Old Hot Rails Pickups?

[Kiwiguitar]

I've been clearing out my old parts bins etc and came across a pickup that I forgot I have.

It's a black single-coil sized Hot Rails that I remember buying back in about 1989. I think it must have been not long after the Hot Rails came out. The resistance is 16.8K, which explains why it got taken out of my Strat back in the day as it didn't balance well and I didn't know what I was doing.

Are these typically a hard rock or metal pickup?

Are these desirable and/or worth anything?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Old Hot Rails Pickups?

They are certainly a hard rock/metal pickup, but can be wired in parallel for other styles. As far as what they are worth, hard to say. They redesigned them later on with covers over the coils, so you have an earlier one. If someone else has those early types and wants a match, I'd imagine they would be worth more to him/her.

 

[Artie]

Re: Old Hot Rails Pickups?

I'm playing around with one of forum bro Rand-O's old Strat's with three old Hot Rails in it. I'm amazed at how good this thing sounds. Really nice cleans. I'd say it's a keeper if you find the right project for it.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Old Hot Rails Pickups?

I've used them in all-maple bodied Steinbergers, and they were great. They really turned the bright maple into a more-balanced sound.

 

[Kiwiguitar]

Re: Old Hot Rails Pickups?

Thanks for that. I'll hang onto it and try it out the next time I've got a Strat or Super Strat on my workbench. Cheers