P-Rails or JB/Jazz for maximum versatility
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Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: P-Rails or JB/Jazz for maximum versatility
You know - this really brings to light a couple of interesting things....
First - how much of "versatility" is actually the pickup? I mean, I'd argue a decent PAF style like a 59 CAN do about anything..."If." I say "if" because IF you have a three channel amp, a programmable eq, and a pedal like the Duncan Pup Booster with a resonance switch then Wowza - you can do anything with a basic 59.
Second - Dang Orpheo!!! Have some coffee, and get laid :lmao: Tell us what she said to hurt you man - it's ok!!!!!
The maximally flexible pup is always going to lack the balls/power for metal brutality, the mids for blues bite, the smokiness for jazz, or the articulation for shred under high gain, or whatever... How 'good' does maximum flexibility have to be, really? And can you get it from just the pup? Or could any pup with the right couple of pedals work. I can ALWAYS throw a gain pedal/OD/Boost/Distortion in there and make a Seth into a fire breathing monster. So why try to find the middle ground.
At some point - A Les Paul and a Strat or 335 style is just > than any one guitar...The single pup is always gonna be a trade off.
Or - get a Variax.
You know - this really brings to light a couple of interesting things....
First - how much of "versatility" is actually the pickup? I mean, I'd argue a decent PAF style like a 59 CAN do about anything..."If." I say "if" because IF you have a three channel amp, a programmable eq, and a pedal like the Duncan Pup Booster with a resonance switch then Wowza - you can do anything with a basic 59.
Second - Dang Orpheo!!! Have some coffee, and get laid :lmao: Tell us what she said to hurt you man - it's ok!!!!!
The maximally flexible pup is always going to lack the balls/power for metal brutality, the mids for blues bite, the smokiness for jazz, or the articulation for shred under high gain, or whatever... How 'good' does maximum flexibility have to be, really? And can you get it from just the pup? Or could any pup with the right couple of pedals work. I can ALWAYS throw a gain pedal/OD/Boost/Distortion in there and make a Seth into a fire breathing monster. So why try to find the middle ground.
At some point - A Les Paul and a Strat or 335 style is just > than any one guitar...The single pup is always gonna be a trade off.
Or - get a Variax.
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Re: P-Rails or JB/Jazz for maximum versatility
What the heck?!!!
1/2 inch polepieces?!
What the heck?!!!
1/2 inch polepieces?!
Re: P-Rails or JB/Jazz for maximum versatility
I just have to add my $0.02.
I have a lot of guitars with P-Rails in them. One of them is a Schecter C1, so this info directly applies to you. I also want lots of versatility and find that when set up properly the P-Rails can do it in spades.
I have probably done more experimenting with the P-Rails than anybody else since it first came out. I've tried both models, each with every alnico mag commonly available and in many combinations in each. And I even tried different orientations of each.
I admit that I was never impressed with the P-Rails Hot version, but I contend that the lower output neck version is God's gift to guitarists who want versatility.
Without going through everything I did in my testing, the result was: The neck model used in the bridge, but rotated so that the Rail coil is closest to the bridge. To give it a bit more oomph, I placed an A8 mag next to the Rail coil. Keep the A5 next to the P-90 coil. Mount it in a Triple Shot mounting ring. I find that I use the P-90 coil most of the time (man, what a great tone, not only "...not half bad..." as Orpheo suggests, but really GREAT)), and rarely if ever use the pup in series...too thick and muddy. In Parallel it sounds and acts very PAFish, and with the A8 mag it is NOT "...weak and lacks power..." as Orpheo has suggested. The Rail coil with an A8 mag next to it and mounted next to the bridge has a really nice clean, bright tone but with some mid-range body.
I also like the StagMag which has a powerful series humbucker tone, but when split has a really nice Strat-like tone.
If you can only afford one pup and want extreme versatility, get the neck P-Rails, an A8 magnet, and a Triple Shot. Later when you want to change the neck pup, there are many that will work wonderfully: another P-Rails, Demon, Jazz, Pearly, A2P, 59/Custom hybrid, etc.
I just have to add my $0.02.
I have a lot of guitars with P-Rails in them. One of them is a Schecter C1, so this info directly applies to you. I also want lots of versatility and find that when set up properly the P-Rails can do it in spades.
I have probably done more experimenting with the P-Rails than anybody else since it first came out. I've tried both models, each with every alnico mag commonly available and in many combinations in each. And I even tried different orientations of each.
I admit that I was never impressed with the P-Rails Hot version, but I contend that the lower output neck version is God's gift to guitarists who want versatility.
