Seymour Duncan SSL-1 and SSL-2 Review (Also contains underwound SSL-1 review)
- Baris Sahin
- Sep 5, 2025
- 10 min read
Updated: Sep 17, 2025
Seymour Duncan SSL-1 and SSL-2 Review
Some pickup tones are truly one of a kind, carrying a certain magic that can captivate entire audiences. The classic Tele bridge is one of them. The late-’50s PAFs paired with Les Pauls and Marshalls are another. But perhaps the most iconic of them all are the Strat pickups from the 1950s. The neck position, and especially those in-between tones in positions 2 and 4, can deliver a joy that words can barely capture. Yet, not every pickup brings out this magic to the same degree—some elevate it, while others, depending on the setup, can fall short, often in terms of clarity. So, where exactly do the SSL-1 and SSL-2 sit within this spectrum? PS: i will challenge my review will not contain any "glass, chime, spank" words that you always read on strat single coil reviews :)
The Test Guitar
Actually, i have been using SSL-1 and SSL-2’s for many years. But my recent combo is on my latest axe. It’s actually Kozmos brand but i modded a lot. It’s a custom fat strat that has an alder body, a Q-sawn one-piece roasted Canadian maple neck with a modern D profile, lighter roasted maple fretboard, Gotoh 510T style stainless steel 2 point tremolo, 25.5” scale, stainless steel Jumbo frets, generic mini pots, locking tuners and 009-042 Pitbull coated strings in E std tuning. The guitar has a custom modded V7 in the bridge (this time partially charged alnico 4), SSL-2 in the middle and of course underwound SSL-1 in the neck. Its primary (unplugged) tone is fairly neutral to warm.
Evaluation
Let’s read the desciption first, as always.
For SSL-1;
“Our Vintage Staggered for Stratocaster pickups (SSL-1) use hand-ground alnico 5 rod magnets and heavy Formvar mag wire with a special wind pattern to produce that bright, glassy, bell tone with all of the bounce and sparkle you would expect from the best Strat pickups from the 50s. The treble attack is crisp and immediate, while the low end remains articulate and focused. Chords ring out with clear note-to-note separation.
The three pickup combination includes a standard wound neck and bridge pickup, and an RWRP, reverse wind reverse polarity, middle pickup for noise cancellation in the in-between positions. Since 1978, we’ve been building all our vintage Fender style single coil pickups with the right color and thickness of Forbon flatwork, along with the period correct magnet stagger. Each pickup comes complete with waxed and tinned cloth pushback hook-up wires and traditional keyed bottom plate. We hand file the flatwork, assemble, and lacquer the bobbin just as it was done during Fender’s Golden Age.
The Vintage Staggered for Strat pickups are hand built in Santa Barbara, CA and are potted in our wax formulation for squeal free performance.”
So how about old catalogs? Here you are;
“application
Vintage-correct true single-coil for warm instruments. Recommended for country, pop, surf, rockabilly, blues, ska and classic rock.
description
Our most popular single-coil for Strat. The hand-ground Alnico 5 magnetsand moderate windings (Heavy Formvar wire) yield a bright and punchy tone with vintage output. Perfect for players who need accurate traditional single-coil tone, especially with clean and mildly distortede amp settings. Compared to the APS-1, the SSL-1 has a more focused "bell" tone with a light bass response. Comes with waxed cloth hookup cable and vintage-style "keyed" bottom plate.
guitars
For warmer toned ash, alder or basswood body instruments. Works especially well with rosewood finger-boards
players
Chris Hicks, Kent Wells & Land Scott / Reba McEntire, Dan Schafer / Shania Twain, David Levitt / Alanis Morissette, Doug Pettibone / Lucinda Williams, Scott Henderson / Tribal Tech & Scott Henderson Trio, Jimmy Crespo.”
