Seymour Duncan Basslines SSB-4

Salizander · #1 08-15-2005, 03:45 PM

Has anyone had any experience with these yet? I was hunting around for a pair of decent & inexpensive passive soapbars for a project & I've liked other Seymour Duncan I've tried but haven't been able to find any opinions on these. Thanks for any opinion/descriptions!

Auriaprottu · #2 12-04-2005, 08:48 AM

bump

I don't have an answer, but I'm interested in these myself.

Metal Mitch · #3 12-27-2005, 06:37 PM

+1

With the number of basses out there factory loaded with the HZ, I'm really surprised this pickup hasn't been discussed more. Those basses would be a lot more attractive if we knew there was a good non-EMG replacement option.

jwymore · #4 12-28-2005, 11:07 AM

I have a couple sets in stock but unfortunetly haven't put them in anything yet to give them a try out. Hopefully soon ...

A9X · #5 12-28-2005, 04:34 PM

I'm also really curious about a set of the SSB5 to replace the mightymite pickups in my Conklin GT5. Warmoth sell the sets really cheap, about the same as a single EMG. Pity they're not 4 wire.

sadd3j · #6 08-01-2006, 10:03 AM

I'm also be interested in an answer to this, I'm currently using EMG HZs and find them a little bland.

MiamiFins42 · #7 04-04-2010, 08:11 PM

I'm bringing this topic back from the dead as opposed to starting a new one...has anyone here used the Seymour Duncan SSB-4? I'm currently deciding between that, a bartolini, and an EMG35DC. Looking for a nice growl and some low end from the pickups

MiamiFins42 · #8 04-09-2010, 08:52 AM

does no one know?...

**lowfreqgeek** · #9 04-09-2010, 11:58 AM

I'll give it a go. I had a set of SSB-5s in a Warmoth Gecko for a long time. I replaced them for Nordie DCs, but I'm actually putting the SSBs back into a new body cause I missed them...

So, the basic tone is punchy and tight. It was a little reminiscent of a Stingray, with maybe a little more pronounced mid range. Very nice growl, and well balanced sound. The lows are deep, but not overpowering. They sound like a ceramic pickup vs. the more open sound of Alnico magnets. They are clear and present in the high end, but certainly not as open as a single coil.

Overall, I really like them and would consider pairing them with a preamp for more versatility. They can benefit from a slight boost around 3kHz.

BTW - I sold the Nordies and the walnut Gecko body to rebuild the bass with an Alder body and the SSBs. After listening back to some sessions with the SSBs, it was a really nice supportive, organic, yet modern tone.

dannnnn · #10 04-09-2010, 12:02 PM

Sounds like you were using them strictly passive/no preamp. Is that right?
Thanks!

**lowfreqgeek** · #11 04-11-2010, 12:00 AM

Yeah - strictly passive.

I may put a preamp in the new body. Haven't decided on what, though.

MiamiFins42 · #12 04-11-2010, 10:21 AM

Thanks that helps a lot! I was thinking of pairing it with the Seymour Duncans STC-3 preamp. That preamp comes in active and passive versions...so would you recommend the active?

"Q" · #13 08-01-2010, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowfreqgeek

I'll give it a go. I had a set of SSB-5s in a Warmoth Gecko for a long time. I replaced them for Nordie DCs, but I'm actually putting the SSBs back into a new body cause I missed them...

So, the basic tone is punchy and tight. It was a little reminiscent of a Stingray, with maybe a little more pronounced mid range. Very nice growl, and well balanced sound. The lows are deep, but not overpowering. They sound like a ceramic pickup vs. the more open sound of Alnico magnets. They are clear and present in the high end, but certainly not as open as a single coil.

Overall, I really like them and would consider pairing them with a preamp for more versatility. They can benefit from a slight boost around 3kHz.

BTW - I sold the Nordies and the walnut Gecko body to rebuild the bass with an Alder body and the SSBs. After listening back to some sessions with the SSBs, it was a really nice supportive, organic, yet modern tone.

+1 Spot on. Sounds the same to my ears. A little less high end then what you're describing even with a pre but the bass itself is really, really warm sounding acoustically and I have no idea how old the strings were when I bought it a few months ago nor what kind.

Chris K · #14 08-01-2010, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salizander

Has anyone had any experience with these yet? I was hunting around for a pair of decent & inexpensive passive soapbars for a project & I've liked other Seymour Duncan I've tried but haven't been able to find any opinions on these. Thanks for any opinion/descriptions!

I just put them in a Dean Edge Fretless I wanted to turn into a passive bass.

Everything is great about them. Excellent tone, punch and, above all, sustain.