Alternatives to Tele Hot Rails?

[Rex_Rocker]

So I'm in pickup swapping mood again!

I like the QP in my Esquire right now, but would like to try a firebreather in there.

Didn't like the HR because it's too dark. Want something more agressive, but about as hot.

Does such a thing exist?

Thanks!

 

[Securb]

I love my Super Distortion, a very classic tone.

 

[Mincer]

You might dig the BG1400, which is high output but not really dark like the Hot Rails, more like a P90. But hum-cancelling.

 

[jeremy]

hot rails with 500k or 1M pots are much more aggressive. i run a strat with neck and bridge hot rails, 500k volume and 250k tone. works great for me, but if you want more bite then up those values.

also bruce, please get the grey pubes off your guitar

 

[Rex_Rocker]

hot rails with 500k or 1M pots are much more aggressive. i run a strat with neck and bridge hot rails, 500k volume and 250k tone. works great for me, but if you want more bite then up those values.

also bruce, please get the grey pubes off your guitar

I did have it with a lone 500K volume pot. Maybe I could try it with a 1M pot.

 

[jeremy]

gotcha. 1M will give you a bit more, but that might not be enough for you. worth a try if you have the pup since pots are cheap.

the bg1400 is a great pup, not as high output as the hot rails but still got good output and pretty fat/thick sounding.

 

[Robbiedbee]

I've got a Little 59 in the bridge of one of my Telecasters. It's a much more aggressive sound than the Stratocaster version. I have no problem getting heavy rock tones from it.

And it's paired with a Jazz in the neck. The Little 59 is articulate and open sounding to my ears. Doesn't have any issues with clarity, or being muddy. I can get within the ballpark of any 80s rock/metal tone with it.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I love my Super Distortion, a very classic tone.

I did use to have a Super D T at one point. It was microphonic, but it did sound much better than the HR. Or at least, a lot more open and aggressive, IMO.

 

[Securb]

I did use to have a Super D T at one point. It was microphonic, but it did sound much better than the HR. Or at least, a lot more open and aggressive, IMO.

Interesting mine is not microphinic at all. You could have gotten a faulty pickup.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Interesting mine is not microphinic at all. You could have gotten a faulty pickup.

I did. I returned it and got a Hot Rails.

 

[Clint 55]

Your only option from Duncan is the lil 59. Otherwise you're gonna have to go to Dmz. They do a good job with their single coil size humbuckers.

 

[Artie]

You might dig the BG1400, which is high output but not really dark like the Hot Rails . . .

It's funny how we perceive things completely differently. I've never found an HR to be dark. More bright and punchy. Oh well. :dunno:

 

[Securb]

It's funny how we perceive things completely differently. I've never found an HR to be dark. More bright and punchy. Oh well. :dunno:

I have one in my black Tele and do not find it particularly dark myself. I would love it if it was a bit darker.

 

[Artie]

I have one in my black Tele and do not find it particularly dark myself. I would love it if it was a bit darker.

I also have to keep reminding myself . . . playing something in a home studio, at low to medium volume, and playing on stage, in a band mix, are two completely different things.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I also have to keep reminding myself . . . playing something in a home studio, at low to medium volume, and playing on stage, in a band mix, are two completely different things.

I am playing at home through heaphones myself, LOL. But I like bright sounds. I do like, after all, the Duncan Distortion, the Black Winter, and the '59B.

It's funny how my Les paul with an X2N which is one of the darkest full-size hums I tried had more going on up top than my Esquire with the HR. Again, JME. Maybe I got a faulty HR? I only had a single 500K volume knob with the HR too.

 

[Clint 55]

Imo, the Hot Rails are some of the darkest pups Duncan makes.

 

[Mincer]

Imo, the Hot Rails are some of the darkest pups Duncan makes.

They do tend to benefit from 500k pots. Or a very bright amp.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Honestly, the top runner up right now is either the Lil '59 or the DiMarzio Super D.

Is the Lil '59 as hot as the DCR and magnet might suggest?

 

[Mincer]

The Little 59 isn't super hot. It has more mids than the regular 59, though.

 

[life_with_a_song]

Hi Guys,

First-time poster here, and wondering if there is any way--aside from lowering the pickup, of course--to tame a Tele Hot Rails via some type of wiring mod? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks! Greg