adamguit94ar
New member
which model of seymour SSL pickups will give me the most accurate Stevie Ray Vaughan tone in the neck position of and American Statrocaster?
SRV tone with ssl pickups
- Thread starter adamguit94ar
- Start date
Binnerscot
Well-known member
Re: SRV tone with ssl pickups
I am curious as well. It isn't a tone I try to get (I don't play well enough in that style to do it justice), but I would like know what gets you there.
I am curious as well. It isn't a tone I try to get (I don't play well enough in that style to do it justice), but I would like know what gets you there.
adamguit94ar
New member
Re: SRV tone with ssl pickups
I think it might vary from player to player. Some have said the ssl-5 would be the one for the job. But others have said that the ssl-1 would produce a more accurate SRV tone.
I think it might vary from player to player. Some have said the ssl-5 would be the one for the job. But others have said that the ssl-1 would produce a more accurate SRV tone.
MetalManiac
Li'l Junior Member
Re: SRV tone with ssl pickups
SSL-6's. The point is to fatten up the sound cause virtually no one has bear claws like Stevie did ,and he pounded 13's , which can wreck most mere mortals wrists.
SSL-6's. The point is to fatten up the sound cause virtually no one has bear claws like Stevie did ,and he pounded 13's , which can wreck most mere mortals wrists.
Re: SRV tone with ssl pickups
No way do you go hot pickups. SRV's were about 6k. These will get you in the ballpark tone wise. Obviously no-one will play like him with his amazingly thick strings and his attack on the frets (I've heard the original neck on his #1 was replaced because it couldn't be re-fretted any more - the original vintage radius was more like 12" by the end).
I would say ssl 1 or 2 (depending on your fingerboard radius) or even better go for antiquities. I've just put the Ant 1 in my alder/maple strat + and they do SRV the best I've ever heard me do it.
He played amazing loud but clean amps (200w marshall major, dumble, vibroverb fenders) and used a tubescreamer and the volume knob to get the level of drive.
No way do you go hot pickups. SRV's were about 6k. These will get you in the ballpark tone wise. Obviously no-one will play like him with his amazingly thick strings and his attack on the frets (I've heard the original neck on his #1 was replaced because it couldn't be re-fretted any more - the original vintage radius was more like 12" by the end).
I would say ssl 1 or 2 (depending on your fingerboard radius) or even better go for antiquities. I've just put the Ant 1 in my alder/maple strat + and they do SRV the best I've ever heard me do it.
He played amazing loud but clean amps (200w marshall major, dumble, vibroverb fenders) and used a tubescreamer and the volume knob to get the level of drive.
Re: SRV tone with ssl pickups
getting good srv tone comes down to a few things as far as im concerned
big strings tuned down 1/2 step
low output single coil alnico 5 pups
loud clean fender amps with a tube screamer
if you use that and have the chops youll get there. the hard part is the chops
getting good srv tone comes down to a few things as far as im concerned
big strings tuned down 1/2 step
low output single coil alnico 5 pups
loud clean fender amps with a tube screamer
if you use that and have the chops youll get there. the hard part is the chops
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: SRV tone with ssl pickups
^
Thread!
I just bought a Fender Am Vint '62 re-issue Stratocaster. Fighting big strings through a cranked 6L6-powered amplifier is the key to the SRV "touch sensitivity". The TS pedal just adds that final push on a non-Master Volume amp.
Now, about those chops? :scratchch
^
Thread!
I just bought a Fender Am Vint '62 re-issue Stratocaster. Fighting big strings through a cranked 6L6-powered amplifier is the key to the SRV "touch sensitivity". The TS pedal just adds that final push on a non-Master Volume amp.
Now, about those chops? :scratchch
adamguit94ar
New member
Re: SRV tone with ssl pickups
Thanks for the input guys! After reading these, I think that the ssl-1 would be the way to go.
I'm just a little cautious because of the low output of it I guess.
I'm going to be more specific and ask this: Is the ssl-1 good for: HEAVY LEAD BLUES PLAYING. (In neck position)
Thanks for the input guys! After reading these, I think that the ssl-1 would be the way to go.
