Hot Rails sounds thin and low volume

[leomattei]

Hi there,

I installed a Hot Rails on the bridge pickup of my Fender 1990 American Standard Strat. Initially I followed the instructions and swapped the black wire with the green wire around to use it together with Fender pickups, but it didn't sound right, so I swapped the wires again. Unfortunately it still drops volume a lot when in use and it sounds very thin, definitely not like an humbucker should sound. I fixed the height, and lowered the other pickups to try and balance, but nothing. Do you have any suggestions?

Thank you!

 

[Artie]

You DID solder red & white together, and insulate, right?

 

[leomattei]

You DID solder red & white together, and insulate, right?

Yes

 

[Artie]

I figured you did, but had to ask. Next thing would be, do have a meter? Just to make sure both coils are good.

It was a long time ago, that a few JB's got out of the factory with one coil reversed.

 

[Mincer]

Also, it may help to post some clear pictures of your wiring. The Hot Rails should be very very loud, so something is certainly up with either the pickup itself or the wiring.

 

[Artie]

The "do you have a meter" is important too. Even a cheap Harbor-Freight unit would be good. You can tell a lot with a meter.

 

[jeremy]

the hot rails shouldnt sound thin. you do have a bridge model right? a meter will help a lot if you have one. dc resistance from the jack (using a short cable) should be around 16k