SSL-5T wiring ?

[Heavy]

I wired this pickup in a strat using a grisgby 5 way switch. I wanted full output in pos. 1 and the tapped/middle combo for position 2. All wired up and sounded really good except for the tapped/middle combo, which sounded horrible. I'm mixing with Fender pickups, and in the past needed to swap hot/ground on the Duncan when mixing them...

so I did that, but let the red (tapped) wire going to the switch. It improved the sound of the tapped bridge/middle position, but still kinda thin. I'm not sure if that's how it's supposed to sound. Would it be better to wire the Duncan completely normal and reverse both Fender pickup's hot and ground wires?

I read that the tapped ssl5 will sound thinner than normal single coil due to the wire, so I don't know if it's worth trying to rewire or if I have this right. Mixing pickup brands can be a pain!

 

[Despised]

Re: SSL-5T wiring ?

I am looking at getting one of these at some point for one of my 7-strings. Although what I am looking at doing is wiring it up.to a blend pot. This will allow you to get either output mode just by twisting the pot one way or the other, with a center detent in the middle. I spotted this on a YouTube video, and makes great sense and adds new/more versatility to the tonal capabilities.

Just something to think about...

 

[Heavy]

Re: SSL-5T wiring ?

I am looking at getting one of these at some point for one of my 7-strings. Although what I am looking at doing is wiring it up.to a blend pot. This will allow you to get either output mode just by twisting the pot one way or the other, with a center detent in the middle. I spotted this on a YouTube video, and makes great sense and adds new/more versatility to the tonal capabilities.

Just something to think about...

Nah, not for me. I want it stock. I don't care for extra switches or push pull. That's why I went with the 1/2 of a superswitch, it allows what I want. I don't know if I'll get any more improvement on the tapped sound. It ain't too great. Really if I did it right, it's not worth it. The full output is nice, but I may go back to a regular single coil as I like the notched postions and really thought I had something with this.

 

[Despised]

Re: SSL-5T wiring ?

Was just a thought man. I would replace the tone pot with the blend pot myself, as I hardly ever use the tone pot on my guitars. So this would be how I do it.

Either way, good luck in what your trying for and hope it works out the way you want and hope to get.

 

[dystrust]

Re: SSL-5T wiring ?

How did you set the pickup height on your SSL-5T? I have a SSL-6T in the bridge of my Strat, and the tapped output does sound thin if you set the pickup height to balance with the middle at full output. Conversely if you set the tapped output to balance volume-wise with the middle, full output is REALLY LOUD. I set mine as a compromise, going back and forth between the tap and full output until I was reasonably happy with the balance in both positions. I'm aware that it isn't perfect, but I couldn't find a better method.

In terms of switching I have my Strat set up with a standard 5-way switch, a push-pull master tone control, and a blend control in place of the 2nd tone. The full / tapped output leads of the SSL-6T go to the push pull switch, and from there to the pickup switch. The blend control is out of the circuit when fully up, but gradually blends the neck / bridge together as you roll it down.