Output level: Cool Rails vs Distortion?

[Artie]

I know that a Distortion (neck) and a Cool Rails (bridge) aren't meant to go together, but I popped this CR in temporarily to see how it sounds 'til its new home is ready.

Since I run through a decent mixer, I have fairly nice VU meters. With the Distortion on full I have levels set to produce zero db. I switch to "split" operation and the output drops 3 db. That seems about right to me.

When I switch to the CR, the level drops 15 db. It's very weak compared to the DD. Does that sound about right to anyone? Should they have that big of an output difference?

btw - The Cool Rails sounds great by itself. There's nothing lacking tone-wise. I'm just surprised at that dramatic of a difference in output.

Artie

 

[RGN]

Re: Output level: Cool Rails vs Distortion?

15db difference is a massive difference. I'd say something isn't wired correctly. In my studio I can barely see differences between pickup output on my board. It takes twice the wattage to increase the overall sound level by just 3bd so a 15 db difference is huge.

 

[Artie]

Re: Output level: Cool Rails vs Distortion?

I'd say something isn't wired correctly.

Moi . . . ? :laugh2:









You're right. I just couldn't bring myself to accept that. :smack:

 

[skyydogg01]

Re: Output level: Cool Rails vs Distortion?

how'd you mess up, artie? you never mess up. lol

 

[Artie]

Re: Output level: Cool Rails vs Distortion?

how'd you mess up, artie? you never mess up. lol

Hold that thought . . . let me get my wife in here. :laugh2:

 

[Artie]

Re: Output level: Cool Rails vs Distortion?

Hmmm . . . just checked. Everythings wired ok, and the DC resistance checks ok. Still seems odd to have that great of a difference.

 

[skyydogg01]

Re: Output level: Cool Rails vs Distortion?

pup height?

 

[Artie]

Re: Output level: Cool Rails vs Distortion?

pup height?

Tried that.

Anyway, its out of the guitar now. I'm going to put it into the Strat, tomorrow. Where it belongs.

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: Output level: Cool Rails vs Distortion?

Not really. More string motion over the neck slot generates more juice from magnetic field. Plus a cool rail is WAY lower in output to begin with. I'm really not surprised by that at all.

 

[Artie]

Re: Output level: Cool Rails vs Distortion?

I was just reading the thread about 24 frets vs 22 frets and string nodes and such, and it got me to wondering . . . when I installed the Cool Rails, I popped it into a pickguard that was designed for a full-sized humbucker. This placed the CR right in the middle of where the two 'bucker coils would normally be.

Would this approx. 1/4" offset impact the sound and volume of the pup much? Could it have been a factor?

 

[Rainmaker]

Re: Output level: Cool Rails vs Distortion?

Hey Artie, I think there's a problem - I've got a CR in the neck of my Strat copy and a DD in the bridge, and there is not much volume difference (which relates to output, right?) just a very different tonal variation. (Edit: the CR is raised higher than the DD for compensation)

Bee

 

[Artie]

Re: Output level: Cool Rails vs Distortion?

Yeah, I had mine in the neck first, with the DD in the bridge. I don't seem to recall any output difference then, it just didn't sound good. (Neck DD with bridge CR.) When I swapped them around, I didn't unsolder anything. Just physically moved them. The resistance of the CR measures fine, and it is brand new.

Tonight, I'm going to install it where it belongs, in my Strat, and I'll go from there. Its possible, as TheArchitect said, that its just a quirk of these two pups.