SSL-1 or SSL-3 ?

F

Franco

New member
Ok, Fellas, here´s the deal for my 1st post.

I have a 97 usa strat w/ maple neck on it. All coils are stock (they actually sound awesome!) but i replaced and sold sometime ago the bridge coil.

So i replace with a SD LIttle 59. At first i was disappointed, because the sound wasnt that of a 59, with maybe less power, but something just " nice ". And " just nice " is not a good option for me.
And most of all, it killed the nothed sound with Neck + Bridge in parallel. So , i didn´t like it. Remember, the 59 is wired in series with itself as suggest by duncan.

Then I rewired the little 59 in parallel with itself (instead of series), and the ending result was more articulate, less overall power, however, nice gain. But the volume isnt right, the attack is not the typical bell-like coil attack.
Believe me, It sounds WAY better than in series, and different from anything else. Those who have a 59, try this.
So i decided to search for a coil.

What opinion do you have about SSL-3 hot ? Taped or normal version ? Is the normal version still hot? Does it lack treble, so it could damage the notched N+B position?

And.. what about SSL-1 ? I know it will sound nice. But maybe just like the stock coil, or should i say, trebly and very straty.

I play mostly rock and blues.

Thanks.
 
Re: SSL-1 or SSL-3 ?

I like the Hot a lot ... I use it with a pair of APS-2's and it's my favorite right now

no, it doesn't lack treble ... if you want real quacky tones, maybe get a tapped one, but I personally like the notched position more than a stock tone

with a little treble rolled off, the bridge position gets some great crunch chords - if I get a chance, I'll post some clips of that

another consideration might be the Custom (SSL-6)
 
Re: SSL-1 or SSL-3 ?

You might also like the 9.5K Antiquity Custom bridge. It's thick and hot and sounds great! I love the SSL-1 as a neck or middle pickup but always pair them with a hotter bridge pickup. The JB JR. Bridge model is thick and powerful, but doesn't have the glassy bounce of a single coil so you'll lose that classic Strat tone in the #4 switch position. I've had good luck using a JB JR neck model as a bridge pickup and it has more of the bouncey chime and feel of a single coil and blends better with the SSL-1 middle pickup...but it's still not quite the same tone as using a single coil. The one I really like alot is not a Duncan unfortunately...it's a Fralin Steel Pole 43 with alot of the tone and output of a P90 in a Strat size. It IS a single coil and it does retain that #4 tone when combined with a middle SSL-1, plus it has a great ballsy lead tone. Lew
 
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Re: SSL-1 or SSL-3 ?

Welcome to the Board, Franco!

I have an SSL-1 in the neck of my Kami 4 and love it. My Strat is a '79, and I have Joe Barden Deluxe pups in there, so I'm not sure what I would do if I had to use another. I think the Antiquities would sound beautiful, too.
 
Re: SSL-1 or SSL-3 ?

antiquity custom bridge, or possibly Twangbanger if you want alot of punch and power
 
Re: SSL-1 or SSL-3 ?

Flank, do you use the antiquity in bridge position?

I heard the clip of the SSL6 and it sure is something to consider too.
But personally the tone of the SSL3 by itself is more what i search. Just not sure if will damage the notched sound.

Curly, So it means the strat middle stock + SSL3 will still remind me of the Knopfler tone ? (not mentioning amps and fingers...!)

Just one thing about the tapped/normal versions:
1- Which one is the weakeste and the strongest?
2-Which one has 2 wires and which one has 3?

Are you refering that the Tapped version is the weakest in output? is it still a hot pickup even in the "weakest form".

That coil tap thing is new to me :)

Thank you all!
 
Re: SSL-1 or SSL-3 ?

Franco said:
Curly, So it means the strat middle stock + SSL3 will still remind me of the Knopfler tone ? (not mentioning amps and fingers...!)
Click to expand...
I always thought his notched tone was more neck/ mid

I don't have a tapped version - I have stock wiring with tone on the bridge for some treble roll-off

yes, tapped is weaker - without going and looking at the specs and FAQ sections that talk about this, I'll just say it's something like a little over half the K value of "full" .... so far I don't miss not having a tapped version, as I find the stock 1 & 2 positions my least used in a strat ... I'm just learning to use 'em more with a hotter bridge pickup (including my Antiquity set:))

I might consider a tapped version sometime, but I also like simple switching.

I'll know more about that after trying a tapped tele set. :)
 
Re: SSL-1 or SSL-3 ?

The knopfler tone i always thought of M+B parallel, the 1st time i played a strat. N+M is a bit fat, but never knows...

So, basically the SSL3 with 2 wires is the FULL version and only goes full?
The SSL3 with 3 wires is the one with the option for full/tapped?

I wonder if the tapped version in hot enough when compared to stock...
 
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