lil '59 quite tame?

StrangeSound

StrangeSound

GlossesForNothin'
Hey dudes,

I got a lil 59 in my Squire strat in the bridge. I think that the 2 single coils are quite hot to let the guitar sound good/better but in comparison the humbucker is more quiet than the single coils. Did I wire something wrong? I swapped a couple of pups already but it still raises the question if the lil 59 is half the power of a humbucker?

On the other hand, which HB in a SC do you like a lot? I will buy a nice Fender strat some day and would like to use a HB in SC form which splits nicely to get some quack in position 4, or 2 that is. I am not into high output pups and don't expect to sounds these pups huge or agressive.
 
Re: lil '59 quite tame?

What wires did you connect where??

For the full output the red/white need to be soldered and taped, blck wire to the switch, green and bare to the back of a pot (ground). Sounds like you're running 1 coil only so somewhere there's either of red/white grounded or a loose connection.

Humbuckers in strats are hard to mix with singlecoils with normal 1 volume/2 tone controls. Either the h/b sounds very dull with a 250k pot, or the s/c's sound too bright with a 500k pot. The other problem is that a split h/b is 2/3 the strength of a singlecoil, so the quack position is a bit weak with autosplit.

The only suggestion I can offer is to look at the custom stack plus. Its like the custom flat (ssl5) which is Dave Gilmour type tone (thick and beefy but still singlecoil flavour) but with no hum. There is a tapped version, which means you may be able to hook up the lower output for the position 2
 
Re: lil '59 quite tame?

Thanks for the info, Alex! I wired it correctly and I'm 99% sure, maybe I'll check it out next time ;) I will take a look to your suggestion, sounds nice :)
 
Re: lil '59 quite tame?

i reckon you have wired it in parallel instead of series.
I did the exact thing 20 years ago with some hot stacks.
just go over your wiring again and make sure its running in series.
 
Re: lil '59 quite tame?

part of whats going on is that those single coils are relatively high output. ceramic bar magnet pups are common on squiers
 
Re: lil '59 quite tame?

jeremy said:
part of whats going on is that those single coils are relatively high output. ceramic bar magnet pups are common on squiers
Click to expand...
Yeah, that's what I meant. I think the lil 59 is wired OK but those cheap-o ceramic SCs are really hot but I will check it anyway.
 
Re: lil '59 quite tame?

How close to the strings do you have the lil 59 adjusted? HB like being right under the strings. If you have it adjusted the same height as the others, it might be something to take a look at.
 
Re: lil '59 quite tame?

is there anyone here that has a history with the Little '59 that can offer an idea of how they sound, particularly in comparison to other pups such as the Cool Rail, Hot Rail, Vintage Rail and JB Jr? also, have you split the coils on the Little '59 and how clean does it get?

thanks!!
 
Re: lil '59 quite tame?

i have a lil 59 in the middle of a strat with a split. it sounds decent, pretty clean
 
Re: lil '59 quite tame?

There are 2 models of lil' 59's. Are you using the bridge model? I have both and neck model is considerably more tame.
 
Re: lil '59 quite tame?

Wow this thread just bummed me out as I have a Hot Rails coming for the bridge of my Strat with a Lil 59 for the neck! I have the middle pup on my Strat disconnected and only use the neck and bridge, but it sounds like the Lil 59 is going to get over powered by the Hot Rail. I always used DiMarzio stacked humbuckers and wanted to change things up since I have been told by many friends what a killer pup the Hot Rail is.Did I go with the wrong neck pup?
 
Re: lil '59 quite tame?

I had a mexi strat in the 90s with hot bar type "mfd" pickups, they were great sounding, warm, loud, but they were in no way louder than a little '59 bridge. Sounds to me like something is wired wrong.
 
Re: lil '59 quite tame?

I am not talking about the OP's situation, I am wondering if the Lil 59 I have on order with a Hotrail for the bridge is going to get over powered?
 
Re: lil '59 quite tame?

I've got an American Standard Strat with a Lil '59 in the Neck and Bridge. They are definitely NOT quiet by any stretch. These are high output pickups, and they are much hotter than the stock single coils that came with my strat. If what Jeremy is saying about ceramic bar single coils in a Squier is correct, then those must be some REALLY hot single coils to overpower your Lil '59 in my opinion.

Also, lower the pickup. If it is almost kissing the strings it is too close. Mine is sitting right at about 4/64" distance from the top of pole piece to underside of string when pushing the string down at the last fret. This is pretty much what Fender recommends for humbuckers, and I found this to be the precise sweet spot on my guitar.

Use this as a guide and starting point: http://www.fender.com/support/articles/stratocaster-setup-guide
 
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Re: lil '59 quite tame?

straycat113 said:
I am not talking about the OP's situation, I am wondering if the Lil 59 I have on order with a Hotrail for the bridge is going to get over powered?
Click to expand...

No you should be fine. The Lil '59 is a high output pickup like the hotrails. The hotrails will just be capable of getting dirtier where at the '59 will be more Les Paul-ish in sound.
 
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