Seymour Duncan SSL-7 Quarter-Pound Staggered Strat RWRP Pickup

Seymour Duncan SSL-7 Quarter-Pound Staggered Strat RWRP Pickup

The SSL-7 Quarter-Pound is a high-output single-coil replacement that delivers aggressive, articulate tone without sacrificing the snap and definition expected from a true Strat pickup. The staggered pole pattern sits flush with the strings, requiring no adjustment for proper response across the fretboard. Built with reverse wound, reverse polarity (RWRP) configuration, this middle-position pickup eliminates hum when combined with standard neck or bridge pickups in positions 2 and 4—a genuine advantage for players working with classic Strat wiring.

Design & Construction

The pickup uses Alnico 5 rod magnets at quarter-inch diameter, paired with a custom high-output coil wind that emphasizes midrange punch and sustain. The modern oval Forbon bobbin with flatwork ensures consistent performance and durability, while wax potting controls microphonic feedback without dulling the articulation that defines single-coil character.

Tone & Live Performance

The high-output design pushes tube amps and overdrives harder than stock pickups, cutting through on stage in classic rock, blues, and garage settings where presence and punch are non-negotiable. The RWRP configuration in the middle position provides genuine noise cancellation in positions 2 and 4 when paired with standard pickups, eliminating the 60-cycle hum that plagues traditional three-pickup setups—a practical upgrade for gigging musicians relying on reliable, hum-free tones night after night.

Key Features

• Magnet material: Alnico 5 rod magnets, quarter-inch diameter
• Pole pattern: Staggered pattern
• Coil winding: Custom high-output coil wind
• Winding variation: Reverse wound, reverse polarity (RWRP)
• Processing: Wax potted
• Bobbin material: Modern oval Forbon flatwork (non-triangular)
• Cover: None
• Type: High output true single-coil
• Function: Reverse-wound/reverse-polarity configuration for noiseless operation in positions 2 & 4 when combined with neck or bridge pickups

The SSL-7 Quarter-Pound combines genuine noise rejection with authentic single-coil aggression—a serious choice for gigging players and collectors upgrading a middle pickup without compromise.