Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $185
Standard/Professional
$99
$200+
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Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Seymour Duncan SSL-5". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Introducing the Seymour Duncan SSL-5 Custom Staggered Pickup Set, a true titan in the realm of Strat tone. This set offers you the authentic single-coil Strat tone, but with a twist - its overwound coils provide a bolder, more powerful output. This translates into a wealth of harmonics and a sustain that sings, perfect for pushing your amp to its limits.
But don't let its might fool you, this set isn't just for those who love to crank up the gain. It's also capable of producing a beautifully clean tone when you dial back your volume knob. This versatility makes it well-suited for a range of genres, from Texas blues rock to classic and heavy rock.
This pickup set was tailored with heavier and brighter-toned guitars, such as those with ash or alder bodies, in mind. It meshes seamlessly with both maple and rosewood fingerboards. And for those worried about hum, fear not. The middle pickup is reverse-wound/reverse-polarity (RW/RP), cancelling out hum in positions 2 and 4.
Key Features:
- High-output, single-coil Stratocaster pickups
- Calibrated set includes bridge, middle, and neck pickups
- True single-coil Strat tone with enhanced output
- Hum cancelling in positions 2 and 4
- Ideal for heavier, brighter-toned ash or alder guitars
- Suited for Texas blues rock, classic rock, and heavy rock genres
Product specs
| Available since | August 2004 |
| Aktive Circuit | No |
| Wiring | 2-Conductor |
| Pickup Output | High |
| Cap | Yes |
| Colour | White |
| Position | Bridge, Middle, Neck |
| Stacked - hum free | No |
| Telecaster | No |
| Stratocaster | Yes |
| Other | No |
FAQs
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What type of guitar is the Seymour Duncan SSL-5 pickup designed for?
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The Seymour Duncan SSL-5 is specifically designed for Stratocaster-style guitars, providing a high-output, vintage-inspired tone suitable for various playing styles.
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Is the Seymour Duncan SSL-5 pickup suitable for all pickup positions on a Stratocaster?
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Yes, the Seymour Duncan SSL-5 can be used in the bridge, middle, or neck positions of a Stratocaster, offering versatility in tone and application.
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What kind of sound can I expect from the Seymour Duncan SSL-5 pickup?
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The Seymour Duncan SSL-5 delivers a high-output, warm, and punchy tone with enhanced midrange, making it ideal for rock and blues genres.
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Does the Seymour Duncan SSL-5 pickup require any special wiring?
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The Seymour Duncan SSL-5 features a 2-conductor wiring setup, which is standard for most Stratocaster-style guitars and does not require any special wiring techniques.
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Is the Seymour Duncan SSL-5 pickup active or passive?
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The Seymour Duncan SSL-5 is a passive pickup, providing a natural and dynamic response without the need for a battery.
Videos
Seymour Duncan
SSL-5 / SSL-1 Pickup Demo
Reviews
PROS
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Designed for David Gilmour's iconic Black Strat sound
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Offers vintage tone with added punch and sizzle
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Combines humbucker power with single coil bite
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Enhances Stratocaster's output and fattens tone
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Provides clear, warm, articulate lead sounds
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Instantly revitalizes older or stock guitars
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Versatile for various musical styles and tones
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Produces smooth, classic vintage Strat tones
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High-quality harmonics and singing sustain
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Balances well with stock neck pickups for cohesive sound
CONS
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Relatively expensive compared to other pickup brands
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Might sound muddy without proper tweaking
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Lacks jingley jangley tones for rhythm sounds
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Seymour Duncan SSL-5.
Features and functionality
User experience
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Owners appreciate the SSL-5 for solving the thin sound issue of typical Strat bridges, retaining the single-coil sound without needing a humbucker.
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Custom '69s are praised for their performance across low and high gain, finger picking, and maintaining clarity in diverse styles.
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Owners note that achieving a modern aggressive sound with a bridge pickup can be challenging when maintaining clarity in Strat single coils.
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Mods and upgrades
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The Obsidian Wire 7-way switch is a popular mod choice for expanding tonal options with the SSL-5.
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The Gilmour mod with a push-pull pot allows for unique Tele or all-pickup configurations, enhancing versatility with the SSL-5 setup.
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Some users recommend underwinding the humbucker and overwinding the neck pickup for balance, utilizing a super switch for automatic coil tapping.
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Use cases and applications
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The SSL-5 pairs well with fuzz and overdrive, delivering a rocking tone while contrasting nicely with softer neck and middle pickups.
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Other
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The Catalinbread sticker is often included with purchases, indicating a shared community detail among gear enthusiasts.
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Comparisons
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Custom '69s are noted for clarity and sparkle, making them a preferred choice over Fat 50s for achieving Gilmour's tone.
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Although some prefer Fat 50s, Custom '69s are often recommended for better overdrive performance, retaining more sparkle without excessive bass push.
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It's suggested that SD Pearly Gates may align better with SSL-1s for a balanced sound, but might not achieve a modern aggressive tone like the JB.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 12 Ratings
143
Total balls!
For the bridge position on my Talman - add the right umph!
Artist usage
Add artist
In all of her ibanez talman guitars, yevette uses a duncan ssl-5 single coil set. she fell in love with these guitars after barrowing one to use during a namm demo. the demo guitar had these pickups. she requested that the next guitar ibanez sent her had those pickups
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Seymour Duncan SSL-5, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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