{"product_id":"artec-ssa-12-vintage-style-staggered-alnico-5-strat-pickup-set-cream","title":"Artec SSA-12 Vintage Style Staggered Alnico 5 Strat Pickup Set - Cream","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStaggered Alnico 5 polepieces:\u003c\/strong\u003e Delivers the bright, articulate chime associated with 60s American Strat pickups for clear single-coil tone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReverse wound middle pickup:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provides hum cancelling when used with neck or bridge pickups in reverse polarity positions for quieter stacked tones.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition specific windings:\u003c\/strong\u003e Different resistance values for neck, middle and bridge ensure balanced output and appropriate tonal character across the set.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFiber bobbin and braided wire:\u003c\/strong\u003e Construction choices that support a vintage-style look and wiring compatibility with common Strat wiring harnesses.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes mounting accessories:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ships with screws and hardware so installation is straightforward, while noting you may need alternative screws depending on your pickguard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlayers 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAuthentic vintage single-coil voice from staggered Alnico 5 polepieces and position-appropriate windings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReverse-wound, reverse-polarity middle pickup reduces hum in common pickup combinations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBalanced resistance values across neck, middle and bridge provide consistent tonal blend.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes mounting accessories to simplify installation for most Strat style pickguards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSupplied screws may not fit all pickguards or routing; some users will need to use their own hardware.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot intended for players who want high-output or heavily modernized single-coil tones.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePickup Type\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStaggered single coil set for Strat style\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMagnet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAlnico 5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eResistance (neck\/mid\/bridge)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.3K \/ 6.5K \/ 6.5K (tolerance 0.5K)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePolepiece spacing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeck 50mm (1-31\/32 in); Middle \u0026amp; Bridge 52mm (2-3\/64 in)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMounting screw hole distance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e76.5mm (3-1\/64 in)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWiring\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBraided wire, 2P\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIncluded\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeck, middle \u0026amp; bridge pickups plus mounting accessories\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill these pickups fit a standard Strat pickguard?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo these pickups hum?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe middle pickup is reverse wound and reverse polarity, which provides hum cancelling when paired with the neck or bridge in common pickup combinations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat tone can I expect?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExpect clear, chimey, vintage-style single-coil tones that emulate 60s American Strat pickups, with slightly different output across neck and bridge positions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Musiclily","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48226276114651,"sku":"B0C7Q825GP","price":34.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/71cvJpNg1eL._AC_SL1500.jpg?v=1770835714","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/artec-ssa-12-vintage-style-staggered-alnico-5-strat-pickup-set-cream","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}