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Post by calymarvin on Feb 5, 2011 14:13:04 GMT
Hi everyone,
Has anoyone used Seymour Duncan SSL1 California 50's pick ups for shadows sound. How does it compare to Fender 57/62 or Custom shop 69 or Texes special?
Please tell us your experiance.
regards
calymarvin
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Post by peterbower on Feb 5, 2011 15:43:37 GMT
Hi calymarvin
Yes, I tried them out a few years ago in a Japanese 62 reissue Strat. To my ears they were too warm and lacked the 'sparkle' that the Fender 50/60's give. Bare in mind that this is just my opinion and other people may find them differet according to the type of guitar they were fitted to. Its a very subjective thing.
Regards
Peter
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Post by calymarvin on Feb 5, 2011 16:00:49 GMT
Hi Peter,
Many thanks for your comments !
Calymarvin
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Post by nivram on Feb 9, 2011 21:51:04 GMT
I use these and I really like the tone I get from them. I have put them in the 3 strats I have and they all sound different, But I like them for the Shadows music I play with them.
I think its all down to personal choice, and there is so much to choice from.
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Post by tonybiker on Feb 9, 2011 23:02:04 GMT
Hi.
The SSL1 was fitted to the signature and autograph HM custom shop guitars. But these were just in the middle and neck position.
Ideal for a more modern sound.
Hope that helps.
Tony
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Post by Charlie Hall on Feb 11, 2011 18:32:04 GMT
Hi Tony,
I was told that the Duncan pickups fitted to those guitars was not the SSL1 but another number, maybe SSL5 or SSL6, and whatever they were they weren't available separately or on their list of models.
Regards,
Charlie
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Post by Gary Allen on Feb 11, 2011 20:34:38 GMT
On the subject of Seymour Duncan pickups can I just mention that I e-mailed SD back in Aug 07 about the actual p/ups that he made for Hank Marvin, His reply was that it was very similar to the Antiquity 2 but with a different wind,He did offer to make a set in his custom shop but I never ordered them,I have tried SSL1s and they are warm sounding with 9s or 10s and I think best suited to Hanks early 90s sound.In the mid 90s Hank had a seymour Duncan vintage flatpole at the bridge in one strat which he used on live shows.Its pictured inside the cd (Hank Marvin and friends).Regarding the autograph model strat....As most of Hanks sound comes from the bridge (FS1) in this case,why would you want 2 SSL1s for mid/neck ? Id like to know when and where this combination was used. What about the strat with gold lace sensors? Another marketing ploy?
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Post by tonybiker on Feb 13, 2011 15:42:49 GMT
Hi.
I don't like doing it, but I am going to have to go into 'anorak mode' ;D
The Hank Marvin Signature and the Autograph Custom Shops both had the SSL1's in the middle and neck, with the FS1 in the bridge position. I can say this with 99.9% certainty because I owned the latter guitar in the 90's. Around this time I was also going modify a Jap HM with the same PU's as a back-up and had all the available data when the Autograph was stripped, even down to the part numbers.
More recently I have been involved with upgrading a strat with the SSL1's and FS1, and I had heard that the Seymour Duncans may have been some other model other than the SSL1, SSL5 being one alternative, but an email reply from Seymour Duncan saying the only combination used in the early 90's on these guitars was the SSL1 gave me the final confirmation I needed.
Both the signature and autograph had the same part number due to the numbers following on from each other.
The guitar is now complete and sounding just like the autograph from the 90's. A modern sound that I have always liked. It is not a vintage sound by any means.
The important pick-up is the FS1, the only reason the SSL's and the same HM autograph wiring was chosen, was too get it as close as I could to the autograph and its sound.
Hope that helps.
Tony
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Post by neopardyguitars on Mar 9, 2011 23:36:23 GMT
I have used a good few different pickups, in many combinations, in the Hank Strats I built and sold over the last eight years.
These included, Fender, S/Duncan, Kinman, Lindy Fralin, Bare Knuckle, Van Zandt, Tonerider, DiMarzio, and Bill lawrence.
