SSL3 vs SSL4 vs SDS-1 : Opinions

[zakk_speed]

I want a rw/rp true single for the middle slot of my two mahogany Ibanez S guitars. The switching will be autosplitting the neck and bridge in positions 2 and 4, so I dont want stacks or single sized humbuckers.

I've tried the various ibanez options - S1, C2, C3 and to my ears they universally suck a$$.

One guitar has a Custom8 in the bridge and a PG1N in the neck. The other has a DMZ DSONIC in the bridge and a FRED in the neck. I'm thinking the DImarzio SDS-1 to match the hex poles in the DMZ pickups, and likely an SSL3 for the other, or maybe the SSL4, but I've no experince with any of them.

Anyone using these - opinions welcome.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: SSL3 vs SSL4 vs SDS-1 : Opinions

I don't care for the SDS-1 stock. With hex poles there isn't much midrange and the treble is fizzy/sharp. However if you put short fillister screws in the SDS-1 the highs become round/fat/sweet, the midrange is meaty and the bass is solid. With fillister screws the SDS-1 sounds a lot like a P90 in a strat size.

 

[zakk_speed]

Re: SSL3 vs SSL4 vs SDS-1 : Opinions

I don't care for the SDS-1 stock. With hex poles there isn't much midrange and the treble is fizzy/sharp. However if you put short fillister screws in the SDS-1 the highs become round/fat/sweet, the midrange is meaty and the bass is solid. With fillister screws the SDS-1 sounds a lot like a P90 in a strat size.

Excellent - P90 is exactly the tone I'm aiming for. Do standard fillister screws fit, or did you have to use a specific type?

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: SSL3 vs SSL4 vs SDS-1 : Opinions

IIRC I just used the fillisters that were in my Dimarzio PAF. The tonal alteration the new poles produced was impressive.

 

[zakk_speed]

Re: SSL3 vs SSL4 vs SDS-1 : Opinions

IIRC I just used the fillisters that were in my Dimarzio PAF. The tonal alteration the new poles produced was impressive.

Thanks - I think I'll give it a try in the DMZ loaded guitar, and likely the SSL3 in the duncan one for variation

 

[arellanon]

Re: SSL3 vs SSL4 vs SDS-1 : Opinions

Ah, what a wealth of information in this thread! I have an SDS-1 on order that will be coupled with an HS-3 at the bridge and an HS-2 at the neck. I plan on also having 2 and 4 auto splitting so I am so looking forward to how the HS pups combine with the SDS-1.



I will surely try out the stock SDS-1 configuration and then place in some fillister screws to see which one yields the better tone.

:scratchch

The pups will be mounted on my DC135:

Sorry OP I did not mean to hijack but I think our good friend idsnowdog just gave us an excellent alternative! Can you please give us input as to how the fillister screws changed your tone compared to the hex screws the SDS-1 comes with? I will surely keep this thread going with an analysis of my experiences with the SDS-1.

:1::1::1::1:

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: SSL3 vs SSL4 vs SDS-1 : Opinions

The SDS-1 is a noisy bugger so cavity shielding and pickguard shielding help. You can also build a RFI shield for the coil.

 

[zakk_speed]

Re: SSL3 vs SSL4 vs SDS-1 : Opinions

Any thoughts on the SSL4 in a HSH? I'm gonna pop for the SDS-1 and try the fillister mod, I'm still intrigued by the idea of a QP in the middle for the other one, but I'm afraid the asthetics might not work with the other pups.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: SSL3 vs SSL4 vs SDS-1 : Opinions

Can you please give us input as to how the fillister screws changed your tone compared to the hex screws the SDS-1 comes with? I will surely keep this thread going with an analysis of my experiences with the SDS-1.

:1::1::1::1:

Overall adding fillisters to the SDS-1 rounds, smooths and focuses the sound. It knocks all of the hairiness and grainy character back and leaves a rich P90 style tone. The highs are rounded off and become clear, round and sweet. The midrange is fat meaty and rich, while the bass is round, fat and solid. Depending on the position you might prefer to keep hex screws for the two lowest bass strings.

With the hex screws the SDS-1 is big, wide, loose and hairy sounding. The bass is big but buzzy and the treble is bright, sharp and sizzles. However the treble is a bit thin and grating. Also the bass while tight sounds a bit thin and the midrange lacks richness.

 

[arellanon]

Re: SSL3 vs SSL4 vs SDS-1 : Opinions

The SDS-1 is a noisy bugger so cavity shielding and pickguard shielding help. You can also build a RFI shield for the coil.

Well the guitar does have shielding so at least the noise will have some suppressing. Did you include an RFI shield for your SDS-1 as well? And how exactly is this done?

:scratchch

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: SSL3 vs SSL4 vs SDS-1 : Opinions

Well the guitar does have shielding so at least the noise will have some suppressing. Did you include an RFI shield for your SDS-1 as well? And how exactly is this done?

:scratchch

It's not hard to do. I don't remember if the SDS-1 has a cloth shield around the coil or not? The pickup in the picture is a cheap Ibanez that already has a tape shield.

You just need some ribbon and adhesive backed foil like aluminum flashing tape or copper shielding tape. First you cut the ribbon to the height of the coil. Then cut the foil to be slightly narrower than the ribbon because you are going to center it on the ribbon. With flashing/shielding tape you don't even need to solder the ground wire to the foil. Just sandwich the ground wire between two adhesive layers by doubling up the outer end of the shield. Then wrap the ribbon/foil around the coil with the ribbon against the coil to insulate it from contact with the shield. Lastly solder the ground wire to the eyelet for the ground wire. Then test with a multimeter to make sure you get connectivity between the shield and the ground wire. Conversely you should not get connectivity on the hot wire.

 

[arellanon]

Re: SSL3 vs SSL4 vs SDS-1 : Opinions

Thanks idsnowdog for the tips. I think it's safe to say I speak for both zakk_speed and I when in saying that these tips will help us out tremendously. Can't wait to try out the SDS-1!

:friday:

 

[arellanon]

Re: SSL3 vs SSL4 vs SDS-1 : Opinions

OK so the SDS-1 is installed in the middle with an HS-2 in the neck and an HS-3 in the bridge. The SDS-1 out-muscles the others hands down; the darn SDS-1's output is in humbucker territory! In their defense the HS pups are low out put pups though.

Anyways the SDS-1 sounds hot. I did not RFI shield it though and indeed it is very noisy. In the future though I will try it.

zakk_speed did you ever get your SDS-1?

 

[zakk_speed]

Re: SSL3 vs SSL4 vs SDS-1 : Opinions

I did - I bought an SDS-1 and an SSL-4 both RWRP. I haven't got around to installing them yet as work's been nutso busy. When I do I'm going to update this thread with a mini-review.

 

[arellanon]

Re: SSL3 vs SSL4 vs SDS-1 : Opinions

I did - I bought an SDS-1 and an SSL-4 both RWRP. I haven't got around to installing them yet as work's been nutso busy. When I do I'm going to update this thread with a mini-review.

Great great! Looking forward to pictures if possible.

:beerchug: