Hot Rails VS. JB for a strat bridge pickup?

[paults]

I'm putting together a low bucks strat. So, I'm looking at a couple of pickups I have laying around for the bridge position. How does the sound of a Hot Rails compare to a full-size JB?

Anyone ever try a Hot Rails in the middle? Would it be too hot or muddy to put it there, and use the JB at the bridge?

[ZR]

The full size JB will probably be the ticket. The hot rails was always harsh sounding to me. For a single sized HB I like the Dim Fast Track 2. I'm surprised sometimes that it's not Full sized! YMMV

[silentman]

Never heard one in the middle, but I have a Hot Rails in the bridge of my daytona. It is HOT and LOUD. I like it, but I'm not after strat-like tones. The JB would sound totally different.

[bubs_42]

After playing a Koa Mirage, I love the sound of the Hot Rails and Vintage Rails together so I bought a set and put them in my 91 Strat Plus. I didn't dig the Hot rails at all, It was full on all the time. I swapped it out for the JB JR. Sounds great so thats the set that I'm curently with.

[Bass Guy Dave]

If I remember right, the Hot Rails is about the highest output pasive pickup Duncan makes, aside from the Invader.

With a modern, or modeling amp, I wouldn't think you'd actually need that high an output from the pickup, but if you like the tone...

The issue I've had with using the Hot Rails is the output is so strong, it's tough to blend it with the middle pickup in position 2. If you use the bridge for mostly lead, you might like it as sort of a natural 'boost' in volume.

Purely my .02. Hope it helps.

Best Wishes

[ZR]

Also, the Dim FT 2 sounds great rolled back the Hot Rails didn't respond like that - too hot and one dimensional to me. I have a friend w/ one in a Tele and it sounds pretty good in that one.

[KH Guitar Freak]

Just don't dig the JB tone myself...

[silentman]

If I remember right, the Hot Rails is about the highest output pasive pickup Duncan makes, aside from the Invader.

With a modern, or modeling amp, I wouldn't think you'd actually need that high an output from the pickup, but if you like the tone...

The issue I've had with using the Hot Rails is the output is so strong, it's tough to blend it with the middle pickup in position 2. If you use the bridge for mostly lead, you might like it as sort of a natural 'boost' in volume.

Purely my .02. Hope it helps.

Best Wishes

Yes, I've tried many times to balance out the volume with the vintage rails I have in the middle and neck, and can't get it close in volume. It'll push the amp hard. Great for metal! If you want vintage tone, forget it. Sounds like paul is trying to get by with what's in the parts drawer. A lil '59 might be good for broader applications with a humbucker voinced single. Not sure what the cool rails might do for ya.

[KeyOfZ]

+ 10 for DiMarzio Fast Track 2 - Great tone and sounds like a full sized humbucker. Roll off the volume and and it gets warmer.

I also have a DiMarzio ProTrack in my other Daytona that sounds more like a PAF (Single slot version of the DiMarzio PAFPro)

-KeyOfZ

[ZR]

Key of Z,

Do you know what the FT 2 is supposed to be like compared to the full size versions of their HB line?

[paults]

Thanks for the info- I knew I could count on you all for a better idea of how the pickup sounds.

[Brooks]

paul, i'll trade my single sized duncan jb for your hot rails.

pm me if int.

[Ethan]

All the electric guitar sounds on these songs are an american tele with a hot rails in the bridge, into either a marshall 2000 amp or a fender deville~

http://www.myspace.com/christopherkincaid

I always kinda dug the hotrails sound, ive got a few friends with strats/teles with them and i think they sound good....however i've got a jb in my sg and i love the way it sounds too. choices choices!