What is the correct magnet orientation for a P Rails?

[Rex_Rocker]

I found I have a disassembled P-Rails lying around. I want to put it back together to try it (or sell it), but I don't want to solder only to find is out of phase with my bridge pickup and have to take the strings off again and flip the magnet.

Is there a way of testing the polarity without a compass? I've got other pickups at hand. Maybe if they repel/attract at certain sides?

Thank you.

 

[jeremy]

screw coil is screw coil and rail is stud, at least on my set. so screw south

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Thank you! OK... so screw coil should attract the slugs on a normal humbucker?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Also, if I just want to use the P90 part of the pickup, I would just wire black (hot) and white (ground), correct? Or do I have to twist the bare with the white to ground it?

 

[jeremy]

i always ground the bare wire. the p90 sound is my favorite on the prails

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Thank you.

Yeah, to be honest, it's the only sound I'm interested in from the P-Rails. I used to have a Phat Cat that I loved, but that one was A2. I wonder if I'll like the A5 P-Rails.

There seems to be a lot of Alnico in there with the double magnet. I wonder how hot it will be.

 

[Artie]

The neck is RWRP, so isn't the answer to the question opposite depending on if it's a bridge or neck version?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

The neck is RWRP, so isn't the answer to the question opposite depending on if it's a bridge or neck version?

It's a neck version.

 

[jeremy]

ah... i was talking about the bridge, i can run down and check quick

 

[jeremy]

bridge south p90 coil, neck north p90 coil. good catch artie

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Thank you for confirming.

So if I want it to play well, with, say, a JB, the screws on a P-Rails Neck should stick to the screws on the JB?