RWRP???

R

Ronzone

New member
I am a pickup newbie and I'm trying to resurrect my '73 stock Strat. The bridge pickup is a squealy anemic mess and I'd like to try an SSL-6 to replace it. Do I have to get a RWRP version if I want to mate it to the stock middle and neck pickups which sound good?
 
Re: RWRP???

If you want position 4 (bridge & middle) to have some hum cancelling, then you can get a rwrp pickup. But it won't be totally silent, as the coils don't have the same number of turns of wire. But it will be quieter than any other position.
 
Re: RWRP???

A quick question...are your pup's original? If so, I believe Fender didn't start using RWRP until the late 70's or possibly even later.

Therefore, If you want hum cancelling in positions 2&4 (versus just position 4) you'd need a pickup that is RWRP in relationship to your CURRENT pickups but in the middle position...and by that I mean your neck and middle are likely wound the same direction if they're stock Fender from 73 (my best guess).

Even if you want it just in position 4 (which is what you'd get if you put a RWRP in the bridge position) like Mincer is saying you'd need to determine what RWRP would be in relationship to your current pickups...

Another quick point. I have a 75 that was giving me a similar problem. I lowered all the pickups to the pickguard and adjusted them by ear. I couldn't believe it because they had seemed so mismatched but I got them to balance out that way . Of course I worked with my amp settings after making the changes.
 
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Re: RWRP???

Hmm, I didn't think about that. I guess the first step would be to determine what year those pickups are and see if they are rwrp from Duncans before you buy anything....
 
Re: RWRP???

He is only replacing the bridge pup, so no hum canceling now. OP you may want to have the stock pup potted again before you give up on it. The ‘73 pickups should be staggered magnets and are the same as late ‘60’s.
 
Re: RWRP???

@Ronzone:
Do you have a compass at your disposal?

If not you can use another pickup with known polarity.

South points out of the top of a standard polarity single coil by Seymour Duncan. North points out of the top if it is RW/RP.
 
Re: RWRP???

Ronzone said:
I am a pickup newbie and I'm trying to resurrect my '73 stock Strat. The bridge pickup is a squealy anemic mess and I'd like to try an SSL-6 to replace it. Do I have to get a RWRP version if I want to mate it to the stock middle and neck pickups which sound good?
Click to expand...
You don't need to. Just invert the leads and you're good to go.

/Peter
 
Re: RWRP???

Thanks to all for chiming in. That being said, what about the choice of an SSL-6 for the bridge if I do replace? I got this guitar in '75 but the neck stamp and bridge plate #s are '73. The pickups are not staggered- should I get the staggered SSL-5 to better match the older maple neck radius or to match the flat poles that are in there? I think they are original.
 
Re: RWRP???

I have a ‘75 as well and the flat poles showed up about that time. They are not terrible but not what you call “that strat sound”. Assuming they are original, you will want to preserve them. Believe it or not, they have value.

A million different quality strat pickups out there. What sort of music do you like to play? What sound would you like to get?

A full SSL-1 set would be great in that guitar as example
 
Re: RWRP???

Ronzone said:
Thanks to all for chiming in. That being said, what about the choice of an SSL-6 for the bridge if I do replace? I got this guitar in '75 but the neck stamp and bridge plate #s are '73. The pickups are not staggered- should I get the staggered SSL-5 to better match the older maple neck radius or to match the flat poles that are in there? I think they are original.
Click to expand...

The SSL-6 is a solid choice. I think it will give you what you are looking for.
 
Re: RWRP???

All you really need is one that is opposite magnetic polarity of the middle -- ie: if middle is north, bridge is south. Doesn't matter which direction the wind goes because it's the direction of the current that matters. If they are opposite polarity and you install it but they're out of phase, just reverse hot and ground, boom.

How do you find out the polarity? Easy, just snag one of these, you'll wonder how you got on without it:

http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tool...building/Schatten_Magnet_Polarity_Tester.html
 
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