Will P-rails TWANG?

[burningyen]

Re: Will P-rails TWANG?

Adding another data point to this thread, I just finished up a build with P-Rails in reverse configuration (rails out, P-90s in) and a 3-way toggle to select rail, P-90 and humbucker modes:

Here's a demo of all 9 modes, using the same patch on my Kemper:

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Will P-rails TWANG?

Ill still go with the p rails for the ibanez for the humbucker/p 90 tones and I'll just also carry around the crappy hulk guitar for twang.
So since I'm not gonna worry about the twang in the ibanez after all, I'm assuming I should go with regular rail inward orientation for best p 90 and humbucker tones, right?

You may just find that you get adequate twang from the Rail coil of a bridge P-Rail in your Ibanez. I would still recommend the Rail coil toward the bridge with an A8 mag to boost its power. With the P-90 coil toward the bridge there is little difference between the P-90 and rail sounds. With the Rail coil toward the bridge, it really amplifies the differences between those two coils making the P-Rail a much more versatile sounding pup.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Will P-rails TWANG?

http://youtu.be/xTt2GJEeoQY?t=2m18s

I'm no twanger, but I can fake it for about 30 seconds at a time. About 2 minutes in I start picking, using the P-90 coil in the bridge of a locking trem basswood guitar. Does that help? It's still "what you do with it" but the pickup should give you enough to work with.

Rails out is a totally valid setup. I even said that in my original communication with Duncan when I was sending them prototypes. Originally I wanted an "S" logo like what ended up on the Mick Thomson pickups. That way you could flip them around and the logo would look regular. But it was decided it looked better with the smaller Rails sized logo. However I have always said that you can order Shop Floor Custom any P-Rails with an upside-down logo so that it's right side up if you flip it.

I would prefer it flipped in a Tele, so the rail coil can approximate the Tele Rhythm pickup. I also have wanted to flip them on one of my H/S/H guitars (probably the one in that youtube video) but the logo has made me leave them. I'd have to rip the covers off and re-glue them back'erds. Maybe I'll just buff the logo off.

Well, Frank,
I personally think that Duncan should have listened to you about the logo. Makes perfect sense, especially considering all the experimenting that I did with the orientation of the P-Rails. It would have made reverse mounting look perfectly normal.

 

[toasterdude]

Re: Will P-rails TWANG?

Well, Frank,
I personally think that Duncan should have listened to you about the logo. Makes perfect sense, especially considering all the experimenting that I did with the orientation of the P-Rails. It would have made reverse mounting look perfectly normal.

I lucked out. Ordered 3 sets of custom shop p rails in pearloid. No logos. Looked like Frank's prototypes. Ordered a 4th set and they came with logos.

I have grown to like the look of p rails. I have them in 5 guitars with a 6th build due next week. The 7th will be some time in the future. Normal mounting config in all. All mounted in JTV variax transplants so used in combo with modeled sounds 95% of the time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[guitarplayerpr]

Re: Will P-rails TWANG?

I wouldn't say that the rail coil in a P-Rails sounds bad, it's just that it really doesn't sound like a vintage-style Strat pickup. It's sort of in the same ballpark in terms of output and general tonality, but it's really its own thing. I've used them before and I'm about to get a set for my SG, and I really like all 4 sounds you can get with triple-shots or similar. Since you wanted to know as much as possible about them, I'll include my impressions of the 4 sounds / modes.

1. Series: A rather fat humbucker that compares nicely with a Custom or JB. The coils aren't matched, so there's definitely some single coil personality coming through. I've heard some say it sounds like a humbucker-ized version of the P-90 and I can't say I disagree.

2. Parallel: P-rails' best-kept secret IMO; I don't know why this option isn't used more often. Sounds like a bright PAF (maybe a less-soft Pearly Gates?) with strong single coil personality due to the mismatched coils. When using both P-Rails I used the neck pickup in this mode or P-90 most of the time.

3. P-90: That pretty much says it all; the closest thing I've heard to a real P-90 that fits in a humbucker slot. I have a set of Phat Cats in my SG now, and I'm switching to P-Rails for the extra versatility and because this P-90 is MUCH better than a stock Phat Cat.

4. Rail: A very modern Strat-ish sound. The best description I can think of is maybe to imagine the Vintage Rails as a true single. They excel at a hifi clean sound, but I can't say I've used them for much beyond that. I definitely plan to play this one more once I change pickups in my SG.

Surprisingly, for some, I've been using the rails side of the P-Rails a lot. Is it weaker than the P-90s position? OF COURSE!!!!! That's what's supposed to be, duh!!!! In fact, I have my P-Rails on a Squier VM 72 and I have to say that it's the best mod I've ever had on any guitar. The key is to use 500K pots. You'll thank me.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Will P-rails TWANG?

Is this like Walking Dead type resurrection?