If you are looking for the 'tone' - that is the classic tone that Hank generated in the 60's, a number of the above can offer it - depending on amps, woods, pedals and fingers....
I have always felt that the staggered SSL1 was amongst the best. Alnico 2 and 5 pickups were always the most organic and sweetest.
Lindy Fralins were as good as Kinmans, in my opinion, but dont overlook the Fender SCN's. Wired correctly, and they respond best to the 500k volume pot, they offer a brilliant sound. Try these with a micro switch on the neck pickup, and then switch to No 2 position, using all 3 pickups together. You will find a tone in there which is a bit special. Most wire these with 250k pots and they sound a bit lifeless, and they have gained an unfair reputation. Wired with a bit of imagination, they can sing with the very best. Finally, if you have not tried a Van Zandt in the bridge, you are missing a treat. SSL1's offer the best value for money, bar none, they are a little warm, but replicate Hanks 'Evening Comes' period on the nail. Some guitarists, ( Iam not one sadly), can coax all the right sounds out of a cheese grater, but I rely on my Zoom 508, SSL1 at the neck, SCN Mid and Van Zandt Blues at the bridge. I prefer my guitar with a little edge, if I dig in, but get pretty close, if I am gentle (ish). I have tried the flat poled SSL1(2), but this seemed bland compared to the staggered version.
If you are really strapped for cash, one final pup that is worth mentioning, is Axerus' own Vintage hot , retailing at under £50 a set, they can be wired to sound wonderfully authentic. As a final thought, you can't beat old wood, and the easy relaxing feel that come with it , so an early 80's Squier can be a real tonic and offers suprisingly great tones for a relatively small outlay.
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Post by peterbower on Mar 10, 2011 8:42:49 GMT
Hi neopardy
Thanks for sharing that with us, it was most enlightening and very useful info. I found the Duncans a tad too mellow but then as you say there are other factors to consider.
My best sounding Strat for the Hank sound is an 82 Tokai Goldstar Sound model [copy of a 64 Fender Strat] with all original pups and bits. The neck is superb with a veneer Rose Wood board rather than a block board.
Chandlers guitars in Kew not too far from me sell Lindy Fralin and Van Zandt, but they are big money.
Seymour said some time ago that most of his production is now produced in China, although I don't see that as a problem, they build to a spec so it should be no different.
Once again thanks for the info.
Peter
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Post by peterbower on Mar 10, 2011 11:00:17 GMT
Charlie
A mate of mine has got a very early [first batch] Fender custom shop Hank Marvin signature model, it was £1800 at the time so you can work out how long ago that was. We checked the spec sheet and it said: 2 Seymour Duncan Alnico 11 Pro staggered pickups and 1 DeMarzio FS-1 pickup. Whether that spec changed in later production I don't know.
Regards
Peter
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Post by neopardyguitars on Mar 10, 2011 15:21:01 GMT
Hallo Peter,
The Goldstar is a lovely Strat - I wish I could afford one...
The Alnico Pro II (Alnico 2 again), is also a very sweet pickup, and overdrives very easily and smoothly. Jerry Donahue used (uses) these, and his early work with the Hellecasters reflect the flexibility of them. They are , to use your words, a bit mellow.
I am currently building a Strat for a friend who wants EMG's (active) - they are the most noiseless strat pickups I have used - totally silent, we have not quite got the stage of playing it , because the switch appears to be faulty. (Solder-less techn ology .....) , but If they are at all like my son's Schecter, they will certainly have character.
I am a newcomer to the site, having just signed up yesterday, but am impressed with the quality of discussion. I hope I can contribute as much as I learn. kind regards, arthur, neopardyguitars.
