Hot Rails Question

[JSS]

Two part question... or maybe just two different questions...

Question one: I am putting together a Warmoth Les Paul Double Cutaway with HSH config. I'm definitely going Pearly Gates Bridge, A2P Neck, and a Hot Rails in the middle. Yeah, I know it's backwards to have weaker hums than singles, but this guitar will be for classic rock and occassionally something heavy. The wiring will not allow for shared pickups, so each pickup will be individual. I want to get the most output possible out of this pickup, so I am considering going with the bridge version, even though there is one for the neck/mid. Would this be stupid to do, or would I be able to get just a little more gain that way?

Question two: I have a Dimebucker in my SG (love it!). I've come to believe, in my own infantlike wisdom, that the Hot Rails is like a Dimebucker in a single coil. How far off am I on that assumption?

Thanks muchly,
Jeremy

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Hot Rails Question

The Hot Rails is really not very simular to the Dime. I find it more simular to a Duncan Distortion or an Invader. The Dimebucker really has a tone and feel all its own.

The vast majority of people that have tried the Hot Rails bridge model in the neck slot of a guitar have found it was not a good idea. Trying a HR(b) in the middle slot will be a crap shoot at best. It may work or you may find the bottom end is too loose and that the pickup sounds muddy in that position. It really is voiced for the bridge position.

Getting a bridge position tone is as much about the physical location of the pickup as it is about the pickup used. Some bridge pickups work in the neck position and there are a few guys around here that love the JB in the neck of a guitar. They will be the first to tell you that the JB mounted in the neck slot sounds nothing like the JB in the bridge slot.

You can try it, but you may get mixed results.

 

[JSS]

Re: Hot Rails Question

alright, thanks a lot. I'll definitely go mid/neck then on that one. I was just curious about it. And also, if you find it to be more like a Distortion... I love that too, have it in my neck on my SG. so, that sounds like a plan, I guess. Again, thanks a lot.

 

[Frantic_Rock]

Re: Hot Rails Question

The Hot Rails is really not very simular to the Dime. I find it more simular to a Duncan Distortion or an Invader. The Dimebucker really has a tone and feel all its own.

The vast majority of people that have tried the Hot Rails bridge model in the neck slot of a guitar have found it was not a good idea. Trying a HR(b) in the middle slot will be a crap shoot at best. It may work or you may find the bottom end is too loose and that the pickup sounds muddy in that position. It really is voiced for the bridge position.

Getting a bridge position tone is as much about the physical location of the pickup as it is about the pickup used. Some bridge pickups work in the neck position and there are a few guys around here that love the JB in the neck of a guitar. They will be the first to tell you that the JB mounted in the neck slot sounds nothing like the JB in the bridge slot.

You can try it, but you may get mixed results.

I definitely agree with Robert on the hotrail - he nailed it.
When I had my stock bridge single coil in my highway 1 it was totally unusable. - Thin and horrible. When I popped the hotrail in there its like it was designed for that position (which it was ...) It makes the trebly bridge sound THICK and ROUND. I think if you put it in the neck or middle, then it will be too much thickness and no definition. That pickup is MEANT to ROUND UP your bridge treble syndrome.

 

[Davey]

Re: Hot Rails Question

this pup will soooo go in the bridge of my usa standard strat... when i get it lol

 

[edi_87]

Re: Hot Rails Question

does HR have far better distortion than a JBJr??

 

[RACER X]

Re: Hot Rails Question

Might want to try a Cool Rail.

 

[Stratoplayer]

Re: Hot Rails Question

Little 59, L'il SD, or JB Jr. maybe?

 

[Gr8Scott]

Re: Hot Rails Question

I have a neck/mid hotrail in the mid position of my mahogany bodied strat. It is very very fat and will possibly be a little muddy in this guitar. It does a good job of imitating a big and fat bridge pickup in this position however with pinch harmonics and all. If you want it to sound like a bridge pickup, that is the one I'd shoot for. If you don't want a ton of fatness, you can try the cool rails for a more conservative and balanced tone.