What does 'Tapped' mean in the context of the SSL-4?

A tapped pickup has an extra wire connected partway through the coil. This allows you to choose between the full, high-output winding and a lower-output, vintage-style winding.

Do I need special wiring to use the Tapped feature?

Yes, to use the tap, you will need a way to switch between the two output leads, such as a push-pull potentiometer or a dedicated toggle switch.

Is the SSL-4 a humbucker?

No, the SSL-4 is a high-output single-coil pickup. While it is louder and fatter than most single-coils, it does not have two coils and is not hum-cancelling.

What is the benefit of the 'Quarter Pound' magnets?

The 1/4-inch diameter magnets are larger than standard poles, which creates a stronger magnetic field. This results in more output and a punchier, fatter tone.

Can I install this in a standard Fender Stratocaster?

Yes, the SSL-4 is designed to fit standard Stratocaster pickup routs and pickguards, such as the Fender American Standard series.

Does the SSL-4 come with a cover?

No, the SSL-4 features exposed large pole pieces and generally does not use a traditional plastic cover like Fender Aged White covers.

How does the 'Flat' pole design affect playability?

The flat pole pieces provide a more balanced output across the strings on modern guitars with flatter fretboard radii, preventing certain strings from being significantly louder than others.

Is this pickup suitable for heavy metal?

Yes, its high output and punchy mids make it one of the most suitable single-coils for high-gain genres like hard rock and metal.

Will this pickup sound like a P90?

It is often described as having a P90-like character because of its increased mid-range and output, though it retains the basic footprint of a Strat single-coil.

What position is the SSL-4 best suited for?

It can be used in any position, but it is extremely popular in the bridge position to provide more 'meat' and volume to compensate for the bridge's natural brightness.

Can I use this pickup without connecting the tap?

Yes, if you only want the high-output sound, you can simply wire the full output lead and leave the tap lead disconnected (insulated with tape).

How does the SSL-4 compare to a Fender American Standard pickup?

The SSL-4 is much louder, has more sustain, and features a thicker, less treble-focused sound compared to the brighter American Standard pickups.

Gear article

Seymour Duncan SSL-4 Quarter Pound Flat Strat Tapped Pickup

The Seymour Duncan SSL-4 Quarter Pound Flat Strat Tapped is a high-output replacement pickup for Stratocaster-style guitars, featuring oversized magnets and a dual-output wiring design. It is engineered to provide a punchy, aggressive tone with significantly more sustain than traditional single-coil pickups.

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Overview

The SSL-4 Quarter Pound Flat Strat Tapped pickup is a specialised component from Seymour Duncan designed for players seeking a high-output alternative to standard single-coils. The 'Quarter Pound' designation refers to its oversized 1/4-inch diameter pole pieces, which expand the magnetic field and contribute to a fuller frequency response. Unlike standard single-coils that may sound thin, the SSL-4 is built with a powerful coil winding that emphasises sustain and mid-range punch.

This specific 'Tapped' version includes an additional lead wire connected to a lower point in the coil winding. This allows players to switch between the full high-output power and a lower-output, more vintage-voiced character using a push-pull pot or a mini-toggle switch.

Design and Functionality

The primary design feature of the SSL-4 is its flat-pole configuration. Unlike staggered pole pieces designed for vintage fretboard radii, the flat magnets ensure an even string-to-string balance on modern guitars with flatter fingerboards. The larger magnets increase sensitivity, allowing for more output without requiring the pickup to be set extremely close to the strings.

The 'Tapped' functionality is a key technical aspect. By 'tapping' the coil at a specific point, the pickup can effectively mimic two different output levels. At full capacity, the pickup delivers a thick, saturated tone suitable for heavy rock and lead playing. When the tap is engaged, the output drops, offering a cleaner, more traditional Stratocaster sparkle that sits better in a mix for rhythm parts.

Sonic Characteristics

The SSL-4 is characterised by its fat, punchy sound. It departs from the traditional 'glassy' or 'chimey' Stratocaster sound in favour of a more aggressive, P90-like mid-range. Key sonic attributes include:

Fat Low End: A robust bass response that provides weight to single notes.
Punchy Mids: A pronounced mid-range that helps the guitar cut through dense arrangements.
Increased Sustain: The high-output winding allows notes to ring out longer compared to vintage-style pickups.
Versatility: The tapped option ensures that the pickup can still provide cleaner tones when required.

Target Audience

This pickup is ideally suited for guitarists who find traditional Stratocaster pickups too weak or overly bright. It is a popular choice for rock, blues-rock, and fusion players who require a single-coil footprint but want the power and sustain typically associated with humbuckers. It is particularly effective for bridge position placement, where the extra thickness helps balance the naturally thin sound of that position.

Comparison to Alternatives

When compared to standard Fender American Standard Stratocaster components, the SSL-4 offers significantly more output and a darker tonal profile. While a standard Strat pickup focuses on clarity and high-end 'quack,' the SSL-4 focuses on drive and saturation.

Unlike active pickups, the SSL-4 remains a passive design, requiring no batteries. Compared to the non-tapped version of the SSL-4, this tapped model provides significantly more flexibility, allowing the user to toggle between high-gain lead tones and lower-output rhythm tones without changing instruments or adjusting amp settings.

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Frequently asked questions

What does 'Tapped' mean in the context of the SSL-4?: A tapped pickup has an extra wire connected partway through the coil. This allows you to choose between the full, high-output winding and a lower-output, vintage-style winding.
Do I need special wiring to use the Tapped feature?: Yes, to use the tap, you will need a way to switch between the two output leads, such as a push-pull potentiometer or a dedicated toggle switch.
Is the SSL-4 a humbucker?: No, the SSL-4 is a high-output single-coil pickup. While it is louder and fatter than most single-coils, it does not have two coils and is not hum-cancelling.
What is the benefit of the 'Quarter Pound' magnets?: The 1/4-inch diameter magnets are larger than standard poles, which creates a stronger magnetic field. This results in more output and a punchier, fatter tone.
Can I install this in a standard Fender Stratocaster?: Yes, the SSL-4 is designed to fit standard Stratocaster pickup routs and pickguards, such as the Fender American Standard series.
Does the SSL-4 come with a cover?: No, the SSL-4 features exposed large pole pieces and generally does not use a traditional plastic cover like Fender Aged White covers.
How does the 'Flat' pole design affect playability?: The flat pole pieces provide a more balanced output across the strings on modern guitars with flatter fretboard radii, preventing certain strings from being significantly louder than others.
Is this pickup suitable for heavy metal?: Yes, its high output and punchy mids make it one of the most suitable single-coils for high-gain genres like hard rock and metal.
Will this pickup sound like a P90?: It is often described as having a P90-like character because of its increased mid-range and output, though it retains the basic footprint of a Strat single-coil.
What position is the SSL-4 best suited for?: It can be used in any position, but it is extremely popular in the bridge position to provide more 'meat' and volume to compensate for the bridge's natural brightness.
Can I use this pickup without connecting the tap?: Yes, if you only want the high-output sound, you can simply wire the full output lead and leave the tap lead disconnected (insulated with tape).
How does the SSL-4 compare to a Fender American Standard pickup?: The SSL-4 is much louder, has more sustain, and features a thicker, less treble-focused sound compared to the brighter American Standard pickups.