Installed three SSL-6's.

[Artie]

Edit: Pic added at last post.

I've been wanting to try this for awhile. All three pups are SSL-6 Custom flats, with the middle one RW/RP and tapped. The bridge measures an even 14k, with the neck middle coming in at 13.8k. I have it wired so that I can have the neck/bridge combo and all three at once, with the middle "tapped" at any time.

This is a close call as to whether I like this or the Cool Rails/Vintage Rails setup better. I think the Cool Rails just edges this out, but I like this enough that I'll probably need two Strats.

Having the middle tapped gives me two distinct flavors in the #2 and #4 positions. (#3 also, for that matter.) The SSL-6's provide a very "ballsy" sound, but I can still get some nice Knopfler-ish tones with the middle tapped. Both the neck and the middle sound killer when used alone, with either the "Black Face" or "Tweed" setting on my modeler, but I'm still having issues with the bridge. Its great if used with the middle, but not so much by itself. Its the same issue I was having with the Twang Banger, and I'm beginning to wonder if it isn't caused by this being a cheap guitar. The 'buckers that I've had in there didn't have this problem, so maybe they mask the shortcomings of the bridge or something.

Anyway, I'm going to play with this for awhile, but I'm really likeing this setup. Especially with the middle tapped.

Thanks for reading.
Artie

 

[jeremy]

Re: Installed three SSL-6's.

what dont you like about the bridge pup?

 

[Artie]

Re: Installed three SSL-6's.

Its kinda hard to describe. Its some sort of aftertone, or ringing, that occurs on notes in the area of the twelth fret. Imagine, when you strike a note, that it has the sweet tone that you expect. Then, as it decays, it becomes the ringing that you might get from hitting a trash can lid with a hammer, as the note fades out. The single-sized 'buckers didn't do it, but the Twang Banger and this SSL-6 do. I really don't think its the pups though. I think its either the guitar, or some oddball setting in my setup.

I can eliminate it by rolling the tone back, either on the guitar or amp, but then, I lose my highs. Its just odd.

Artie

I'll see if I can catch a clip of it tomorrow.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Installed three SSL-6's.

Everything in your bridge buttoned down tight, Artie? Have you checked for loose frets?

 

[Artie]

Re: Installed three SSL-6's.

Frets seem ok. So does the bridge. I have 5 tremolo springs, and the claw tightened all the way down. This isn't really a "buzz", more of an aftertone. The original singles didn't do it. Its very subtle, but there.

I do have some Graphtec saddles laying around somewhere. I might see if those will fit, and help.

The main thing is, even with that little quirk, these pups sound great. Especially the neck by itself, for some reason. Clean and clear, but with "beef".

 

[Artie]

Re: Installed three SSL-6's.

I swapped the high 3 string saddles for Graphtecs, and that seems to have helped some. I still have one spot that "rings", but not quite so bad now. Tenth fret on the B string.

Artie

btw - The "10th fret" problem is so minor now, that this problem is essentially solved. I guess the Graphtecs did it. Along with some system tweaking.

These SSL-6's sound great!

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Installed three SSL-6's.

I swapped the high 3 string saddles for Graphtecs, and that seems to have helped some. I still have one spot that "rings", but not quite so bad now. Tenth fret on the B string.

Artie

btw - The "10th fret" problem is so minor now, that this problem is essentially solved. I guess the Graphtecs did it. Along with some system tweaking.

These SSL-6's sound great!

Nice looking strat buddy.....I just sold a set of SSL6s on E Bay....They were cool for awhile,but the mids started getting on my nerves...I'm pretty much into Vintage winds now with either the Twangbanger or a Texas Hot Custom in the bridge....

 

[Artie]

Re: Installed three SSL-6's.

Thanks John. I was going to either PM you, or ring you up sometime soon. I knew you had tried the 6's and was wondering how you liked them. They're fun to play with, as a set, but I doubt that I'll keep them long-term. I really liked the Cool Rails and Vintage Rails also.

What I may do is, keep the middle SSL-6 tapped. The "tap" part adds a lot of versatility. Then add a CR bridge and VR neck. (I have those pups on the shelf.) That could be a sweet setup too. The thing is, I'm not really looking for a "vintage" or conventional sound with this particular Strat. I just want my own sound, but still - Strat-ish.

Artie

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Installed three SSL-6's.

Thanks John. I was going to either PM you, or ring you up sometime soon. I knew you had tried the 6's and was wondering how you liked them. They're fun to play with, as a set, but I doubt that I'll keep them long-term. I really liked the Cool Rails and Vintage Rails also.

What I may do is, keep the middle SSL-6 tapped. The "tap" part adds a lot of versatility. Then add a CR bridge and VR neck. (I have those pups on the shelf.) That could be a sweet setup too. The thing is, I'm not really looking for a "vintage" or conventional sound with this particular Strat. I just want my own sound, but still - Strat-ish.

Artie

Artie....Sorry if I turned you off from your SSL6s....I bought mine several years ago and had them in my 62 Strat reissue and I Loved them until very recently I played this strat after not playing it for awhile and noticed the mids bothered me...My ears are spoiled now by the Antiquity Surfers,Texas Hots,and that Twangbanger in the bridge...The Surfer middle and neck is hands down "The vintage single coils" for me! I need more balls in the bridge and I generally like an A2 there...Problem with the higher wind pickups is a loss in chime and too much mids...I use my SFX-01 booster to go from a single coil tone over to a sought of humbucker tone when needed with my strat pickups...As I get older and my ears decline,I find it's chime and crisp topend and note articulation that I need most when I'm playing...The SSL6s have a very smooth overdriven,singing lead tone though because of the added mids and dialed back highs...They are great pickups,it's just my ears changed on me..:beerchug:

 

[Artie]

Re: Installed three SSL-6's.

Artie....Sorry if I turned you off from your SSL6s....

Don't worry John. You didn't turn me off to them. Actually, I love 'em. I just think I may like the CR/VR combo better. I'm going to leave these in for awhile 'til I'm sure.

Or get another Strat.

Artie

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Installed three SSL-6's.

Don't worry John. You didn't turn me off to them. Actually, I love 'em. I just think I may like the CR/VR combo better. I'm going to leave these in for awhile 'til I'm sure.

Or get another Strat.

Artie

Yes,best to let your ears and your instincts adjust to the new pickups over a period of days....That's what I always do.

 

[shred-dog]

Re: Installed three SSL-6's.

hey john i just finished putting in the ssl-6's i got from you in the neck and middle and a allan holsworth in the bridge they sound cool for what i am doing thanks again scott

 

[Artie]

Re: Installed three SSL-6's.

Hey Scott; How would you describe the Allan Holdsworth?

I'm always on the look-out for that perfect Strat bridge.

Artie

 

[shred-dog]

Re: Installed three SSL-6's.

i have it in an adler body with maple neck and a floyd rose it is very smooth kinda JBish but smoother it is 17+k but it isn't as high power as you would think . i like it nice sustain balance and harmonics .