How hot are the Hot Stacks?

[Benjy_26]

Hey all.

Just wondering: Does anyone know how hot the Hot Stacks are in comparison to "normal" vintage style singles.

I ask because I was thinking of getting a pair of them to use with an El Diablo in a Washburn Mercury (ash/maple/rosewood super strat with a floating Wilkinson).

What do y'all think?

 

[Fusion1]

Re: How hot are the Hot Stacks?

I'd say it would look cool without a doubt with all rails. I do have an old one in a Kramer Pacer Deluxe but it had been in parts since the 80's and I don't remember ever playing through that pickup the short time it was a fully assembled guitar.

 

[Kosh Naranek]

Re: How hot are the Hot Stacks?

I have a pair of them in my Robin Medley. They're not very hot. A little louder than vintage single coils, but not super hot. They've a good match with all the bridge humbuckers I've had in that guitar - the stock Custom, a JB, a Custom Custom and currently a Blues Trembucker.

The other thing I like about them is the tone. I wasn't expecting such great sound from pickups designed to be louder than single coils. They're clear, tight, and they quack like real single coils when used together.

If the El Diablo is extremely high output, it might kinda leave the Hot Stacks in the dust. I think the Cool Rails might even have a higher output. The PATB-STk is a good match for hotter humbuckers too. And of course if you don't need single coil tone, the Hot Rails should easily keep up.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: How hot are the Hot Stacks?

The El Diablo is weird. It has a DC resistance of around 22k with alnico II mags, but it doesn't feel or sound any hotter than a CC. If anything, It's almost like a full frequency CC.

Besides, I want to be able to do a series/parallel option on the ED, just to get some good quack from the #4 position.