Tele Hot Rails vs. Tele Lil' 59 - HELP!

[fuzzyratfarts]

I am getting a Mexican telecaster for Christmas and plan immediately to replace the bridge pickup. I bought the tele for its looks and playibility, not necessarily for the twangy tone. Before I make this statement, I KNOW THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO RECREATE A GUITARISTS TONE. However, I am going for a pretty aggressive tone in the bridge, I want to play stuff like 311 and Rage Against the Machine and Red Hot Chili Peppers. I often like to play through my Fender Hot Rod Deluxe with the clean volume cranked to achieve natural tube distortion. This guitar will be mainly for harder rock tones, especially in the bridge position. I have been heavily leaning towards the Hot Rails, but will it be too aggressive or should I go for a Lil' 59 in the bridge for this tone? PLEASE HELP!!!

 

[Kac]

Re: Tele Hot Rails vs. Tele Lil' 59 - HELP!

I've used the '59 and the Rails, Personally I don't think the rails will be too heavy at all. In fact, I think the '59 might not give you quite enough for what you're asking, but you have a very nice amp, and both pick-ups are very good, I would just suggest the Rails.

I'll let other people offer their opinion as well.

Rock On.

 

[Xeromus]

Re: Tele Hot Rails vs. Tele Lil' 59 - HELP!

keep in mind much of Tom Morello's tone was a stock telecaster neck pickup through a marshall JCM800

 

[joelap]

Re: Tele Hot Rails vs. Tele Lil' 59 - HELP!

keep in mind much of Tom Morello's tone was a stock telecaster neck pickup through a marshall JCM800

+1, but the other half was also a frankenstein guitar with EMG's in it (81's I believe though I'm not entirely sure).

Morello used the telecaster on "testify" and the frankenstein on "bulls on parade" if you'd like two distinct references. Xeromus is right though, that tele is completely stock.

I am a big 311 fan, and Tim Mahoney has two PRS guitars, one with a JB/Alnico 2 pro and another with Alnico 2 Pro/Alnico 2 Pro. If you don't mind carving into the wood (or having someone do it for you), a JB in the bridge is perfect for the 311 sound.

I have no experience with either the Hot Rails for Tele or the lil'59, but if your style leans more towards Tim Mahoney than Tom Morello, your best bet would be a JB. Assuming, of course, you'll consent to having your guitar routed to fit the humbucker in there.

 

[fuzzyratfarts]

Re: Tele Hot Rails vs. Tele Lil' 59 - HELP!

hey joelap, do you have the new 311 day dvd from the show in new orleans? what pickups are on that guitar?? i know they are seymour duncans, and i assume its a JB/a2 combo but im not sure. its the white PRS. do you know the pickups in it?

 

[joelap]

Re: Tele Hot Rails vs. Tele Lil' 59 - HELP!

hey joelap, do you have the new 311 day dvd from the show in new orleans? what pickups are on that guitar?? i know they are seymour duncans, and i assume its a JB/a2 combo but im not sure. its the white PRS. do you know the pickups in it?

I've seen them live 3 times, and I've only seen Tim Mahoney play the Sky Blue PRS. To my knowledge, the sky blue one is the JB/A2. If the white isn't new, then it should be the A2/A2. Does he play that guitar a lot throughout the DVD? I have the old 311 Day DVD but not the new one yet.

I know he uses no-logo pickups (or at least the A2's in his guitars are no logos) because I brought binoculars to the last show and zoomed in on his guitar and pickups and amps pretty much the whole night :laugh2:

FYI -> There isnt going to be a 311 day this year because they'll be in the studio recording their new album.

Let me know if you are willing to drill the holes in your guitar. If you are, send me a Private message and I'll set you up with everything you would need for a Tim or Tom sound. Those two guys I have their sounds/setup pretty much memorized, so I can help you out bigtime.

 

[joelap]

Re: Tele Hot Rails vs. Tele Lil' 59 - HELP!

Actually, if you could tell me some songs he uses the white PRS for, I could probably give you a more accurate answer. Or just shoot me a private message and we'll talk incognito lol

 

[fuzzyratfarts]

Re: Tele Hot Rails vs. Tele Lil' 59 - HELP!

joelap, i PMed you

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Tele Hot Rails vs. Tele Lil' 59 - HELP!

it's so weird that Joelap quoted me, now I can barely read a thread without thinking I typed something and don't remember doing it.

Oh and if the Tele Hot Rails is anything like the Strat Hot Rails (which i'm rockin) then it'll be just enough to boost your tubes into THAT ZONE. If you crank your amp anyway, the Rails might even be a passable substitute for a distortion pedal.

-X

 

[joelap]

Re: Tele Hot Rails vs. Tele Lil' 59 - HELP!

it's so weird that Joelap quoted me, now I can barely read a thread without thinking I typed something and don't remember doing it.

Want me to remove it?

Rat farts, I'm going to PM you back in a second.