P-Rail Bridge with "59 neck

[Rickfull]

Hi all.

I've been lurking on the forum here for a bit and I'm really impressed with how knowledgeable everyone is so hopefully I will get some good advice.

I've always been an acoustic guy so, aside from the basics (HB vs. single), all this pick-up stuff is new to me. I'm working on my first electric guitar build. It's a custom semi-hollow with sapele top and back over a maple core. Mahogany neck, ebony fretboard, 25.5" scale, trapeze tailpiece.

I was originally going to go with two HB's and was leaning towards a 59 with a 59/custom in the bridge. Love that buttery, mellow, sweet sounds from the 59n. The more I listened though the more I realized that I really love the raunchy, rude sound of a p90 and started thinking about the best way to get both.

So I started looking into P-rails but the humbucker tone isn't really what I'm looking for. I considered using a regular soap bar p90 in the bridge but I'd really like to keep with the original plan of routing for two HB's.

So...now I'm thinking of pairing the 59n with a prail bridge both with triple shots. Seems like that would give the main tones that I know I'm looking for and also the versatility to play around with new sounds. Is this a good match? I anticipate using the the p90 in the prail most but would like the HB sounds to work ok together too. If the Prail is a little hot for the 59 might a better balance be using a prailn in the bridge or a 59b in the neck?

Been obsessing about this for a few weeks so it'd be great if everyone says this is a perfect plan. If not I'd love to hear ideas.

Thanks

 

[VinceT]

Re: P-Rail Bridge with "59 neck

I haven't paired the two, however have 59s/Triple Shots in my Les Paul and PRails/Triple Shots in my 335. This scheme will definitely yield flexibility of tone, however it will depend on how much you plan on using the middle (both pickups on) setting - paired 59s are great in this setting, a pleasant surprise to my ears. The PRails series HB seems, in my experience, too thick to play nice with a 59N in that position, and if the PRails is in parallel, then the 59N would be too much. I would definitely use Triple Shots on both, to give you max flexibility.

In other news, though - the PRails P90 will definitely give you what you're looking for - worth the entry price on its own (I would say 90% of my playing time on the 335 is in P90 mode)


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[Mincer]

Re: P-Rail Bridge with "59 neck

You can also check out the Phat Cat for the neck and keep the 59 (or Hybrid) in the bridge. You can split the Hybrid too, for a really cool sound.

 

[Rickfull]

Re: P-Rail Bridge with "59 neck

Thanks guys that's helpful. Vince you more or less confirmed what I was thinking. It sounds like , given that I am an electric guitar noob and not sure what I will be drawn to as I start playing more, this set-up will be a pretty good way to get the tones I want but also be versatile enough to play around with. I guess I would probably not spend much time in middle position but who knows, maybe I will find some cool and compatible tones hiding out in there somewhere.

So you're saying that the prail series tone is to thick to blend well with the 59 rather the output being too high? So using a higher output 59 wouldn't help balance it?

Mincer- I considered doing that, also routing for p90's and using a little 59, and I think if what I wanted from my humbucker most was something that really rocked than I might have done just that. Seems though like using the 59 in the bridge would give up some of that sweetness that I want from it.

The prail seems like a good fit even if there are some compromises with it. I can always switch them around later when (or if) I learn more.

 

[elelpe]

Re: P-Rail Bridge with "59 neck

Since you're not sure about what you'd expect from the bridge pickup, I'd suggest you go with less expensive Mean 90. It's a popular pickup not just because it's fairly cheap but also it's one of good sounding hb sized P-90 out there. You might like it or you can always replace it.

 

[Mincer]

Re: P-Rail Bridge with "59 neck

The P-Rail/Triple Shot combo is actually really cool, even if you don't like all the sounds. The P90 sound is exceptional, and worth it for the price of the pickup. The other sounds are a good bonus. No, it doesn't sound like a true humbucker or single coil, but hey, if we take expectation out of it, they are some really great sounds.

 

[Rickfull]

Re: P-Rail Bridge with "59 neck

Thanks everyone. I think I'll give this combo a try.