Without going through everything I did in my testing, the result was: The neck model used in the bridge, but rotated so that the Rail coil is closest to the bridge. To give it a bit more oomph, I placed an A8 mag next to the Rail coil. Keep the A5 next to the P-90 coil. Mount it in a Triple Shot mounting ring. I find that I use the P-90 coil most of the time (man, what a great tone, not only "...not half bad..." as Orpheo suggests, but really GREAT)), and rarely if ever use the pup in series...too thick and muddy. In Parallel it sounds and acts very PAFish, and with the A8 mag it is NOT "...weak and lacks power..." as Orpheo has suggested. The Rail coil with an A8 mag next to it and mounted next to the bridge has a really nice clean, bright tone but with some mid-range body.
I also like the StagMag which has a powerful series humbucker tone, but when split has a really nice Strat-like tone.
If you can only afford one pup and want extreme versatility, get the neck P-Rails, an A8 magnet, and a Triple Shot. Later when you want to change the neck pup, there are many that will work wonderfully: another P-Rails, Demon, Jazz, Pearly, A2P, 59/Custom hybrid, etc.
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Re: P-Rails or JB/Jazz for maximum versatility
@aceman: nothing much. had a pretty good weekend, thank you. I just really dislike the prails.
I read so many comments, with the general gist of "swap the mag of the prail and it is fine'. (I abbreviated, of course). but isn't that a bit of my point exactly? I want a pickup that works well out of the box, with a mag swap to get it just a bit better, not to make something good that wasn't before. Just my take.
The p90 of the prail is OK but I'm a really picky p90 chooser. It took me 15 years to find a set I like and it wasn't a duncan
the topic starter comes across as a pickkup swap novice (no offence if I'm wrong). If that's the case, how can we expect him/her to not just swap a pickup but also mag swap a fairly finicky pickup (the prails aren't the easiest to magswap, compared to a regular humbucker).
and as for the question 'what is versatility'. cover lots of genre territory, not perse a billion tones out of one pickup.
I hope I didn't come across as angry or abbrasive, I didn't (don't) mean to. I'm just passionate against prails
@aceman: nothing much. had a pretty good weekend, thank you. I just really dislike the prails.
I read so many comments, with the general gist of "swap the mag of the prail and it is fine'. (I abbreviated, of course). but isn't that a bit of my point exactly? I want a pickup that works well out of the box, with a mag swap to get it just a bit better, not to make something good that wasn't before. Just my take.
The p90 of the prail is OK but I'm a really picky p90 chooser. It took me 15 years to find a set I like and it wasn't a duncan
the topic starter comes across as a pickkup swap novice (no offence if I'm wrong). If that's the case, how can we expect him/her to not just swap a pickup but also mag swap a fairly finicky pickup (the prails aren't the easiest to magswap, compared to a regular humbucker).
and as for the question 'what is versatility'. cover lots of genre territory, not perse a billion tones out of one pickup.
I hope I didn't come across as angry or abbrasive, I didn't (don't) mean to. I'm just passionate against prails
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: P-Rails or JB/Jazz for maximum versatility
I don't find the P-Rails any harder than a normal humbucker to do a swap with, that is to say not at all, especially because you don't have to worry about removing the covers.
I don't find the P-Rails any harder than a normal humbucker to do a swap with, that is to say not at all, especially because you don't have to worry about removing the covers.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: P-Rails or JB/Jazz for maximum versatility
There are apparently a lot of guys who do not like the Prails humbucker because it is hot/thick, and very much a "metal" style of humbucker. I would say they expect that it will be a classic PAF - makes sense with a single and a P90, but obviously a sporty single and P-90 in series is gonna be around 14k+ no matter what! I suspect many don't try the triple shots for parallel or whatever.
There are apparently a lot of guys who do not like the Prails humbucker because it is hot/thick, and very much a "metal" style of humbucker. I would say they expect that it will be a classic PAF - makes sense with a single and a P90, but obviously a sporty single and P-90 in series is gonna be around 14k+ no matter what! I suspect many don't try the triple shots for parallel or whatever.
Re: P-Rails or JB/Jazz for maximum versatility
I think you are totally correct.
And they have probably tried the bridge P-Rails which is even further away from a classic PAF type pup...too hot, too middy, too muddy. I suspect that most people who have tried the P-Rails in series humbucker mode were very dissatisfied. I am too! But Triple Shots allow mw to use it in parallel (which is great sounding), in P-90 mode (which is wonderful), and Rail (which is a good change of pace).
I think you are totally correct.
And they have probably tried the bridge P-Rails which is even further away from a classic PAF type pup...too hot, too middy, too muddy. I suspect that most people who have tried the P-Rails in series humbucker mode were very dissatisfied. I am too! But Triple Shots allow mw to use it in parallel (which is great sounding), in P-90 mode (which is wonderful), and Rail (which is a good change of pace).
ItsaBass
New member
Re: P-Rails or JB/Jazz for maximum versatility
I use P Rails as a pair of neck versions. I wire them to push-push switches, with P90 as normal. Pushing the switch makes them humbuckers. I will eventually get the Triple Shots instead, so that I can get the rails alone. But P90 and series humbucker are definitely my two favorite settings on the pickups, so for now, I am happy even without the Triple Shots.
