Reviews of Duncan Vintage Stratocaster Pickups
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Vasshu the humanoid typhoon
Unseen
Re: Reviews of Duncan Vintage Stratocaster Pickups
APS-1's neck and middle used in a Kramer Pacer Deluxe, all three singlecoils used in a Tokai strat with alder body and mapleneck.
Smokey sound, very sweetsounding singlecoils, has that old hollow/woody midrange tone.
Not as glassy as the SSL-1's, but they have an airy feel and for those who can play with singlecoils a good leadtone.
Good for that traditional stratsound with less glass and more sweetness.
All five postions yields a clear open voice, recommended for anyone with a bigsounding
strat.
APS-1's neck and middle used in a Kramer Pacer Deluxe, all three singlecoils used in a Tokai strat with alder body and mapleneck.
Smokey sound, very sweetsounding singlecoils, has that old hollow/woody midrange tone.
Not as glassy as the SSL-1's, but they have an airy feel and for those who can play with singlecoils a good leadtone.
Good for that traditional stratsound with less glass and more sweetness.
All five postions yields a clear open voice, recommended for anyone with a bigsounding
strat.
beandip
Frito's Better Half
Re: Reviews of Duncan Vintage Stratocaster Pickups
SSL-1's. Deff. like they say on the ad, great for that Texas Blues smokey roadhouse tone. These things have all the sparkle and life that a good strat should have. Great quack in the notch positions, and they are wonderfully dynamic. Suited for any strat style guitar, but it will put life into your Ash/Rw strat. Bring back a little bit of that zing.
SSL-1's. Deff. like they say on the ad, great for that Texas Blues smokey roadhouse tone. These things have all the sparkle and life that a good strat should have. Great quack in the notch positions, and they are wonderfully dynamic. Suited for any strat style guitar, but it will put life into your Ash/Rw strat. Bring back a little bit of that zing.
Fresh_Start
New member
Re: Reviews of Duncan Vintage Stratocaster Pickups
I've swapped SSL-2 and APS-2 pickups back and forth between two Strats. Both guitars have rosewood fingerboards, but the Warmoth is a heavy alder body with a thick acoustic sound and the MIM Fender is a light poplar body with a fairly thin acoustic sound. Both pickups are great, vintage sounding single coils and the choice depends a lot on your guitar IMHO.
The SSL's sounded good in the MIM, but much better in alder Warmoth - that body seems to knock off the ice pick effect. Also provided clear, strong bass in this guitar (but not in the MIM Fender). Never tried an SSL in the bridge position - probably too bright for my taste.
The APS's are perfect in the MIM neck & middle - sweet tone for Hendrix, etc. More of a mids/upper mids emphasis than the SSL pups, and a little less bass. No good for the bridge position though.
FWIW my current set ups (I was about to say final, but know myself better
) are:
Alder Warmoth body:
Neck - APS-2 to get more warmth & mids
Middle - SSL-2 nice bright, clean tone
Bridge - Custom 5 (yeah, doesn't belong here)
Poplar MIM Fender:
Neck & Middle - APS-2 (just right for this guitar)
Bridge - tapped Quarter Pound with added steel base plate (bastard Twangbanger with balls)
I've swapped SSL-2 and APS-2 pickups back and forth between two Strats. Both guitars have rosewood fingerboards, but the Warmoth is a heavy alder body with a thick acoustic sound and the MIM Fender is a light poplar body with a fairly thin acoustic sound. Both pickups are great, vintage sounding single coils and the choice depends a lot on your guitar IMHO.
The SSL's sounded good in the MIM, but much better in alder Warmoth - that body seems to knock off the ice pick effect. Also provided clear, strong bass in this guitar (but not in the MIM Fender). Never tried an SSL in the bridge position - probably too bright for my taste.
The APS's are perfect in the MIM neck & middle - sweet tone for Hendrix, etc. More of a mids/upper mids emphasis than the SSL pups, and a little less bass. No good for the bridge position though.
