SH-11/SSL-1/SSL-1 HSS strat setup-a good combo?

[STLMTLHD79]

I have another MIM strat i want to convert with this pickup configuration for more of a "traditional hot-rodded" strat. I have a spare SH-11 that i want to swap in a RCA2 into. I need middle RWRP SSL-1 to complete the mix. 500k volume, 250k tone pots

Is this a good HSS Combo? please chime in with any recommended changes.

 

[Mincer]

Re: SH-11/SSL-1/SSL-1 HSS strat setup-a good combo?

Yes, although the SH-11 will most likely overpower the SSL-1s. There will be a big EQ change, too, but many people like this..as many people like weaker/more vintage pickups in the neck & middle, but a boost when they go to the bridge pickup. The Custom Custom has big beautiful mids, while the SSL-1 is clean & clear as a bell. If you have them, try them and see if it is something you like. This is really a personal thing.

 

[gregory]

Re: SH-11/SSL-1/SSL-1 HSS strat setup-a good combo?

I love HSS setups.

If it were me I'd use a rough, unoriented A5 magnet, a 5-way Super Switch, 500k volume, a 250k tone in the middle and a 500k tone at the end. The positions would work as follows:

1: Bridge in Series; 500k volume, 500k tone
2: Bridge Split + Middle; 500k volume loaded with a 510k resistor, 250k tone
3: Middle; 500k volume loaded with a 510k resistor, 250k tone
4: Middle + Neck; 500k volume loaded with a 180k resistor and no tone control
5: Neck; 500k volume loaded with a 510k resistor, 250k tone​

There would be other things I would consider, depending on how ambitious I felt such as a push-pull to put the bridge humbucker in parallel (wired so it would not affect position 2). I would also consider pulling about 600 ohms of windings from the screw coil.

As for RW/RP, if you put it in the middle you will need to put the magnet in the humbucker so that whichever coil you want active when split is South. I would recommend the inner slug coil.

I don't really think I'd go with an SSL-1 in the neck spot, though. Instead, consider a hotter single with a treble bypass. With a treble bypass, either a true single, a stacked single (or pair), or a pair of side-by-side rails can work quite well with that humbucker. An example for rails would be this for the middle and this for the neck; they will still sound plenty Stratty. The tone control can be 500k with many (most?) of the hotter singles and with rails the polarity is no longer an issue. Again, any or all of this depending on how ambitious you want to be (and what your budget will allow).

If any of this is at all interesting, I'd be happy to discuss it further, provide additional/alternate recommendations and/or provide whatever other assistance I can.

 

[Teleplayer]

Re: SH-11/SSL-1/SSL-1 HSS strat setup-a good combo?

Agree with above comments. I would look at a more powerful neck pickup to go with the SH-11. If you choose one of the rails type pickups you will also have a better tonal match - so it solves both potential issues!

You actually don't need a SSL-1 RWRP pickup for this HSS setup. You will get the correct hum-cancelling with a SSL-1 neck pickup installed in the middle spot.

If you decide to use a pair of SSL-1 pickups: You should use the SSL-1 RWRP for the neck, standard SSL-1 in middle, and combine with a lower output PAF style pickup for the bridge.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: SH-11/SSL-1/SSL-1 HSS strat setup-a good combo?

Gregory and Teleplayer are are right in their terms. I would first get some mags for the CC to swap in. First decide between a C3, C UO A5 or C8 or the Stock C2. Then blend it with Neck pickup, then buy a middle pup. Take your time to dial it in and try it with some amps (i always take it to a band mate and let him play it thru his amps). The pickup should suit the guitar, should suite the other pickup, your rig and at last also your band sound. One step after the other and first step it to decide about the best magnet for your purpose.

 

[donaldr]

Re: SH-11/SSL-1/SSL-1 HSS strat setup-a good combo?

I think the Screamin Demon will balance better with your SSL1 and you would be able to keep your 250k volume pot.
I have a SD bridge and the STK-S7 neck is a tiny bit more powerful.

 

[gregory]

Re: SH-11/SSL-1/SSL-1 HSS strat setup-a good combo?

Are you splitting the S7 for cleans and/or neck-middle quack? This has been nagging at me for weeks now!

 

[Mincer]

Re: SH-11/SSL-1/SSL-1 HSS strat setup-a good combo?

On my HSS, I am using an STK-S4, in the neck with a Five Two in the middle, and a Custom Shop 59/Custom Hybrid in the bridge. I auto split in the in between positions as well as having position 3 splitting both the humbucker and the neck stack. All positions are hum-cancelling, and it all sounds pretty balanced to me.

 

[STLMTLHD79]

Re: SH-11/SSL-1/SSL-1 HSS strat setup-a good combo?

Greatly appreciate the recommendations folks.

Just one question-wiring. So, what would be the best wiring for this setup?

SH-11 500k volume no tone?
SSL-1 250 tone, 500k volume?

I dont want to choke off the SH-11 that much when it is in the bridge position but how would it meld with the SSL-1 in this case?

 

[gregory]

Re: SH-11/SSL-1/SSL-1 HSS strat setup-a good combo?

I don't think you'll be able to make the pickups meld through pot values. Trying to get highs from that wind and magnet is like pulling blood from a stone. Meld is a subjective thing, though.

 

[Mincer]

Re: SH-11/SSL-1/SSL-1 HSS strat setup-a good combo?

I'd just do 500k volume, 250k tone & 500k tone.

 

[Teleplayer]

Re: SH-11/SSL-1/SSL-1 HSS strat setup-a good combo?

Have a look at the schematic in Post #36 Here. Note there is a 470k resistor across the neck tone control which is needed if you use the SSL-1 in the neck position.
The bridge tone pot could even be 1M ohm to get a bit more brightness out of the SH-11.

 

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: SH-11/SSL-1/SSL-1 HSS strat setup-a good combo?

I'd go 500k because then the humbucker will be where it's supposed to be and strats are usually wired with the tone controlling the neck and middle only not the bridge so you can roll off the neck a bit if the 500k makes it too bright.