I have an '87 Fender American Standard Strat with 3 Hot Rails pickups. All of my pedals are analog and I play through a 50 watt Marshall amp that's about 25 years old. I only play as a hobby so, I'm pretty tone stupid. I like to play songs by bands like Badfinger, Aerosmith, Eagles, Van Halen, etc. If it's classic rock, blues, jazz or whatever I like to try it. My problem is with the tone I'm searching for. I don't know how much DC resistance and resonant peak really matters. Basically, I just want some advice on Hot Rails vs. Little 59 pickups in the bridge position on strats. It would be great to hear from someone who has tried both in the the same strat played through the same amp. Does the strat really need the higher output Hot Rails to really get a Les Paul rock sound? Aa a hobby player, would I even notice a big tone or output difference between these two pickups. If I stay with Hot Rails in the bridge I want to put Cool Rails in the other 2 spots- or- I will go with 3 59's. Thank You for any advice you give me- Rock On!!
Hot Rails vs. Little 59's
- Thread starter analogged
- Start date
kmcguitars
GuitarArtologist
Re: Hot Rails vs. Little 59's
The Hot rails is a very aggresive PuP and a Lil' dark sounding IMHO. If you
play classic rock I think you would fair much better with a Lil'59er in your
bridge. Another thing to think about... You have 3 PuP guitar,Why have the
same PuPs? you can devlope a tonal palete by useing different style PuPs.
Say a 59er Bridge, APS-II Middle, Coolrails neck. or mix and match to your likeing.
The Hot rails is a very aggresive PuP and a Lil' dark sounding IMHO. If you
play classic rock I think you would fair much better with a Lil'59er in your
bridge. Another thing to think about... You have 3 PuP guitar,Why have the
same PuPs? you can devlope a tonal palete by useing different style PuPs.
Say a 59er Bridge, APS-II Middle, Coolrails neck. or mix and match to your likeing.
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Re: Hot Rails vs. Little 59's
No experience with the lil 59, but I will say hotrails kicks butt for any hard rock/metal or beyond. For what you do you may want to go with a JB jr (or lil 59 if someone who has experience with it chimes in), as its a bit more balanced and maybe a bit more versitile. I love my hotrails in my strat though.
No experience with the lil 59, but I will say hotrails kicks butt for any hard rock/metal or beyond. For what you do you may want to go with a JB jr (or lil 59 if someone who has experience with it chimes in), as its a bit more balanced and maybe a bit more versitile. I love my hotrails in my strat though.
Brett Valentine
New member
Re: Hot Rails vs. Little 59's
Personally, I like the Lil '59 in the bridge position as opposed to the HR. It's definitely a bit brighter, and has more expressive dynamics. Get's a nice, bright single coil sound, though not "characteristic" Strat (but will still give you a good country twang if you want it).
In humbucker mode, I don't really miss the extra kick of the Hot Rails. I use the Li'l '59 for leads in just about every style, and it does work. In fact, I tend to like it a bit more than the HR which is powerful, but didn't seem quite as versatile to me.
Depending upon how you've got the thing wired, the neck HR/ bridge Lil '59 in single coil mode can give a good "Tele impression."
I don't know about the Vintage Rails or the Lil '59 in the neck position so I can't help you there.
Brett
Personally, I like the Lil '59 in the bridge position as opposed to the HR. It's definitely a bit brighter, and has more expressive dynamics. Get's a nice, bright single coil sound, though not "characteristic" Strat (but will still give you a good country twang if you want it).
In humbucker mode, I don't really miss the extra kick of the Hot Rails. I use the Li'l '59 for leads in just about every style, and it does work. In fact, I tend to like it a bit more than the HR which is powerful, but didn't seem quite as versatile to me.
Depending upon how you've got the thing wired, the neck HR/ bridge Lil '59 in single coil mode can give a good "Tele impression."
I don't know about the Vintage Rails or the Lil '59 in the neck position so I can't help you there.
Brett
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gooswyn
New member
Re: Hot Rails vs. Little 59's
bro.......
just try Lil 59 (neck) and hotrail (bridge)
the sound are pretty good.
i use them on my 70's stratocaster. and they sound rock !!
nb: cool rail also a good option, but if u want the brighter sound and more vintage characteristic, just use lil 59 neck.
bro.......
just try Lil 59 (neck) and hotrail (bridge)
the sound are pretty good.
i use them on my 70's stratocaster. and they sound rock !!
nb: cool rail also a good option, but if u want the brighter sound and more vintage characteristic, just use lil 59 neck.
pentachris
New member
Re: Hot Rails vs. Little 59's
bro.......
just try Lil 59 (neck) and hotrail (bridge)
the sound are pretty good.
i use them on my 70's stratocaster. and they sound rock !!
nb: cool rail also a good option, but if u want the brighter sound and more vintage characteristic, just use lil 59 neck.
__________________
and in the middle???
bro.......
just try Lil 59 (neck) and hotrail (bridge)
the sound are pretty good.
i use them on my 70's stratocaster. and they sound rock !!
nb: cool rail also a good option, but if u want the brighter sound and more vintage characteristic, just use lil 59 neck.
__________________
and in the middle???
stevie_bees
Cat In The Hatministrator
Re: Hot Rails vs. Little 59's
From the type of stuff you wish to play, a JB jnr might be the way forward. Covers pretty much all areas.
From the type of stuff you wish to play, a JB jnr might be the way forward. Covers pretty much all areas.
Kommerzbassist
Thunderbirdologist
Re: Hot Rails vs. Little 59's
Hmm,, i've got one in the bridge pos and I must say it doesn't really sound dark... more like the ZZ Top stuff... dont know how the neck one sounds...
Hmm,, i've got one in the bridge pos and I must say it doesn't really sound dark... more like the ZZ Top stuff... dont know how the neck one sounds...