And for SSL-2
“The Vintage Flat for Stratocaster delivers all the chime and sparkle of our Vintage Staggered Strat model, but has flat alnico 5 rod magnets that provide a more even string balance for modern guitars with a larger neck radius, and players using lighter gauge strings. The flat poles also give this pickup a little less edge for an overall smoother tone.
The middle pickup is reverse wound, reverse polarity to provide hum-canceling operation in positions 2 & 4, along with the perfect clucky in-between sound. Use a full set for a truly vintage vibe or use in the neck & middle with a Custom Flat in the bridge for a more rocking setup. If purchased as a calibrated set, the bridge pickup is wound slightly hotter for better overall balance between positions.
Aside from the flat pole pieces, we use all of the same materials to build these as we do our vintage Fender style single coil pickups. We start by assembling the bobbins with the proper color and thickness of Forbon flatwork, and we hand file the flatwork, assemble, and lacquer our bobbins just as it was done during Fenders Golden Age. This pickup is potted and comes complete with waxed and tinned cloth pushback hook-up wires and traditional keyed bottom plate.”
How about old catalog info for SSL-2?
“application
Flat pole piece, vintage-voiced, true single-coil for warm instruments. Recommended for country, pop, surf, rockabilly, blues, ska and classic rock.
description
This pickup combines the same vintage coil design as the SSL-1, with hand ground rod Alnico 5 magnets of equal length raised above the flatwork. The flat magnet pattern provides the balanced field necessary for an even response using today's strings (unwound "G") and flatter neck radii. The more even output response is noticed when bending strings. Like the SSL-1, the pickup is clean and vintage-like with a bright "bell" tone that has a sharper attack characteristic compared to the APS-2. Comes with waxed cloth hookup cable and vintage-style "keyed" bottom plate.
guitars
For warmer toned ash, alder or basswood body instruments. Works especially well with rosewood fingerboards.
players
Nick Lashley / Alanis Morissette & Mick Jagger, Marty Friedman / Megadeth, Stephen Carpenter / Deftones, Coleman Mellett / Chuck Mangione Group”
It’s worth noting that the only real distinction between the SSL-1 and SSL-2 comes down to the pole pieces. The SSL-1 sticks with vintage-style staggered poles, while the SSL-2 opts for flat ones. And that’s really the whole story.
…And, my measuremens are here;
Seymour Duncan SSL-1 (STD and Underwound)
Magnet – Alnico 5 (vintage staggered)
Advertised DCR: 6.5 K Ohm
Measured DCR (Before Underwinding): 6.71 K Ohm
Measured DCR (After Underwinding): 6,07 K Ohm
Advertised Unloaded Resonance Peak: 10KHz
Inductance (Before Underwinding): @100Hz: 2.440 H
Inductance (After Underwinding): @100Hz: 2.150 H
Measured C (Before Underwinding): -36.4 nF
Measured C (After Underwinding): -39.4 nF
Output: Moderate
EQ (B/M/T) – 5/3/9 (old catalogs)
Gauss: lowest 900G - peak 1180G (measured at top center of pole pieces)
Ambient Measurement Temperature: 31oC
Users: John Frusciante (?), Chris Hicks, Kent Wells & Land Scott / Reba McEntire, Dan Schafer / Shania Twain, David Levitt / Alanis Morissette, Doug Pettibone / Lucinda Williams, Scott Henderson / Tribal Tech & Scott Henderson Trio, Jimmy Crespo
Seymour Duncan SSL-2
Magnet – Alnico 5 (vintage flat)
Advertised DCR: 6.5 K Ohm (it was 6.6K on old catalogs)
Measured DCR: 6.74 K Ohm
Advertised Unloaded Resonance Peak: 9KHz
Inductance: @100Hz: 2.520 H
Measured C: -36.4 nF
Output: Moderate
EQ (B/M/T) – 5/3/9 (old catalogs)
Gauss: lowest 930G - peak 1045G (measured at top center of pole pieces)
Ambient Measurement Temperature: 30oC
Users: Nick Lashley / Alanis Morissette & Mick Jagger, Marty Friedman / Megadeth, Stephen Carpenter / Deftones, Coleman Mellett / Chuck Mangione Group
The SSL-1 I’m reviewing here is very unique—it’s actually an underwound version. You might be thinking, “Wait, what does underwound even mean?” or “Hang on, Seymour Duncan doesn’t officially offer that option.” True—but by chance, I happen to own one. :)
Here’s the deal: I’ve often found that Strat neck pickups wound beyond 6K tend to lose some of their clarity. Up to around 6–6.05K, it’s no problem. But once you get to about 6.5K (with 42 AWG wire), things change. In the middle position it can sound sweet, but at the neck—especially if the guitar itself leans that way—you start to notice a muddier low end, particularly on the wound strings. That’s a trait I personally dislike. For me, a Strat should deliver an almost acoustic-like clarity. That’s what makes its clean tones so addictive, and that clarity also translates beautifully when you sprinkle on a touch of SRV-style overdrive. Which is why I’ve never fully understood the hype around Fender’s Fat 50s in the neck. By contrast, the Texas Specials—even though they measure over 6.5K—still sound okay to me, likely thanks to their more pronounced mids.
