Replace SSL-5 with an SSL-1 or an SSL-5T?

[FuelGTRX]

So, I got an awesome strat, but the stock pickups were a bit lifeless. I replaced the set with SSL-1 pickups in the middle and neck positions. Love them. I also replaced the bridge position with an SSL-5. I like the way it sounds, but I feel it's a bit too hot. I'm debating swapping the bridge out for another SSL-1, but I wouldn't mind have the umph of the SSL-5 on hand. I just want my strat to be able to sound like true strat in the bridge position. My question is does the tapped version of an SSL-5 get me in the vintage territory tapped or should I just say screw it and just throw an SSL-1 in the bridge position? I bought this strat to sound like a strat. I have too many other guitars with a hot bridge position pickup.

 

[Chistopher]

The Antiquity Surfer Custom bridge is what you want. Its halfway between a SSL1 and SSL5

 

[jeremy]

the custom surfer bridge is a great pup, but i wouldnt say its half way between the ssl1 and ssl5, its closer to the ssl1. for some it might not be quite enough.

the tap on the ssl5t is lower output and brighter than the full output, its not an ssl1, maybe a touch less output and bass, but its a very usable sound for live work

 

[Mincer]

Maybe something like an Antiquity Texas Hot is the middle ground you are looking for.

 

[Ascension]

The Antiquity Surfer Custom bridge is what you want. Its halfway between a SSL1 and SSL5

Was about to also suggest that. Fat and sweet but also retains the character of a true Strat. Have a full set of Surfer 2's in my Washburn Silverado and love them.

 

[Ascension]

Maybe something like an Antiquity Texas Hot is the middle ground you are looking for.

The Surfer II Custom will be a much better match with SSL1's than a Texas Hot. The Texas Hot works well with Alnico II Pros though.

 

[hamerfan]

The ssl5t are quite okay. The tap is in the middle of the coil, which makes it a 6k coil with 43awg. This is a bit on the thin side, but works the 4th position with the middle pickup.
I had special wiring so the full pickup had a 500k volume pot, while the middle and neck see only 250k. This helped a lot to brighten up the ssl-5.

 

[GuitarStv]

I find the tap on my SSL-6 (same wind, just flat pole version of SSL-5) sounds very similar to, but is weaker in output than an SSL-1. So it gets you into that vintage territory, but you might have to do some careful adjustment to balance volumes between neck-middle-tapped bridge.

 

[FuelGTRX]

So, I finally grabbed a Surfer II bridge pickup for my Strat. This is exactly what I needed! It's a bit more gainy than I wanted, but very manageable. It has that Strat bridge tone I was looking for. I wanted the cut that the SSL-5 just didn't have. The SSL-5 is a great sounding pickup, especially if you want a fatter sound tone in the bridge without going fat Strat. The Surfer II cuts while having that almost squishy Strat rhythm tone to it. Now I may get the whole set, lol. Thanks for the suggestion, guys!

 

[jeremy]

glad you got one in and ya like it! its a great pup

 

[Mincer]

Lots of people here think the Surfer is the best sounding true single coil that SD makes.

 

[Chistopher]

If nothing else, the Surfer Custom is the only "kinda overwound" 60s single coil Duncan has

 

[Ascension]

Maybe something like an Antiquity Texas Hot is the middle ground you are looking for.

The Antiquity Surfer would match the SSl1's much better in both tone and output than a Texas Hot. The Texas Hot is a very good match with an Alnico II pro set, though just remember the Texas Hots are north leading, not South like the other Duncan singles. I'm a huge fan of the Surfer Custom bridge for a fatter bridge tone in a Strat while still keeping that vintage glassy tone..

 

[Ascension]

Lots of people here think the Surfer is the best sounding true single coil that SD makes.

I absolutely love the Antiquity Surfer II Retrospect set I have in my Washburn Silverado. I agree with you here, on them being the best sounding Duncan singles, and have run most of the other Duncan true singles in Strats.over the years.

 

[Mincer]

I absolutely love the Antiquity Surfer II Retrospect set I have in my Washburn Silverado. I agree with you here, on them being the best sounding Duncan singles, and have run most of the other Duncan true singles in Strats.over the years.

My other favorite is the Five Two, although I wish it came stock with flat poles.