SSL1 = Humbucker ___???

[Diminished Triad]

Looking for a humbucker that gives the most bell-like, chime, sparkle - kind of what the SD SSL1 might be for the single coils of SD. Anyone familiar with a humbucker that might put out the sweet sound? And while I'm on the topic, if you do have a single coil recommendation that might sound even sweeter and have more chimes and sparkle and bell tones than an SSL1 would appreciate reading your advice for single coils too. My main goal is to find such a humbucker and the play samples on SD just do not work and youtube doesn't have too much, or at least not enough for me to really hear that sound from a humbucker. Maybe there isn't such a humbucker but I figured if anyone knew it would be you guys.
Thanks!!!

 

[CTN]

Re: SSL1 = Humbucker ___???

No humbucker will be able to get a real single coil sound. The closest is the Dimarzio Humbucker from Hell, but having had one, I found that even that is a bit warmer and fatter sounding than a real single coil.

That said, you might have better luck using a normal humbucker wired in parallel. It gives you a bit more high end, bit less warmth, and lowers the output a bit. It still doesn't quite have that single coil glassy bell-like tone, but it's as close as you're gonna get with a full size humbucker.

your other option is just splitting a higher powered humbucker so that once it's split, it's got about the same DC resistance as a normal single coil. Good candidates for that are the Custom, JB, Distortion, etc.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: SSL1 = Humbucker ___???

Their are two buckers designed to sound like a Single coil when split which are the Stag Mag and the P-rails but CTN is right NO bucker will sound like a single coil. I have heard people say that the new Steve Vai Gravity Storm neck pup from Dimarzio gives a very single coil like sound quality that might be up your alley.

Closes thing to a SSl 1 in bucker form is the Stack version of it which is noise but some still say it doesn't give a TRUE single coil vibe but very very close with out the hum.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: SSL1 = Humbucker ___???

You could try a mini humbucker (in the LP Deluxe sense NOT a Stratocaster direct replacement) or a Firebird pickup.

My other suggestion is a TV Jones Classic (Filter'Tron clone) or Classic Plus.

 

[marcello252]

Re: SSL1 = Humbucker ___???

no humbucker can have that percussive sound given by single magnet poles except the stag mag. And the sound will be however warmer than single coils.
But if you're looking for some single coil dynamic you could try the hybrid custom/'59, the unbalanced coils give a depth that is somewhat reminiscent of a single coil, still it will be warmer (and a bit noisier than a humbucker but quieter than single coil)

 

[uOpt]

Re: SSL1 = Humbucker ___???

I'm not sure whether the OP wants a humbucker-format pickup or just a Strat replacement that bucks the hum.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: SSL1 = Humbucker ___???

You want the humbucker equivalent of an ssl-1.
Hmmm....maybe the jazz would fit you description, but no humbucker can replicate the chime of a true single with the exception of a stag mag - but only when the stag mag is split which turns it back into a regular strat pickup. The other regular humbucker that is nice and clear is the '59 model.

ON the true single coil front...have you ever used ssl-1's? Are you sure you need more clarity etc? They are pretty amazing.

Don't rely on internet soundclips man, even if they are on the SD website. There's no way those clips can give you much of an idea of how they will sound in your rig.
What kind of axe are you planning on installing these pickups in and whats the amp you are using?

 

[Diminished Triad]

Re: SSL1 = Humbucker ___???

You want the humbucker equivalent of an ssl-1.
Hmmm....maybe the jazz would fit you description, but no humbucker can replicate the chime of a true single with the exception of a stag mag - but only when the stag mag is split which turns it back into a regular strat pickup. The other regular humbucker that is nice and clear is the '59 model.

ON the true single coil front...have you ever used ssl-1's? Are you sure you need more clarity etc? They are pretty amazing.

Don't rely on internet soundclips man, even if they are on the SD website. There's no way those clips can give you much of an idea of how they will sound in your rig.
What kind of axe are you planning on installing these pickups in and whats the amp you are using?

Planning to install on a Warmoth strat kit. I have one coming with SSL1's and it will be a while before they complete my second order (spaced well apart but they do take some time to build there). In the meantime, I'm looking for a compliment to my first strat (almost here it's in the mail now).
What is the cleanest most vintage sounding humbucker? I really enjoy Seymour Duncan although I remain open to all makers. Which if the SD line of humbuckers would you say is the cleanest and closet to vintage without distortion, etc?

I'm probably going to use this Warmoth strat mostly on a Fender Super-Sonic...
Hope this helps and really appreciate the help and look forward to anyone who can point me towards that sweet humbucker! Thank you again!!!
PS The SSL1's seem like they are going to do well - but as you all warn, won't be able to really tell until they are on the guitar and plugged into the amp and played!

 

[MrTondo]

Re: SSL1 = Humbucker ___???

Just to get things straight a couple of questions:
What do you really want? A single-coil sound or a humbucker sound?
In what position do you want the humbucker? Do you want it single-coil sized or regular sized?
What will you use it for? Clean sounds? Dirty sounds? What music styles? Who's tone's inspire you and would you like to copy?

