When Did SD Begin Winding SSL 1 Pickups So Hot?

J

jkats

New member
This thread probably is for Evan. A friend just purchased a set of Duncan California Classics (SSL-1s) for me to install in his Fender American Standard. I have no doubt these will sound better than the Fender Noiseless pickups that are in there now, but when I used my multimeter to see which to put in the bridge position, both non RW/RPs registered 6.68 K! That's pretty hot for a 50s (or 60s) Strat pickup. I remember buying SSL-1 pickups in the 80s and 90s (when the back label read "1 R") and these would meter around 5.8 or 5.9 - around where you see Fender 57/62 AVRI pickups. I can see using one that hot in the bridge, but in the neck? And aren't these supposed to be a "calibrated" set according to the SD website? If so, why aren't the neck and bridge significantly different in output, and why can't you tell the neck from the bridge -- shouldn't they be marked separately and accordingly if they are calibrated? (All three meter about the same -- the RW/RP middle meters at 6.66 K). Short of removing wraps from the neck and middle pickups to make these read at more "vintage" output levels, which I suppose could be done but which I won't attempt, what do I do? When/why did these pickups change? They used to be a great "go to" vintage replacement. Thanks.

Jim
 
Re: When Did SD Begin Winding SSL 1 Pickups So Hot?

The posted spec is 6.6k. I assume if we looked at old catalogs the spec would be identical. I don't know what you were using to read pickups back in the 80's and 90's, but that could be part of the issue.

I'm not a Seymour Duncan historian, but I'll bet the spec and the assembly procedure haven't changed at all since the beginning, other than to have a sticker on the back.
 
Re: When Did SD Begin Winding SSL 1 Pickups So Hot?

I have one of those heavy ones, too, but I don't think it's newer.

In any case, it sounds the same as my others that are ~6.00.
 
Re: When Did SD Begin Winding SSL 1 Pickups So Hot?

Hmm, if anybody else has any more info on this I'd love to have it...if older SSL-1's are in fact a lower wind I am going to look for some!
 
Re: When Did SD Begin Winding SSL 1 Pickups So Hot?

Worth mentioning that I also have SSL1s with different polespacing here. The heavy wind one is of the more common spacing, though.
 
Re: When Did SD Begin Winding SSL 1 Pickups So Hot?

well, I think the first question is: but how do they sound???

the listed spec is 6.5K, and 6.6K for the SSL-2s ... so your set might be what ... 3% over that? That's well within spec, if you consider that output measurement will vary with room temperature.

However, if the real issue is that your friend wanted a lower output set, then bottom line: maybe it's not the right set for him. I know that some people these days do want lower winds. That's why there are LOTS of different sets out there now!

That said, I think the California set is one of the best deals out there. Keep in mind that output, while a good objective measure, is not the whole story. Though i didn't find it listed, I think these have "Dun-aged" magnets, so they're probably slightly de-gaussed, and I suspect the apparent output is not the same as a full strength magnet of the same output.

The SSL-1s have a great clean tone at lower volume, but are hot enough to transition into smooth breakup as you increase the volume.

I agree with you that they are a little hotter than 50s specs, but I think they have the tone and output that a lot of strat players want.

below is a table made by Seymour of 50s & 60s strat pickups:
(http://home.provide.net/~cfh/pickups.html)


1954 to 1967 Fender Stratocaster Pickup Specs
Year Ohms Wire OD Insulation Turns WD MP Wound
1954 5.76k .0030" Formvar 7956 TL/TG North Hand
1955 5.89k .0029" Formvar 7844 TL/TG North Hand
1956 5.98k .0029" Formvar 8012 TL/TG North Hand
1957 6.02k .0029" Formvar 8105 TL/TG North Hand
1958 6.20k .0028" Formvar 8350 TL/TG North Hand
1959 5.95k .0030" Formvar 7925 TL/TG North Hand
1960 6.33k .0028" Formvar 8293 TL/TG South Hand
1961 6.19k .0029" Formvar 8119 TL/TG South Hand
1962 6.22k .0028" Formvar 8220 TL/TG South Hand
1963 6.37k .0028" Formvar 8319 TL/TG South Hand
1964 6.25k .0027" Formvar/Enamel 7980 TL/TG South Hand
January 4, 1965, CBS bought Fender Musical Instruments.
1965 5.80k .0026" Plain Enamel 7626 TL/TG South Machine
1966 5.76k .0026" Plain Enamel 7630 TL/TG South Machine
1967 5.88k .0027" Plain Enamel 7656 TL/TG South Machine


regarding the "calibration" issue, I kind of agree with you that it's a little misleading. I've seen others comment that there was little difference in output -- certainly not as much as you would expect with a calibrated set.

If they're not different in output, then the other way to calibrate them might be by magnet strength, but you'd need a Gauss meter to measure that.

anyway, the SSLs are a production pickup. Most strat sets that are wound to different output by position are $200+.
 
Re: When Did SD Begin Winding SSL 1 Pickups So Hot?

frankfalbo said:
The posted spec is 6.6k. I assume if we looked at old catalogs the spec would be identical. I don't know what you were using to read pickups back in the 80's and 90's, but that could be part of the issue.

I'm not a Seymour Duncan historian, but I'll bet the spec and the assembly procedure haven't changed at all since the beginning, other than to have a sticker on the back.
Click to expand...

They DEFINITELY were'nt that hot originally. My meter doesn't lie. They were low sixes max, not mid sixes. I've always liked them, but have not bought any new. I did stab a neck unit with a screw driver (everyone should do it once!) and had to remove some winds, which took it back into the fives as I recall. To my amazement it actually sounded better that way! My belief is that they may have been slightly overwound back in the day, let alone now. I won't be buying any at 6.6 - 6.7 myself. I'll go with the Alnico Pro II's, which I love.
 
Re: When Did SD Begin Winding SSL 1 Pickups So Hot?

Were your meter readings taken under identical conditions? In circuit and brand-new-in-box readings can differ.

IMO, brand new SSL-1s have always been ever so slightly hotter than the vintage article. My guess is that, after years of use and mild degaussing, they would settle down to roughly the expected specification.
 
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