FWIW my current set ups (I was about to say final, but know myself better
) are:Alder Warmoth body:
Neck - APS-2 to get more warmth & mids
Middle - SSL-2 nice bright, clean tone
Bridge - Custom 5 (yeah, doesn't belong here)
Poplar MIM Fender:
Neck & Middle - APS-2 (just right for this guitar)
Bridge - tapped Quarter Pound with added steel base plate (bastard Twangbanger with balls)
Re: Reviews of Duncan Vintage Stratocaster Pickups
I own a MIM Strat (poplar body / 1-piece maple neck) with SSL-1's in bridge and neck position (middle is stock). In both positions they give medium-high output (slightly hotter than the stock pups I replaced).
For the bridge position the SSL-1 is TOO much vintage strat sounding for my liking, very thin and trebly. However, in the neck position the SSL-1 really shines. Great glassy tone, very warm sounding without being muffled and good sustain.
This pick-up really brings out the best out of your tube amp. Both clean and crunch you can really nail Frusciante, SRV and Hendrix sounds. My other strat will get a Custom Custom humbucker in the bridge position to beef it up
I own a MIM Strat (poplar body / 1-piece maple neck) with SSL-1's in bridge and neck position (middle is stock). In both positions they give medium-high output (slightly hotter than the stock pups I replaced).
For the bridge position the SSL-1 is TOO much vintage strat sounding for my liking, very thin and trebly. However, in the neck position the SSL-1 really shines. Great glassy tone, very warm sounding without being muffled and good sustain.
This pick-up really brings out the best out of your tube amp. Both clean and crunch you can really nail Frusciante, SRV and Hendrix sounds. My other strat will get a Custom Custom humbucker in the bridge position to beef it up
motorhead
New member
Re: Reviews of Duncan Vintage Stratocaster Pickups
I have a Fender Strat Mix with a Maple Fretboard and nomatter which PU I put in the bridge it was simply to snppy for my taste ... probably since I'm more of a Fat Strat player.
But the APS-1 really helped to bridge the gap and reduce the treble/brightness. I've been very happy with the APS-1 ever since.
I would have opted for a QuarterPound since I love to wide flat poles but given they don't come in white I took a stab at the APS-1. Glad I did since I already have a 1972 Fender Tele with a stock wide flat poles.
The QuarterPound is by far the most versatile Vintage bridge single coil I've found. From Bluegrass to early Sabbath it's up for the job.
I have a Fender Strat Mix with a Maple Fretboard and nomatter which PU I put in the bridge it was simply to snppy for my taste ... probably since I'm more of a Fat Strat player.
But the APS-1 really helped to bridge the gap and reduce the treble/brightness. I've been very happy with the APS-1 ever since.
I would have opted for a QuarterPound since I love to wide flat poles but given they don't come in white I took a stab at the APS-1. Glad I did since I already have a 1972 Fender Tele with a stock wide flat poles.
The QuarterPound is by far the most versatile Vintage bridge single coil I've found. From Bluegrass to early Sabbath it's up for the job.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Reviews of Duncan Vintage Stratocaster Pickups
I look for a bright, clear, glassy, fat, bounce from the neck and middle pickups in a Strat set...and a bridge pickup with a little more output and "quack" but a tone that still blends nicely with the middle pickup.
For bright, slightly glassy but not ice picky, fat, vintage tone (Dire Straits, Hendrix, etc.) my faves are the SSL-1 neck and middle...I'm undecided for a bridge pickup. I've used alot of differant ones with the SSL-1's: JB JR, SSL-5, 59B and even the Fralin SP43.
For slightly warmer, thicker, chunkier tone (SRV) my fave is the Antiquity Texas Hots...with the Antiquity Custom bridge.
Personally, I think the SSL-1 is one of the finest Strat pickups ever made...I like it as much as some boutique pickups costing alot more.
I have also tried the flat poled SSL-2 too. I missed the livlier, bouncier, brighter tone of the SSL-1 and put those right back in.
Lew
I look for a bright, clear, glassy, fat, bounce from the neck and middle pickups in a Strat set...and a bridge pickup with a little more output and "quack" but a tone that still blends nicely with the middle pickup.
For bright, slightly glassy but not ice picky, fat, vintage tone (Dire Straits, Hendrix, etc.) my faves are the SSL-1 neck and middle...I'm undecided for a bridge pickup. I've used alot of differant ones with the SSL-1's: JB JR, SSL-5, 59B and even the Fralin SP43.
