Highest Output SC Pickup w Classic Strat Tone?

[JipThePeople]

I wanna replace all three SC PUs in an American Strat. I want to retain the SC sound but I need to get a lot higher output from the pickups. I already have a strat with Hot Rails and when I play another guitar live, I don't want there to be a huge drop in volume. Lowering the PUs for guitar with Hot Rails will only do so much. Any recommendations?

 

[Stef]

Re: Highest Output SC Pickup w Classic Strat Tone?

Ssl-2

 

[JipThePeople]

Re: Highest Output SC Pickup w Classic Strat Tone?

Ssl-2

The SD web site doesn't even list that one as a hot output. That is one of the biggest things I am looking for.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Highest Output SC Pickup w Classic Strat Tone?

basically hot single coils dont sound like classic strat pups. there is a trade off. more output = less vintage strat tone.

the ssl5 is about as hot as you can go and have much strat flavor left. the ssl3 is a great pup but doesnt have much vintage strat character.

 

[IanBallard]

Re: Highest Output SC Pickup w Classic Strat Tone?

You could always use SD pickup booster or a similar clean boost pedal that won't mangle your tone.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Highest Output SC Pickup w Classic Strat Tone?

if you are trying to match volume with a hot rails then the ssl3 hot is probably your best bet. itll be more stratty than the hot rails anyway

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Highest Output SC Pickup w Classic Strat Tone?

EMG S Series ?

 

[xxxplorer]

Re: Highest Output SC Pickup w Classic Strat Tone?

invader

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Highest Output SC Pickup w Classic Strat Tone?

EMG S Series ?

Bingo.

I have a DG-20 set up in my own Strat and it's fantastic. It sounds like a great strat should, is loud enough in any position to keep up with hot 'buckers like the El Diablo or the JB, and is dead quiet as far as noise goes. Another cool thing is that they pick up EVERYTHING your fingers do. Good if you have good technique, great for cleaning up your playing if you have sloppy technique.

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: Highest Output SC Pickup w Classic Strat Tone?

If you don't mind active pickups, the Livewire Classic II Strat pickups are exactly what you're looking for. If you can't or don't want to have active pickups, then something like the SSL-5 or SSL-6 might be the best compromise between vintage attack and feel, plus additional output. Jeremy's SSL-3 (hot) recommendation is also fine if you need absolutely the most output, but it's further deviating from the Strat sound than the Custom.

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Highest Output SC Pickup w Classic Strat Tone?

I'm very interested in possibly getting a SSL-5 for my Strat bridge. Are the higher output Duncan Strat pickups any brighter than your regular output Strat bridge pickups like the SSL-1?

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: Highest Output SC Pickup w Classic Strat Tone?

invader

Hey just what I was going to say!

Greetings from Chesapeake.