Is this a SSL-1? (Pics)
- Thread starter ezeqkkk
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Ashurbanipal
Well-known member
Re: Is this a SSL-1? (Pics)
I'd say yes, looking at the way its soldered, and the lack of wrapping of the start and end of the copper wire through the eyelets, they're just inserted and soldered with a healthy dollop of solder.
Usually the older SD single coils have a sticker with the model number ink-stamped or printed on it - 1 for SSL1, 2B for SSL2, 3R for SSL3 etc. (new ones have a smaller sticker with the full model name and a barcode). Though it does look like it has a faded sharpie mark on the A string pole, looks like an M, designating it as a middle pu. Resistance should should be 6-6.5k.
With this one, it looks like the B string mag has been pushed up to minimize the impact of vintage stagger, trying to make the B sound more balanced with the rest (on a normal SSL1, the B pole is lower than the pu cover). I'd be careful, because doing that can break the wire inside, killing the pu. But, if the pu still has a reading, it should be fine.
I'd say yes, looking at the way its soldered, and the lack of wrapping of the start and end of the copper wire through the eyelets, they're just inserted and soldered with a healthy dollop of solder.
Usually the older SD single coils have a sticker with the model number ink-stamped or printed on it - 1 for SSL1, 2B for SSL2, 3R for SSL3 etc. (new ones have a smaller sticker with the full model name and a barcode). Though it does look like it has a faded sharpie mark on the A string pole, looks like an M, designating it as a middle pu. Resistance should should be 6-6.5k.
With this one, it looks like the B string mag has been pushed up to minimize the impact of vintage stagger, trying to make the B sound more balanced with the rest (on a normal SSL1, the B pole is lower than the pu cover). I'd be careful, because doing that can break the wire inside, killing the pu. But, if the pu still has a reading, it should be fine.
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F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Is this a SSL-1? (Pics)
+1
The pickup looks exactly like what the box says it is. The displaced polepiece magnet for the B string should be flush with the underside fibreboard plate of the pickup bobbin. Do not attempt to push it back down to its original position. If the pickup has survived the original damage, carry on using it.
+1
The pickup looks exactly like what the box says it is. The displaced polepiece magnet for the B string should be flush with the underside fibreboard plate of the pickup bobbin. Do not attempt to push it back down to its original position. If the pickup has survived the original damage, carry on using it.
Zerberus
Baron Von Shred
Re: Is this a SSL-1? (Pics)
It could be an SSL-1, these are unfortunately nigh impossible to verify with certainity once the sticker is gone as is the case here.
The pushed up Pole on the other hand is a HUGE red flag and an absolute deal breaker for me unless it´s free. Many thousands of single coils have been destroyed since the 50s by people thinking the poles could be adjusted and thereby breaking the coil windings. A huge risk that I personally would not take.
It could be an SSL-1, these are unfortunately nigh impossible to verify with certainity once the sticker is gone as is the case here.
The pushed up Pole on the other hand is a HUGE red flag and an absolute deal breaker for me unless it´s free. Many thousands of single coils have been destroyed since the 50s by people thinking the poles could be adjusted and thereby breaking the coil windings. A huge risk that I personally would not take.
L
Little Pigbacon
Guest
Re: Is this a SSL-1? (Pics)
So somebody thought the vintage magnet stagger looked "wrong" and decided to fix it?
(lolz)
So somebody thought the vintage magnet stagger looked "wrong" and decided to fix it?
(lolz)
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: Is this a SSL-1? (Pics)
I see nothing in the pictures that would indicate it is not a SSL-1.
Somebody tried to fix the incorrect staggering. The person was correct, the staggering had been made for string sets with wound G string. I would have opted to drive the G string in instead of the H string out but whatever.
There is a serious risk here that there is either damage to the coil (the wire is right on the magnet) or that the magnet is de-gaussed due to what was probably hammering it in.
It might sound pretty good if it works.
I see nothing in the pictures that would indicate it is not a SSL-1.
Somebody tried to fix the incorrect staggering. The person was correct, the staggering had been made for string sets with wound G string. I would have opted to drive the G string in instead of the H string out but whatever.
There is a serious risk here that there is either damage to the coil (the wire is right on the magnet) or that the magnet is de-gaussed due to what was probably hammering it in.
It might sound pretty good if it works.
Zerberus
Baron Von Shred
Re: Is this a SSL-1? (Pics)
I agree. Unfortunately, there is nothing definitive to indiocate that it IS , either... that is one of the disadvantages of "vintage correct" hardware and pickups and goes with the turf. Everything that is "vintage correct" looks pretty much the same, and nowhere is that more true than single coils, which are just 2 fiberboard plates and 6 rod magnets covered in wire.
Ironically, the "proper" solution would have been to purchase a wound g string, it´s not like they`re not readily available or prohibitively expensive. *
*: in most developed countries of the northern hemisphere. Outside NAFTA /EU your mileage may vary.
I agree. Unfortunately, there is nothing definitive to indiocate that it IS , either... that is one of the disadvantages of "vintage correct" hardware and pickups and goes with the turf. Everything that is "vintage correct" looks pretty much the same, and nowhere is that more true than single coils, which are just 2 fiberboard plates and 6 rod magnets covered in wire.
Ironically, the "proper" solution would have been to purchase a wound g string, it´s not like they`re not readily available or prohibitively expensive. *
Too big of a might for me, but definitely possible.
*: in most developed countries of the northern hemisphere. Outside NAFTA /EU your mileage may vary.
Re: Is this a SSL-1? (Pics)
Thaks for all the advices guys, the mic is on "latin ebay" for 340 pesos, wich would be 68 U$D, but wait! a new SSL-1 is more than 600$ (120U$D) and of course is the bargain... the seller would accept 300, but in that condition, i will offer 200 or 250$ or maybe just have fun whit questions, the guy who sell it its a total dick, i try to translate some of the question/answers
Q: The description says "practically new" but looks like it was under the rain, does it work?
A: Hi, maybe you leave your head on the rain and for sure stop working... ROOKIE!!! Please no more dumb questions
Q: What kind of sound has? would be a good combination whit hot rails in bridge?
A: Hi, no idea. Bye
Q:How long are the cables?
A: Hi, i dont have it here, no idea. Bye
Thaks for all the advices guys, the mic is on "latin ebay" for 340 pesos, wich would be 68 U$D, but wait! a new SSL-1 is more than 600$ (120U$D) and of course is the bargain... the seller would accept 300, but in that condition, i will offer 200 or 250$ or maybe just have fun whit questions, the guy who sell it its a total dick, i try to translate some of the question/answers
Q: The description says "practically new" but looks like it was under the rain, does it work?
A: Hi, maybe you leave your head on the rain and for sure stop working... ROOKIE!!! Please no more dumb questions
Q: What kind of sound has? would be a good combination whit hot rails in bridge?
A: Hi, no idea. Bye
Q:How long are the cables?
A: Hi, i dont have it here, no idea. Bye
Ashurbanipal
Well-known member
Re: Is this a SSL-1? (Pics)
^^ Sounds dodgy.
There are stores, like Boyd's on US eBay that ship internationally and often have good deals on used pups.
^^ Sounds dodgy.
There are stores, like Boyd's on US eBay that ship internationally and often have good deals on used pups.
Re: Is this a SSL-1? (Pics)
Yeah I think I´ll try it that way, an SSL-1 (middle) and SSL-5 (neck) to match the hot rails, but i think I still make an offer for the "vintage" ssl-1 haha
