full sized 59 vs. lil '59

[pookey]

I'm putting a 59 in the bridge of my strat and have to change the pickguard anyway. So, either the 59 full size or little 59 would work. Is there a difference in tone of the 59 humbucker and the little 59? My guess is that there's a difference because they are physically different in size.

 

[Simon_F]

Re: full sized 59 vs. lil '59

The Lil '59 is great if you want HB tone without modifying a traditional Strat. But if your guitar is routed for a full size HB and you're getting a new pickguard anyway I'd recommend getting the full size HB. They do sound different.

 

[mrid]

Re: full sized 59 vs. lil '59

The "lil's" sound a lot more glassy and stratty compared to their full size bretheren, but they still pack a punch. I hear the custom shop now offers the "lil's" with A5 magnets instead of ceramics.

 

[Inge Malmstein]

Re: full sized 59 vs. lil '59

I prefer the full sized HB over the lil'59!
I once bought it, and was disappointed. I had a full '59 before, which get broken and then i bought the lil59.
Now i have again a full '59.
The lil'59 has the fatness, but not the same "feel" as the full '59.
I think SD should make clear, that the sound isn't the same.
it can't be, cause the lil'59 hasn't the same magnet field like a full HB, it doesn't cover the wide "field" of a big HB.
I also got problems with the volume of each string, when i bent them.
For this case a rail-type HB would be better. I didn't knew, that there have been the cool rails, in this case i think it would be better to buy them.

 

[Travis]

Re: full sized 59 vs. lil '59

Full sized 59 = good
Little 59 = not quite

 

[pookey]

Re: full sized 59 vs. lil '59

Thanks, I'll probably go with the full sized 59.