Seymour Duncan SSL-2's and APS-2's

[JarickL]

A few questions:

1. Are these available in white? Or can I put a cover on them? I've only ever seen the black ones with exposed wiring. I've never rewired a strat so I have no idea...is that how they're supposed to look?

2. For a '59 Trembucker with a 5-way and master volume and tone (either 250k or 300k pots), do either the SSL-2's or APS-2's match up better?

3. Would you characterize the SSL-2 as thin/plinky? I tried a bunch of Strats this weekend and the Highway 1's (with Fender A3 Hots) were too bright/thin but with a real "thumpy" bass (too much IMO).

4. Would you characterize the APS-2 as dark/muddy? My current Tex-Mex pickups don't have the balls of humbuckers or the chime and sustain of good single coils, so they're just bland.

I was thinking of going with the SSL-2's in the neck and middle with a Trembucker in the bridge, but I'm digging my Strat more and more and was having a lot more fun with Fat Strats at GC this weekend. So a '59 with a couple singles is looking more and more fun...

 

[Folo]

Re: Seymour Duncan SSL-2's and APS-2's

I use a lil '59 in the neck and absolutely love it, although it's doesn't really have anything of a traditional strat sound. In theory, the SSL with Alnico V is probably a better complement with the '59 bridge than the APS. I haven't really used either enough to talk from personal experience. All I can really say is that the Alnico II single coils seem to have very specific applications and don't always pair up well with other pickups. I have a Alnico II middle single coil in my seven string and it is pretty temperamental. From everything I've read, the antiquity surfers are fantastic general purpose true single coils, so you might throw them into consideration as well.