hotrails M/B question

[barrybynum]

Hey I have a HR that was in bridge position of my strat which I replaced with the Lil59 which is wonderful.
Question --would this HR be any good in neck position on another strat? or woudl it be too muddy?

 

[Mincer]

Re: hotrails M/B question

If it is a Hot Rail bridge, it will not only be too middy, but it will overpower any other pickups you choose to put in there. It is one of the few models that don't work so well in other positions (or other styles of music except heavy rock).

 

[barrybynum]

Re: hotrails M/B question

thanks. this guitar already has a very loud full humbucker in bridge and an overwound SC in middle. not sure the brand this is an early Schecter strat... so when you say "middy" does that mean low mids or hi mids. I would be curious to see a freq response graph on pickups sort of like they do with mics and drivers. Does SD have those specs listed?

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: hotrails M/B question

I've used a Performer Scorcher (import-spec Hot Rail) in the neck of a guitar; those pickups, I believe, do not come in neck/bridge versions, only one 25k flavor. Squier installs three in a guitar. It's not ideal but they will balance in the neck with a hotter humbucker in the bridge.

 

[barrybynum]

Re: hotrails M/B question

do you guys think that hotrails would have decent highs for an overdriven tube bluesrock tone?

 

[Mincer]

Re: hotrails M/B question

It wouldn't be my first choice...to hot and too compressed. But hey, I am also a fan of 'use what you have first'. Wired in parallel, it just might work.

 

[barrybynum]

Re: hotrails M/B question

thanks!

 

[jeremy]

Re: hotrails M/B question

I’ve used a hot rail bridge model in the neck with a Hot bucker in the bridge and it works ok. It’s wired to a series/parallel switch. Series is pretty much only good for distorted solos up the neck but it sounds very thick. Parallel is more versatile

 

[barrybynum]

Re: hotrails M/B question

I’ve used a hot rail bridge model in the neck with a Hot bucker in the bridge and it works ok. It’s wired to a series/parallel switch. Series is pretty much only good for distorted solos up the neck but it sounds very thick. Parallel is more versatile

Thank you so much, that is helpful. Gonna give it a try. BTW my experience with this little 59er in the bridge on my 80s Squire is awesome. That truly is a wonderful pickup. Gives me the snarl and growl I need for the classic 4x12 LP tone. It is the closest I have ever come on that guitar to getting my beloved (from days gone by) bridge tone I used to get on my 71 SG.

 

[barrybynum]

Re: hotrails M/B question

and thanks all of you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

 

[barrybynum]

Re: hotrails M/B question

i installed the HR in neck. Very dark tone compared to the others, very little highs. Can you suggest a neck humbucker (SC size) that is really bright with pretty strong output

 

[Mincer]

Re: hotrails M/B question

See, that is the thing...as the output is increased, you get less highs. An SSL-2 has great highs, but is not very strong. A Quarter Pound is strong, but doesn't have the highs.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: hotrails M/B question

If you need brightness AND output for thr neck of a strat, I'd get a Fast Track 1 from Dimarzio. They sound kindboflike a fatter, clearer strat pickup, but can be raised pretty high for increased output.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: hotrails M/B question

BTW, have you tried it wired in parallel?