Seymour Duncan SSL-5 Custom Staggered Strat Calibrated Set Pickup
The SSL-5 Custom Staggered delivers high-output single-coil performance with articulate midrange punch and extended sustain, engineered for recording sessions and studio tracking that demand vintage-compatible clarity with modern power. This calibrated three-pickup set balances aggressive treble and bass response while maintaining the classic Strat character that sits distinctly across all positions in a mix.
Tone & Output Character
Hand-wound with an overwound coil design, this pickup yields significantly higher output than vintage single coils while preserving harmonic complexity and definition—critical for capturing detail in recorded tracks without sacrificing warmth. The staggered, hand-ground alnico V rod magnets provide focused magnetic field control that strengthens note articulation and reduces the dull frequencies common in lesser designs, ensuring clean, focused tracks across all string heights.
Construction & Compatibility
Built with hand-constructed bobbins wound on modern oval Forbon flatwork in a non-triangular design that installs directly into standard single-coil routes without modification. Each bobbin is dipped in lacquer, wound, and wax potted for consistent performance and durability across all three positions, with the included white cover offering period-correct aesthetics and flexible studio integration.
Key Features
- Calibrated set of 3 pickups (neck, middle, bridge positions)
- DC resistance: approximately 13.3k ohms
- High-output overwound coil yielding greater sustain and harmonic complexity
- Staggered, hand-ground alnico V rod magnets
- Hand-built bobbins with Forbon, dipped in lacquer, wound, and wax potted
- Modern oval Forbon flatwork design compatible with standard single-coil routes
- White cover included
- Reverse wound, reverse polarity (RW/RP) middle pickup available for hum canceling in positions 2 and 4
- Optional tapped version for dual output levels
- Left-hand magnet stagger option available
- 7-string version available
The SSL-5 Custom Staggered combines aggressive output with refined tonal character, delivering the sustain and clarity needed for layered arrangements and overdub sessions while respecting the single-coil tradition that defines Strat recording character.
