesn't. LOL..I've done a ton of strat pickup changes over the years.
I'll use my magnet polarity tester and see how the poles show on the 2 different types of Duncans..Sometimes when you mix different manufacture pickups,you run into phase issues..Even though you are using Duncans,I think they aren't actually wound the same and sometimes just a switch on the 2 wires..Sometimes I've had to put the rwrp polarity pickup in the neck spot..When you mix say Fat 50s and Duncans,you learn what works and what doesn't. LOL..I've done a ton of strat pickup changes over the years.
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Bridge Pup For Strat
I normally go stock wiring,but just jumper on the switch to get bridge tone control..I also use the Fralin Blend Pot and some other wiring options on my other strats..Every one of my strats feels,and sounds a little different..I even use different string brands!
I normally go stock wiring,but just jumper on the switch to get bridge tone control..I also use the Fralin Blend Pot and some other wiring options on my other strats..Every one of my strats feels,and sounds a little different..I even use different string brands!
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Bridge Pup For Strat
Here's what the magnet polarities showed..
Surfer Neck...South
Surfer Middle...North
Twangbanger..South....
If you use a TB with the Surfers,you need to swap the ground and hot wires on the TB from memory?
SSL5/6...South
Just maybe check with SD guys about whether the SSL6 works with the rwrp middle Surfer or does it require a wire swap for proper phasing? I just can't remember all these years later?
Here's what the magnet polarities showed..
Surfer Neck...South
Surfer Middle...North
Twangbanger..South....
If you use a TB with the Surfers,you need to swap the ground and hot wires on the TB from memory?
SSL5/6...South
Just maybe check with SD guys about whether the SSL6 works with the rwrp middle Surfer or does it require a wire swap for proper phasing? I just can't remember all these years later?
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STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Bridge Pup For Strat
My post from 2007....Good read..
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/sho...er-Wiring(While-Fresh-In-My-Mind)Vault-Worthy!
My post from 2007....Good read..
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/sho...er-Wiring(While-Fresh-In-My-Mind)Vault-Worthy!
Falloffthebonetone
New member
Re: Bridge Pup For Strat
NOT split. Tapped.
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?181487-how-does-the-SSL-5-sound-when-tapped
And it would be mainly for a more even output for the between bridge and middle position so it sounds like a traditional strat. Chances are he won't be using it at the lower output on its own very often anyway, and if he does, it is an acceptable traditional strat tone, similar to what he has now. And as he said, he's trying to preserve the strat tone as much as possible.
NOT split. Tapped.
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?181487-how-does-the-SSL-5-sound-when-tapped
And it would be mainly for a more even output for the between bridge and middle position so it sounds like a traditional strat. Chances are he won't be using it at the lower output on its own very often anyway, and if he does, it is an acceptable traditional strat tone, similar to what he has now. And as he said, he's trying to preserve the strat tone as much as possible.
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Bridge Pup For Strat
Roger that..It's not like the SSL6 is tons hotter/louder...It's not as toppy and is ballsier,but still very single coil sounding.I've been using this pickup for many years.It balances well and plays nice with the other 2 pickups.
Roger that..It's not like the SSL6 is tons hotter/louder...It's not as toppy and is ballsier,but still very single coil sounding.I've been using this pickup for many years.It balances well and plays nice with the other 2 pickups.
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Bridge Pup For Strat
I realized I used the wrong terminology as I don't normally tap my single coils,but I do split my humbuckers...LOL...I think the SSL6 is rated for around 14k? Do you like the tone/quality of the tapped version of it? My issue with stock bridge single coils,is that they are too bright and too thin,especially w/o a bridge tone control.
I also like using the PTB G&L setup on a couple of my strats.I find it actually adjusts something,rather than just shunting off highend like on the normal strat tone control setup.
Thx for the head's up!
I realized I used the wrong terminology as I don't normally tap my single coils,but I do split my humbuckers...LOL...I think the SSL6 is rated for around 14k? Do you like the tone/quality of the tapped version of it? My issue with stock bridge single coils,is that they are too bright and too thin,especially w/o a bridge tone control.
I also like using the PTB G&L setup on a couple of my strats.I find it actually adjusts something,rather than just shunting off highend like on the normal strat tone control setup.
Thx for the head's up!
Lewguitar
New member
Re: Bridge Pup For Strat
I prefer to unsolder the wire leading from the 5 way switch to the "middle pickup" tone control and just resolder it to the correct terminal on the switch that would connect it to the bridge pickup. No tone control on the middle pickup.
The tone in the Neck & Middle switch position sounds better that way because you're not connecting two tone controls in the Neck & Middle selection (which is like taking a 250K tone pot and turning it down to 125K).
I prefer to unsolder the wire leading from the 5 way switch to the "middle pickup" tone control and just resolder it to the correct terminal on the switch that would connect it to the bridge pickup. No tone control on the middle pickup.
The tone in the Neck & Middle switch position sounds better that way because you're not connecting two tone controls in the Neck & Middle selection (which is like taking a 250K tone pot and turning it down to 125K).
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uOpt
Something Cool
Re: Bridge Pup For Strat
The SSL-5/6 is very compressed and hot.
Polarity is a mess. It is opposite for Duncans, except for the Surfer which like Fender. New Fender, not old Fender.
Since there is no mass/ground in these pickups you will never have unwanted out of phase, however hum-canceling will only work if you get a RW/RP Duncan for the bridge, which you can't if you want an Ant Custom bridge, or you need to swap middle and neck Fenders to get hum-cancellation back in position 2+4.
The SSL-5/6 is very compressed and hot.
Polarity is a mess. It is opposite for Duncans, except for the Surfer which like Fender. New Fender, not old Fender.
