Suhr SSH+?

Rex Rocker

Rex Rocker

Well-known member
I'm loving the Aldich! I'm wondering how the SSH+ compares. Is it just an underwound Aldrich? What does that mean? Slightly less output and slightly more open top-end? Does it run on the same "Special" Alnico 5? Does it do well in non-Strat-types? Anybody got any clips of it doing teh MeTulZ?

Thanks!
 
Rex Rocker said:
I'm loving the Aldich! I'm wondering how the SSH+ compares. Is it just an underwound Aldrich? What does that mean? Slightly less output and slightly more open top-end? Does it run on the same "Special" Alnico 5? Does it do well in non-Strat-types? Anybody got any clips of it doing teh MeTulZ?

Thanks!
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Personally, I prefer the Aldrich over the SSH+. I have the Aldrich in my Modern and it is much more versatile IMO.

I had three Suhrs with the SSH+ in the bridge position. I replaced the SSH+ in every one. One as noted above. The other two Suhrs now have the SSH instead. Much happier with the tone...
 
Fusionbear said:
Personally, I prefer the Aldrich over the SSH+. I have the Aldrich in my Modern and it is much more versatile IMO.

I had three Suhrs with the SSH+ in the bridge position. I replaced the SSH+ in every one. One as noted above. The other two Suhrs now have the SSH instead. Much happier with the tone...
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Other than versatility, how do they differ? What is it do you think is that makes the Aldrich more versatile?
 
Fusionbear said:
It has a more even frequency response. A little fuller in the bottom end and less upper mid spike. Cleans up better with the volume knob too.
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Gotcha, thank you. Seems like I'd like it, LOL. I like the Aldrich in my Les Paul, but my other two guitars are a bit fuller-sounding than my Les Paul, so maybe something leaner than the Aldrich might not be so bad.
 
I’ve gone through both at times. They’re both good. I’ve had the SSH+ in several guitars and it always had a vowel like half-cocked wah sound, not in a bad way. It actually sounds great and can really make the notes sing.
The thing I remember most about the Aldrich is that it had a strong treble bite.

It’s been a few years since I’ve used them, they’re in my pickup drawer, but that’s what I remember about them. Both are high powered, didn’t notice any difference in that.
 
stratjacket said:
I’ve gone through both at times. They’re both good. I’ve had the SSH+ in several guitars and it always had a vowel like half-cocked wah sound, not in a bad way. It actually sounds great and can really make the notes sing.
The thing I remember most about the Aldrich is that it had a strong treble bite.

It’s been a few years since I’ve used them, they’re in my pickup drawer, but that’s what I remember about them. Both are high powered, didn’t notice any difference in that.
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So you're saying the output isn't very different in both?
 
I preferred the Aldrich

Guitar in PFP had had both.

The SSH+ is tamer. Lower output, less highs, less high mids(?)

Cleans up even better than the Aldrich. Honestly it doesn't feel like how a high output pickup feels. It feels like a medium output pickup that's outputting a louder signal.
 
Rex Rocker said:
So you're saying the output isn't very different in both?
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I did not think there was a noticeable difference in output. But it’s been a while, others that’s played both more recently might can give a more detailed account. But they are both high output for sure.
 
Aldrich is slightly beefier, SSH+ is little bit cleaner. SSH+ is fantastic pickup for recording, no weird EQ spikes like other pickups, slight more mids, controlled bass.
Another option is DSH Plus, double row which is 'creamier' version os SSH+. Works great for thinner sounding guitars with trems (Modern Satin for example). I put one in my EBMM JP15 to replace bridge DM Illuminator and it sounds amazing, Alnico over ceramic everytime :)

Here is short comparo and I not sure if I can recognize LP from Suhr :) It goes Suhr SSH+, R9 Custombuckers, '91 Studio Custombucker, Suhr BKP True Grit.

 
bubucci said:
Aldrich is slightly beefier, SSH+ is little bit cleaner. SSH+ is fantastic pickup for recording, no weird EQ spikes like other pickups, slight more mids, controlled bass.
Another option is DSH Plus, double row which is 'creamier' version os SSH+. Works great for thinner sounding guitars with trems (Modern Satin for example). I put one in my EBMM JP15 to replace bridge DM Illuminator and it sounds amazing, Alnico over ceramic everytime :)

Here is short comparo and I not sure if I can recognize LP from Suhr :) It goes Suhr SSH+, R9 Custombuckers, '91 Studio Custombucker, Suhr BKP True Grit.

