SL 59-1 Users get over here:)

Re: SL 59-1 Users get over here:)

I love 'em. I'm starting to think I like squished humbuckers better than full-sized humbuckers.
 
Re: SL 59-1 Users get over here:)

Hi.
I owned one in my strat (for bridge position), because my Les paul had a full-size bucker ´59 too and i liked the sound.

To be farily honest (and that´s my point of view), it depends on the purpose.
The sound of a true ´59 is there, but not 100% equal as expected.
And i lost the 4-position notched sound (bridge + middle in parallel and in phase) typical sound of my strat. Think Mark knopfler...
the sound got too fat and laked sparkle for that purpose, so i lost versatily in my Strat.

The only way i put it working was to wire the little 59 in PARALLEL WITH ITSELF (in phase, of course!) , instead of the typical "Series with itself wiring -> typical humbucker ".

I lost a bit of output (series/normal wiring was moderate output), i gained High frequencies and overall control of the pickup. Nice mod !!
The 4-position notched sound got back (not 100% back... mas got certainly better), and i still used it to play rock with no prob. But the pickup had to be adjusted closer to the strings, and the neck coil.... as down as possible, to enhance the little ´59 output as much as i could without sacrificing tone, and balance the neck/bridge pickups´ output.

If you just want to play straight-rock, you can wire it in series. I think you wont regret it, but i would certainly prefer a SSL-3 single with "coil-tap option" (not coil split, as it´s not a humbucker). Sounds raw ... and it´s a true coil :approve:
 
Last edited:
Re: SL 59-1 Users get over here:)

And i lost the 4-position notched sound (bridge + middle in parallel and in phase) typical sound of my strat.

Hey Franco; Just for future reference, its real easy to split a neck or a bridge humbucker using the standard Strat 5-way, so that you can retain that clasic "notch" tone. Just requires two more connections. I can show you a quicky diagram tonight if you want.

As for the Lil 59, I had one once, and I liked it, but it was quite awhile ago, when I was maddly trying out new pups. So, I didn't keep it, and I don't remember it very well. Just that I liked it and it was "beefy" as compared to a Strat single.
 
Re: SL 59-1 Users get over here:)

Sure it is beefier, and there´s no comparison to sock bridge coil...

I didn´t remember at the time to Split the little 59 , in order to combine only of it´s little coils with the middle pickup.
That would do the trick !! And Retain the series-like humbucker sound of his.

If you can, drop it in here... :1:
I am not a big user of the normal strat 5-way switch. I have a super-switch in my strat with custom sounds.

See in here : http://www.guitarnuts.com/wiring/menu.php
My Strat uses the " THE-FIVE " wiring. Very interesting and distinctive sounds. :1:
Designed it myself, after understanding how easy it is to get sounds with this switch.

Cheers
 
Re: SL 59-1 Users get over here:)

Never had one, but apparently, the hotrails may sound like a little Invader, whereas the little 59 has a mover vintage vibe to it, and is lower in output which is not a bad thing, just depends on the tone you´re looking after.
 
Re: SL 59-1 Users get over here:)

I'd stay away from the HR unless you need the extra output... it can be sort of square-sounding. Really crunchy and nice for a strat, but not a lot of versatility.
 
Re: SL 59-1 Users get over here:)

I think cool rails would do you justice, you can have a bit more clarity that way when you run more gain.
 
Re: SL 59-1 Users get over here:)

IMO, the 'Lil 59 sounds the closest to it's big brother out of all the 'Lil buckers in the Duncan line. It really is a great sounding pickup. I had one in one of my Strats for a long time until I decided to go all single-coils in that Strat. For classic rock, hard rock, and even some 80's metal, you can't go wrong with it.
 
Re: SL 59-1 Users get over here:)

If you can, drop it in here... :1:

I wasn't thinking before. You can definitely do both neck and/or bridge with this simple mod:

Strat-split.png


Edit: BTW - Thats one of Duncans standard diagrams:

1h_1s_1h_1v_1t_5w_as
 
Last edited:
Re: SL 59-1 Users get over here:)

The lil '59 is great. The hot rails is ok, but as has been indicated, it isn't as versatile.

If your amp depended on seeing a strong signal from your pup, then I'd get the hot rails. Otherwise, lil '59!

I had excellent results using a lil '59, in the bridge position of a Strat, w/an old Fender, somewhat old Hiwatt, and a JCM 900, playing blues, blues rock, and hard rock. I only sold that Strat because of an old story, 'something had to go'...and someone wanted it!
 
Back
Top