Vintage Rail neck ?

[IMENATOR]

I was trying to get me a Classic Stack plus neck but I found the Vintage Rail to be available at the local store. I already have a Custom Stack Plus (STK-S6) available for the bridge position of my red Strat, an SSL-1 for the middle and was thinking on getting a hum cancelling neck Strat tone. How would you compare Vintage Rail neck to the Classic Stack plus neck? Are they same output or is it lower output? I would hate a serious volume mismatch because the STK-S6 is already a bit louder but being in the bridge compensates a bit for that.

 

[Artie]

A Vintage Rails is designed to be wired in parallel. Therefore, its output is fairly "tame." It would probably be on par with the SSL-1 though. It can be wired in series for more output, but then you lose the chime and "single-coil-ness" that it was designed for to begin with. It's one of those pups that you almost have to try, to see if you like it.

But wait for others to chime in.

P.S. Don't use it's measured DCR to judge output level. That doesn't fly with parallel coils. Consider it to be approx a 5k pickup for comparison purposes.

P.S.S. If they have a VR bridge version, that could work good too. (In the neck.)

 

[IMENATOR]

I just found this little "Output" indicator in the website. Is it really representative in your experience? According to that Vintage Rail is a bit louder than a Classic Stack Plus.

 

[Mononoaware]

I think Artie's spot on when he says about 5k single coil range. It's a very, very vintage output. Super chimey.

That said, the Vintage Rails bridge is fantastic in the neck. It's my preference, actually.

They also have a slightly different character than a real single coil--more hi-fi, and smoother with distortion. I like it, and it works alongside other rail types (Cool Rails, Dimarzio Cruiser, etc.), but don't know how it'd blend with traditional rod-magnet pickups.

 

[Mincer]

The STK-S6 and Vintage Rails aren't a great match if balanced output is the goal. An STK-S4 is most likely a better choice. The Vintage Rails probably has more highs, and less mids, but a lot less output due to being wired in parallel. A set of Vintage Rails is a good thing, but not so much when blended with higher output pickups.

 

[jeremy]

I just found this little "Output" indicator in the website. Is it really representative in your experience? According to that Vintage Rail is a bit louder than a Classic Stack Plus.

i dont find it all that accurate

 

[PFDarkside]

It would bother me to look down and see two Strat style pickups and a vintage rails. I’d order the STK-S4.

 

[Artie]

It would bother me to look down and see two Strat style pickups and a vintage rails. I’d order the STK-S4.

Yes, but Duckbuckers and Vintage Rails never get the respect they deserve. They're the red-headed step-children of the Duncan line. Sweet, kind, subdued. But with something to say.

 

[Mincer]

Yeah, I don't want to give the idea that they aren't good. I like both the VR and Duckbuckers, but usually when 3 of them are used at once. Their weird lower output make them a little harder to go with other pickups, especially if volume balance is your thing. They do sound like fantastic, quiet Strat pickups, though.

 

[Artie]

Yeah, I don't want to give the idea that they aren't good.

Heh. I was mixing my review with some Evan Williams. Sorry.

 

[jeremy]

in series they arent as low output, not quite as stratty though

 

[Mononoaware]

Yeah, I don't want to give the idea that they aren't good. I like both the VR and Duckbuckers, but usually when 3 of them are used at once. Their weird lower output make them a little harder to go with other pickups, especially if volume balance is your thing. They do sound like fantastic, quiet Strat pickups, though.

I've come to this conclusion, too. I have a set I may hold onto until I can do an all-VR guitar. Maybe something like a Duo-Sonic would be interesting...

 

[Artie]

Maybe something like a Duo-Sonic would be interesting...

I've thought about that too. Or even a Mustang.