SSL-1 vs. alnico 2 for strat

[gripweed]

Re: SSL-1 vs. alnico 2 for strat

I would put the SSL's in a darker sounding Strat and the APS's in a brighter sounding Strat. You could always split the difference and use the 5/2. I really like them, although a lot of the SDUG's aren't thrilled with them.

 

[koolkat]

Re: SSL-1 vs. alnico 2 for strat

The Texas Specials are A5 pole and the APS pickups are A2....I never liked the TS pickups because I always feel like they're harsh in the highs and the mids are too peaky for my tastes..The APS 2s are a vintage sounding pickup and wind but with a sweeter/warmer tone and these pickups don't sound at all like the TS Fender pickups.

I totally agree with this. I've had both the APS 2's and Texas Specials in my guitar and they don't sound alike at all. The Texas Specials have the general overall vibe of SRV and are very punchy, but I found them kind of harsh and muddy. If you're looking for SRV tone and you're not using 13 gauge strings, the SSL-5 custom works great.

 

[midnite_man]

Re: SSL-1 vs. alnico 2 for strat

You raise an interesting question . . . has anyone used a combo of both? An SSL-1 in one position, A2 Pro in the other?

I have an SSL-1 in the neck and APS-1 (staggered) RWRP in the middle of my 60's RI Strat w/alder body & rosewood fretboard and I think I like the SSL-1 better for the very reasons others expressed above. The SSL-1 gives me a little more treble, which I like for the vintage stuff I play lots of. The APS-1 in the middle is nice for rock, as also talked about in this thread but I find myself using the tone-blender pot I installed that blends (according to the switch position) the neck and middle s.c.'s with the SSL-6 bridge pickup I have in that axe more than the neck. I can dial in more treble for the mid pup if needed with that bridge s.c.
By the way, that SSL-6 is a rockin' bridge pickup for those looking for more high-end and output. Curly turned me on to that one. I'd have to put it right up there with the Antiquity Texas Hot Custom. Those two are tops in my book of Strat bridge single-coil pups, of which I've been through many.

...Bob

 

[midnite_man]

Re: SSL-1 vs. alnico 2 for strat

Yeah I am preaty much going for a vintage vibe. I play a few different styles and have the luxury of having different guitars for different sounds. This particular guitar I am trying to adapt for a couple of different styles. I love Eric johnsons tone but am not trying to cop his sound too closely. I am very torn between the two pick ups because they look like they both have very desirable characteristics. I will be using the neck and middle single coils for clean arppegiated chords and for clean and distorted blusey tones. The bridge pick up obviously is for serious shreddin!!! I was thinking the warmer alnico pro 2 would sound more violin like distorted which johnsons is kind of like that, but at the same time I think of the sparkly clean tons i could have with the ssl-1. I know that the stock tex/mex single coils are ok but i think I could do better. BTW my strat is ash body maple neck. thank you to those who have responded and voted!!!!

I must've missed this post, John....my bad....but with that ash body/maple neck combo I'd probably consider Antiquities straight across, but that's just me. I have those in my American Strat with Hots and a Custom in the bridge, and it's about as classic as I can get it, IMO. With that line of pickups you can pretty much choose which degree of "vintage" you wanna go.
For your Strat you might also consider a SSL-1 in the neck, and an APS-1 (staggered) RWRP in the middle, and something hot in the bridge.

just my $.02

 

[Fresh_Start]

Re: SSL-1 vs. alnico 2 for strat

You raise an interesting question . . . has anyone used a combo of both? An SSL-1 in one position, A2 Pro in the other?

+2 or 3 or whatever on APS neck & SSL middle, unless you've got a really dark sounding Strat. The brighter the guitar, the more I want an APS neck to smooth out the tone, but two APS pups in parallel (neck & middle) is too muddy for my ears. APS & SSL in parallel is sweet, plus an SSL middle alone has a crisper, more defined tone than a APS.

Just my ears, YMMV, all disclaimers apply

Chip

 

[hungphat]

Re: SSL-1 vs. alnico 2 for strat

im building a strat - mitey mite ash body/maple top with mitey mite maple neck/ebony fretboard. i keep changing my mind after reading forums.

so how about...

APS2 flat (neck) SSL1 staggered RWRP (middle) and bridge CUSTOM CUSTOM TREMBUCKER

im after a glassy/bell/crystal clean tone in neck and middle for clean and slightly overdriven blues

and Custom Custom in bridge for Alice in chains/Pantera distortion.

keep in mind that the guitar is ASH w maple top and Maple neck w EBONY fretboard