is the '59 a good all-round humbucker?

[devastone]

Re: is the '59 a good all-round humbucker?

The Cool Rails neck is clearer than the Hot Rails and a little hotter than the Lil' 59 neck. DCR is not an output rating, output also depends on wire gauge, magnet, inductance, and the rails tend to be a little hotter than the standard pole pieces. If you don't like the CR, maybe the lil' Screamin' Demon would be more your thing, scooped EQ and a little hotter than the lil' 59.

 

[Mincer]

Re: is the '59 a good all-round humbucker?

Generally, vintage-output pickups like the 59, Pearly Gates, etc can do many things well. The eq may not work for your guitar, but if you pick one that does, it can be used for lots of styles of music.

 

[Reee]

Re: is the '59 a good all-round humbucker?

The Cool Rails neck is clearer than the Hot Rails and a little hotter than the Lil' 59 neck. DCR is not an output rating, output also depends on wire gauge, magnet, inductance, and the rails tend to be a little hotter than the standard pole pieces. If you don't like the CR, maybe the lil' Screamin' Demon would be more your thing, scooped EQ and a little hotter than the lil' 59.

I wonder if the people saying the hot rails is muddy are using 250k or 500k pots

 

[Aceman]

Re: is the '59 a good all-round humbucker?

I agree that a cool rails neck might be better with a 59 bridge. But, if you are set on the Hot rails, might I suggest another great all around pickup: The 59/Custom Hybrid.

Not as hot as a JB, far less mids, but runs a wider range than a regular 59. Plus, it would be much better with the Hot rails you like....

And IMO, yes - a 59 or pair of 59's are just a great all around set of pickups. Let the amp and the fx do the work. There will always be a specific pickup better for this or that exact application, but I could do anything with a pair of 59's and be happy.

 

[regan]

Re: is the '59 a good all-round humbucker?

I have sd59's in my LP only criticism I have is the neck pup can be wooly/boomy with the tone rolled off.

But if you set your amp up with this tone intended ie neck pup selected & tone on zero the other tones kinda look after themselves

 

[metlking]

Re: is the '59 a good all-round humbucker?

The 59 IS a great all around pickup. I use it in a few Les Pauls and can get it to do just about anything. If you already have the Hotrails neck and it turns out to be too much, wiring it in parallel will tame it nicely and give you some sweet tones! I have a hot bridge pickup in the neck slot of a Tele wired this way......