SSL-5 in neck and middle, SH-6 in the bridge? [Strat]

[corsara]

Well, this is not really a question as I've already ordered the parts. I guess I'm just looking for some opinions after the fact...

Wondering how that's gonna work out in my HSS Stratocaster. Currently I use SSL-1 in neck and middle, and the SH-8 Invader in the bridge. I like it, but Invader gets muddy for my type of sound when I play heavy, and also there's the volume mismatch... Hoping the SSL-5 will be a better match to the SH-6 Distortion... For the SSL-5's, I ordered them in the "tapped" version, and will wire both of them to a single DPDT switch to toggle between full and half wound.

Also thinking about going with 500k pots for everything (volume, middle tone, neck/bridge tone). Sounds about right?

 

[oneblackened]

Re: SSL-5 in neck and middle, SH-6 in the bridge? [Strat]

I like the SH6 in most applications, but it's a bit bright in Alder. Works much more nicely in mahogany, IME.

That said, the SSL5 will match the SH6 much better than the SSL1 matches the SH8.

 

[vinta9e]

Re: SSL-5 in neck and middle, SH-6 in the bridge? [Strat]

The DD will overpower just about everything short of hot rails. Use a 250 or 300 kΩ volume pot to help it balance with the singles and tame its aggressive top end. 500k tones should be good for starters. Good luck.

 

[Nostalgic Distortion]

Re: SSL-5 in neck and middle, SH-6 in the bridge? [Strat]

The DD is going to blow the SSL-5's away! If you want to use those singles a 59 or a Pearly Gates in the bridge would be much more balanced. You can get plenty of Metal and Distortion out of a 59 so you won't be left wanting in the gain department!

 

[corsara]

Re: SSL-5 in neck and middle, SH-6 in the bridge? [Strat]

Thanks guys. Well, I've got the SSL-5's and the SH-6 coming in the mail, so I'll try it.

Regarding pots, here are my thoughts:
1) SSL-5's are said to be dark, so even though they go in the bright Strat, feels like 500k volume and tone is appropriate.
2) SH-6 might be way to bright in my guitar, so as Vinta9e suggested above, I might end up lowering the tone pot value for it to 250 or 300k ohm.

That said, need to figure out how to wire it. Ideally, I'd like the first tone pot to control both neck and middle, and the second pot to be exclusively for the bridge. If you don't mind, I will draw a diagram today, and will post it here, if somebody can double check. I'm not very experienced with all this stuff, I just like to play

 

[corsara]

Re: SSL-5 in neck and middle, SH-6 in the bridge? [Strat]

Ok...here it is, and I have no idea how to wire the tone pots, so that one controls both neck and middle at the same time, and the other controls only the bridge. Any help will be appreciated, I labeled some of the legs that I think might be involved:

 

[corsara]

Re: SSL-5 in neck and middle, SH-6 in the bridge? [Strat]

Nevermind guys. I think I'll go with the "master tone" route...for simplicity. I posted a new thread with a diagram here: https://forum.seymourduncan.com/sho...-master-tone-auto-split&p=3855570#post3855570

 

[jeremy]

Re: SSL-5 in neck and middle, SH-6 in the bridge? [Strat]

i think the ssl5 neck and middle should match the sh6 fine. itll be much better than your ssl1/sh8 matching anyway. i would use 500k pots all around to start. the ssl5 is pretty dull in the neck with 250k

 

[corsara]

Re: SSL-5 in neck and middle, SH-6 in the bridge? [Strat]

Little update: received the parts today, fired up the soldering iron and wired it all up. 500k volume, 500k tone for bridge only, 500k tone for neck only. Middle doesn't a tone control. Also wired the neck and middle to a dpdt mini switch to turn on/off the tap. Gotta say---I love the SH-6 in the bridge, much much better than the Invader! Much much tighter, I love it! Also, no volume mismatch with the two SSL-5's in the neck and middle (in full windings, not tapped). It feels like a new guitar, exactly as I wanted it to be!

 

[jeremy]

Re: SSL-5 in neck and middle, SH-6 in the bridge? [Strat]

the ssl5 with 500k pots makes a cool neck pup, glad youre happy with the new setup

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: SSL-5 in neck and middle, SH-6 in the bridge? [Strat]

How would you describe the SSL-5 in the neck? Just a thick/full Strat neck sound?

 

[jeremy]

Re: SSL-5 in neck and middle, SH-6 in the bridge? [Strat]

with 250k pots id say its loud, dull and dark. with 500k pots it sounds like a bigger stronger strat. with a bright paf in the bridge you can use 250k pots and still get a good tone and an ssl1 will match up fine as long as you pick the right bucker and set things correctly. with a higher output bridge bucker 250k pots make it sound too dark and lifeless and ssl1 with 500k pots sound shrill to me. i dont usually do hss any more but i did for years

 

[corsara]

Re: SSL-5 in neck and middle, SH-6 in the bridge? [Strat]

How would you describe the SSL-5 in the neck? Just a thick/full Strat neck sound?

Yes, kind of. If I compare it to the SSL-1's I had before (the SSL-1's were hooked up to a 500k volume, but with a resistor, so pretty much equivalent to 250k), I would say the tone of the SSL-5 is very similar, only much stronger and thicker. That said, it pushes the tubes more and sooner, so looking at the same amp settings, SSL-5 gets into the break-up zone faster (the amp I use when playing cleans and slightly overdriven stuff is a Bugera V55 head going into a Marshall 4x12 cab). Based on reviews, I was a little concerned that the SSL-5 will sound too dull, but that is not the case in my strat. In fact, playing with it last night, I was spending time in the 4th position (neck + middle), and I was lowering the tone of the neck quite a bit, otherwise it was too...glassy?! (not sure if that's the correct word). Anyway, here she is

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: SSL-5 in neck and middle, SH-6 in the bridge? [Strat]

Cool. Looks great!