I'm just a little cautious because of the low output of it I guess.
I'm going to be more specific and ask this: Is the ssl-1 good for: HEAVY LEAD BLUES PLAYING. (In neck position)
Re: SRV tone with ssl pickups
Give it some drive and YES!!!!!
Low output pickups have an extra depth to them that you can't get with a hotter pickup. Check out any of Gregor Hilden's youtube vids, or the blues clips on the Bare Knuckles site for how good standard output pups sound.
I've just been over the moon with my antiquities and how versatile they are. The Ssl 1/2 only sound the barest fraction less 'authentically vintage'.
Give it some drive and YES!!!!!
Low output pickups have an extra depth to them that you can't get with a hotter pickup. Check out any of Gregor Hilden's youtube vids, or the blues clips on the Bare Knuckles site for how good standard output pups sound.
I've just been over the moon with my antiquities and how versatile they are. The Ssl 1/2 only sound the barest fraction less 'authentically vintage'.
Bludave
New member
Re: SRV tone with ssl pickups
I have a set of Surfers & Texas Hots. I think the TH Antiquities get me closer to the SRV tone, but Jeremy is right, its about the strings, the amp, a TS9 or 808 and the chops. I can get pretty close, but I really don't try to. I strive more to get a Jimi tone.
I have a set of Surfers & Texas Hots. I think the TH Antiquities get me closer to the SRV tone, but Jeremy is right, its about the strings, the amp, a TS9 or 808 and the chops. I can get pretty close, but I really don't try to. I strive more to get a Jimi tone.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: SRV tone with ssl pickups
Jeremy pretty much summed it up. All I can add is that I've played in that style quite a bit, even doing some SRV songs, and have come to realize that almost all strat pickups with similar specs can sound closer or further away from 'the sound.'
I own more strat sets than I do strats, and I have 3 sets that pinpoint it pretty well.
Surfers, Fender Fat 50's, and Chubtone 63's. I even did a blind tone test with another couple blues players, and we were surprised at how well the Fat 50's neck cops the tone. I'd venture to say that Surfers and SSL-1 may do the early SRV tone better, but the Fat 50's are better at the slightly more distorted later SRV tone.....such as Austin City Limits 2.
Most Tube Screamer variants will get that SRV lead tone, although the modern day equivalent may be the Fulltone FDII or the Way Huge Green Rhino. One nice thing about the Green Rhino is that it's 100Hz knob can thicken a strat beautifully....maybe compensating for lighter strings if you don't want heavy gauge strings. I always use 11's, and that really is the lightest string to use for authentic SRV tone.
Jeremy pretty much summed it up. All I can add is that I've played in that style quite a bit, even doing some SRV songs, and have come to realize that almost all strat pickups with similar specs can sound closer or further away from 'the sound.'
I own more strat sets than I do strats, and I have 3 sets that pinpoint it pretty well.
Surfers, Fender Fat 50's, and Chubtone 63's. I even did a blind tone test with another couple blues players, and we were surprised at how well the Fat 50's neck cops the tone. I'd venture to say that Surfers and SSL-1 may do the early SRV tone better, but the Fat 50's are better at the slightly more distorted later SRV tone.....such as Austin City Limits 2.
Most Tube Screamer variants will get that SRV lead tone, although the modern day equivalent may be the Fulltone FDII or the Way Huge Green Rhino. One nice thing about the Green Rhino is that it's 100Hz knob can thicken a strat beautifully....maybe compensating for lighter strings if you don't want heavy gauge strings. I always use 11's, and that really is the lightest string to use for authentic SRV tone.
adamguit94ar
New member
Re: SRV tone with ssl pickups
On Seymour Duncan's tone comparison chart page, it says this about the ssl-5: "SRV-tone for folks who play with .009s"
Now, I use .011 gauge strings, but this is really enticing. I think this might make me go for the ssl-5 instead of the ssl-1. I mean if I used .013s, then the ssl-1 would be a no brainer, but I don't.
And I have no doubt that what most people have said about big strings, low output pickups, and big clean amps is all true. But I think the ssl-5 would suit my style better. I hope.