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Post by kipper on Mar 10, 2011 15:32:44 GMT
i am just putting a strat together and am putting 3 ssl 1 vintage pickups in so in a couple weeks i will now for myself about the sound. whats the differents between the vintage (which is what i was told hank used) and the califorina ones please. peter
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Post by betowelch on Mar 10, 2011 15:36:45 GMT
I am a newcomer to the site, having just signed up yesterday, but am impressed with the quality of discussion. I hope I can contribute as much as I learn. kind regards, arthur, neopardyguitars. Hi Arthur: Be welcome to this site & family..... really here you will could find a lot of great experts...not only how to play guitar (mainly concerning to Shadows style), but also people that have great know-how about amplifiers construction (or repairing), echo development and also guitar building as is your case. Certainly your guitar experience will be very important in this site. Again be welcome. PS- I'm following this thread as I also have interest about some pickups changes (for warmer tone than my Lindy Fralin ones)...and as I didn't cross this calymarvin's thread I just open a new thread in this same section...about warmer pickups.... Please I'll happy read your comments about it.. Cheers from Brazil! Roberto |
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Post by tonybiker on Mar 10, 2011 19:07:55 GMT
Hi. An interesting discussion and it's good to see the FS1 being discussed once again. Given everyone is into Kinmans, it's good to see that the Dimarzio has not been forgotton. I was fortunate to be part of a recent project with a member to get a Custom Shop 56 strat equiped with the Dimarzio FS1 in the bridge and Seymour Duncan SSL1's in the middle and neck and the same wiring and bits as the HM signature and autograph series. I asked Clivea to record me a few sound files using his v amp pro which he had programmed with the programmes I had made up and avaialable to download elsewhere on the site. Given the interest I have copied the post on the Behringer thread so you can hear the FS1 in action. The intention was to hear what the v amp pro sounded like but looks like others will be interested in the FS1. Thanks to Clivea for allowing me to upload it. Tony Hi. A few guys have asked for a few sound files to listen too. Thanks to Clivea who programmed his v amp pro with the programmes he has kindly sent me a short file of all the programmes using the same set up and agreed for me to upload it. The intention was to give the users of the v amp pro a range of different sounds at the push of a button. Its a very simple file with just a few notes played on each programme but it does give an idea of what the programmes sound like. Other members will be more interested in what the FS1 pick-up sounds like  Clive used the following: Custom Shop 56 with FS1 pick-up in the bridge and used on all the sounds. Q2 and Wonderful Land setting used thoughout. Looped into Behringer V Amp Pro. All Clive did was to record direct into Mixcraft 5 NO other changes have been made. No EQ which was set flat. www.4shared.com/audio/kNJK7Lkx/V-AMP_DEMO.htmlAll the programmes for the V Amp 2, 3 and V Amp Pro are available free from here. It's all my own work and I have no problem with sharing them. www.4shared.com/file/MYVSO2NJ/V_AMP_TONY_PROGRAMMES.htmlRead more: charliehall.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=amps&thread=6495&page=1#ixzz1GDyyQzQQ |
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Post by marvingers on Mar 11, 2011 0:31:06 GMT
Hi!
I`m using Di Marzio FS1, Seymour Duncan SSL1 and SSL5 for som years now, before that I used Kinman, they sounded good but the set up I´m using now is better.
On my guitar number 1 I have Di Marzio FS1, Seymour Duncan SSL1 and SSL5, the SSL5 is in neck position and have very high output and sounds great. The SSL1 is the best middle pickup I have heard, the sound is very close to the sound of Sleepwalk, Big boy, The frightened city and Theme from Giant and more.
On my guitar number 2 I have FS1, SSL1 (reversed) and SSL1
From the beginning I tested a SSL1 in the bridge position but it sounded not that good, the magnet for the B-string wasn´t loud enough so I changed to a FS1. The reversed SSL1 sounds close to the normal SSL1 but not exact.
On my guitar number 3 I have one Kinman 63 in the bridge position and SSL1 in the other positions. The sound is great.
All the guitars sounds great but my number 1 is the best. Don´t forget to adjust the pickup heights, it´s very important to calibrate the output volume between all the pickups.
Best regards!
Lars G. Vinger
The MARVINGERS
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Post by Erik Feveile on Mar 11, 2011 12:56:54 GMT
Hi Lars,
Just out of interest : which models of Strat's are your 3 guitars?
