A couple of Prail questions..

[DirtySteve]

Long time member but never posted under this name because I always found what I was looking for doing a search. Well, I thought I'd be sociable this time. Some here may know me, for those that don't, hello :wave: On a side note before I ask my questions, can someone please direct me to a mod? I don't know who they are. I was originally signed up under a different name, but forgot my name and password so I registered under this name that I now use on all the other forums I'm on, but was afraid I'd get banned if I ever posted and I didn't know who to talk to so I just didn't post. That was a loooong time ago and I hope all can be forgiven.

So anyway, my first question... Can anyone tell me the difference between a regular PR bridge and the hot bridge? Is it just magnets or is the wind different also?

If it's just magnets then I've already made my normal PR bridge hot by swapping in A8 mags, I just want to be sure.

I have this Tele (shaped guitar) I built that has 2 HB routes. I want to set it up with PRs in both positions with triple shots. I've had the PR in the bridge for a while now and I really like it and want to go ahead and set it up with a neck PR also.

My next question is...do I want to use a neck PR with the hot bridge or do I want to use a regular bridge PR paired with the hot PR? I just want the best balance in the middle switch position and I figure you guys could steer me in the right direction so I don't have to guess and hope for the best.

Thanks!...here's the guitar in question.

 

[dystrust]

Re: A couple of Prail questions..

The regular P-Rails and the Hot versions are different winds in addition to the A8 magnets. The regular P-Rails is bordering on too hot in the neck position, so I wouldn't put a bridge model in the neck.

 

[DirtySteve]

Re: A couple of Prail questions..

That means I need to order 2 PRs. I was hoping I could use the one I have but that's ok. I knew I should ask here, thanks man!

hmm, for some reason I can't "like" your post.

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: A couple of Prail questions..

The regular P-Rails and the Hot versions are different winds in addition to the A8 magnets. The regular P-Rails is bordering on too hot in the neck position, so I wouldn't put a bridge model in the neck.

That means I need to order 2 PRs. I was hoping I could use the one I have but that's ok. I knew I should ask here, thanks man!

hmm, for some reason I can't "like" your post.

I agree with Dystrust that the regular P-Rails are plenty hot on their own. I have a set in my Ibanez AS83 and WOW are they hot!

For that very reason, though, I'd suggest just picking up the neck PR and giving it a try. I'd be willing to bet that you'd be just fine with just a few twists of a screwdriver on pickup heights in order to achieve a good balance.


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[VinceT]

Re: A couple of Prail questions..

Before you swap out the bridge PR you have, I'd grab a used neck off reverb and see how they work together. Trust your ears first, spec sheet second!


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[DirtySteve]

Re: A couple of Prail questions..

Thanks fellas.

 

[dystrust]

Re: A couple of Prail questions..

I agree with Dystrust that the regular P-Rails are plenty hot on their own. I have a set in my Ibanez AS83 and WOW are they hot!

For that very reason, though, I'd suggest just picking up the neck PR and giving it a try. I'd be willing to bet that you'd be just fine with just a few twists of a screwdriver on pickup heights in order to achieve a good balance.


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That's pretty much what I was trying to say. There's no reason that a regular neck position P-Rails won't balance with the hot bridge; they don't actually make a hot neck model. What I was saying specifically was not to use the regular P-Rails bridge model in the neck position.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: A couple of Prail questions..

I've got a lot of experience with the P-Rails. The info you have received is correct...the Hot P-Rails is a different wind as well as the A8 magnets.

You say you have had the regular P-Rails with A8 magnets in the bridge for several months. How do you like that? Is there anything you would like to change about its tone?

For tonal variety, I mount the bridge P-Rail with the rail coil next to the bridge (the P-90 coil toward the neck, this gives a more Tele type of sound when the rail coil is selected) but to boost the output of the rail coil (which is pretty weak in this position) I put an A8 magnet next to the Rail coil leaving the A5 mag next to the P-90 coil. It works great.

I have found that the regular P-Rails is plenty hot, but with the ONE A8 magnet next to the Rail coil and an A5 next to the P-90 coil it just sounds more balanced than with the two A5 magnets or with two A8 magnets.

