Something to partner the Hotrails in my Strat?

[timodonnell]

I have a cool strat copy with a Hokusai custom paint job that I picked up s/h cheaply. It has a Hotrails in the bridge which is great and which makes the stock (Squier I think) neck and middle units sound indistinct and feeble. From reading around I like the sound of Vintage Rails but they are about £80 each here in the UK - any other recommendations? I'm looking for something that will give me typically clean clear stratty tones but which matches the clarity of the Hotrails and which will not hum like a forgetful churchgoer.

Thanks
Tim

[ArtieToo]

Re: Something to partner the Hotrails in my Strat?

I don't have a lot of experience with SD singles, but I sure do love the matching Quarter Pound set that I've recently installed. They have a great rich, full sound. So much so, that I use that guitar, (see my sig), almost exclusively in the neck+middle position.

If you don't need the "tapped" version, a pair is one of Duncan's least expensive pickups. (Even the tapped isn't expensive.)

[Rainmaker]

Re: Something to partner the Hotrails in my Strat?

Without hum = Classic Strat Stack, Hot Strat Stack, Vintage Rails, Duckbuckers, etc. Perhaps Cool Rails if you want to split them, I have Cool Rails and they're very good.

Bee

[Boston Joe]

Re: Something to partner the Hotrails in my Strat?

Dimarzio HS-2 in the middle position. In series it has a thick humbucking sound. In parallel, a very Stratty tone-- think Dire Straits.

[timodonnell]

Re: Something to partner the Hotrails in my Strat?

Cheers for the suggestions chaps,

Tim

[B2D]

Re: Something to partner the Hotrails in my Strat?

I'd go with the Hot Stacks... the Classics do not have enough output or bass for me so ifyou can get past the weird look of the Hot Stacks they're great.

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: Something to partner the Hotrails in my Strat?

I'd say cool rails or vintage rails. They'll match tonally, and look the same too.