Since there is no mass/ground in these pickups you will never have unwanted out of phase, however hum-canceling will only work if you get a RW/RP Duncan for the bridge, which you can't if you want an Ant Custom bridge, or you need to swap middle and neck Fenders to get hum-cancellation back in position 2+4.
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Bridge Pup For Strat
See and I totally don't agree that it's hot and especially not compressed,though maybe it's because I use a cleaner overall tone? It's definately darker,has more midrange content...It's fuller sounding,but not in an overbearing way..Very subjective I'm guessing.No harm in the forum member trying it and if it's not for him,least he can try some other pickups..
I thought a bit more about your tonal opinion on this...I felt a JB Juinor was hotter and compressed..With this being said though,my amps are cleaner,headroomier amps..I.E. Fender Blackfaced stuff,Marshall NMV 50 watter and Vox AC 30 style clean..I'd say clean with headroom,and the Marshall being tight and crunchy.I guess I don't thing that compression is really a part of my overall tone and though I do use overdrive,I still don't really get into compression type tones like what a 5150,Soldano SLO etc.do..
My overdriven tones could very well be another player's clean tones..But I hear ya!
See and I totally don't agree that it's hot and especially not compressed,though maybe it's because I use a cleaner overall tone? It's definately darker,has more midrange content...It's fuller sounding,but not in an overbearing way..Very subjective I'm guessing.No harm in the forum member trying it and if it's not for him,least he can try some other pickups..
I thought a bit more about your tonal opinion on this...I felt a JB Juinor was hotter and compressed..With this being said though,my amps are cleaner,headroomier amps..I.E. Fender Blackfaced stuff,Marshall NMV 50 watter and Vox AC 30 style clean..I'd say clean with headroom,and the Marshall being tight and crunchy.I guess I don't thing that compression is really a part of my overall tone and though I do use overdrive,I still don't really get into compression type tones like what a 5150,Soldano SLO etc.do..
My overdriven tones could very well be another player's clean tones..But I hear ya!
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Re: Bridge Pup For Strat
I think in the end I will have surfers in the neck and middle. I'm going to start with the bridge and leave the other pups stock for now. I'm thinking either the SSL5 or SSL6 in the bridge. Now I just have to decide which one. One uses flat pole and the other is staggered. I don't know which one to get.
I think in the end I will have surfers in the neck and middle. I'm going to start with the bridge and leave the other pups stock for now. I'm thinking either the SSL5 or SSL6 in the bridge. Now I just have to decide which one. One uses flat pole and the other is staggered. I don't know which one to get.
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Bridge Pup For Strat
Om the 7.25" radius necks I Like staggered...On a flatter 12" as an example,I prefer the flat poles..
Om the 7.25" radius necks I Like staggered...On a flatter 12" as an example,I prefer the flat poles..
Falloffthebonetone
New member
Re: Bridge Pup For Strat
It sounds pretty good. There is a trade off, and I don't really think it's an ssl-1 or anything but it is a traditional vintage strat sound no doubt, and balances better with the middle pickup in my experience.
It sounds pretty good. There is a trade off, and I don't really think it's an ssl-1 or anything but it is a traditional vintage strat sound no doubt, and balances better with the middle pickup in my experience.
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Bridge Pup For Strat
In the end,it's your ears that need to decide.SD has always called the SSL5/6 the "SRV tone using .009s"...I'd say his tone was rich and full and had lots of headroom with thick strings and tuned down a half step.Gilmour uses this pickup also and it and I'm guessing it was designed for him also? I Love it...Do check it out!
In the end,it's your ears that need to decide.SD has always called the SSL5/6 the "SRV tone using .009s"...I'd say his tone was rich and full and had lots of headroom with thick strings and tuned down a half step.Gilmour uses this pickup also and it and I'm guessing it was designed for him also? I Love it...Do check it out!
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Bridge Pup For Strat
Thanks for sharing and good to know...When I buy the SSL5/6,I normally don't buy the tapped version..Tapped I guess puts it right around 7k or so? I Know with hotter humbuckers and split,the tones never really sound just like a single coil..seeing as the humbucker in itself is a different design all together and the magnet and pole differences in the equation..
I Love single coils because a small turn down on the volume control,and things really clean up..Again,my tones are classic rock late 60s,70s and bluesier overdriven BF Fender type tones..I'm in no way a high gain guy and the tonal differences could be why I hear things differently?
Thanks for sharing and good to know...When I buy the SSL5/6,I normally don't buy the tapped version..Tapped I guess puts it right around 7k or so? I Know with hotter humbuckers and split,the tones never really sound just like a single coil..seeing as the humbucker in itself is a different design all together and the magnet and pole differences in the equation..
I Love single coils because a small turn down on the volume control,and things really clean up..Again,my tones are classic rock late 60s,70s and bluesier overdriven BF Fender type tones..I'm in no way a high gain guy and the tonal differences could be why I hear things differently?
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Bridge Pup For Strat
If you want something ballsier and you don't want brighter,thinner bridge strat tones,this is a good choice..The twangbanger is also,but I feel it's aggressive and in a more upper midrange kinda way...After that,maybe an A2 Texas Hot or even the Surfer A5 bridge?
I have 2 Teles and I absolutely love a Tele's bridge pickup..The TB kinda soughta catches that vibe and I guess thats why I really like it? Does it make your strat sound like a Tele? Not really.
If you want something ballsier and you don't want brighter,thinner bridge strat tones,this is a good choice..The twangbanger is also,but I feel it's aggressive and in a more upper midrange kinda way...After that,maybe an A2 Texas Hot or even the Surfer A5 bridge?
I have 2 Teles and I absolutely love a Tele's bridge pickup..The TB kinda soughta catches that vibe and I guess thats why I really like it? Does it make your strat sound like a Tele? Not really.
