Hot Rails -> Pickup height

[MKSkud]

I've got a strat with 3 hotrails... I've been playing around with the heights of each pickup, and because they are high output, I find it's a little different than the norm, when it comes to closeness to the strings... Anyone have any personal preferences or experiences? Thanks....

 

[disturb]

Re: Hot Rails -> Pickup height

Because the magnet is mounted underneath the pickup, you don't have to worry about string pull. Treat them like a normal 'bucker. Set the bridge at 1/16" at the high E and 3/32" at the low E. Then adjust the middle and neck so that there isn't a volume change when switching through the pickups. That should do it, but you can tweek a little. My Cool Rails at the neck is about that exact distance to match with a JB bridge.

 

[alex1fly]

Re: Hot Rails -> Pickup height

I kept mine pretty low, just a little higher than the pickguard. That way I could get some reasonable cleans, but still rock.

 

[Dru Edwards]

Re: Hot Rails -> Pickup height

I like mine fairly close to the strings but I'm looking for that extra 'metal' edge. I must admit I've never tried them down low away from the strings. Could it be that Hotrails just aren't what you're looking for? Perhaps something with less output?

Oh, welcome to the forum!

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: Hot Rails -> Pickup height

The Rails configuration produces a closer magnetic field. Since the magnetic field flows from the one blade to the other, and they are very close to eachother, it is a low field. (not low in power, low in shape)

So if you think of a Strat's magnetic field like a water fountain squirting straight up and out, a Rails pickup is more like attaching a short hose from one blade to the other.

This means that if you get it really close, it will be a lot louder, and once you get it farther than say...1/8" it will lose output. But they're hot pickups anyway so you can surely back them away from the strings with good results, I'm just saying they're more sensitive to pickup height than traditional single coils.

 

[jimijames]

Re: Hot Rails -> Pickup height

I had one in my strat for a while, and I liked it farther away from the strings FWIW. Still warm, better clarity than right up next to the strings.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Hot Rails -> Pickup height

I have a pair on one Strat (Iron Maiden Strat to be exact). I like 'em pretty close, but not so much as right up there. Enough that they cut through yet still clean up well. They split very nicely too.