Experience with SSL-6 in neck position?

[jeremy]

Re: Experience with SSL-6 in neck position?

if i have three pups that are all the same (like on an old strat for example) i adjust the bridge pup first since that is usually the hardest position to get to sound good for me, then adjust the middle and neck to balance volume wise. then ill switch to the notch positions and adjust the middle pup a little more to get those tones the way i want if i need to

 

[Mincer]

Re: Experience with SSL-6 in neck position?

See, I do it the other way..neck pickup first, as I use that most of the time, so it is the most important that it sounds the best for me. But the most commonly accepted way is bridge first.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Experience with SSL-6 in neck position?

i use my neck pup more than anything else too but i find there is a wider range of adjustment that sounds great in that position where the bridge usually has a fairly narrow range that sounds good. as with most things, if it works for ya then run with it

 

[gregory]

Re: Experience with SSL-6 in neck position?

In my case it ended up being neck first. There was an issue with the SSL-2 not sounding right in that guitar so the set was replaced. The issue couldn't be resolved by adjusting the height. It was a shame actually, since it would be an excellent set in a more welcoming axe.

Oh, and revisiting the 250k pots with the SSL-6 in the neck, I was tapping it for cleans.

 

[Jacew]

Re: Experience with SSL-6 in neck position?

i use my neck pup more than anything else too but i find there is a wider range of adjustment that sounds great in that position where the bridge usually has a fairly narrow range that sounds good. as with most things, if it works for ya then run with it

I adjust neck first for exactly same reason. But I also use higher output middle and bridge, so thats probably why.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Experience with SSL-6 in neck position?

Sometimes I have to lower the middle pickup lower than ideal, because it gets in the way of picking, too.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Experience with SSL-6 in neck position?

I adjust neck first for exactly same reason. But I also use higher output middle and bridge, so thats probably why.

i was specifically speaking about when all pups are the same, if that isnt they case then i might change my tactics. and this is just initial settings. ill play a gig and adjust some more, and keep that pattern going till im satisfied.

Sometimes I have to lower the middle pickup lower than ideal, because it gets in the way of picking, too.

i try not to let that change the way i set the pup but sometimes it happens. my middle pup covers definitely get more abuse than the others

 

[PicoRiveraTele]

Re: Experience with SSL-6 in neck position?

A note about higher value pots to make an SSL-6 have more treble, the higher value pot increases the resonant Q rather than the resonant frequency. If you spend time messing with synthesizers you're likely familiar with the distinction. The treble increases, but only within a particular frequency band. If the SSL-6 is too dark in the neck with 250k pots, you're probably better off going for something lower output. Keep in mind the SSL-6 is very hot, so there is quite a few pickups on the market that are hotter than vintage, but lower output than an SSL-6, such as the Twang Banger.

 

[RoteGitarre]

Re: Experience with SSL-6 in neck position?

Wired and assembled the guitar this weekend. Had some initial issues with tuning stability, but I believe I have corrected that. Pickups sound nice. The SSL-6 balances well with the JB, though I'm still playing with the height to see what sort of sounds I can get. Both pots turned out to be 500k, wired as volume/volume as per the OEM configuration for the Vandenberg. Rewired to master volume and master tone for added versatility. Will continue updating as I have more time to play with it.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[saladin]

Re: Experience with SSL-6 in neck position?

A note about higher value pots to make an SSL-6 have more treble, the higher value pot increases the resonant Q rather than the resonant frequency. If you spend time messing with synthesizers you're likely familiar with the distinction. The treble increases, but only within a particular frequency band. If the SSL-6 is too dark in the neck with 250k pots, you're probably better off going for something lower output. Keep in mind the SSL-6 is very hot, so there is quite a few pickups on the market that are hotter than vintage, but lower output than an SSL-6, such as the Twang Banger.

No...I've been playing Strat's for a very long time. I've got SSL-5's in the neck and middle position with no tone controls and they sound like "what a Strat" should sound like, but punchier which is what I want. They have to balance with a '59 in the bridge and they do so wonderfully!!! I suggested a 1 meg pot because that would leave you some room to turn down the tone some. I'm going to try a 500K the next time I change strings and see how that is. I've used SSL-1's exclusively for years and they are bright but thick. I really don't care to be riding the tone knob all day. I just want to play...the SSL-5's work perfectly with no tone knob and frankly I'm quite happy with the results. Now...my new Tele is another animal...I keep the tone knob down 25% at all times!

 

[jeremy]

Re: Experience with SSL-6 in neck position?

i work both my volume and tone knobs quite a bit. i like to have a range of tones available, very seldom are both controls full up other than on the neck pup

 

[PicoRiveraTele]

Re: Experience with SSL-6 in neck position?

I've got SSL-5's in the neck and middle position with no tone controls and they sound like "what a Strat" should sound like

Opinions vary as to what a Strat should ot should not sound like, but even with the imprecise winding of the 50's and 60's, it would have been impossible to accidentally wind a Strat pickup anywhere near as hot as an SSL-5 / SSL-6, with 42 AWG. It's going to be rather hard to pull off something like Sultans of Swing with a full compliment of SSL-5's.

 

[gregory]

Re: Experience with SSL-6 in neck position?

It's going to be rather hard to pull off something like Sultans of Swing with a full compliment of SSL-5's.

I absolutely reject that notion. It's all in the delivery. String gauge, technique and gear will have some bearing on the matter.

Besides, most of your audience wouldn't give it a second thought.