For slightly warmer, thicker, chunkier tone (SRV) my fave is the Antiquity Texas Hots...with the Antiquity Custom bridge.
Personally, I think the SSL-1 is one of the finest Strat pickups ever made...I like it as much as some boutique pickups costing alot more.
I have also tried the flat poled SSL-2 too. I missed the livlier, bouncier, brighter tone of the SSL-1 and put those right back in.
Lew
Re: Reviews of Duncan Vintage Stratocaster Pickups
I've been running a set of Alnico 2 Pro singles in my Strat with a Twangbanger in the bridge. Sweet musical, classic strat tones in the neck and mid. The Twangbanger gives me a nice tele lead tone that really goes well with the Alnico 2 singles.
I've been running a set of Alnico 2 Pro singles in my Strat with a Twangbanger in the bridge. Sweet musical, classic strat tones in the neck and mid. The Twangbanger gives me a nice tele lead tone that really goes well with the Alnico 2 singles.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Reviews of Duncan Vintage Stratocaster Pickups
I have one Strat that I've had many differant pickups in: Duncan SSL-1, SSL-2, '59 Trembucker, Texas Hots, Fender Texas Specials, Fralin Blues Specials, etc.
So far, my faves have been the Duncan SSL-1 and Antiquity Texas Hots.
I'm installing a set of the new Antiquity II Strat pickups this week. I'm going to try them with both the a5 Antiquity II bridge pickup and the a2 Antiquity Custom bridge pickup. They're both around 9.5K.
I'll do a review after I've had a chance to live with this new set for a few days.
Lew
I have one Strat that I've had many differant pickups in: Duncan SSL-1, SSL-2, '59 Trembucker, Texas Hots, Fender Texas Specials, Fralin Blues Specials, etc.
So far, my faves have been the Duncan SSL-1 and Antiquity Texas Hots.
I'm installing a set of the new Antiquity II Strat pickups this week. I'm going to try them with both the a5 Antiquity II bridge pickup and the a2 Antiquity Custom bridge pickup. They're both around 9.5K.
I'll do a review after I've had a chance to live with this new set for a few days.
Lew
Curly
Moe's Bluesman
Re: Reviews of Duncan Vintage Stratocaster Pickups
I use the following vintage style strat pickups: SSL-2's, APS-2's, and Antiquities.
First of all, a little background.
I'm a blues player. Although many of the tunes I write are more pop than blues, often when I play, the blues is there in some form. I’ve played 40+ years, played in bands through high school and after, but play at home now. I most often play strat type guitars through small Fender tube amps – usually a Blues Junior or an old tweed Deluxe. Since I don't play out, keep that in mind, since many players comment that when playing with a band, their guitar sounds different, or doesn't cut through as well.
My favorite tones are a neck or neck/ mid position on “10” through a driven tube amp, but I love to be able to back off a little on the volume for clean chording, usually on one of the other positions. I often try to set my guitar and amp on the edge of natural distortion, and control my tone with touch dynamics, so that I can almost go from clean to overdrive with just my right hand attack.
I have three strats with Seymour Duncan pickups - a '94 G & L Legacy with SSL-2's (stock), a custom strat with APS-2 mid & neck/ SSL-3 "Hot" bridge, and a custom strat with Antiquities. These are all alder bodies with maple necks and rosewood fretboards.
The Duncans, in comparison to other pickups, are kind of like a sports car compared to a regular sedan - better performance and handling.The Duncans have a smoother transition into distortion, and just get there easier, without any ragged edges around the tone. They have a sweeter singing voice, with a vocal quality on the notes when pushed, and are clear and clean when you back off for rhythm playing. They are a "player's pickup".
The SSL's are a terrific vintage style strat pickup with nice articulation and dynamics, soulful and punchy at the same time.
The APS's are even smoother, and a little more compressed. These pickups were a very pleasant surprise for me, and have become my favorite. The APS in the neck is about the nicest tone I've heard in a strat. It has a big warm tone, but still retains articulation - especially nice for soloing.