I orient them with both rails closer to the neck (i.e. both P90 coils closer to the bridge). This slightly brightens the P90's (and, when I get around to using the rail coils solo, I'm hoping it will slightly warm them as well).
FWIW, I find the P90 mode to be the best sounding P90-in-humbucker-form pickup that I've ever tried from any pickup company. That alone makes the P Rails worth it to me, even if the only part of them I ever used was the P90 coil. Add in the boost that I can get by clicking the push-push, and I'm in love. The rail and parallel settings are questionably useful for me personally, but I can see how others would like them.
I use P Rails as a pair of neck versions. I wire them to push-push switches, with P90 as normal. Pushing the switch makes them humbuckers. I will eventually get the Triple Shots instead, so that I can get the rails alone. But P90 and series humbucker are definitely my two favorite settings on the pickups, so for now, I am happy even without the Triple Shots.
I orient them with both rails closer to the neck (i.e. both P90 coils closer to the bridge). This slightly brightens the P90's (and, when I get around to using the rail coils solo, I'm hoping it will slightly warm them as well).
FWIW, I find the P90 mode to be the best sounding P90-in-humbucker-form pickup that I've ever tried from any pickup company. That alone makes the P Rails worth it to me, even if the only part of them I ever used was the P90 coil. Add in the boost that I can get by clicking the push-push, and I'm in love. The rail and parallel settings are questionably useful for me personally, but I can see how others would like them.
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Re: P-Rails or JB/Jazz for maximum versatility
You're right, it's 3/4 inch, missed the 7 somehow. Half inch would barely reach baseplate and have about no range of adjustment. Floating screws almost might as well not be there, and would likely get rattled loose. They're short, but not THAT short...
Thanks for pointing the insanity out.
You're right, it's 3/4 inch, missed the 7 somehow. Half inch would barely reach baseplate and have about no range of adjustment. Floating screws almost might as well not be there, and would likely get rattled loose. They're short, but not THAT short...
Thanks for pointing the insanity out.
Ascension
Well-known member
Re: P-Rails or JB/Jazz for maximum versatility
For what you are talking about a 59 Custom hybrid/ Sentient neck would be my 1st choice. Also love the Alt 8 Sentient combo and have run both.
Have Hybrid / Senienet in my old KOA Carvin DC 127 and can cover anything from strat tone to country lead tones with them split to metal in the full hum-bucking mode. Also have guitar with a JB Zazz and JB 59 and for versatility the JB Jazz is ok but no where as versatile as the Hybrid Sentient. Not a huge $ difference.
Christmas thing we did at my Church back to back songs few effects same amp this is the range of the Sentient Hybrid tones and more!
Clean Tele like tones both pickups split.
For what you are talking about a 59 Custom hybrid/ Sentient neck would be my 1st choice. Also love the Alt 8 Sentient combo and have run both.
Have Hybrid / Senienet in my old KOA Carvin DC 127 and can cover anything from strat tone to country lead tones with them split to metal in the full hum-bucking mode. Also have guitar with a JB Zazz and JB 59 and for versatility the JB Jazz is ok but no where as versatile as the Hybrid Sentient. Not a huge $ difference.
Christmas thing we did at my Church back to back songs few effects same amp this is the range of the Sentient Hybrid tones and more!
Clean Tele like tones both pickups split.
JamesPaul
Well-known member
Re: P-Rails or JB/Jazz for maximum versatility
This is likely why the P-Rails work well for me. I have them in triple shots in one of my Les Pauls. My other 2 go to Les Pauls have a Custom/Jazz and Distortion/Jazz in them. So yeah, P-90, single coil or my usual tones in a single Les Paul.
This is likely why the P-Rails work well for me. I have them in triple shots in one of my Les Pauls. My other 2 go to Les Pauls have a Custom/Jazz and Distortion/Jazz in them. So yeah, P-90, single coil or my usual tones in a single Les Paul.
dystrust
Well-known member
Re: P-Rails or JB/Jazz for maximum versatility
P-Rails do a decent PAF tone if you run them in parallel.
I have a pair in my 'Swiss Army' guitar with a set of Triple Shots. I agree with orpheo to an extent that the P-Rails wouldn't be my first choice for any of the tones that they do. I have them in my #1 because it lets me cover a pretty wide range of tones with a single guitar. If I had to pick a single SD set I think I'd go Custom / Jazz as they do their *thing* better than P-Rails approximate it.
P-Rails do a decent PAF tone if you run them in parallel.
I have a pair in my 'Swiss Army' guitar with a set of Triple Shots. I agree with orpheo to an extent that the P-Rails wouldn't be my first choice for any of the tones that they do. I have them in my #1 because it lets me cover a pretty wide range of tones with a single guitar. If I had to pick a single SD set I think I'd go Custom / Jazz as they do their *thing* better than P-Rails approximate it.
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