SSL-1 RWRP - Essential?

[gtr player]

Hey now -
I am putting a SSL-5 in the bridge of my Hwy 1 Strat
Looking to replace the other pups with SSL-1's.
Now....is a RWRP an essential pup spec for the bridge position?
Or could I just put in a regular SSL-1? (not sure if Fender put a RWRP in the bridge for this model strat).
Any advice would be appreciated. I've got some info about the whole hum canceling issue, but still unclear whether the RWRP is critical for the Strat.
I am looking for a vintage tone in the strat - in the area of SRV, Hendrix, Clapton.
OK, thanks for any advice you may be willing to share, it's appreciated!
:scratchch

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: SSL-1 RWRP - Essential?

I think RWRP is only for the middle position so you get that signature strat sound in 2 and 4. If I am wrong, I am sure the Strat guys will set us straight.

I will add, if you are going to get new neck and middle pups - the Classic Stack Plus has a neck and middle model. When wired with a 5-way super switch you get true Strat sounds in the middle positions and hum cancelling in the regular middle and neck. The Classic Stack Plus middle is RWRP when split. Very cool, and very nice sounding singles.

...and, Welcome!

 

[uOpt]

Re: SSL-1 RWRP - Essential?

The RWRP will cancel hum when using in combination with a normal pickup.

So normally you put it into the middle so that you get hum canceling in positions neck-middle and middle-bridge.

But if you wire your 5-way switch to have e.g. neck-middle and neck-bridge then you would use a RWRP in the neck.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: SSL-1 RWRP - Essential?

I think RWRP is only for the middle position so you get that signature strat sound in 2 and 4. If I am wrong, I am sure the Strat guys will set us straight.

In terms of convention, you're exactly right. The middle is the RWRP 99.99999% of the time because 2 and 4 positions have less output due to them being 2 pu's in parallel, so hum-cancelling obviously improves the signal-to-noise ratio. Anything other than that is a custom job.

That said, at the end of the day, it's a matter of taste. I'm considering making my Strat bridge pu RWRP to the other two which would give me hum-cancelling with bridge/middle and bridge/neck (you can do bridge/neck with a Megaswitch E model), two positions I use more than neck/middle.

 

[gtr player]

Re: SSL-1 RWRP - Essential?

OK, thanks for the clarification. Looks like I need to drop the extra $10-15 for the rwrp middle pup. I also looked at the specs for the HWY 1 Strat, and the middle is indeed rwrp. Appreciate the advice.
Alright, great forum, lots of amazing advice and tech information.
I'm new to guitar modification. Just got a set of AP2 APTL/APTR in my 80's MIJ E Series Tele and its like I have a brand new guitar....so now I am HOOKED! This forum is a great place to get some real advice.
Thanks!

 

[Fikealox]

Re: SSL-1 RWRP - Essential?

Do you happen to know how dimarzio do theirs?

 

[gtr player]

Re: SSL-1 RWRP - Essential?

don't forget the Fender and Seymour pickups are reversed.

Seymour's normal is fenders RWRP
Fenders normal is Seymours RWRP

Grumpy - so......I DO need to get a rwrp SSL-1 for the bridge?
Hmmm....if you get a chance, please clarify.
Thanks!!!

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: SSL-1 RWRP - Essential?

don't forget the Fender and Seymour pickups are reversed.

Seymour's normal is fenders RWRP
Fenders normal is Seymours RWRP

Are you sure? I'm pretty sure the industry standard is neck and bridge South and middle North for Fender, Seymour, and just about everybody. Any phasing problems from there just means what Fender calls ground is what Seymour calls hot, which is just a matter of reversing leads.

To be true RWRP, Fender would have to be South on neck and bridge and Seymour North -- or vice versa.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: SSL-1 RWRP - Essential?

Was it in phase? If so, then all 3 pu's were North or all 3 were South.