classic stack vs rails

[Todd]

I am putting together a mexican strat with classic stacks (STK S1n) at n & m positions, but think this pup will not have enough guts at the bridge. I love the nice crisp tone of these pups. However for the bridge I'm considering hot rails or vintage rails. I understand the hot rails may be a bit too distortioned so I might want the vintage rails. Its hard to tell when I cant here them. How would you describe the difference in tone. Looking at the tone chart its hard to get a real feel for them. Also, what artists are using which pup?

Also, are my STK-S1n pups called stack plus? I got them about June 2005. They say Classic Stack on the box. What is the difference, if any? I don't like the low output on the 1st and 2nd strings with these, which is why I'm looking for another bridge pup.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: classic stack vs rails

No...you don't have the new Classic Stack Plus pickups. Yours are excellant pickups but they're the older version and not the same.

I find the Hot Rails to be a little dark...lots of mids though.

Personally, I like the Little 59 or JB Jr. better.

Lew

 

[Artie]

Re: classic stack vs rails

I agree with Lew about the Lil 59. (Never tried a JB Jr.) For awhile, I had a Classic Stack, Vintage Rails, and a Lil 59 in a Strat. The CS and VR were very close in output, so that probably wouldn't do what you want. The Lil 59 would be great though.

I have a Tele Lil 59 mated with a Classic Stack in my Tele right now. In that situation, the Lil 59 is much stronger, but the Tele Lil 59 is wound much hotter than the Strat Lil 59.

 

[Xeromus]

Re: classic stack vs rails

I DO NOT like the tone of the vintage rails at all. They are like unwanted orphaned children neither humbucker nor single coil and not sounding like either. Just no character. To me it's one of those "it'll make sound" pickups.

 

[Todd]

Re: classic stack vs rails

No...you don't have the new Classic Stack Plus pickups. Yours are excellant pickups but they're the older version and not the same.

I find the Hot Rails to be a little dark...lots of mids though.

Personally, I like the Little 59 or JB Jr. better.

Lew

The Lil' 59 was my second pick after the STKs. For some reason I suspected that what you just said about the rails having no chracter. Character is what my amp (Traynor 50 Blue ) is all about.

Can you explain the tone difference between the STK-1 and STK-4 plus? ( I think its called a 4) If the STK-plus has more guts, more output and the e&b strings have more equal output, then this may be my first choice.

Todd

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: classic stack vs rails

You might also like the new Stack Plus bridge pickup. It's hotter than a standard Strat pickup and sounds great to me.

To me the diff the between the new Stack Plus and the old Classic Stack is that the new version sounds even more like a vintage '62 or '63 Strat pickup.

In fact, it sounds almost exactly like a vintage Strat pickup...maybe a 5% diff.
The Stack Plus is just a little thicker...and the bridge version is hotter so it balances better with the neck and middle Stack Plus pickups.



Lew

 

[zionstrat]

Re: classic stack vs rails

Dont forget the cool rails- I love it in the neck but haven't tried the bridge version-

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: classic stack vs rails

I like Hot Rails bridge on a Strat with two singles...'cuz the output difference is so big that you can use the Hot Rails as an overdrive pedal almost...

Set your amp so the singles are barely overdriving it...flip to the Hot Rails and watch it all melt down.

-X

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: classic stack vs rails

I think the Cool rail is what your looking for.

 

[bluesboy]

Re: classic stack vs rails

i have used the hot rails, lil, jb, lil,59, and the lil 59 i think is the clear winner, i also have used vintage rails and i don't think it is what your looking for,for the bridge.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: classic stack vs rails

Yeah...if you're looking for a Strat sized pickup that sounds alot like a Gibson paf humbucker the Little 59 is the one...although the JB JR. is pretty cool too.

 

[Todd]

Re: classic stack vs rails

i have used the hot rails, lil, jb, lil,59, and the lil 59 i think is the clear winner, i also have used vintage rails and i don't think it is what your looking for,for the bridge.

Yeah! I think the 59 is my primary choice here, but will probably also try the new stack plus. Heck, I'll get them both. I have a JB on my Ibanez that I just love, but I think the output would be too much for the strat with the CS at n&m, also might be too hot. So this leaves me without ever hearing the rails. Maybe it's the right choice.

Thanks

 

[Todd]

Re: classic stack vs rails

Dont forget the cool rails- I love it in the neck but haven't tried the bridge version-

My first thought was to get another Classic Stack for the bridge position, but never considered Cool Rails because I thought they would be too dark at the bridge. What are the differences between CR and CS?

 

[Artie]

Re: classic stack vs rails

The Classic Stack strikes me as being a very well behaved single coil. It's "nice". But not "nice" in a bad way. Just smooth and refined, as opposed to the jangle and chime of a true single.

The Cool Rails has a distinctive punch and spank. I think it has a great personality of its own.

I might say that a true single coil rides right between the CS and CR.

 

[Todd]

Re: classic stack vs rails

I like Hot Rails bridge on a Strat with two singles...'cuz the output difference is so big that you can use the Hot Rails as an overdrive pedal almost...

Set your amp so the singles are barely overdriving it...flip to the Hot Rails and watch it all melt down.

-X

Great, this is the kind of response I was hoping for. I'll take the '59.

Thanks

 

[Todd]

Re: classic stack vs rails

I just installed the lil 59 at the bridge position, and it seems very close to what I want. It works well with the CS n&m. Its hotter with a little more output but no crunch, except it doesnt sound like a single coil. So, now another question - How does the lil 59 sound vs the new stack plus at the bridge on a strat? Incidentally this strat has a maple neck if thats important here.