Tomorrow, tomorrow. I love you tomorrow! - SD Cool Rails Neck

[comstox]

TOMORROW is when I expect to get my new S.D. Hot Rails Mid/Neck and S.D. Cool Rails Neck in the mail! I'z excited! :banana:

Anyways, I need some feedback here from guys who have used Hot Rails NECK and Cool Rails NECK pickups. I already have Hot Rails BRIDGE for Strat installed and they made such an improvement I then went out and bought the two other neck/mid 'Rail' pickups. When I bought the new Hot Rails Mid/Neck and the Cool Rails Mid/Neck my intentions were to put the Cool in the neck and the Hot in the middle; THEN... someone said, "You could also try the HR in the neck and the CR in the middle and see if you like it." Then... I started to over think things.

Long intro but here's my question: WHO has run Cool Rails in the middle and Hot in the neck??? (Strat setup.) Let me know what you guys noticed and if ANY OF YOU did put the CR in mid and HR in the neck, did you like it like that or switch it back?

Thanks in advance!
Glen in New Hampshire

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Tomorrow, tomorrow. I love you tomorrow! - SD Cool Rails Neck

I've tried them both, but not at once. My instinct would be to put the CR in the neck and the HR in the middle. Since the HR is a bit hotter so it would balance and since the CR is a bit middier so it would cut in the neck.

 

[comstox]

Re: Tomorrow, tomorrow. I love you tomorrow! - SD Cool Rails Neck

My instinct would be to put the CR in the neck and the HR in the middle. Since the HR is a bit hotter so it would balance and since the CR is a bit middier so it would cut in the neck.

Thanks Clint! That is what I'm sure I'll do. It seems logical to hot from HR Bridge in bridge - HR Neck in Middle, then Cool Rails in the Neck. I just want to see what you guys might be thinking. - Thanks again,
Glen

 

[jeremy]

Re: Tomorrow, tomorrow. I love you tomorrow! - SD Cool Rails Neck

the cr neck middier than the hr neck? not to my ears. it depends what you want out of the guitar but id say try it both ways and see what suits you better since you will have them

 

[comstox]

Re: Tomorrow, tomorrow. I love you tomorrow! - SD Cool Rails Neck

Well... I'm disappointed in the turnout with my "Rails" build. I did as mentioned and put the Hot Bridge in Bridge - Hot Neck in Middle, and Cool in Neck. The cool is SO COOL, that it sounds muddy and weak. I wasn't expecting that!
I'm playing on the bridge and it's screaming! I go to middle and it's a Hot Rail and it sounds as I'd expect from a middle Hot Rails, but when I go to the Cool in neck it sounds like I turned the tone all the way down. I've checked and rechecked wiring, the coils are NOT split, but it sounds awful! I've tried adjusting the CR height and it does sound the best up high, but it's still not what I was expecting.
Any suggestions?

 

[Jacew]

Re: Tomorrow, tomorrow. I love you tomorrow! - SD Cool Rails Neck

Try to connect CR neck straight to jack. If wiring surely is right and you're sure it isn't accidentally grounding anywhere, you may have faulty pot. It sounds like pickup has too much load.

If it is indeed working. You could try to switch to 500k volume.

You say HR neck sounds in the middle "as expected"? How is that? I'm interested as I ordered one for middle position of my upcoming build.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Tomorrow, tomorrow. I love you tomorrow! - SD Cool Rails Neck

I've never heard the Cool Rails described as muddy, so I'd try to wire it directly to the jack. It should sound clear and scooped (sort of like a Jazz humbucker) even with 250k pots, so it does sound like something is wrong here.