RayBarbeeMusic
Active member
Not looking for "um brighter with less output". Looking for something more accurate and descriptive. Does it come across more like a PAF? More like an overwound Single? Or?
Hot Rails in Parallel - how does it sound?
- Thread starter RayBarbeeMusic
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RayBarbeeMusic
Active member
Re: Hot Rails in Parallel - how does it sound?
Really looking at just the bridge. I want something that will go from high output like the HR in series to something more tame, but not overly bright. Not sure if the HR will do that or not.
Really looking at just the bridge. I want something that will go from high output like the HR in series to something more tame, but not overly bright. Not sure if the HR will do that or not.
freefrog
Well-known member
Re: Hot Rails in Parallel - how does it sound?
I've an old Variax that I've modded : I've dug its body to add mag pickups and their wiring harness.
The bridge PU is a Hot Rails with a series parallel switch.
When I go back and forth between this Hot Rails in parallel and the Line6 Telecaster model, I hear something similar in output level and overall tone.
IMHO, it's pretty logical, since the HR in parallel has the same inductance than a Tele bridge SC - not to mention that I've mounted the SC sized HR in an angled slot, like in a Tele.
That's my experience. YMMV.
I've an old Variax that I've modded : I've dug its body to add mag pickups and their wiring harness.
The bridge PU is a Hot Rails with a series parallel switch.
When I go back and forth between this Hot Rails in parallel and the Line6 Telecaster model, I hear something similar in output level and overall tone.
IMHO, it's pretty logical, since the HR in parallel has the same inductance than a Tele bridge SC - not to mention that I've mounted the SC sized HR in an angled slot, like in a Tele.
That's my experience. YMMV.
Re: Hot Rails in Parallel - how does it sound?
I have a strat with a Hotrails bridge with series parallel switch. I team it with two Kinman Blues PU's in the neck and middle. The parallel switch works very well. The parallel bridge blends with the lower output pickups quite well and I think sounds good by itself. It's not too bright (I hate bright bridge pickups) and it maintains nice lows. If anything, a bit of the mids drop out making it clearer. The series is my 'blower' switch for leads and OD crunch. I'm very happy with the Hotrails bridge. I think it's the sixth bridge pickup I've tried in this guitar and this one is staying.
I have a strat with a Hotrails bridge with series parallel switch. I team it with two Kinman Blues PU's in the neck and middle. The parallel switch works very well. The parallel bridge blends with the lower output pickups quite well and I think sounds good by itself. It's not too bright (I hate bright bridge pickups) and it maintains nice lows. If anything, a bit of the mids drop out making it clearer. The series is my 'blower' switch for leads and OD crunch. I'm very happy with the Hotrails bridge. I think it's the sixth bridge pickup I've tried in this guitar and this one is staying.
RayBarbeeMusic
Active member
Re: Hot Rails in Parallel - how does it sound?
Thanks Scorch, that is exactly what I was looking for!
Thanks Scorch, that is exactly what I was looking for!
freefrog
Well-known member
Re: Hot Rails in Parallel - how does it sound?
FWIW, the neck pickup added in my Variax is a bridge Cool Rails and works well in parallel too, with a convincing "Tele neck PU" voicing.
FWIW, the neck pickup added in my Variax is a bridge Cool Rails and works well in parallel too, with a convincing "Tele neck PU" voicing.
Last edited:
Butch Snyder
ObsoleteChickenPickingologist
Re: Hot Rails in Parallel - how does it sound?
I have used it and the Lil 59 in parallel i the past; but I don't remember it enough to detail the tone I heard. I just installed a Hot Rails Tele set in my Tele. I don't really like them in series. Too think and dark for me. I'm going to rewire them both in parallel mode when I get home from work today. I will use them when I rehearse with my band tonight and report back.
I have used it and the Lil 59 in parallel i the past; but I don't remember it enough to detail the tone I heard. I just installed a Hot Rails Tele set in my Tele. I don't really like them in series. Too think and dark for me. I'm going to rewire them both in parallel mode when I get home from work today. I will use them when I rehearse with my band tonight and report back.
Butch Snyder
ObsoleteChickenPickingologist
Re: Hot Rails in Parallel - how does it sound?
Ray, I got home from work yesterday and wired my Hot Rails Tele set in parallel (both pickups) and went to rehearsal. The tone I heard was different than in series in that they were a little brighter and not quite as loud. They still retained a smooth character. I had problems cutting through the mix and getting out on top during solos.
