Seymour Duncan SSL1-SSL1-SSL5

[NBKLER]

Seymour Duncan SSL1-SSL1-SSL5 pickup combination. I haven’t had a chance to play these pickup, but I like what I have read and Im thinking about picking up a set for my AmStd Strat. Every seems to love the SSL5 in the bridge position, but what about the SSL1's in the neck and middle? Anyone use these?

[Travst]

I've used that combination for some time after trying a number of other pickups. I particularly like the neck pickup and use that position the most. I really wasn't that happy with the bridge until I wired the second tone to control the bridge pickup. Now, it works very well for me. The middle pickup sounds good on it's own, and I can tweak the bridge to taste. There are lots of great pickups out there, and I haven't tried them all. Over time, I may experiment some more, but for now the Duncans stay put.

[daddyo]

I use SSL 1s in all 3 positions on a strat I have and I like them a lot. Especially for the price. I have the tone wired on the bridge. A nice trad strat sound.Chimey but not harsh. I went with the RWRP middle which while cutting out the hum also cuts the quack down bit. I'd go with a regular middle next time.

[NBKLER]

Originally Posted by daddyo

I went with the RWRP middle which while cutting out the hum also cuts the quack deona bit. I'd go with a regular middle next time.

Good to know! Thanks for the heads up.

[Foley]

Very under rated strat pickups imo. I love the duncan ssl-1 set (ssl1's in all 3 positions), they give me all the strat sounds I could ever want or need. I Never tried the ssl-5 in the bridge.

[RockStarNick]

SSL1 SSL1 SSL5 is one of the best strat pickup combos you can get. SSL1's are just incredible. Big, fat, clear, and stratty. Plenty of oomph without losing any sparkle. And the SSL5 has got some beef to it. Sounds like a cross between a P90 and a Strat, and works great in the bridge/mid notch position too.

[1973Marshall]

Originally Posted by RockStarNick

SSL1 SSL1 SSL5 is one of the best strat pickup combos you can get. SSL1's are just incredible. Big, fat, clear, and stratty. Plenty of oomph without losing any sparkle. And the SSL5 has got some beef to it. Sounds like a cross between a P90 and a Strat, and works great in the bridge/mid notch position too.

Well said!

I would add that while there is nothing mind-blowing or different about the SSL1's they just plain work. Every sound, every style, clear tones, great attitude, and amazing price.

I have a friend who has a popular boutique brand in his Strat and find them kinda polite though rich and sweet. The SSL1s are classic attitude, but full with good harmonics at 1/3 the price. I actually prefer the attitude, and they have that Duncan tone. I like Fender CS stuff and its up there with them. Throw in the SSL5 and you have a ONE OF A KIND pup and sound that is UNREAL!

Great in studio or live!

[Gnarlly]

I use a full SSL-1 set in my partscaster, with the middle tone control wired to the bridge pickup. They are great pickups; just classic Strat tones.

I tried a SSL-5 in the bridge. More mids, less high end. It's also a nice pickup, and would be preferred in the standard Strat tone control wiring (i.e. no tone control for bridge). But I preferred the sound of the SSL-1 with bridge tone control rolled back a little bit.

[ChmpgnSupernover]

I use a full SSL-1 Set, I think it was called california 50s set or something? Anyway they rock. Love the crisp clear sparkle.

[lesag002]

What about the SSL-2 and SSL-6, the flat version of the staggered SSL-1 and SSL5, respectively? Anyone know how they compare?

The volume drop from the G to the B and E strings with staggered pups kinda bugs me. That's why I'm considering the SSL-2 and SSL-6, for more even levels across strings.

But then again, the response of a staggered is the classic strat sound, so I'm torn.

[Average Joe]

Originally Posted by Foley

Very under rated strat pickups imo. I love the duncan ssl-1 set (ssl1's in all 3 positions), they give me all the strat sounds I could ever want or need. I Never tried the ssl-5 in the bridge.

Agree - I've never tried the 5 either but the ssl-1s can sound fantastic in the right guitar. Sometimes, with all the talk of botique makers it's easy to forget how good some of the mainstream products are.