Seymour Duncan SSL vs Fralin in a strat

[daddyo]

It's not that I'm cheap, but I have the vintage wound SSLs and I am building a dream alder strat. I just hate having good pups sitting in a box if they'll give me service. I'm looking at the Fralin 54s for comparison.

[rmconner80]

My advice, put the SSLs in the guitar. After a few months, you can save up some $ and put fralins in. The only way you're going to know is if you try them both, in your guitar.

[smallbutmighty]

I haven't heard the Fralins, but I've used the SSL's extensively and they are great pickups IMO. Try to forget about the price tag non-boutique stigma and give them a try. If you like them, why look further?

A

[brattmoore]

I have 2 SD SSL-1, one is 6,4K and one (that says on the back : SD 2 87) is only...5, 4K !!! Could some pickups gurus explain this for me please ?

[axepilot]

I have two SSL-3's in a HSS Strat. They rock! I have Fralins in a custom build guitar, and they also sound great - but not head and shoulders above the Duncans.

Give those Duncans a chance. You might like them.

[daddyo]

Thanks so far.

[mojocaster.com]

1. Sell the SDs
2. Use money to buy some Fralins
3. Consider Lollar Blondes, www.VintageVibeGuitars - less expensive and just as good! - www.SearcyStringWorks.com, www.CurtisNovak.com, and our Bryan's www.NorCalGuitars.com!

[John Phillips]

Don't assume the Fralins (or any other more exotic brand) are necessarily going to be better than the Duncans just because they're made in smaller numbers.

Personally I don't like any Fralin pickups I've ever heard, and much prefer Duncans to any other brand of pickups I know of, across a wide variety of pickup types... but each to their own, you have to try it to find out for yourself.

Just my opinion.

[Troubleman]

Fralins will be brighter and maybe a bit more brittle. There's absolutely nothing wrong with Duncan SSL-1's. They're great pups

jb

[mojocaster.com]

Originally Posted by John Phillips

Personally I don't like any Fralin pickups I've ever heard

While I certainly respect your opinion, not to mention your right to express it, I am quite surprised by that statement. I have tried and owned many sets of Lindy's pickups, and I have only positive experiences to report...

[John Phillips]

Exactly, each to their own.

Every Fralin pickup I've ever heard, in any guitar - single coil or humbucker - has had a strident, clangy, slightly metallic upper-mid characteristic that I personally find annoying.

I'm not alone in finding this either - but I am in the minority, I know.

[dspblues]

I love the Fralins I have in 4 of my strats.

[Jon Silberman]

I've never heard this before about Fralins and honestly have no idea what you're hearing nor do I hear it with my own or others' Fralins.

[Mike9]

Use the SSL's and use a good .047 cap & good pots and keep them low in the pickguard. If/when you get some more money then try some other pickups. I'd also consider wiring the last tone pot for the bridge if you use the bridge pup alot.

I have several really nice sets of pickups for a resonable price here: http://www.thegearpage.net/board/sho...d.php?t=241578

Duncan 5-2's, Van Zandt True Vintage and Suhr V60's - all with RWRP middle.

[squeally dan]

I bought a tele that had Fralins in it and was underwhelmed. They were ok but honestly the guitar seem to lose some of the tele characteristics.