SSL-1 Question

[Stratcat]

Why does the pole piece below the B string sit quite a bit lower than the rest of the poles? Thanks for any info.
http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/stratocaster/vintage/vintage_stagger/

Is this part of the Strat Mojo?

 

[Stratcat]

Re: SSL-1 Question

IMHO the SSL-1 sounds as good or better than any vintage Strat pup I have heard, and I do not notice any drop out on the B string. I would just like to know why the pup is designed this way.
http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/stratocaster/vintage/vintage_stagger/

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: SSL-1 Question

Sounds like we need a history lesson from some of the Strat players here. That is the way Fender did it back in the day. I am sure they had a reason for it, but I don't know what it was.

 

[Stratcat]

Re: SSL-1 Question

Sounds like we need a history lesson from some of the Strat players here. That is the way Fender did it back in the day. I am sure they had a reason for it, but I don't know what it was.

This topic seems to be a mystery after all these years. Hopefully Seymour or Evan will reply to this post.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: SSL-1 Question

The stagger on vintage style single coils was dreamed up to go wiht the strings that people used in the 50's which had wound 3rd's (G strings) and were a good bit heavier than the strings most of us use today...

They dropped the B and high E down farther than the other strings because the plain strings were very loud next to the wound strings.

 

[Stratcat]

Re: SSL-1 Question

The stagger on vintage style single coils was dreamed up to go wiht the strings that people used in the 50's which had wound 3rd's (G strings) and were a good bit heavier than the strings most of us use today...

They dropped the B and high E down farther than the other strings because the plain strings were very loud next to the wound strings.

If the G string was wound back in the old days, which would give that string more output, then why would the pole under the G string be higher than the B and E unwoumd strings?

http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/stratocaster/vintage/vintage_stagger/

 

[uOpt]

Re: SSL-1 Question

This is why I prefer the flat ones. In particular with my set of strings, which is 009-011... the B string is too quiet.

The irony of it all is that people are now preprogrammed to perceive the wrongly staggered polepieces (they are wrong if you don't have a wound G string) as "the" vintage Strat sound, although when this was constructed it exactly was not what it sounded like.

 

[Stratcat]

Re: SSL-1 Question

This is why I prefer the flat ones. In particular with my set of strings, which is 009-011... the B string is too quiet.

The irony of it all is that people are now preprogrammed to perceive the wrongly staggered polepieces (they are wrong if you don't have a wound G string) as "the" vintage Strat sound, although when this was constructed it exactly was not what it sounded like.

Good point, the way the poles are staggered makes no sence to me as far as todays specs on the modern Strats.

 

[Curly]

Re: SSL-1 Question

why would the pole under the G string be higher than the B and E unwoumd strings?

the stagger followed the fretboard radius, similar to your bridge saddles, with the B being balanced for output

I'm sure they tested the stagger when they came up with it - Leo was known to work steadily on a problem, till he got it right.

 

[uOpt]

Re: SSL-1 Question

Good point, the way the poles are staggered makes no sence to me as far as todays specs on the modern Strats.

If you want the original Strat sound get one of the heavier sets of Dean Markley Nickel Steel Strings to go with the SSL-1s. They come with two G strings, wound and unwound. Put on the wound string. Put the action high. Hit it hard. Never play single notes.

 

[Stratcat]

Re: SSL-1 Question

the stagger followed the fretboard radius, similar to your bridge saddles, with the B being balanced for output

I'm sure they tested the stagger when they came up with it - Leo was known to work steadily on a problem, till he got it right.

Good info,
It is also a fact that Seymour recommeneds the SSL-2 for a more even response with the unwound G string on the current Fender Strats.http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/stratocaster/vintage/vintage_flat_ss/

 

[Curly]

Re: SSL-1 Question

Good info,
It is also a fact that Seymour recommeneds the SSL-2 for a more even response with the unwound G string on the current Fender Strats.http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/stratocaster/vintage/vintage_flat_ss/

well, here's what it says:
"provides the balanced field necessary for an even response using today's strings (unwound "G") and flatter neck radii."

Fender uses staggered mags on their US strats, which have a 9.5" radius.

personally, I think the cut-off should be somewhere around 9.5 or 10". Any flatter, and I'd use SSL-2s. That's what G&L did on the 90s Legacies, and it's what I did on my recent strat build with a 12" radius neck.

bottom line: SSLs are a GREAT vintage type production strat pickup, as well as a great value.

(BTW, Personally, I wouldn't want to go back to a "vintage correct" set of strings.)

 

[Stratcat]

Re: SSL-1 Question

well, here's what it says:
"provides the balanced field necessary for an even response using today's strings (unwound "G") and flatter neck radii."

Fender uses staggered mags on their US strats, which have a 9.5" radius.

personally, I think the cut-off should be somewhere around 9.5 or 10". Any flatter, and I'd use SSL-2s. That's what G&L did on the 90s Legacies, and it's what I did on my recent strat build with a 12" radius neck.

bottom line: SSLs are a GREAT vintage type production strat pickup, as well as a great value.

(BTW, Personally, I wouldn't want to go back to a "vintage correct" set of strings.)

More good info Curly,
Leave it to Seymour to cover all ground with the SSL-1 and the SSL-2 pups.:cool2: