SSL-1 vs APS-1 - Tone/Feel Dilemma

W

WhiteRam

New member
How much 'bell-tone/quack/percussive-ness' am I giving up for the APS?

Any of you guys who have hands on compared the SSL-1 and APS-1 in the neck &/or middle positions please state what ya got in comparisions?

Much appreciated,

WR :scratchch

Ps. I've also considered the SSL-52, in case anyone can attest to tones etc. in the middle or neck positions of the '52'.
 
Re: SSL-1 vs APS-1 - Tone/Feel Dilemma

I have a guitar that had APS in the neck and middle, with a Twangbanger in the bridge. The APS neck was meh. I kinda got that tubular strat neck tone, but something was off, with not enough highs and too many mids. I ended up swapping the neck APS for an SSL1 I had lying around, and it sounds much better. I've kept the APS in the middle.
 
Re: SSL-1 vs APS-1 - Tone/Feel Dilemma

WhiteRam said:
How much 'bell-tone/quack/percussive-ness' am I giving up for the APS?

Ps. I've also considered the SSL-52, in case anyone can attest to tones etc. in the middle or neck positions of the '52'.
Click to expand...

Your not really giving up bell-tone/quack/percussive-ness w/t the APS. It's in there, Just not as pronounced . If your playing though a bright amp (i.e.) 135W (UL) SF Twin. The APS's are a godsend . The SSL (n) and APS (m) to my ears seem to complement each other in the notch position . Just installed a 5/2 in the neck. So far I'm loving it, But I'm still in the honeymoon stage w/t it.
 
Re: SSL-1 vs APS-1 - Tone/Feel Dilemma

I tried the SSL neck and APS mid with my preferred wiring (middle pup w/o tone control). Then I put another SSL in the middle which I like better .... sounds a little fuller and more tubular than the APS to me. There's not much difference in quack or percussiveness, though.
 
Re: SSL-1 vs APS-1 - Tone/Feel Dilemma

Thank you so much guys, I got a real feel from all the different perspectives and experiences. Going to keep hitting the guitar over the next few days and let it all come together.

Respectfully,

WR :)
 
Re: SSL-1 vs APS-1 - Tone/Feel Dilemma

To me it's a completely different feel, the SSL is spanky with an immediate attack, the APS kind of "blooms". Also you get warmer highs, stronger mids and a softer bottom. I miss having the APS's but also love the SSL's. At some point I'll get a second, all A2 Strat with APS-1's for neck/middle.

If you really require that attack, I don't think you'll like the A2 attack. I wonder if an A4 or A3 is closer to what you are looking for?
 
Re: SSL-1 vs APS-1 - Tone/Feel Dilemma

PFDarkside said:
To me it's a completely different feel, the SSL is spanky with an immediate attack, the APS kind of "blooms". Also you get warmer highs, stronger mids and a softer bottom. I miss having the APS's but also love the SSL's. At some point I'll get a second, all A2 Strat with APS-1's for neck/middle.

If you really require that attack, I don't think you'll like the A2 attack. I wonder if an A4 or A3 is closer to what you are looking for?
Click to expand...

Ooooooooo. . . A4 or A3, now we're getting there, good freakin' call. I got slightly too much attack, bell tone, and percussiveness on the middle pickup, and the high E and B string are too bright and dry.

Otherwise my SSL-5 in the bridge and SSL-1 in the neck are perfect. I should state something here. . . I play straight in and do everything from the guitar, done it this way for 30 years. So that's why I'm buggin' you guys, it all has to be right to execute everything professionally, and I both love and need to use that middle pickup.

Thank you Darkside.

Ps. If anything can be added after reading my post here, type away please.
 
Re: SSL-1 vs APS-1 - Tone/Feel Dilemma

WhiteRam said:
Ooooooooo. . . A4 or A3, now we're getting there, good freakin' call. I got slightly too much attack, bell tone, and percussiveness on the middle pickup, and the high E and B string are too bright and dry.

Otherwise my SSL-5 in the bridge and SSL-1 in the neck are perfect. I should state something here. . . I play straight in and do everything from the guitar, done it this way for 30 years. So that's why I'm buggin' you guys, it all has to be right to execute everything professionally, and I both love and need to use that middle pickup.

Thank you Darkside.

Ps. If anything can be added after reading my post here, type away please.
Click to expand...

If you only want a slight difference, you should try degaussing - get a 1/2" neo disk magnet from stew mac, and a polarity tester. Then wave the end of the same polarity as the top of the single coils' magnets over the pickups. This will reduce the magnetic strength of the magnets in you pickups, giving you slightly less attack, a slightly sweeter top end, and a more balanced sound. Try it before you spend mucho moolah paying someone to do a custom wind with odd magnets for you.
 
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