Possible problem with SSL-5

[purplestrat]

Hi there fellow guitar nuts,
Been browsing these forums for a while now, just never got round to signing up..

Anyway, I installed an SSL-5 into the bridge of my MIM strat earlier and when it came to playing, the SSL-5 sounded remarkably similar to the 2nd notch position (bridge and middle). I noticed a slight difference in sound, being that position 1 sounded slightly less twangy.

I knew that the SSL-5 was a twangy pickup, but I'm just looking for reassurance
(p.s. I'm not disappointed with it, just anxious)

 

[pinto79]

Re: Possible problem with SSL-5

The SSL-5 should be a loud and fat tone. I would take another look at your solder connections, see if maybe you got the bridge and middle lugs touching slightly.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Possible problem with SSL-5

Welcome to the forum.

I always thought of the SSL-5 as darker than a regular vintage style single coil. By itself, the SSL-5 ought to sound noticably louder than the bridge/centre combination. (Especially if the centre and neck pickups are the stock MIM type with underslung ceramic bar magnets and steel slug polepieces.)

Check that your soldering on the selector switch is tidy. Check that the SSL-5 is not set too close to the strings. If your lower tone control is a TBX and the bridge PU is connected to it, roll it back to the centre detent.

 

[purplestrat]

Re: Possible problem with SSL-5

Thanks guys, I looked at the solder joints on the switch and the bridge and middle were making contact with eachother. Cleaned it up, and it was fixed! Thank you ever so much for your help!