All that can be manipulated through the amp settings though; but I have my other Tele, an HSS Tele, sounding very nice through that amp. I don't want to have to mess with amp settings when one guitar already sounds good.
My personal opinion is that they don't have a lot of personality. Now, that said, they weren't meant to be put through a Fender Twin or Deluxe Reverb. They are meant to be used with high gain stuff and many effects; a lot of processing. IMO, that's where they shine. I do use effects but my sound is still pretty vintage-based.
I have removed mine and put them up for sale.
Ray, I got home from work yesterday and wired my Hot Rails Tele set in parallel (both pickups) and went to rehearsal. The tone I heard was different than in series in that they were a little brighter and not quite as loud. They still retained a smooth character. I had problems cutting through the mix and getting out on top during solos.
All that can be manipulated through the amp settings though; but I have my other Tele, an HSS Tele, sounding very nice through that amp. I don't want to have to mess with amp settings when one guitar already sounds good.
My personal opinion is that they don't have a lot of personality. Now, that said, they weren't meant to be put through a Fender Twin or Deluxe Reverb. They are meant to be used with high gain stuff and many effects; a lot of processing. IMO, that's where they shine. I do use effects but my sound is still pretty vintage-based.
I have removed mine and put them up for sale.
RayBarbeeMusic
Active member
Re: Hot Rails in Parallel - how does it sound?
Thanks for the follow up!
My sound is more on the vintage side to, I like lots of midrange and don't like lots of gain.
I was thinking about having a push/pull to put it in parallel in the bridge when I want, and having a 20 pole 5 way so it automatically goes into parallel mode when it is on with the middle pup. If it is still fairly dark in parallel, I guess I'll have to see what I think of it. I can wire the switch so it sees 250k in the bridge position only and 500k in the other 4 positions, that might help with the bridge(parallel)/middle combo.
Have you by chance used the DIMarzio Fast Track 2? I'm curious how it compares in that situation.
Thanks for the follow up!
My sound is more on the vintage side to, I like lots of midrange and don't like lots of gain.
I was thinking about having a push/pull to put it in parallel in the bridge when I want, and having a 20 pole 5 way so it automatically goes into parallel mode when it is on with the middle pup. If it is still fairly dark in parallel, I guess I'll have to see what I think of it. I can wire the switch so it sees 250k in the bridge position only and 500k in the other 4 positions, that might help with the bridge(parallel)/middle combo.
Have you by chance used the DIMarzio Fast Track 2? I'm curious how it compares in that situation.
Butch Snyder
ObsoleteChickenPickingologist
Re: Hot Rails in Parallel - how does it sound?
Haven't tried any of the DiMarzio rails pickups.
Haven't tried any of the DiMarzio rails pickups.
freefrog
Well-known member
Re: Hot Rails in Parallel - how does it sound?
For those who would want to try Rails in parallel: experiment with different pot values... in parallel or not, a single coil sized humbucker most often needs 500k if not 1M pots when it comes to sound closer to single coils. And plug your axe through a low capacitance cable, too...
Of course, it won't sound exactly like a real Tele nor with a lot of personality. When I want a real Tele tone, I simply take the Tele that I've here (fitted with these PU's: http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/telecaster/vintage-output/alnico_ii_pro_f_1/ )
IME, Rails with a series/parallel switch are simply a "functional" way to have a versatile workhorse guitar, able to deliver warm tones as well as a decent single coil approximation. In my case, they cut through the mix, even on big stages in front of noisy audiences and even through tube amps (I've played them with good results through my Fender, Vox, Marshall and VHT).
Now and as usual, YMMV...
For those who would want to try Rails in parallel: experiment with different pot values... in parallel or not, a single coil sized humbucker most often needs 500k if not 1M pots when it comes to sound closer to single coils. And plug your axe through a low capacitance cable, too...
Of course, it won't sound exactly like a real Tele nor with a lot of personality. When I want a real Tele tone, I simply take the Tele that I've here (fitted with these PU's: http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/telecaster/vintage-output/alnico_ii_pro_f_1/ )
IME, Rails with a series/parallel switch are simply a "functional" way to have a versatile workhorse guitar, able to deliver warm tones as well as a decent single coil approximation. In my case, they cut through the mix, even on big stages in front of noisy audiences and even through tube amps (I've played them with good results through my Fender, Vox, Marshall and VHT).
Now and as usual, YMMV...
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