P Rails in a Semi-Hollow?
- Thread starter Aceman
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Re: P Rails in a Semi-Hollow?
Just finished putting P-rails in my Ibanez AS73. When I first got the P-rails, I had them in an Epi Les Paul. I used the Triple Shot for LP style bodies and it was a near perfect replacement. (I had to drill new screw holes in a couple places.) Later, I sold the Epi LP but kept the P-rails. I had been using my AS73 a lot. I like it and had considered using the P-rails in it. But, the Triple Shots wouldn't really fit even though the AS73 is a curved body. The neck position has a weird curve to it. So, I gave up on the idea.
I decided to revisit this whole thing yesterday. I realized that the bridge position would be any easy fit because the curve of the body matches the Triple Shot curve...almost perfectly. I started thinking about my options for the neck position. Then, I got the idea that I really didn't need to replace the neck pickup bezel at all. All I needed to do was place the neck Triple Shot OVER the existing bezel. The Triple Shot, even though it's designed for a curved LP, was so thin, it would flatten out nicely. So, that's exactly what I did.
In the photos, you can see closeups of both. The bridge fit into position and the Triple Shot curves were a good match. The screw holes were almost a perfect fit, too. I will look for longer screws at some point as the Triple Shot is thick and the old screws barely bit into the wood. For the neck, you can see the Triple Shot sitting on top of the old bezel. (I'm calling it a bezel but it's actually the "holder".) The screw that adjusts the height of the pickup goes through both the Triple Shot and the bezel and is long enough to get the job done properly. The mounting screws for the neck were long enough. I found that the holes didn't line up 100% perfectly. The screws went in at a slight angle. I considered I might need to enlarge the original bezel's holes, but the slight angle worked fine.
The guitar, by the way, sounds just fine with the P-rails. It is definitely less muddy sounding, especially in the neck position. I'm glad I did this. FWIW - I had a little trouble with the wiring. I had to cut the wires from the old pickups close to their base...which makes them somewhat useless. But, I didn't like them and didn't mind the sacrifice. I pulled the wires through, into the guitar body, and then slid the P-Rail/Triple wire through. Then, I just spliced the old with the new. Easy. Hat's off to the Triple Shot designers.
So, I just wanted someone to know this could be done.
Just finished putting P-rails in my Ibanez AS73. When I first got the P-rails, I had them in an Epi Les Paul. I used the Triple Shot for LP style bodies and it was a near perfect replacement. (I had to drill new screw holes in a couple places.) Later, I sold the Epi LP but kept the P-rails. I had been using my AS73 a lot. I like it and had considered using the P-rails in it. But, the Triple Shots wouldn't really fit even though the AS73 is a curved body. The neck position has a weird curve to it. So, I gave up on the idea.
I decided to revisit this whole thing yesterday. I realized that the bridge position would be any easy fit because the curve of the body matches the Triple Shot curve...almost perfectly. I started thinking about my options for the neck position. Then, I got the idea that I really didn't need to replace the neck pickup bezel at all. All I needed to do was place the neck Triple Shot OVER the existing bezel. The Triple Shot, even though it's designed for a curved LP, was so thin, it would flatten out nicely. So, that's exactly what I did.
In the photos, you can see closeups of both. The bridge fit into position and the Triple Shot curves were a good match. The screw holes were almost a perfect fit, too. I will look for longer screws at some point as the Triple Shot is thick and the old screws barely bit into the wood. For the neck, you can see the Triple Shot sitting on top of the old bezel. (I'm calling it a bezel but it's actually the "holder".) The screw that adjusts the height of the pickup goes through both the Triple Shot and the bezel and is long enough to get the job done properly. The mounting screws for the neck were long enough. I found that the holes didn't line up 100% perfectly. The screws went in at a slight angle. I considered I might need to enlarge the original bezel's holes, but the slight angle worked fine.
The guitar, by the way, sounds just fine with the P-rails. It is definitely less muddy sounding, especially in the neck position. I'm glad I did this. FWIW - I had a little trouble with the wiring. I had to cut the wires from the old pickups close to their base...which makes them somewhat useless. But, I didn't like them and didn't mind the sacrifice. I pulled the wires through, into the guitar body, and then slid the P-Rail/Triple wire through. Then, I just spliced the old with the new. Easy. Hat's off to the Triple Shot designers.
So, I just wanted someone to know this could be done.
Re: P Rails in a Semi-Hollow?
Forgot to mention that the white labels are there to remind me of the Triple Shot position functions. The full label tells me that switches forward means Rail, switches back means P90, switches apart means parallel humbucking, switches together means series humbucking. The neck position Triple Shot is thinner, so, only half a label, but things work the same way.
Forgot to mention that the white labels are there to remind me of the Triple Shot position functions. The full label tells me that switches forward means Rail, switches back means P90, switches apart means parallel humbucking, switches together means series humbucking. The neck position Triple Shot is thinner, so, only half a label, but things work the same way.
BRHGM
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Re: P Rails in a Semi-Hollow?
I have two in my Epiphone 335. It sounds really good distorted and the P-90 is in the ball park. It doesn't quite get the raw sizzle of an old Gibson P-90, but sure nails the warmth in the neck. The problem is that you lose the vintage sweetness of the old PAF pickups. So forget about playing jazz. It's not an issue if you like playing heavy music or raunchy blues. So yes, I was initially disappointed with the sound of the guitar in all positions. I got out a few distortion pedals and was really impressed with the distorted sounds. The P-90 being my favorite so far. It is a modern sounding pickup in all positions. Again not a problem if you aren't looking for a Seth Lover or Antiquity sound.
I have two in my Epiphone 335. It sounds really good distorted and the P-90 is in the ball park. It doesn't quite get the raw sizzle of an old Gibson P-90, but sure nails the warmth in the neck. The problem is that you lose the vintage sweetness of the old PAF pickups. So forget about playing jazz. It's not an issue if you like playing heavy music or raunchy blues. So yes, I was initially disappointed with the sound of the guitar in all positions. I got out a few distortion pedals and was really impressed with the distorted sounds. The P-90 being my favorite so far. It is a modern sounding pickup in all positions. Again not a problem if you aren't looking for a Seth Lover or Antiquity sound.
Re: P Rails in a Semi-Hollow?
I think you'll get just what you want, except that it won't sound like a "cheap customized one"...it will sound terrific.
The P-90 is excellent for jazz.
I think you'll get just what you want, except that it won't sound like a "cheap customized one"...it will sound terrific.
The P-90 is excellent for jazz.