Hi guys, I am looking into buying SSL-1 pickups in the neck and middle and an SSl-5 in the bridge. My fretboard on my strat has a modern 9.5" radius and I have heard that it is best to get other pickups for a modern fretboard. I have heard people talk about staggered pole pieces and flat pole pieces or something like that. Could anyone please explain to me what staggered and flat pole pieces are? Am i still able to use those pickups?
Is fretboard radius important when buying new pickups?
- Thread starter danny458
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Lewguitar
New member
Re: Is fretboard radius important when buying new pickups?
This one's staggered:
This one's flat:
Staggered is what Fender used in the 50's and 60's when people put flat wound strings with a wound G string on their guitars and didn't bend notes. It still works fine even today when people almost always use an unwound G string.
Flat is what some people prefer these days, especially with an unwound G string and a flatter than vintage fingerboard radius.
I still prefer Staggered because that's the sound I have in my head from 50 years of playing old Strats. Even though my favorite Strat is a new one I made with jumbo frets and a 12" fingerboard radius.
If you want a flat SSL-1 get a set of SSL-2's. Same pickup with flat pole pieces.
No one can tell you which you will prefer. You seem like a beginner. Over time you'll probably have the opportunity to own both and then you'll know which you prefer.
For now, choose one or the other and enjoy. Either will sound fine.
This one's staggered:
This one's flat:
Staggered is what Fender used in the 50's and 60's when people put flat wound strings with a wound G string on their guitars and didn't bend notes. It still works fine even today when people almost always use an unwound G string.
Flat is what some people prefer these days, especially with an unwound G string and a flatter than vintage fingerboard radius.
I still prefer Staggered because that's the sound I have in my head from 50 years of playing old Strats. Even though my favorite Strat is a new one I made with jumbo frets and a 12" fingerboard radius.
If you want a flat SSL-1 get a set of SSL-2's. Same pickup with flat pole pieces.
No one can tell you which you will prefer. You seem like a beginner. Over time you'll probably have the opportunity to own both and then you'll know which you prefer.
For now, choose one or the other and enjoy. Either will sound fine.
dystrust
Well-known member
Re: Is fretboard radius important when buying new pickups?
Edit: See Lew's post for a better description of flat vs. staggered poles.
Many players claim that pole piece configuration doesn't make a difference in terms of tone; if there is a difference it's pretty small. That being said, I think staggered pole pickups have better string balance on a vintage 7.25" radius. I have flat pole pickups (SSL-2 & SSL-6) in my Strat, but I have a 12-16" compound radius. The 9.5" radius on your Strat is a bit of a compromise, so you should be fine going either way.
Edit: See Lew's post for a better description of flat vs. staggered poles.
Many players claim that pole piece configuration doesn't make a difference in terms of tone; if there is a difference it's pretty small. That being said, I think staggered pole pickups have better string balance on a vintage 7.25" radius. I have flat pole pickups (SSL-2 & SSL-6) in my Strat, but I have a 12-16" compound radius. The 9.5" radius on your Strat is a bit of a compromise, so you should be fine going either way.
Last edited:
darthphineas
New member
Re: Is fretboard radius important when buying new pickups?
If you are buying new, you can get one and see if it works to your liking. If not, use the exchange policy.
If you are buying new, you can get one and see if it works to your liking. If not, use the exchange policy.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Is fretboard radius important when buying new pickups?
As Lew posted, technically with a plain G the string can be louder than it "should" be. But to me that's the tone of all the blues and rock I know, it's played with a certain style that accentuates those bends on the G and the stagger contributes to the sound.
For those that are playing technical metal, jazz or any other genre where you expect perfect string to string balance (and are playing parts equally on all strings) flat are more ideal.
The pole pieces were staggered to account for fretboard radius and string to string balance.
As Lew posted, technically with a plain G the string can be louder than it "should" be. But to me that's the tone of all the blues and rock I know, it's played with a certain style that accentuates those bends on the G and the stagger contributes to the sound.
For those that are playing technical metal, jazz or any other genre where you expect perfect string to string balance (and are playing parts equally on all strings) flat are more ideal.
vinnie1971
New member
Re: Is fretboard radius important when buying new pickups?
I like to push the G down and the B and high E up a tad with staggered poles - at my risk!
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I like to push the G down and the B and high E up a tad with staggered poles - at my risk!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Re: Is fretboard radius important when buying new pickups?
