software

I couldn't wait for my new pickguard/switches. I just got an SSL-1/6 pair in the mail, (thanks Stratcat), and had to try them out. I now have the Cool Rails in the bridge, Vintage Staggered (SSL-1 RWRP) in the middle, and the Custom Flat (SSL-6) in the neck. I know, its an odd combo, but its a marriage of circumstance.

Here's a quick review of the specs:

Quarter Pound: 13.3k/6.9k (tapped)
Vintage SSL-1: 6.5k
Custom SSL-6: 13k

All are A5 mags.

As you can see, I suspected that the SSL-6 would sound like the QP full on, and the SSL-1 would sound like the QP tapped. Not exactly.

The SSL-1 is very similar to the QP tapped, but the SSL-1 definitely has a bit more quot;chimequot; and high end. The SSL-6 is in the same ballpark as the QP full-on, but they are not the same. The SSL-6, by virtue of its high output, doesn't have the open chime of a quot;classicquot; Strat pup, but it still doesn't match the punch of the QP. In fact, it sounds right in between the QP full-on and tapped. The QP's 1/4quot; rod magnets clearly have an impact.

This reinforces my belief that the SSL-6 tapped might be what I'm looking for. Tapped it should have classic Strat chime, and full-on, it would have that little extra, without going over the top, like the QP. Don't get me wrong, I love the QP's in my Tele. Just not what I'd pick for a Strat.

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As far as the Strat-a-clone goes, the SSL-1 and 6 match pretty good with the Cool Rails bridge. My planned wiring scheme calls for having the neck/bridge option, and the quot;all 3quot; option. It sounds to me like the quot;twangquot; of the CR and the quot;growlquot; of the neck SSL-6 are going to compliment each other real good.

I'll save the full review of that, for when I get my pickguard in.

Thanks for reading.
Artie

Thanks for that review. Good info, ArtieToo.

Thanks for the comparison. I've only used the SSL-1 and Twangbanger (aside from various Fender CS pickups). So how do you like the Cool Rails at the bridge? How does it compare to the Lil 59 bridge pup?

I like the CR at the bridge a lot, but I have to qualify that by saying it's my first SD single-sized 'bucker. It's clearly superior to what came in this guitar. It has that bright, twangy tone that you expect from a bridge pup, but adds a touch of bottom-end that the original didn't have. I don't generally use bridge pups by themselves, but this one I will.

And, going along with that, I've never tried a Lil 59.

As I'm getting a little more time with these new pups, I think I would like to either have SSL-1's in both the neck and middle, or quot;tappedquot; SSL-6's in both positions. But time will tell. I just put these in yesterday.