For the neck, you definitely want the regular neck version, not the bridge or the hot model.

 

[DirtySteve]

Re: A couple of Prail questions..

Hey Doc, there's nothing I want to change about the tone, I just want it a little hotter. Changing the mags to A8 really made a difference, but if it could be a tad hotter that would be cool and the reason I want to go hot, especially now that I know the wind is different. I won't be happy until I try it, lol. I haven't experimented with different mags, I just put in the A8s and liked it better. (not that is wasn't good stock) My goal I guess and the reason I think I want the Hot bridge is because I want the hotter P90 when used in the P90 only position. As a HB it's pretty good already. I like the A8/A5 idea, I will try that, thanks.

I was going to experiment with different orientation on both pickups (P90 towards bridge vs rail towards bridge and same for the neck pickup). I have had my Prail in many guitars over the last few years and I've liked it in all of them, but never experimented with that, I've always just installed it with the P90 towards the bridge. I'm looking to get the most versatility out of this guitar which is why I'm going all out with this.

BTW those additional switches on the guitar...one is a direct to jack switch on the bridge pickup and cuts everything else and I'm thinking an out of phase switch for the other one. I originally installed it to switch coils on the prail, but then I tried a triple shot and liked it much better so now I need to find something to do with that switch or else plug the hole. This guitar originally had a Tele SC neck pickup, but I routed it out for a HB.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: A couple of Prail questions..

Kudos on your willingness and desire to try new things and decide for yourself what you like. I've no doubt that you will end up where you ultimately want to be (if that is even a possibility).

 

[DirtySteve]

Re: A couple of Prail questions..

Ordered my pickups and tripleshots. This is the most I've ever spent on pickups and most of my pickups are boutique, I sure hope this works out like I think it will. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

Thanks again all!

 

[DirtySteve]

Re: A couple of Prail questions..

oops, one more thing and I meant to ask this earlier but I was at work and got distracted...

So, there's no chance of the A8 deguassing the A5 when side by side in the same pickup? (even over time?) That's what I worry about. I've done lots of experimenting with mismatched magnets in a Phat cat, but never threw an A8 in the mix for fear that it was too strong for that kind of thing.

 

[Mincer]

Re: A couple of Prail questions..

Actually, I've never tried that. I don't think so, but I will let magnet experts chime in.
I'd love to see pics when it is done.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: A couple of Prail questions..

I've had the A8/A5 mag combo in my P-Rails for nearly 10 years and haven't noticed any problem with degauzing.

 

[DirtySteve]

Re: A couple of Prail questions..

The storm delayed my shipment. My pickups were supposed to be here today but didn't make it. :grumble:

 

[Demanic]

Re: A couple of Prail questions..

If you don't think that the A8 is strong enough, I think that you can get A9s.

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[DirtySteve]

Re: A couple of Prail questions..

Holy crap, they have A9s now?!! What are their characteristics?

 

[Demanic]

Re: A couple of Prail questions..

From what I've heard, they are really only suitable for metal. I have to imagine that they are stronger than A8 or C8 but not as strong as a similar size neodymium. The neodymium magnets supposedly make all the dogs in your neighborhood hate you.

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[DirtySteve]

Re: A couple of Prail questions..

Ok cool, got my pickups today and got them installed. I ended up with them reversed in both positions. I really like the bridge this way and I didn't change the magnets. I have never liked an A5 bridge pickup and every one I ever had ended up with an A2 it so I just didn't want to chance it, I would be willing to try an A2 though if I was sure the A8 won't degauss the A2. I like it just fine with the way it is so it's cool. The neck pickup however is a different story, the rail side has a considerable volume drop and is very week sounding on it's own. I may try an A5 under the rail on that one. Both P90s sound great, so do the parallels on both pickups and both HBs sound great.

Over all I'm very pleased with the outcome and thanks again guys! Here are a couple of pics but my camera sucks and they didn't come out very well, these were the best of about 30 I took, lol..

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: A couple of Prail questions..

I love a happy ending!