Which value pots with hot rails and cool rails?

[Steve R.]

For you guys running hot rails or cool rails in a strat, are you using 500k pots? Or 250k? Would 250k make them sound too muddy, or be okay in a bright guitar?

Thanks.

 

[Jeff5]

Re: Which value pots with hot rails and cool rails?

I've always used 500K pots with those pick ups. I think 250K would make them too muddy, but I've never tried it.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Which value pots with hot rails and cool rails?

Go with 500K

 

[Farkus]

Re: Which value pots with hot rails and cool rails?

For you guys running hot rails or cool rails in a strat, are you using 500k pots? Or 250k? Would 250k make them sound too muddy, or be okay in a bright guitar?

Thanks.

I don't have any experience with the cool rails but have used a full set of HR in the past. They sound thick with 250K, but have little definition. I personally suggest 500K for the hot rails at least.

 

[gripweed]

Re: Which value pots with hot rails and cool rails?

I think the Hot Rails needs 500k. Ymmv.

 

[Artie]

Re: Which value pots with hot rails and cool rails?

Hmmm . . . I don't remember doing a Hot Rails, but I've done CR's and VR's. They're meant to be replacements for Strats, with 250k pots. Thats always how I've used them, and they've always been "spot on". I vote 250k.

 

[Steve R.]

Re: Which value pots with hot rails and cool rails?

Well, here's what I'm thinking. A JB is too harsh in the bridge at 500k, so I was going to run 250k pots and give that a try. Neck pickup would be a cool rails, and I just wasn't sure if it would work out at 250k, but artie too's response in encouraging...

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Which value pots with hot rails and cool rails?

I agree with Artie, that they were intended for 250k.

I use 500k and 1 meg ohm with them.


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[freefrog]

Re: Which value pots with hot rails and cool rails?

Depends on the guitar. I have a Strat with a Custom shop 69 and 500k pots: it would be shrill in another axe, it sounds right in this one.

Back on topic: I have Hot Rails B & Cool Rails N in an alder body/bolt on neck axe, rather bright sounding (it's my workhorse guitar on stage). They work well with a 500k vol pot AND a 500k tone network (total load: 250k). They would probably sound muddy with a a 250k volume AND a 250k tone. All depends on the wiring schematic used... if it's a regular Strat wiring, the bridge pickup has no tone pot so it's not a problem to use a 250k volume pot...

Keep in mind that you can customize the DCR of your pots thx to added resistors (old recipe borrowed to Bill Lawrence - RIP).

Good luck and be happy!