Of course, I get why companies go for the hotter winds: it’s a way to give players some of the punch SRV got from his strong pick attack and heavy string gauges, but without requiring the same touch. Fair enough. Still, I wish Seymour Duncan had a dedicated option in the SSL line for players who prefer the lower-wind clarity. Up until recently, there wasn’t a sub-6K neck single coil in their standard lineup—though at least now we have the “Psychedelic Strat”. Anyway.
Here’s how it happened: one day while swapping a pickup cover, I accidentally snapped the coil wire. To fix it, I carefully unwound the coil until I reached the break—saying a few prayers along the way, I’m sure. :) Fortunately, the break wasn’t buried too deep. After peeling back just enough windings, I found the loose end, soldered it to the hot eyelet, and bingo! That’s how I ended up with my very own underwound SSL-1 :)
The first thing that comes to mind about the Duncan SSL-1 is that it’s a serious Strat pickup. Typically, when a single coil measures above 6.5K in DCR, manufacturers slap on a flashy name with the word “hot” in it. By contrast, most vintage-style Strat pickups usually sit between 5.5K and 6K.
My first introduction to the SSL-1 was back in the late ’90s, flipping through a Seymour Duncan catalog with its distinctive green cardboard cover. On the page featuring the SSL-1, I spotted the name Scott Henderson—and that alone was enough to spark my excitement. Tonally, that’s still the best reference point I can think of.
The thing is, SSLs (both 1 and 2) aren’t exactly true vintage single coils. Yes, they bring tight&massive lows, somewhat scooped mids, and plenty of high end. Bright? Definitely. But with their strong Alnico 5 magnets, they also pack a solid low end.
For this reason, at windings of the neck single coils that correspond to over 6.50K of resistance, particularly in guitars where the neck position naturally leans that way—clarity starts to suffer, especially on the wound strings. That’s why you need to be mindful about choosing SSL-1 or SSL-2 for your neck position.
The middle position doesn’t suffer as much, since it’s closer to the bridge by nature and less prone to boominess. On the bridge, the SSL fares better than some strictly vintage-accurate pickups, but it can still come across a little too bright and harsh. Personally, I gravitate toward Strat bridge pickups that deliver something closer to a Tele bridge bite—usually winds a bit above 7K.
That said, both the SSL-1 and SSL-2 are surprisingly powerful single coils. I labeled their output as “moderate” in general terms, but compared to the average Strat single coil, they definitely lean toward the stronger side.
