A hum-canceling, reverse wind/reverse polarity single-coil pickup that's ideal for the distinct vintage tone heard in blues rock, classic rock, and heavy rock.

The "RW/RP" in the name of the Seymour Duncan SSL-5 RW/RP Custom Staggered Single-Coil Middle Pickup stands for Reverse Wind/Reverse Polarity. This refers to the practice originated at Seymour Duncan in the late '70s of reversing the winding direction and magnetic polarity of one single coil pickup from a 2- or 3-pickup guitar. With this arrangement, hum cancellation is achieved when 2 pickups are used together. Reverse-wound, reverse-polarity middle pickups are for hum canceling in positions 2 and 4 on a 5-way pickup selector switch.

Application: A high output, true single-coil pickup for warm instruments. Perfect for Texas blues rock, classic rock, and heavy rock.

Description: Though it looks like the Seymour Duncan SSL-1 and has that distinct vintage tone, the SSL-5's overwound coil yields higher output, more sustain, and great harmonics. The result is a pickup that rocks hard and cuts through the mix, but cleans up nicely when you back off the volume. Includes white cover.

Guitars: For heavier and brighter-toned instruments with ash or alder bodies. Works well with maple or rosewood fingerboards.

Available modifications (sold separately): Tapped version for dual output levels. Left-hand magnet stagger.

Players: Nick Lashley, Alanis Morissette, Mick Jagger, Rickey Medlocke, Mike Estes, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the Wallflowers.

For hum canceling in positions 2 and 4 on a five-way pickup selector switch, you'll want to buy the SSL-5 RW/RP Custom Staggered Single-Coil Middle Pickup today.