The Antiquity strat set is very special - simply one of the nicest set of pickups there is for true vintage tone, but better! All the pluck, ping, and quack of a vintage strat, but because they're wound a little hot, they have a nice, smooth, purring ovedrive tone. The Antiquity set, with Texas Hot neck and mid/ Custom bridge, really deserves special recognition for its calibration - the Custom bridge pickup, wound at around 9.7K is a big improvement, and overcomes the weakness strats have - weak bridge tone.
This brings up another point. I agree with those players who prefer a hotter bridge pickup in a strat. My Legacy has a stock calibrated set, and I seldom use the bridge position. My strat with APS's has a great hot rodded sound with the SSL-3 "Hot" in the bridge. I also wire my bridge pickup to the mid tone pot, so I can roll off some treble.
Here are a number of clips to illustrate the tone of these various pickups:
Legacy with stock SSL-2's:
http://www.bluestheater.net/orange.html
Custom strat with APS-2's neck and mid/ SSL-3 "Hot" bridge:
http://www.bluestheater.net/placida.html
Custom strat with Antiquities:
http://www.bluestheater.net/bluestrat.html
I use the following vintage style strat pickups: SSL-2's, APS-2's, and Antiquities.
First of all, a little background.
I'm a blues player. Although many of the tunes I write are more pop than blues, often when I play, the blues is there in some form. I’ve played 40+ years, played in bands through high school and after, but play at home now. I most often play strat type guitars through small Fender tube amps – usually a Blues Junior or an old tweed Deluxe. Since I don't play out, keep that in mind, since many players comment that when playing with a band, their guitar sounds different, or doesn't cut through as well.
My favorite tones are a neck or neck/ mid position on “10” through a driven tube amp, but I love to be able to back off a little on the volume for clean chording, usually on one of the other positions. I often try to set my guitar and amp on the edge of natural distortion, and control my tone with touch dynamics, so that I can almost go from clean to overdrive with just my right hand attack.
I have three strats with Seymour Duncan pickups - a '94 G & L Legacy with SSL-2's (stock), a custom strat with APS-2 mid & neck/ SSL-3 "Hot" bridge, and a custom strat with Antiquities. These are all alder bodies with maple necks and rosewood fretboards.
The Duncans, in comparison to other pickups, are kind of like a sports car compared to a regular sedan - better performance and handling.The Duncans have a smoother transition into distortion, and just get there easier, without any ragged edges around the tone. They have a sweeter singing voice, with a vocal quality on the notes when pushed, and are clear and clean when you back off for rhythm playing. They are a "player's pickup".
The SSL's are a terrific vintage style strat pickup with nice articulation and dynamics, soulful and punchy at the same time.
The APS's are even smoother, and a little more compressed. These pickups were a very pleasant surprise for me, and have become my favorite. The APS in the neck is about the nicest tone I've heard in a strat. It has a big warm tone, but still retains articulation - especially nice for soloing.
The Antiquity strat set is very special - simply one of the nicest set of pickups there is for true vintage tone, but better! All the pluck, ping, and quack of a vintage strat, but because they're wound a little hot, they have a nice, smooth, purring ovedrive tone. The Antiquity set, with Texas Hot neck and mid/ Custom bridge, really deserves special recognition for its calibration - the Custom bridge pickup, wound at around 9.7K is a big improvement, and overcomes the weakness strats have - weak bridge tone.
This brings up another point. I agree with those players who prefer a hotter bridge pickup in a strat. My Legacy has a stock calibrated set, and I seldom use the bridge position. My strat with APS's has a great hot rodded sound with the SSL-3 "Hot" in the bridge. I also wire my bridge pickup to the mid tone pot, so I can roll off some treble.
Here are a number of clips to illustrate the tone of these various pickups:
Legacy with stock SSL-2's:
http://www.bluestheater.net/orange.html
Custom strat with APS-2's neck and mid/ SSL-3 "Hot" bridge:
http://www.bluestheater.net/placida.html
Custom strat with Antiquities:
http://www.bluestheater.net/bluestrat.html
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Reviews of Duncan Vintage Stratocaster Pickups
That review was right on the money! Good job! Lew
Curly said:
That review was right on the money! Good job! Lew
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