SSL-1 Set VS Eric Johnson Pickup Set

[scottffitch]

Hello all, I have a 2006 Eric Johnson signature strat that I put a warmoth fatback flame maple neck (quartersawn, SS frets and abalone dots) with rosewood board on and kept everything else stock..

I like the original EJ pickups, but I have another project guitar that I plan on installing the EJ pups in..

I'm thinking of ordering a set of SSL-1's in the California 50's calibrated set to put in the EJ strat as I've read only great things about them.

Question is, how do you guys think they (SSL-1's) stack up vs the original EJ pups? I'm hoping for a bit beefier sound than the EJ's, while still maintaining the fundamental vintage output and clarity that the EJ pups give.

Just to brag a bit I'll include some pics of the EJ in question ..[emoji16]

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: SSL-1 Set VS Eric Johnson Pickup Set

Welcome to the forum.

Where do you expect to get the extra "beef"? All switch selections or just the bridge position?

In my opinion, the smart way to proceed is to remove the entire EJ pickguard and electronics assembly then build your new one from scratch.

 

[scottffitch]

Re: SSL-1 Set VS Eric Johnson Pickup Set

Perhaps "beef" is the wrong word to describe what I'm seeking in a set of pups..

I guess what I'm really looking for is a bit more output but staying within the vintage spectrum and true to design and materials. While the mixed A3 and A5 combo of the EJ is nice in concept, it's my experience so far (even with the rosewood board and chunkier neck) that they fall a bit short of my output needs.. If all I wanted was a higher output bridge, I'd buy a single SSl-5 for the bridge and be done with it.

Thanks for the input!

-Scott


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: SSL-1 Set VS Eric Johnson Pickup Set

I wish they sold the EJ pickups separately as its own set for people. You want that tone and can't afford the guitar then you're stuck unless you can find someone else selling it on ebay or something. And if you wanna hear them properly then you have to find that guitar model somewhere to try them. I've heard great things about those pickups but I have no real idea how they sound compared to more typical strat pickups.

 

[jeremy]

Re: SSL-1 Set VS Eric Johnson Pickup Set

i think the ssl1 is probably a little hotter than the ej neck and middle pups, not sure about the bridge though

 

[scottffitch]

Re: SSL-1 Set VS Eric Johnson Pickup Set

i think the ssl1 is probably a little hotter than the ej neck and middle pups, not sure about the bridge though

Jeremy,

From what I've read and heard, I believe you're correct. As it is, that's exactly what I'm looking for. The EJ's are just lacking a bit when I increase drive in the neck and middle positions--the lower output is great for clarity when played clean, but just isn't enough to drive my amp when I turn up the gain.

 

[scottffitch]

Re: SSL-1 Set VS Eric Johnson Pickup Set

I wish they sold the EJ pickups separately as its own set for people. You want that tone and can't afford the guitar then you're stuck unless you can find someone else selling it on ebay or something. And if you wanna hear them properly then you have to find that guitar model somewhere to try them. I've heard great things about those pickups but I have no real idea how they sound compared to more typical strat pickups.

I can attest that the EJ strat is easily their best production model. That said its my opinion that the pickups are made for his tone when in his hands, and played through his rig..

Don't buy the guitar expecting out of the box "Cliffs of Dover" tone.. You'll get about halfway there, but the magic is truly in his hands.

That said, the pickups are of fantastic quality, and offer a very unique and focused tone; which is why I plan on keeping them for install in either my #2 or #3 stage strat. However for my ever evolving set list and style, the EJ's are falling a bit short of the mark recently.