SSL-1s Vs APS-1s

R

Robbiedbee

New member
Hey all.

I'm gonna be Duncanising my Strat after I get my Tele sorted out (Jerry Donahue model ftw) and I was wondering which would be the better choice. I have done my homework, and it seems these two are what I'm wanting. Whichever I decide, I'll probably pick up a calibrated set of them.

I'm upgrading a 2005 MIM Stratocaster, maple neck, alder body. It's naturally quite a bright sounding instrument, and I really like it that way. I'm looking to add quack to the notch positions, because Stratty quack makes me warm and fuzzy on the inside. I'll be playing typical Stratty stuff on it, like blues and stuff

The SSL-1s seem good, because they are the tried and tested Strat upgrade (the JB/Jazz of the SC world maybe?) and they seem to be nice and quacky, and glassy. Looking around the vault, the APS-1s seem like another really good choice. I read reports of warm, jangly smooth tones, which do sound good. Though, I am kinda worried about it smoothing out my nice bright tone the guitar naturally has.

Which would be the best choice for me? Thanks in advance!

Robbie
 
Re: SSL-1s Vs APS-1s

I've got SSL-1's in the neck/middle of my Legacy, and I love the "classic Strat" tones that they give. I am even able to play a pretty convincing intro to Sweet Child on the neck pup, using a wah and my Duplexer pedal. My Legacy is ash-bodied, maple neck rosewood fingerboard. And those quack tones are gorgeous!!
 
Re: SSL-1s Vs APS-1s

i like them both, both have plenty of top end, the ssl1's are a little glassier with less mids and a slightly deeper bottom end. for cleans i like the ssl1 better for mild overdrive i prefer the aps
 
Re: SSL-1s Vs APS-1s

I have ssl-2s in my MIJ strat and they sound great. You might consider looking into the flat pole piece models (ssl2s and aps2s). If you bend notes a lot they're alot more balanced. I was in the same decision as you were but I finnally decided to go with the ssl-2s and can't be happier with them. They're exactly what I want, classic strat sound. The only thing I'm probably going to do is swap my bridge pup for an ssl-6. The ssl2 is a little thin the bridge.

Good luck!

edit: I seldom or never use any distortion. At tops I'll go into a little mild overdrive (Hendrix type tones) or push my amp with a tubescreamer (think SRV). They sound beautiful in this situations.
 
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Re: SSL-1s Vs APS-1s

I've got a neck and middle APS and a CS bridge (Un-aged Texas Special Custom) in my strat. Although I like some guys who have A5 strat pups I can't make them sound the way I want. To me the Alnico 2 tone is more malleable than the Alnico 5 tone. I also use a decent amount of OD/Dist and the APS takes to it better than Alnico 5 strat pups generally do....to ME.

Luke
 
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