P-rails in neck with StagMag or Whole Lotta in bridge?

[RudloeManor]

I’m looking to upgrade my Gretsch Electromatic with SD pickups. Why? Because I can. Actually, I’m looking for a little more versatility, so I plan on using P-rails in the neck with triple-shots. The logical pairing might be a p-rails in the bridge, but I don’t think it delivers enough treble that can cut through. Also, I’m looking for a pairing that might be a bit unique, so I’m considering the StagMag or Whole Lotta humbucker in the bridge. I thought I’d ask the forum for feedback. Am I nuts to consider these pairings? Does anyone have experience with these? My main concern is that my guitar has only a single master volume and single master tone, so I want to be sure that if I use these pickups in middle position, that one doesn’t completely overwhelm the other. (I’m new to pickup swapping, and I’m a bit confused by output rating vs. DCR.)
Guitar has maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, 24-1/2 inch scale, hardtail bridge, chambered basswood body, flat top. The overall sound is somewhat nondescript/middle-of-the-road. It doesn’t have the depth of a mahogony LP or the cut of a Tele, but somewhere in between, with some of that characteristic Gretsch sparkle, which I want to still be able to access. I won’t say much about the music I play for now, except that it sits more in vintage sounds. I’ll never be shredding high-output metal anytime soon. Thoughts anyone?

 

[Mincer]

Re: P-rails in neck with StagMag or Whole Lotta in bridge?

Welcome to the forum!

No reason to think any of these wouldn't work. The P-Rails/Triple Shots are wonderful and go great with pretty much anything.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: P-rails in neck with StagMag or Whole Lotta in bridge?

Not sure how WLH balance with PRails with only one volume.

Is there a particular artist or music you want to be able to do?

 

[Blille]

P-rails in neck with StagMag or Whole Lotta in bridge?

I assume you chose those two because you want to have great split sounds?

I would be hesitant to not have a pickup that has the humbucker sound as its strength. That said, they would pair fine [emoji4]

My take, very personal: I like the stag mag in the neck better (even though it’s a bridge pickup). I feel the split sound is great, the humbucker sound is very usable, quite powerful woman like tone. Wouldn’t say vintage in humbucker mode. Not the biggest fan in the bridge though but YMMV.

The prails is very versatile but the least useful sound, IME, is series (humbucker). Great versatile choice for neck.

I would encourage you to have the prails in the neck but a hybrid in the bridge. You still have a great split sound in the bridge but with a killer humbucker sound. WLH would likely be fine too. But not a particular ly strong split sound.



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[RudloeManor]

Re: P-rails in neck with StagMag or Whole Lotta in bridge?

Not sure how WLH balance with PRails with only one volume.

Is there a particular artist or music you want to be able to do?

Regarding music - I was afraid someone was going to ask that. My tastes are really all over the place, so hard to say. It's more likely I will find some good interesting tones I like from the guitar and let that form what I'm playing, as much as the other way around. Even though I haven't been playing guitar long, I like to experiment. I've been playing other instruments for years, so have an ear that's better developed than my skill at guitar right now. So an interesting question might be -- what kind of music/artists do you think either setup would be good for?
Regarding balance - In middle position, would I expect the WLH to dominate the P-Rails with both in full humbucker mode? Or the other way around? Same question with the P-rails and StagMag setup -- would I expect to hear more of the character of one versus the other?
Thanks for your help!

 

[RudloeManor]

Re: P-rails in neck with StagMag or Whole Lotta in bridge?

I assume you chose those two because you want to have great split sounds?

I would be hesitant to not have a pickup that has the humbucker sound as its strength. That said, they would pair fine [emoji4]

My take, very personal: I like the stag mag in the neck better (even though it’s a bridge pickup). I feel the split sound is great, the humbucker sound is very usable, quite powerful woman like tone. Wouldn’t say vintage in humbucker mode. Not the biggest fan in the bridge though but YMMV.

The prails is very versatile but the least useful sound, IME, is series (humbucker). Great versatile choice for neck.

