Something alittle hoter/fuller than SSL-4?
- Thread starter tce44
- Start date
King IzzO)))
Ultimate Kitten Puncher
Re: Something alittle hoter/fuller than SSL-4?
Bareknuckle Sinner is all I can think of that would still be a true single. You're looking at Hotrails or a Tone Zone S or something at this point.
Bareknuckle Sinner is all I can think of that would still be a true single. You're looking at Hotrails or a Tone Zone S or something at this point.
DreX
New member
Re: Something alittle hoter/fuller than SSL-4?
You might as well consider a mini humbucker if you're looking for even hotter tones because that much coil kills most of what sets a single coil apart from a humbucker. High end and dynamics get lost in the capacitance of the coil. It starts to get bad at 7k resistance and it's all downhill from there.
I have full sets of SSL-4s in a Tele and a Strat. I bought them thinking they would be more single coil like, but that's only true if you tap them, so be sure to get a push pull in there to take advantage. Variable tapping would be a cool way of dialing in how much single coil tone you want, especially since the tapped mode is almost a little close to the ground. I also have mini humbcukers, the Lil 59, Lil Screamin Demon and Lil Pearly Gates so I've had the opportunity to compare and contrast. The SSL-4s have a more punchy high end and more dynamic nuance than any of the mini humbuckers, but they are far more similar to those in overall tone and breakup than to any standard single coil.
I haven't used Hot Rails, but maybe consider those too. You can also put pickups intended for the bridge in the neck and middle to get even more output than you would otherwise. I did this with Lil' 59's and it actually wasn't bad for overdrive purposes. And of course you can always do the custom shop thing, for example, ask for as many winds of 43 awg wire as they can cram around A8 magnets and still be able to fit a cover over the pickup.
You might as well consider a mini humbucker if you're looking for even hotter tones because that much coil kills most of what sets a single coil apart from a humbucker. High end and dynamics get lost in the capacitance of the coil. It starts to get bad at 7k resistance and it's all downhill from there.
I have full sets of SSL-4s in a Tele and a Strat. I bought them thinking they would be more single coil like, but that's only true if you tap them, so be sure to get a push pull in there to take advantage. Variable tapping would be a cool way of dialing in how much single coil tone you want, especially since the tapped mode is almost a little close to the ground. I also have mini humbcukers, the Lil 59, Lil Screamin Demon and Lil Pearly Gates so I've had the opportunity to compare and contrast. The SSL-4s have a more punchy high end and more dynamic nuance than any of the mini humbuckers, but they are far more similar to those in overall tone and breakup than to any standard single coil.
I haven't used Hot Rails, but maybe consider those too. You can also put pickups intended for the bridge in the neck and middle to get even more output than you would otherwise. I did this with Lil' 59's and it actually wasn't bad for overdrive purposes. And of course you can always do the custom shop thing, for example, ask for as many winds of 43 awg wire as they can cram around A8 magnets and still be able to fit a cover over the pickup.
Last edited:
Lewguitar
New member
Re: Something alittle hoter/fuller than SSL-4?
I use the Fralin SP43 in one of my Strats.
Has adjustable polepieces like a P90 and sounds like a P90 in a Strat single coil size pickup.
Excellent pickup.
Unlike some hot Strat pickups, it's not dull sounding - it also has great tone.
I use the Fralin SP43 in one of my Strats.
Has adjustable polepieces like a P90 and sounds like a P90 in a Strat single coil size pickup.
Excellent pickup.
Unlike some hot Strat pickups, it's not dull sounding - it also has great tone.
Re: Something alittle hoter/fuller than SSL-4?
My choice would be the Hot Stack Plus, which should certainly sound fuller. To my ears, output is about the same, with maybe the edge going to the Hot Stack.
My choice would be the Hot Stack Plus, which should certainly sound fuller. To my ears, output is about the same, with maybe the edge going to the Hot Stack.
