11202-05-L vs 11993-04 — Compare
Seymour Duncan SSL-5L Custom Staggered Strat Lft Pickup vs Seymour Duncan STC-2S-BO Blackouts Tone Circuits Separate Pots Pickup
The SSL-5L is a vintage-voiced single-coil pickup for left-handed Strats seeking authentic blues and classic rock tone, while the STC-2S-BO is an active tone-control circuit for any guitar needing surgical EQ shaping and studio-grade signal conditioning. They serve entirely different purposes: one replaces a pickup, the other upgrades electronics.
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 STC-2S-BO Blackouts Tone Circuits Separate Pots Pickup
Specs side by side
| Seymour Duncan SSL-5L Custom Staggered Strat Lft Pickup | Seymour Duncan STC-2S-BO Blackouts Tone Circuits Separate Pots Pickup | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.00 | $79.00 |
| 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 Alnico 5 pickup with genuine vintage single-coil character
- ✓ Wax-potted construction eliminates microphonic feedback on stage
- ✓ Staggered pole pieces optimized for responsive dynamics and natural breakup
- ✓ Left-handed design—rare and essential for left-handed instruments
Why choose Seymour Duncan STC-2S-BO Blackouts Tone Circuits Separate Pots Pickup
- ✓ Active 2-band EQ with selectable treble frequency centers for precise tonal control
- ✓ Low-noise, high-headroom circuit maintains clarity at high output levels
- ✓ Pre-wired harness with individual bass and treble pots—ready to install
- ✓ Works with any pickup (active or passive) for transparent tone shaping
Frequently asked questions
Can I use both products together?
Yes—the SSL-5L is a pickup replacement, and the STC-2S-BO is a tone-control circuit. You could install the SSL-5L in a left-handed Strat and wire the STC-2S-BO circuit to shape its tone, though the SSL-5L already includes wax-potting for noise elimination.
Which is better for metal or high-gain?
Neither is ideal for metal or djent. The SSL-5L is explicitly not suited for metal due to its vintage-warm character. The STC-2S-BO is a tone circuit, not a pickup, so it cannot generate the aggressive output needed for heavy genres.
Do I need a battery for the SSL-5L?
No—the SSL-5L is a passive pickup with no active electronics. The STC-2S-BO active circuit requires a battery to power its EQ stage, which is included with the pre-wired harness.
Is the SSL-5L only for left-handed players?
Yes—the 'L' in SSL-5L designates a left-handed configuration with staggered pole pieces matched to left-handed string gauges and playing action. Right-handed players need the SSL-5 (non-L) version.