Can The Custom Surfer Bridge Match Hot Rails in 1-on-1 Combat?

[ralpho]

Hey dudes!

I'm in a bit of a predicament...

The Scenario:
I've got a '95 strat that has been an extremely good guitar to me. In '97, I ripped out the stock bridge pickup and threw in a SD Hot Rails...and quite seriously, it's been a serial killer on the loose ever since! Hot Hot output with great harmonics that shred face!

Now, the world has turned a few times, and my punk-born brain is beginning to develop an appreciation for classic rock ( 60's surf, Brit, and jangle rock, the 70's distorted rock operas, etc ). As such, I've begun a campaign to get some SD Surfers in my neck and middle-slot stat! I'm a little more hesitant to install a Custom Surfer Bridge, replacing my faithful Chewbacca...my Hot Rails. :dance:

The Question:
How hot is the Custom Surfer Bridge? Does it come close to the Hot Rails? I imagine the Surfer will give me a LOT more versatility as far as tone goes ( my Hot Rails is a demon bred for one purpose...to handle jobs too tough for the Grim Reaper ). I still play distorted punk/Mid-Western-old-school-emo from time to time, but am wondering if "time-to-time" is a good reason to keep a pickup in permanently, especially after all the good things I've heard about the Surfer pups. Could the Custom Bridge fill the shoes of the Hot Rails?

Thanks in advance for any advice you guys can share :bowdown:

In Service,
Ralpho

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Can The Custom Surfer Bridge Match Hot Rails in 1-on-1 Combat?

Not even close....The Hot Rails is a higher output ceramic magnet dual coil pickup...The Surfer is based on a vintage like single coil tone...2 entirely different pickups for different music styles.

Here's an explanation on the Rails right off the Duncan site.

"High output single-coil-size “rails” humbucker. Great for classic rock, garage, punk, heavy rock, thrash, classic metal and nu-metal.
description One of the highest output and most popular pickups we make. The two thin blades, strong ceramic magnet and powerful coil windings give you the incredible sustain and a fat, full sound that’s needed for playing heavier rock music. This pickup responds to the subtlest finger movements. Comes with four-conductor hookup cable".

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Can The Custom Surfer Bridge Match Hot Rails in 1-on-1 Combat?

You might want to investigate something in the middle ground between those two. Either a hot single coil like the SSL-3 or SSL-5, or a lower output single-coil-sized humbucker like the Lil '59. Check out the specs on the main Seymour Duncan site.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Can The Custom Surfer Bridge Match Hot Rails in 1-on-1 Combat?

Just pick up any modern strat off the wall at the store. That's about the same sort of output the Surfers will have. They'll always have the bright signature strat sound.

I think you might do best with single sized humbuckers with less output, or take Simon's advise on hot single coils.....although you'll experience some hum if you're playing with gain. The quarter pounders might also be a good option. Research the descriptions on this site in the product section.

It's usually difficult finding any store that stocks all these models, so your best bet is to contact one of the forum members who are SD dealers, like Bada Bing, Lew, or Wymore Guitars.

 

[ralpho]

Re: Can The Custom Surfer Bridge Match Hot Rails in 1-on-1 Combat?

Thanks for the advice guys!

Ok, now that I know the Custom Bridge won't be hot enough for what I want, I won't install that. I'm thinking of installing a '59 in my SG, so maybe I'll keep my Hot Rails where it is, so that I can still go punk when I feel the need.

I read the following on the SD site:

For an incredibly versatile guitar, use an SVR-1n in the middle position along with an SHR-1b Hot Rails in the bridge and an SCR-1n Cool Rails in the neck.

Any opinion of the above combination vs. a :

Hot Rails --> Surfer RW/RP --> Surfer(neck)

for an allround good tone ( the bottoms are the same, so I guess the question is two surfers vs. the Vintage Rails and Cool Rails )? I'd probably be using the two upper pickups for surf/ska/clean 60's rock.