SSL-2 is so bright!

[Supernautilus]

I just finished up modding this Affinity Tele. Broadcaster bridge, SSL-2 neck. My only complaint is the SSL-2 is SUPER bright, even with 250K pots. I thought the Broadcaster would be a perfect match, but it actually has a slight roll off in the high end that I didn’t notice until compared to the SSL.

I can still return it, which I think I might do. But I’m trying to figure out what to try next. I’m thinking the SSL-52 might be good. Does that make sense? It’s mainly the high strings which are too bright so that seems logical. It only comes in staggered poles though. Is that big deal? I'm still kind of a noob when it comes to Strat pickups, so I don't fully understand the pros and cons when it comes to staggered vs flats.

Then there’s the APS, which does come in flats. But I wasn’t sure if that would be too mellow to match with the Broadcaster.

Anyone have any advice for me?

 

[Mincer]

I say, try the Five Two. It is a good bridge between the bright SSL-2 and the mellow APS. It is only in staggerd I think, at least stock.

 

[Clint 55]

Stick a resistor on it.

 

[Supernautilus]

Good lord this forum is annoying sometimes. It won’t let me edit without deleting the picture lol. Here it is:

 

[Mincer]

Yeah, sorry about that. For some people, the editing problem is more persistent than for others.

 

[Supernautilus]

Yeah, sorry about that. For some people, the editing problem is more persistent than for others.

No worries I was just venting lol.

Anyways, thanks for the suggestion. I edited my original post to clarify that I’m a noob when it comes to Strats and I’m not really familiar with the pros and cons of staggered vs flats. All other things being equal, what is the difference in tone?

 

[jeremy]

string volume balance. i tend to notice it more with lighter strings and a flat radius, but even then it doesnt bother me all that much. given a choice, ill always get flat poles but even that isnt perfect. if the ssl2 is overly bright for you (i love it actually) then i the 5/2 is the next logical step.

 

[Clint 55]

Put a resistor on it to make it whatever darkness level you want.

 

[Supernautilus]

Put a resistor on it to make it whatever darkness level you want.

Yeah I thought about doing this but I’ve never tried it before. Aren’t there trade offs with that method? Like some weirdness in the middle position or something? Thought I read that somewhere but I can’t remember now.

 

[Clint 55]

Not that I'm aware of. It darkens the single pickup the same way your pots darken the entire signal going out.

 

[Mincer]

Thing is, if you are in the window to trade the pickup in, just do that. The Five Two will keep the bass strings nice and snappy, and mellow out the treble strings. Using a resistor affects all of them.

 

[freefrog]

Yeah, a parallel resistor does largely the same thing than pots of lower resistance or than a tone pot rolled off: it makes the resonant peak less peaky and therefore the pickup is less bright. That's how Bill Lawrence "tuned" 500k pots with single coils. That's what I have in one of my Strats (500k pots and a resistor in parallel with each of the mid / neck PU's, to make them believe they are paired with 250k controls)...

If you want to shift down the resonant frequency instead of eroding the resonant peak (keeping the resonance peaky but dissociating it from ice pick frequencies), it's also possible to mount a parallel capacitor, imitating the parasitic capacitance of a longer cable from guitar to first host...
I'd put the following link in my signature if there wasn't a risk for it to sound like an advertising... But it's not: regardless of the "zerocap cable" evoked in the last paragraphs and about which I don't care, it provides a useful explanation that I think to be clear, so I share it: https://zerocapcable.com/?page_id=209

Regarding flat vs staggered poles: beside the question of strings balance, a same coil will have more inductance with staggered poles than with flat ones. Both factors contribute to make flat poled PU's a wee bit brighter.

 

[Teleplayer]

I guess these are brighter because you are replacing ceramic magnet (steel pole) stock pickups. Some say ceramic strat pickups tend to sound "meh". I suggest three simple steps to fix this.

1) Use the tone control. If it is not working you may need to check the wiring.
2) If you have a some profile settings on your amp, change to a British (ie Marshall) amp setting which generally will boost the mids and soften the top end.
3) Turn up the gain until it sounds like Jimi is playing!

 

[zozoe]

Not that I'm aware of. It darkens the single pickup the same way your pots darken the entire signal going out.

What values would suggest starting off with for some minor high end cut? This would be an entire new world for me, but I'm an expert puckguard maker, but never messed with resistors....
thnx

 

[Clint 55]

The smallest increment to start with would be a 1 meg resistor. Then you can move down from there if you want more effect. You can clip them in to experiment and then solder one in after you like the value.