Deciding Between SL1 or SL2H?

[zyx345]

I had the opportunity to play both models at my local guitar shop. I liked both but can't seem to decide which one is best for my style of playing.

I tend to mostly play metal however I occasionally like to play Van Halen and some classic rock & blues type music as well.

One thing I did notice on the SL2H is that the 2 Humbuckers seemed to be a little closer together than I was expecting. I've owned other 24 fret guitars, i.e. EBMM Petrucci and Ibanez RG.

The SL1 I played was used but set up beautifully with ultra low action. I've heard some mention that the middle pickup can get in the way on an SL1.

Any owners of both guitars past and present, could you comment on any of the issues you had with both?

[Electric]

I have an SL2H and couldn't be happier. The only real difference between it and the SL1 is the pickup configuration. It all really just depends on whether you like the single coils or not. For me, the dual humbuckers cover any tonal territory I need. I really like the '59 in the neck. As far as playability goes, both guitars should be about the same.

[tonemonster]

I have several SL2H's and one SL1. I certainly prefer the SL2H's over the SL1. they are both great guitars, but its just personal opinion of what type of pickups you like.

[Axeslinger]

Probably can't go wrong with either

I have an SL2H solely because of the pickup configuration and that is a personal choice..

The only slight issue I could ever see having is, I'm not real big on finished necks.. If it ever gets to where it bothers me that bad I'll just break out the 000 steel wool and knock the finish down on the neck to a satin finish.. Probably unlikely tho..

[phill_up]

SL2H here also. which one can you get the best deal on?

[KBRR]

I have several SL2H's and one SL1. I certainly prefer the SL2H's over the SL1. they are both great guitars, but its just personal opinion of what type of pickups you like.

Thats it, it all comes down to what works best for you , both great guitars . I perfer 2 hums and a 3 way toggle instead of the blade switch.

[straycat]

You could coil tap both humbuckers ang get all the single coil tones too thats an option.I vote SL2H best of both worlds.

[UFORocks]

My personal pref. is SL2 > SL1. I really like the 2hum setup myself, and you can usually find the SL2 at a slight discount over the SL1, if that matters to you.

-Steve

[Flatpicker]

I prefer the SL1.
It's covers more ground tonally.

[jtr]

Sl1 More versitile and there are tons of guitars with H/H out there.

[Foulacy]

the SL1 certainly is appealing but sometimes you REALLY want that humbucker in the neck. in which case you need to have a double stacked single coil. BUT those are different beasts of their own!

my vote, SL-2H

[wilkinsi]

I vote SL2H.

[metalchurch79]

you could get an SL-2H and coil tap the neck pup to get close to some of the single coil tones available to the SL-1.
I vote 1 humbucker only
What would that be? An SL-1/2H? Hahaha!

[phill_up]

the only time I have ever used the middle pickup was on a strat with the bridge pickup tapped and middle pickup together to get that "twang" sound and that was without any distortion. with distortion I never used the middle SC pickup. I do use the neck humbucker a lot on the sl2h. I think the SL1 should have a coil tap for the bridge pickup. I think there were some soloist that were 1 Hum and 1 single coil in the neck. It really boils down to what you want.

[triplehold]

Killer sounding guitars, both of them. The SL2H looks a lot tougher.