Seymour Duncan SSL-1 Vintage Staggered Strat

Seymour Duncan’s SSL-1 Vintage Staggered pickups capture the legendary tone that defined Stratocaster’s golden era with meticulous attention to authentic construction. These pickups feature hand-ground alnico 5 rod magnets paired with heavy Formvar mag wire, wound using a special pattern that produces the bright, glassy, bell-like tone synonymous with the finest 1950s Strat pickups. The treble attack cuts through with crisp immediacy whilst the low end maintains articulate focus, allowing chords to ring out with exceptional note-to-note separation and that characteristic bounce and sparkle.

Since 1978, Seymour Duncan has maintained unwavering commitment to period-correct construction methods for their vintage Fender-style single coils. Each SSL-1 pickup is built using the proper colour and thickness of Forbon flatwork, complete with historically accurate magnet stagger. The flatwork is hand-filed before assembly, with each bobbin receiving traditional lacquer finishing just as it was done during Fender’s most celebrated period.

Hand-built in Santa Barbara, California, these pickups come complete with waxed and tinned cloth pushback hook-up wires and traditional keyed bottom plates. Each pickup is potted in Seymour Duncan’s proprietary wax formulation, ensuring squeal-free performance whilst preserving the authentic vintage character that has made these pickups a benchmark for Stratocaster tone.