Click to expand...

Sounds nice in there!
 
I infinitely prefer the Aldrich. The SSH+ has a honkier upper midrange that I found unpleasant and chirpy when doing high gain stuff. I've yanked the stock SSH+ out of a few of my Suhr Moderns and replaced them with the Aldrich and each time it corrected what I didn't like about the SSH+.

That said, in one of my Moderns I have the regular SSH (not the SSH+) and I like that a lot. It's lower output, less compressed but has an EQ curve more similar to the Aldrich than the SSH+ for some reason.
 
Nitrobattery said:
I infinitely prefer the Aldrich. The SSH+ has a honkier upper midrange that I found unpleasant and chirpy when doing high gain stuff. I've yanked the stock SSH+ out of a few of my Suhr Moderns and replaced them with the Aldrich and each time it corrected what I didn't like about the SSH+.

That said, in one of my Moderns I have the regular SSH (not the SSH+) and I like that a lot. It's lower output, less compressed but has an EQ curve more similar to the Aldrich than the SSH+ for some reason.
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20241212_122015~2.jpg



The guitars in the back row have these Suhr pups in the bridge position:

Thornbucker II, SSH, DSV+, Aldrich, SSH

The Star on the bottom left also has a SSH in the bridge position and a custom Modern I have on order will also come with the SSH in the bridge position. For some reason, I've not been able to bond with the SSH+ or DSH+ that came originally in three of the above guitars...
 
I have the SSH+ in a non-Suhr S-type and it sounds really good, at lease by comparison to what was in there. I also have an SSH non-plus unopened in a draw. I wonder if I'd prefer the non-plus but the SSH+ sounds good that I don't want to mess with it. Someone mentioned the non-plus is closer to the Aldrich in EQ curve - does this mean the non-plus has more mids and treble?
 
Nitrobattery said:
I infinitely prefer the Aldrich. The SSH+ has a honkier upper midrange that I found unpleasant and chirpy when doing high gain stuff. I've yanked the stock SSH+ out of a few of my Suhr Moderns and replaced them with the Aldrich and each time it corrected what I didn't like about the SSH+.

That said, in one of my Moderns I have the regular SSH (not the SSH+) and I like that a lot. It's lower output, less compressed but has an EQ curve more similar to the Aldrich than the SSH+ for some reason.
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I definitely hear the chirp in the clips I've heard of it. I'm not sure I hate it, though. Part of what I like about the Aldrich is that it's fatter than the JB it replaced, but the attack is more pronounced as well, I feel. Did you find it lower output or about the same?
 
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Fusionbear said:
View attachment 381188


The guitars in the back row have these Suhr pups in the bridge position:

Thornbucker II, SSH, DSV+, Aldrich, SSH

The Star on the bottom left also has a SSH in the bridge position and a custom Modern I have on order will also come with the SSH in the bridge position. For some reason, I've not been able to bond with the SSH+ or DSH+ that came originally in three of the above guitars...
Click to expand...
What is that in the bottom left? The star
That looks killer, love the color and HS.
 
Rex Rocker said:
I definitely hear the chirp in the clips I've heard of it. I'm not sure I hate it, though. Part of what I like about the Aldrich is that it's fatter than the JB it replaced, but the attack is more pronounced as well, I feel. Did you find it lower output or about the same?
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It's kind of interesting. Since I've replaced the SSH+ with the Aldrich in a few guitars, I've been able to experience them both in the same instrument several times. Even though the Aldrich has a higher DC resistance, since it doesn't have the same upper midrange push of the SSH+, I perceive the SSH+ as being a little hotter even though on paper it isn't. It's just hitting the front end of the amp with more mids and top end.

They're both cool pickups, it just depends on your guitar and the rest of your signal chain.
 
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