11202-05-L vs 11500-31 — Compare
Seymour Duncan SSL-5L Custom Staggered Strat Lft Pickup vs Seymour Duncan SA-3HC Woody HCTM Hum-Canceling Acoustic Pickup
The SSL-5L is a hand-wound electric guitar pickup for solid-body Strats seeking vintage blues and rock tones, while the SA-3HC is a passive magnetic soundhole pickup for acoustic guitars needing amplified performance without feedback. Choose the SSL-5L if you play electric guitar and want responsive vintage character; choose the SA-3HC if you play acoustic guitar and need live or studio amplification.
No sales tax on orders shipped outside California — total cost beats national retailers that charge sales tax in nearly every state.
Seymour Duncan SSL-5L Custom Staggered Strat Lft Pickup
Seymour Duncan SA-3HC Woody HCTM Hum-Canceling Acoustic Pickup
Specs side by side
| Seymour Duncan SSL-5L Custom Staggered Strat Lft Pickup | Seymour Duncan SA-3HC Woody HCTM Hum-Canceling Acoustic Pickup | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.00 | $79.73 |
| Brand | Seymour Duncan | Seymour Duncan |
| Pickup Type | — | Any Position |
| Condition | New | New |
Why choose Seymour Duncan SSL-5L Custom Staggered Strat Lft Pickup
- ✓ Hand-wound construction with Alnico 5 magnets delivers authentic vintage single-coil character
- ✓ Wax-potted design eliminates microphonic squeal for stable stage performance
- ✓ Responsive dynamics and natural breakup suit blues, classic rock, and folk electric playing
- ✓ Medium-low output balances warmth with sustain and clarity
Why choose Seymour Duncan SA-3HC Woody HCTM Hum-Canceling Acoustic Pickup
- ✓ Installs invisibly into soundhole with zero guitar modification and fully removable
- ✓ Hum-canceling design eliminates AC noise interference common in live settings
- ✓ Passive magnetic design captures acoustic tone without feedback problems
- ✓ Fatter, compressed character cuts through in amplified ensemble contexts
Frequently asked questions
Are these pickups compatible with the same guitar?
No. The SSL-5L is designed exclusively for solid-body electric Stratocasters (left-handed), while the SA-3HC is designed for acoustic guitars with standard soundholes. They serve completely different instruments and purposes.
Which pickup is better for a beginner?
Both suit all skill levels from beginner to professional. Beginners with a left-handed electric Strat should choose the SSL-5L; beginners with an acoustic guitar should choose the SA-3HC. Choice depends entirely on your instrument type, not skill level.
What is the key difference in tone character?
The SSL-5L delivers vintage warmth with articulate, responsive dynamics suitable for clean and lightly overdriven tones. The SA-3HC produces a fatter, more compressed magnetic character optimized for amplified acoustic guitar, with hum-canceling benefits for stage use.
Will either pickup require permanent modifications to my guitar?
The SSL-5L requires complete pickup replacement in your electric Strat, which involves cavity work. The SA-3HC requires zero modifications—it drops into your acoustic soundhole and is fully removable without leaving any trace.