If I'm headed in the wrong direction, PLEASE CONVINCE ME OTHERWISE!
On Seymour Duncan's tone comparison chart page, it says this about the ssl-5: "SRV-tone for folks who play with .009s"
Now, I use .011 gauge strings, but this is really enticing. I think this might make me go for the ssl-5 instead of the ssl-1. I mean if I used .013s, then the ssl-1 would be a no brainer, but I don't.
And I have no doubt that what most people have said about big strings, low output pickups, and big clean amps is all true. But I think the ssl-5 would suit my style better. I hope.
If I'm headed in the wrong direction, PLEASE CONVINCE ME OTHERWISE!
Re: SRV tone with ssl pickups
If you go the ssl 5 (or 6) then you get compression right from the get go - the pickup does that for you. Its like a humbucker but with less of the open dynamics that a PAF would have. You get less touch sensitivity and darker tone.
If you have low output but hit thick strings hard you get increased dynamic range, with the amp or pedal producing the compression. Its generally slightly thinner but with so much more depth. Its hard to explain as I've only just experienced this myself with single coils. It feels like the guitar is more alive, or you're hearing the vibrations of the wood more than the electrical inductance of the pickup.
The experience I had was after playing my USA '96 G&L S500 with the higher output MFD singlecoils. I thought they sounded pretty nice....the guitar is certainly resonant unplugged. I then put together a strat deluxe with Antiquity pickups....and the tone blew the MFD's out of the water, even with a guitar that is less resonant. I've just ordered more Ant's as its now hard to play the G&L as its just less 'alive' plugged in.
If you go the ssl 5 (or 6) then you get compression right from the get go - the pickup does that for you. Its like a humbucker but with less of the open dynamics that a PAF would have. You get less touch sensitivity and darker tone.
If you have low output but hit thick strings hard you get increased dynamic range, with the amp or pedal producing the compression. Its generally slightly thinner but with so much more depth. Its hard to explain as I've only just experienced this myself with single coils. It feels like the guitar is more alive, or you're hearing the vibrations of the wood more than the electrical inductance of the pickup.
The experience I had was after playing my USA '96 G&L S500 with the higher output MFD singlecoils. I thought they sounded pretty nice....the guitar is certainly resonant unplugged. I then put together a strat deluxe with Antiquity pickups....and the tone blew the MFD's out of the water, even with a guitar that is less resonant. I've just ordered more Ant's as its now hard to play the G&L as its just less 'alive' plugged in.
adamguit94ar
New member
Re: SRV tone with ssl pickups
Thanks for changing my mind. I have decided to go with the ssl-1, or possibly antiquity surfers.
Thanks for changing my mind. I have decided to go with the ssl-1, or possibly antiquity surfers.
Re: SRV tone with ssl pickups
Thats a pretty good combo actually. You can get Gilmour-type leads in the Bridge posi, but more vintage in the neck/mid. Thats what I've got paired with my two Ant texas hots at the moment.
The ant sets have a bridge which is 9.8k or so. Its not as hot as a ssl5 (which is about 13k) so there's a slightly less punchy option as well .
Don't be fooled by some of the figures. The K readings in this case are a bit misleading. The ssl5 only has about 50% extra oomph compared with a 6k pickup, not over 100%. Part of the extra reading is the wire diameter change.
Thats a pretty good combo actually. You can get Gilmour-type leads in the Bridge posi, but more vintage in the neck/mid. Thats what I've got paired with my two Ant texas hots at the moment.
The ant sets have a bridge which is 9.8k or so. Its not as hot as a ssl5 (which is about 13k) so there's a slightly less punchy option as well .
Don't be fooled by some of the figures. The K readings in this case are a bit misleading. The ssl5 only has about 50% extra oomph compared with a 6k pickup, not over 100%. Part of the extra reading is the wire diameter change.
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
ImmortalSix
John Mayer's Mankini
Re: SRV tone with ssl pickups
SSL-1 for parametric correctness
SSL-5 for compensated-for-you-not-being-him correctness
SSL-1 for parametric correctness
SSL-5 for compensated-for-you-not-being-him correctness