Classic vintage sounding humbuckers are an entirely different ballgame then humbuckers that can do single coil sounds. For classic vintage sounding humbuckers I would go to the '59 model, the PG or the jazz maybe. For single coil sounds I would just use a single coil .

BTW why are the clips on the site not working for you, I guess they should.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: SSL1 = Humbucker ___???

Ah right, so you are building an HH strat that you'd like to complement your (yet to be completed) strat with 3 singles. You want something that will sound great and articulate with clean tones in an alder strat.
Just get a pair of 59s. Job done.
Kinda like these dudes (actually both pics are the same axe):
ssl-1's

59's

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: SSL1 = Humbucker ___???

If you are looking for a bright, articulate, well mannered when clean bucker I'd suggest the Jazz. It exactly what you describe. A bell-like top end with a nice bouncy low end and a somewhat scooped midrange. To put it in terms that you or may not be familiar with it's like the best/idealized Gibson T-Top you ever heard.

That said it is STILL a humbucker and has the wider fatter sound. It pairs up VERY well with singles, in a HSS guitar with vintage singles in the N/M slots a Jazz in the bridge will balance VERY well. On the old board I remember reading that it was Seymour's personal choice for vintage style HSS configurations.

Hope that helps.

Luke

 

[Diminished Triad]

Re: SSL1 = Humbucker ___???

If you are looking for a bright, articulate, well mannered when clean bucker I'd suggest the Jazz. It exactly what you describe. A bell-like top end with a nice bouncy low end and a somewhat scooped midrange. To put it in terms that you or may not be familiar with it's like the best/idealized Gibson T-Top you ever heard.

That said it is STILL a humbucker and has the wider fatter sound. It pairs up VERY well with singles, in a HSS guitar with vintage singles in the N/M slots a Jazz in the bridge will balance VERY well. On the old board I remember reading that it was Seymour's personal choice for vintage style HSS configurations.

Hope that helps.

Luke

Thanks Luke, it does help and I'm looking at the jazz pickup right now. And I will look at the HSS configuration.
Would you include the jazz pickup in an HSS config over an SSS with all SSL1's? Ending up instead with Jazz+SSL1+SSL1?
Appreciate the help! I really prefer the chime and bell-like sparkle of SSL1's and related pickups although when placed in the bridge position it comes out slightly thin.
Thanks again!

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: SSL1 = Humbucker ___???

Thanks Luke, it does help and I'm looking at the jazz pickup right now. And I will look at the HSS configuration.
Would you include the jazz pickup in an HSS config over an SSS with all SSL1's? Ending up instead with Jazz+SSL1+SSL1?
Appreciate the help! I really prefer the chime and bell-like sparkle of SSL1's and related pickups although when placed in the bridge position it comes out slightly thin.
Thanks again!

If you want single coil tonality the jazz wont do it. It's still a humbucker at the end of the day. If you want single coil tonality but more girth check out the Custom for strat.

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: SSL1 = Humbucker ___???

I'd have to agree with most here.

The Jazz and 59 would be closest but other than that you wont find a traditional humbucker that sounds very "single coiley". The Jazz is probably your BEST bet, cause its brighter and more chimey then the 59. But you can also turn to other pickup manufacturers.

 

[Diminished Triad]

Re: SSL1 = Humbucker ___???

I'd have to agree with most here.

The Jazz and 59 would be closest but other than that you wont find a traditional humbucker that sounds very "single coiley". The Jazz is probably your BEST bet, cause its brighter and more chimey then the 59. But you can also turn to other pickup manufacturers.

Both sound great. Which might fit better in a HSS configuration with the SSL1 in the SS of HSS confi/position. Tried the 59 and has decent sound was not able to hear either the jazz or the hybrid 59........would like to hear both.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: SSL1 = Humbucker ___???

Just depends on what you want to hear from the bridge but I think you would really like the Hybrid. It does clean and vintage well from what I have heard.

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: SSL1 = Humbucker ___???

Both sound great. Which might fit better in a HSS configuration with the SSL1 in the SS of HSS confi/position. Tried the 59 and has decent sound was not able to hear either the jazz or the hybrid 59........would like to hear both.

I have the hybrid and it's my favorite bridge humbucker ever. and it DOES HAVE SOME SINGLE COIL QUALITIES IN IT'S NATURAL TONE. This is because one coil has more turns of wire than the other, so you get a bit of hum, and airy single coil bite from the frequencies only true single coils with the hum can gather. It also SHINES under overdrive and gain, and can nail brown sounds, buzz saw distortions and juicy cleans as well as biting ones. My only concern is that it might be too hot for what you're looking for. But it is weaker than the custom series, and people sometimes refer to those as more medium output pickups. But yeah I fully support the 59/c

 

[uOpt]

Re: SSL1 = Humbucker ___???

Did we ever get an answer about whether this is for a full size humbucker or a single coil sized humbucker?

 

[tonaholic]

Re: SSL1 = Humbucker ___???

Lollar El Rayo was meant for what you describe. Do a YouTube search on it and you'll be surprised.

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: SSL1 = Humbucker ___???

Did we ever get an answer about whether this is for a full size humbucker or a single coil sized humbucker?

I believe he's looking for a straight up humbucker. What I can tell from the conversation anyway.