Seymour Duncan SSL-5 Custom Staggered Pole Neck/Bridge/Middle Strat Single Coil Pickup

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GEARANK

93 out of 100. Incorporating 500+ ratings and reviews.

Street Price: 

$79
Seymour Duncan SSL-5 Custom Staggered Pole Neck/Bridge/Middle Strat Single Coil Pickup

Gearank High Notes

Gearank Recommended

The SSL-5 first appeared on our recommended list for Budget Guitar Pickups in October 2022 where it remains today.

Cons

  • Can be too gritty for some
  • Middle strings have a slight volume bump

Pros

  • Overwound for higher output
  • Hotter and grittier electric guitar tone
  • Ideal for blues, rock, and similar styles
  • Great for low to medium overdrive

The Seymour Duncan SSL-5 is the bridge position single-coil pickup in David Gilmour's signature Black Strat. Seymour Duncan has made it available for those who want the same pumped-up sound on a different guitar. It is available for use in different positions. There's even a middle pickup position version with RWRP. RWRP stands for “reverse-wound, reverse-polarity”) for hum-canceling in-between pickup positions.

Being overwound, it is quite sensitive. Seymour Duncan designed it to have increased output compared to other passive single coils. This results in a more in your face sound, while retaining the sparkle and bottom-end that you'd expect from a classic single-coil pickup. Single note lines cut better, while chords sound bigger, which makes this a good pickup for all-around use.

It is popularly slotted in the bridge position. But its high-output design makes The Seymour Duncan SSL-5 ideal for adding bite into the in-between positions.

Following traditional guitar pickups, Seymour Duncan equipped the SSL-5 with staggered magnetic pole pieces. This is ideal if your electric guitar has traditional rounder necks. The different heights of the pole magnets allow the middle strings to sound a bit louder. This works great with mild to medium overdrive use. It has a pronounced midrange compared to traditional single-coils.

The Seymour Duncan SSL-5 is among the best single coil pickups for adding grit. Get this on your electric guitar if you're into blues, rock, and similar styles.

Specifications

  • Position: Neck, Middle, Bridge
  • Magnet Material: Alnico V
  • Dimensions: 3.3" x .70" x .65"
  • Available Colors/Covers: White, Black

Rating Source Highlight

Website Source *Rating Value
Audiofanzine tjon901 100/100
*Displayed values are prior to the Gearank Algorithm's adjustments it makes when evaluating the source.

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