Not much of a Strat player so most "strats", and other single coil guitars, have come and gone. Mostly gone. I currently only have two (not including P90's). One with a 14" radius board and one with a 12" board. The 12" currently has non-staggers which I prefer. Beside the fretboard radius, I imagine it would also depend on the pickups. Like Mincer, I would probably opt for non-staggers if given the option, but I wouldn't avoid staggers.
Not much of a Strat player so most "strats", and other single coil guitars, have come and gone. Mostly gone. I currently only have two (not including P90's). One with a 14" radius board and one with a 12" board. The 12" currently has non-staggers which I prefer. Beside the fretboard radius, I imagine it would also depend on the pickups. Like Mincer, I would probably opt for non-staggers if given the option, but I wouldn't avoid staggers.
Re: Is fretboard radius important when buying new pickups?
For vintage radius necks, staggered works better to preserve the vintage tone but for 12" up.. prefer hybrid staggered (Dimarzio or Suhr) or flat (SD). Hybrid staggered can be a good compromise. The thing that annoys me about staggered with flat fingerboards, is that the way I run them.. the G is a bit overpowered and the B and especially E are a bit quiet in comparison. I run them quite low to the pickguard. I'd probably be happy if the B and E were raised just a bit.
For vintage radius necks, staggered works better to preserve the vintage tone but for 12" up.. prefer hybrid staggered (Dimarzio or Suhr) or flat (SD). Hybrid staggered can be a good compromise. The thing that annoys me about staggered with flat fingerboards, is that the way I run them.. the G is a bit overpowered and the B and especially E are a bit quiet in comparison. I run them quite low to the pickguard. I'd probably be happy if the B and E were raised just a bit.
Silence Kid
New member
Re: Is fretboard radius important when buying new pickups?
Not a huge risk with a plastic bobbin pickup; fiber, and you will break something.
Not a huge risk with a plastic bobbin pickup; fiber, and you will break something.
Jacew
New member
Re: Is fretboard radius important when buying new pickups?
So which one SSL-1 is? I think it's fiber, but not 100% sure...
I would love the possibility of adjusting the staggering. With what pickups that could be possible?
So which one SSL-1 is? I think it's fiber, but not 100% sure...
I would love the possibility of adjusting the staggering. With what pickups that could be possible?
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Is fretboard radius important when buying new pickups?
*DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK*
Fiber. The risk is damage to the coil. Some people use a hot soldering iron to push the pole, the heat will melt the wax and allow the pole to slide.
*DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK*
PicoRiveraTele
New member
Re: Is fretboard radius important when buying new pickups?
I wish Seymour Duncan offered "modern" radius, something in between flat and vintage stagger. That stagger look is part of the classic Strat look.
I wish Seymour Duncan offered "modern" radius, something in between flat and vintage stagger. That stagger look is part of the classic Strat look.
Re: Is fretboard radius important when buying new pickups?
Actually, you can order a pickup with any radius that you want (through the Custom Shop). Or have adjustable poles, so you can make your own.
Actually, you can order a pickup with any radius that you want (through the Custom Shop). Or have adjustable poles, so you can make your own.
vinnie1971
New member
Re: Is fretboard radius important when buying new pickups?
I have only done it with Fender single coils. Worked out fine.
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I have only done it with Fender single coils. Worked out fine.
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Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: Is fretboard radius important when buying new pickups?
Re: the Op's question about a 9.5 strat neck.
No problems at all.
Ive had multiple pup sets over the 25 plus year ive had my strat with a 9.5.
It currently has ssl1, ssl1, ssl5.
No worries. Sounds great.
Re: the Op's question about a 9.5 strat neck.
No problems at all.
Ive had multiple pup sets over the 25 plus year ive had my strat with a 9.5.
It currently has ssl1, ssl1, ssl5.
No worries. Sounds great.
Re: Is fretboard radius important when buying new pickups?
I know others who have done that, as well. They dig it, also. I usually don't get staggered pickups unless I don't have a choice (I love the Five Two, but I am not going to pay extra to have flat poles).
I know others who have done that, as well. They dig it, also. I usually don't get staggered pickups unless I don't have a choice (I love the Five Two, but I am not going to pay extra to have flat poles).
Clint 55
OH THE DOUBLE THICK GLAZE!
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