I would encourage you to have the prails in the neck but a hybrid in the bridge. You still have a great split sound in the bridge but with a killer humbucker sound. WLH would likely be fine too. But not a particular ly strong split sound.



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Hmmm.. What about StagMag in the Neck and WLH in the bridge? I'd lose the P90 tone though. I thought the P90 + WLH might make an interesting sound. Thanks for your feedback!

 

[Blille]

Re: P-rails in neck with StagMag or Whole Lotta in bridge?

Hmmm.. What about StagMag in the Neck and WLH in the bridge? I'd lose the P90 tone though. I thought the P90 + WLH might make an interesting sound. Thanks for your feedback!

I think both stag mag or prails in neck with WLH would do fine. Your call in terms of what you prefer P90 or single coil.


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[Ben1962]

Re: P-rails in neck with StagMag or Whole Lotta in bridge?

I think this is a good example of stag in neck. Btw, the player is awesome and I would love to see more support for the mighty Dean Wells
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R1gm7KJ7S8&list=PLFX18irEKKmbGMcnzu0ScoVmsgpIQCEcB

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: P-rails in neck with StagMag or Whole Lotta in bridge?

I've got lots of guitars with the P-Rails pups...some in the neck, some in the bridge, some in both neck and bridge, most with mag swaps. I also have a guitar with just what you are asking about...P-Rails in neck and StagMag in bridge. This is a terrific combination especially if you have the Triple Shot mounting ring for the neck P-Rail. I would also advise a DPDT on/on/on switch so you can choose series/split/parallel for the StagMag (or at least series and split).

This combination will give you a tremendously versatile guitar with some very spectacular tones. I am not much of a fan of the series mode for the P-Rail, but it can be useful occasionally. The P-90 tone is my favorite, parallel is very nice, and sometimes the rail is just what is needed. The P-Rail neck (either P-90 or Rail mode) with the StagMag bridge (series or split) can give you some amazingly beautiful tones when used together.

So, speaking from lots of experience, go with your choice of P-Rail neck with StagMag bridge. Great selection for great tones and versatility.

 

[robertkoa]

Re: P-rails in neck with StagMag or Whole Lotta in bridge?

I assume you chose those two because you want to have great split sounds?

I would be hesitant to not have a pickup that has the humbucker sound as its strength. That said, they would pair fine [emoji4]

My take, very personal: I like the stag mag in the neck better (even though it’s a bridge pickup). I feel the split sound is great, the humbucker sound is very usable, quite powerful woman like tone. Wouldn’t say vintage in humbucker mode. Not the biggest fan in the bridge though but YMMV.

The prails is very versatile but the least useful sound, IME, is series (humbucker). Great versatile choice for neck.

I would encourage you to have the prails in the neck but a hybrid in the bridge. You still have a great split sound in the bridge but with a killer humbucker sound. WLH would likely be fine too. But not a particular ly strong split sound.



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Interesting comment on Stagmag in Neck .

Obviously you get the great true Single Coil sound in Coil Cut Mode.

I am trying to figure out how to order a Custom Duncan where For Neck in Dual Coil Mode it is warmer and deeper/ fatter than a '59
But in single Coil Mode just the Alnico flat stagger Coil Rod Magnets Coil.

Think kind of Benson with a bit more Bass in dual Coil Mode and Clean Hendrix in Single Coil mode...

So- the extra coil is going to have to be super bassy and Phat - any ideas ?

 

[Blille]

Re: P-rails in neck with StagMag or Whole Lotta in bridge?

Interesting comment on Stagmag in Neck .

Obviously you get the great true Single Coil sound in Coil Cut Mode.

I am trying to figure out how to order a Custom Duncan where For Neck in Dual Coil Mode it is warmer and deeper/ fatter than a '59
But in single Coil Mode just the Alnico flat stagger Coil Rod Magnets Coil.

Think kind of Benson with a bit more Bass in dual Coil Mode and Clean Hendrix in Single Coil mode...

So- the extra coil is going to have to be super bassy and Phat - any ideas ?

I think with that description the Custom Shop should nail it


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