So, who exactly are the SSL-1 and SSL-2 for? Certainly not for the die-hard vintage purists. If you’re chasing the true-to-era tones of the ’50s or ’60s, these aren’t your best bet—there are more accurate options out there for that. Where these pickups really shine, in my opinion, is somewhere in the tonal territory between John Frusciante and Scott Henderson. We’re not after Hank Marvin’s sparkling brightness here, we’re not playing “Apache” :) Instead, picture this: your amp set to a medium overdrive, boosted ever so slightly by a Tube Screamer or a Klon-style pedal, and then dressed up with a touch of reverb. That’s when the SSL-1, to my ears, really finds its identity. You know what? SSL’s are also cool pickups for 80’s hair band tones, too. Of course, if you can handle or ignore the hum.
Let’s circle back to the whole “underwound” story. Maybe there’s a bit of placebo at play—I can’t be entirely sure—but from my own experience, I’m genuinely happy with the outcome. Most of the drawbacks I mentioned earlier seem to have faded away. The clarity, in particular, has improved in a way that feels very real, not imagined.
The numbers back it up, too: the inductance dropped from 2.440H to 2.150H, and I’m convinced that shift is enough to make an audible difference. So, if I were to grab another SSL-1 in the future, would I purposely unwind it again? Honestly—yeah, I probably would. :)
I ran the SSL-1 alongside a Seth Lover in the bridge for quite a while, and the pairing was fantastic. I’ve always had a soft spot for HSS setups that combine an A2 PAF-style humbucker with single coils. The Gibson 490T, for example, meshes beautifully in that context. Likewise, the Pearly Gates—both neck and bridge—tends to sit really well in HSS configurations.
Right now, my main guitar has a modded Ibanez V7 in the bridge. If you’ve read my earlier posts, you might recall that I once detailed a V7 I reworked with an Alnico 2. To me, the V7s are a wonderful platform for modding. This time, I swapped the allen head pole pieces for short regular screws and dropped in an Alnico 4 that’s been charged somewhere between half and full strength. The end result has been stellar. Down the line, I’d like to experiment with other bridge pickups—not out of any dissatisfaction, but simply out of curiosity to see what flavors they might bring.
Conclusion
The Seymour Duncan SSL-1 and SSL-2 are not museum-accurate recreations of 1950s Strat pickups, but that’s not really their mission. They carry their own character—punchy lows, scooped mids, and a bright, glassy top end—that places them somewhere between vintage inspiration and modern practicality. For players chasing ultra-authentic ’50s or ’60s tones, there are more precise options. But if your tonal world sits closer to John Frusciante’s shimmering cleans or Scott Henderson’s articulate fusion lines, these pickups feel right at home.
The underwound SSL-1, in particular, reveals just how much a subtle change in coil windings can reshape the voice of a pickup. By trimming down the inductance, the neck position gains clarity and air, steering away from muddiness without losing its signature Strat sparkle. It’s not a factory option, but in practice, it makes the SSL-1 far more versatile and rewarding.
Ultimately, the SSL-1 and SSL-2 strike a balance: vintage flavor with enough strength to hold up under modern playing styles and pedals. Whether paired with a classic PAF-style humbucker in HSS form or run as a full single-coil set, they deliver tones that feel alive, responsive, and expressive. For me, the underwound SSL-1 transformed from a happy accident into one of the most musically satisfying Strat neck pickups I’ve ever used.
Pros
Classic Strat sparkle with strong lows and crisp highs
More output and punch than typical vintage single coils
Works well for Frusciante- or Henderson-style tones
Versatile in HSS setups, pairs nicely with PAF-style humbuckers
SSL-2’s flat poles give better balance for modern neck radii & unwound G strings
Underwound SSL-1 adds clarity and reduces muddiness in the neck
Responds beautifully with light overdrive + reverb
Cons
Not a true “vintage-accurate” Strat tone (less ideal for purists)
Neck version can sound muddy, especially on wound strings
Bridge position can be overly bright, lacking Tele-like bite (but it doesn’t particularly happen to SSL-1)
Noticeable 60-cycle hum
Underwound option is not factory-available (requires DIY accident/mod)
PS: Yes, i did. My words doesn't contain "glass, chime, spank" words :)
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