Artec SSA-12 Vintage Style Staggered Alnico 5 Strat Pickup Set - Cream

In this review of the Artec SSA-12 pickup set, the bottom line is simple: this is a practical, tone-focused replacement for Strat style guitars seeking a 60s American Strat character. The set is built to emulate classic vintage chime with staggered Alnico 5 polepieces and offers a true reverse-wound, reverse-polarity middle pickup for hum cancelling in the common 2- or 3-pickup combinations. For players wanting clear, bright single-coil tones and an authentic vintage voicing without a high price tag, the SSA-12 is worth a close look.

Key Features

• Staggered Alnico 5 polepieces: Delivers the bright, articulate chime associated with 60s American Strat pickups for clear single-coil tone.
• Reverse wound middle pickup: Provides hum cancelling when used with neck or bridge pickups in reverse polarity positions for quieter stacked tones.
• Position specific windings: Different resistance values for neck, middle and bridge ensure balanced output and appropriate tonal character across the set.
• Fiber bobbin and braided wire: Construction choices that support a vintage-style look and wiring compatibility with common Strat wiring harnesses.
• Includes mounting accessories: Ships with screws and hardware so installation is straightforward, while noting you may need alternative screws depending on your pickguard.

Who It's For

The SSA-12 set is aimed at Strat owners and modders who want a cost-effective way to approximate classic 60s Strat voicings without extensive modification; it works well for indie, blues, country and vintage rock players who prize clarity and single-coil chime. It also suits builders assembling a Strat style guitar who need a matched neck, middle and bridge set with correct pole spacing for typical Strat pickguards.

Players seeking modern high-output or overwound pickups, or those who need exact factory fitment with proprietary screw sizes, should look elsewhere; the package warns that the supplied screws may not suit every installation, so some users will want to source their own mounting hardware to ensure a perfect fit.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Authentic vintage single-coil voice from staggered Alnico 5 polepieces and position-appropriate windings.
• Reverse-wound, reverse-polarity middle pickup reduces hum in common pickup combinations.
• Balanced resistance values across neck, middle and bridge provide consistent tonal blend.
• Includes mounting accessories to simplify installation for most Strat style pickguards.

Cons

• Supplied screws may not fit all pickguards or routing; some users will need to use their own hardware.
• Not intended for players who want high-output or heavily modernized single-coil tones.

Specifications

Pickup Type	Staggered single coil set for Strat style
Magnet	Alnico 5
Resistance (neck/mid/bridge)	6.3K / 6.5K / 6.5K (tolerance 0.5K)
Polepiece spacing	Neck 50mm (1-31/32 in); Middle & Bridge 52mm (2-3/64 in)
Mounting screw hole distance	76.5mm (3-1/64 in)
Wiring	Braided wire, 2P
Included	Neck, middle & bridge pickups plus mounting accessories

Our Verdict

The Artec SSA-12 is a sensible, budget-friendly way to bring classic 60s Strat chime to a Strat style guitar. It balances authentic voicing with practical features like reverse-wound middle pickup and position-specific resistance, making it a good value for players wanting vintage character without premium cost. Buy this set if you want clear single-coil tones and hum-cancelling in typical Strat wiring; consider alternate hardware if your pickguard needs different screws.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will these pickups fit a standard Strat pickguard?
They are designed for Strat style spacing with neck 50mm and middle/bridge 52mm pole spacing and 76.5mm screw spacing, but you may need different screws depending on your pickguard or route.

Do these pickups hum?
The middle pickup is reverse wound and reverse polarity, which provides hum cancelling when paired with the neck or bridge in common pickup combinations.

What tone can I expect?
Expect clear, chimey, vintage-style single-coil tones that emulate 60s American Strat pickups, with slightly different output across neck and bridge positions.