Hot rails: to dark for anything but metal?

[unleashthejay]

I have the SD hot rails they have a ceramic magnet but other than for metal I think its to dark and "metal like" to do something like EVH or classic rock. I cant seem to "smooth" it out when distorted from a tube amp to matter what I do or how much I eq it. I think It's a one trick PUP anyone have any opinions on it? Is this mostly because of the magnet it uses? would an alnico mag pup be better for classic rock?

 

[guitarslinger213]

Re: Hot rails: to dark for anything but metal?

there are awesome ceramic and alnico pickups for all styles. The hot rails, in my opinion is too dark, muddy, and loud.

There are about 50 other choices that would better suit any player.

On the other hand, Hot Rails has a very nice resale value on Ebeigh. You can sell it and get something much nicer.

If you need single-coil size, I recommend the Dimarzio virtual vintage series.

A lot of people will give all kinds of recommendations for pickups that sound nicer than the hot rails.

I hate to badmouth your gear and give you buyer's remorse, but you can sell it and get a new pup.

 

[nepalnt21]

Re: Hot rails: to dark for anything but metal?

im using one in a strat and i dont think its dark at all. what guitar are u using? maybe try changing the pots if they are like 300 or 250 to 500k.

 

[unleashthejay]

Re: Hot rails: to dark for anything but metal?

well I have a american strat and I have a plexi variation ed giller all tube amp (50watt) and I have new PU's ready to put in my strat but since I just got the amp I figured to test drive the amp with the hotrails for a week or two and than change the Pu's so I can compare you know. I love the single coil sound it's great and everything:smokin: (so the amp sounds killer but the rails sounds good but not for what I need them for) but ever since I got the hotrails I new it was made for metal but for me I think its too harsh just wondering if anyone felt the same are had any opinions to improve it in that dept. But yes i did know what I was geting into with this pup and I like it but not for classic rock.

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: Hot rails: to dark for anything but metal?

im using one in a strat and i dont think its dark at all. what guitar are u using? maybe try changing the pots if they are like 300 or 250 to 500k.

+1. The pots will make a big difference. I'm using 500k in mine. I've found it to be quite a versatile pickup.

 

[wickedmartini]

Re: Hot rails: to dark for anything but metal?

im using one in a strat and i dont think its dark at all. what guitar are u using? maybe try changing the pots if they are like 300 or 250 to 500k.

I have to agree. I have an HR in one of my MIM strats and love it. Use the same guitar in two different bands--classic rock and blues--and it more than tackles the job. A lot can depend on what you pair with it and it has taken me some time to figure that out. But I love the HR and feel it's a lot more versatile than it's given credit for.

Define "dark".