P-Rails & SDS-1 w/ Hamer Californian

[xerophthalmic]

I read SDUGF all the time but it's been so long since I've posted that I forgot that I'm registered! I have a new (old) guitar that is getting new pickups.

I recently got my hands on an '89 Hamer Californian--this thing is a 25.5" Super-Strat guitar, HS pickup configuration, OFR bridge, 3-position Strat switch and a single volume pot. At the moment it has EMGs. The plan is to put a P-Rails in the bridge and a Dimarzio SDS-1 (in shipment) in the neck. The SDS is listed as 9.4k and the P90 of the P-Rails is ~10.2k. I figure the wire used in both are similar and while the SDS has thin ceramics, the P-Rails has full size A5 magnets so at least on paper it seems they will compliment each other nicely. I have fillister screws to replace the hex screws in the SDS. And of course there is the rail to add variety to an otherwise two-pickup guitar.

At disposal is a 500k Fender S-1 pot and a 4P5T Strat switch to replace the existing controls. Magnet swaps are also possibly though I haven't done that before. I am not sure that level of complexity will be called for but I am definitely going to take some time with the alligator clips before deciding on a switching scheme--I have three coils available and ten possible selections if I use the S-1 and Super Switch. I've used the P-Rails before in a Hamer Chaparral but could not find much use for the rail pickup. In this guitar I am anticipating the rail in parallel with the SDS will be a great sound.

I appreciate any comments, insights, or pointers offered. Rock on.

 

[HALENisking]

Re: P-Rails & SDS-1 w/ Hamer Californian

Picture? Californians are sweet. Is it an elite model?
I personally don't care for P rails at all, they seem super muddy to me in humbucking mode even in the bridge. Have you considered a 59 custom hybrid? Better bucker tone IMO, splits super nicely and cleans up great.

 

[xerophthalmic]

Re: P-Rails & SDS-1 w/ Hamer Californian

Basic model, rosewood fretboard, dot inlays. Not sure why but I've always preferred a bridge single coil to a humbucker. If the P-Rails stays, I wouldn't be using it in series humbucking, just separate coils and maybe parallel. Maybe I haven't tried the right humbuckers? All I've ever used was the stock Dimarzio humbuckers that are anywhere from 9k to 16k. I do have an old Parallel Axis that reads around 21k or so. I do like the Pro Track I have in the neck slot of another guitar.

I was reading posts about the 59/custom hybrid, I might try to pick up a used one. It sounds like a good pickup for the application.

 

[HALENisking]

Re: P-Rails & SDS-1 w/ Hamer Californian

Basic model, rosewood fretboard, dot inlays. Not sure why but I've always preferred a bridge single coil to a humbucker. If the P-Rails stays, I wouldn't be using it in series humbucking, just separate coils and maybe parallel. Maybe I haven't tried the right humbuckers? All I've ever used was the stock Dimarzio humbuckers that are anywhere from 9k to 16k. I do have an old Parallel Axis that reads around 21k or so. I do like the Pro Track I have in the neck slot of another guitar.

I was reading posts about the 59/custom hybrid, I might try to pick up a used one.
View attachment 59779

Sweet! Yeah I mean maybe the P rails is a good choice for you, I would say check them and the 59 custom out. What didn't you like about all of the buckers you used before?

 

[xerophthalmic]

Re: P-Rails & SDS-1 w/ Hamer Californian

The humbuckers I've had all sound nasal and too compressed--like they needed to breathe more. I used the P Rails P90-side as a bridge for a while and it seemed to hit the spot, but then I moved on to a Wide Range Humbucker in a regular HB size. That one splits great for my HSH guitar. I realize that I need to try some lower wind bridge humbuckers; I don't shred or play metal. The bridge single coils I've had in the past were all plain-old knock-off import Strat pickups that sound too thin, too shrill. The humbuckers have all been 9k, 16k, up to 21k with a early Parallel Axis model. I really like a Pro Track I have in the neck slot of another guitar, that one is 7.7k or so. I was thinking of getting a HB size P90 like the Phat Cat but then I realized I have a P Rails in a partially disassembled guitar. I think I am going to get the SD hybrid at some point for a HSS guitar.

 

[HALENisking]

Re: P-Rails & SDS-1 w/ Hamer Californian

Cool. I'm pretty sure you're describing a P90 as what you want for your core bridge tone. Beefy but in a very articulate way. and if you liked the P rails before that might be a very good choice for you, since a traditional humbucker tone doesn't seem to be your cup of tea, and you can have some interesting options with it.

 

[xerophthalmic]

Re: P-Rails & SDS-1 w/ Hamer Californian

Turns out the SDS-1 uses hex set screws, not hex head screws. Due to this difference, the pole pieces cannot be replaced with fillister screws.