Regards,
Erik
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Post by marvingers on Mar 11, 2011 13:55:23 GMT
Hi Erik! You can read more about the guitars at our website www.marvingers.se click on Guitars. Best regards! Lars G. Vinger |
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Post by Erik Feveile on Mar 11, 2011 14:21:05 GMT
Hi Lars,
Very good looking website - very interesting.
Regards,
Erik
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Post by calymarvin on Mar 13, 2011 11:55:42 GMT
Hi guys
Recently wrote to Seymour Duncan USA to recommend me which seymour Duncan pick ups to use to get Hank Marvin's sound on Strocaster. Their engineers replied me
" To use Seymour Duncan SSL1 California 50's"
I ordred one set for £125.00 now I have to take to it guitar repair shop in Denmark Street to replace.
regards
Calymarvin
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Post by marvingers on Mar 13, 2011 23:33:23 GMT
Hi!
The SSL1 dont´t work in the bridge position. When the custombuilt strat in the early 90´s Hank tested a SSL1 in the bridge position and it didn´t work so a FS1 was fitted because Hank had used that berfore. As I said in my previous message ther will be problems regarding the magnet for the B-string, it want sound loud enough. I believe Hank knows more than Seymour Duncan.
Best regards!
Lars G. Vinger
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Post by calymarvin on Mar 16, 2011 22:34:32 GMT
Hi Lars G. Vinger
Many thanks for you timley advice !
Calymarvin
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Post by calymarvin on Mar 19, 2011 19:12:35 GMT
Hi Guys
Many thanks to all of you for your advice & comments.
Finally decided to fix FS1 to bridge & SSL1 to ther 2 position.
My special thanks to Peter.
regards to all
Calymarvin
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2011 11:58:32 GMT
Tony
Is the FS1 Di Marzio Still available.??
I am 95% certain I have Seymour Duncan SS1 pups on my Jap Strat as there where fitted in 1991 and have the vintage wiring etc etc. Even if they are not SS1's they sound great and have the modern sound I want. They are defo more powerful than standard pups as so will blend in with the FS1 pretty well I recon !!
All the best mate
George
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Post by marvingers on Mar 22, 2011 21:45:06 GMT
Hi!
Just a small notice.
On the SSL1 pickup has all the magnets a thin hard layer of lacquer, remove it by using a knife, otherwise you don´t get the right sound.
Best regards!
Lars G. Vinger
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Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2011 10:36:18 GMT
HELLO TO ALL. I am enthousiastic about the Seymour Duncan SSL1 that i had in my Burns Marquee in the bridge position. For me that was better than the 57/62 what was the worst
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Post by Erik Feveile on Mar 23, 2011 13:05:23 GMT
Hi all,
My Strat is fitted with 57/62 pickups.
How do you recon these will do with a FS1 in the bridge position?
Regards,
Erik
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Post by peterbower on Mar 23, 2011 14:36:18 GMT
All things being equal, the DeMarzio FS-1 was Hank's definitive sound through the 80's and early 90's, and mainly because he used that pickup for most [not all] of his recordings and live performances. I remember he had told Mark 'P' his UK guitar tech that he preferred the FS-1 because it 'cut' through better.
Peter
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Post by Erik Feveile on Apr 1, 2011 13:12:34 GMT
Hi all,
My Strat is fitted with 57/62 pickups.
How do you recon these will do with a DiMarzio FS1 in the bridge position?
Regards,
Erik
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Post by peterbower on Apr 1, 2011 16:27:49 GMT
Hi Erik
I'm a big fan of the 57/62 pickups, and for the early [First 2 albums] Shads sound are hard to beat. Mixing these with an FS-1 in the bridge should be OK, however, the FS-1 has a more rounded and beefy sound as compared to the 57/62's and has a higher out put. Its certainly does not sound harsh and toppy as some bridge pups do but it retains bags of detail.
Listen to some of Hank's 80's and early 90's recordings and you will get a good idea of how the FS-1 sounds.
I like the sound but its your ears not mine that has to make the decision.
Hope this helps
Peter
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