Question Regarding "Tone Profile" and Position

[Kayxero]

I am considering a couple of rail pickups for a Bronco Bass/MusicMaster mod. However, I wanted to know how accurate the Tone Profiles generally are. And Im also assuming they change quite a bit if I use a neck or bridge in a different position than what its advertised for. Correct?

Im currently deciding Between a Cool Rails Neck or Bridge, and the Hot Rails Neck. Im leaning towards the Cool Rails bridge because its slightly overwound compared to the neck version, and the tone profile seems more balance but with a slightly scooped midrange. Not sure how this translates to bass in the Mid position though.

Thanks for reading.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Question Regarding "Tone Profile" and Position

It works great.

I have a Cool Rails bridge in a Squier Musicmaster and it sounds very similar to a single coil P-bass. I chose it for the same reasons you're suggesting, the slightly hotter wind and mid scoop. I'd heard on talkbass that the Hot Rails bridge is too hot, and I didn't want to use a Hot Rails neck because it's really mid-rangey and I was afraid of it being muddy in a bass.

I also ditched the stock rounds for La Bella flats (45-105), swapped the bridge for a Hipshot Kick@ss bridge, and replaced the tuners with Hipshot Ultralites, so those may have influenced the end result somewhat.

 

[Artie]

Re: Question Regarding "Tone Profile" and Position

Im currently deciding Between a Cool Rails Neck or Bridge, and the Hot Rails Neck.

For what it's worth, and this is just my opinion/speculation, but I believe that a Hot Rails neck and Cool Rails bridge are the same pup with a different sticker on the bottom. I know they list slightly different DCR's, but in the early days, they did the same with all the Custom series, even though they're all the same coils. Just my 2-cents worth.

 

[Kayxero]

Re: Question Regarding "Tone Profile" and Position

It works great.


I have a Cool Rails bridge in a Squier Musicmaster and it sounds very similar to a single coil P-bass. I chose it for the same reasons you're suggesting, the slightly hotter wind and mid scoop. I'd heard on talkbass that the Hot Rails bridge is too hot, and I didn't want to use a Hot Rails neck because it's really mid-rangey and I was afraid of it being muddy in a bass.

I also ditched the stock rounds for La Bella flats (45-105), swapped the bridge for a Hipshot Kick@ss bridge, and replaced the tuners with Hipshot Ultralites, so those may have influenced the end result somewhat.

Youre right about the hot rails. I just found some sound samples on youtube and a couple of forums. They get very midrangey and somewhat muddy because of how hot they are. So I think I may just go with the Cool rails bridge. Im still reading up on the neck version though.

Thanks for the insight friend. Now I just need to figure out of I want any push pull knobs for coil tapping or series-parallel switching

For what it's worth, and this is just my opinion/speculation, but I believe that a Hot Rails neck and Cool Rails bridge are the same pup with a different sticker on the bottom. I know they list slightly different DCR's, but in the early days, they did the same with all the Custom series, even though they're all the same coils. Just my 2-cents worth.

I wondered about this because of the similar specs. I assumed the difference in tone profile on those two might have just been to pickup position under the strings. Hmmm :/

 

[Kayxero]

Re: Question Regarding "Tone Profile" and Position

@dystrust

Might you have sound samples posted online anywhere? And what's your take on the Artie's speculation that a hot rails neck and cool rails bridge are the same pickup but rebranded?

 

[Artie]

Re: Question Regarding "Tone Profile" and Position

Relabeled. They're both still Duncans.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Question Regarding "Tone Profile" and Position

@dystrustMight you have sound samples posted online anywhere?

I don't have any samples, but I may be able to record some in the next week or two. I just finished building a new recording PC yesterday, so I'll need to do some testing.

And what's your take on the Artie's speculation that a hot rails neck and cool rails bridge are the same pickup but rebranded?

I'm not sure. My initial reaction is that they're different pickups despite the similarity in magnet and DC resistance. That being said I'm not super familiar with either pickup, so I suppose it could be possible.

 

[Artie]

Re: Question Regarding "Tone Profile" and Position

I'm speculating here just based on some of Duncan's past practices of changing mags or polepieces and calling it a different pup. I'm not knocking that. I think it's a good, economical marketing strategy.