Lil '59 pup- opinions, experiences?

[diablo175]

Anyone ever play one? Do they approximate a rhythm hum in as much as a single coil can?

Trying like hell to get a hum sounding rhythm pup in my Cali LE Project codename: Python without actually routing for a full size hum...

[serial]

I personally think they suck complete ass. One of the only pickups I've hated instantly and continued to dislike in every guitar I had one in.

[diablo175]

Okayyyy... anyone else wanna weigh in?

[MCChris]

I had a neck Hot Rails in a super Strat back in the day that I was very happy with.

Oh, and if you route a Cali to accommodate a full-size neck humbucker, you're gonna get that stupid Diablo-esque tilt and the whole thing will be too close to the bridge, thus resulting in something that doesn't sound like a neck humbucker should anyway. So keep that in mind before you hack up a Cali.

[diablo175]

I had a neck Hot Rails in a super Strat back in the day that I was very happy with.

Oh, and if you route a Cali to accommodate a full-size neck humbucker, you're gonna get that stupid Diablo-esque tilt and the whole thing will be too close to the bridge, thus resulting in something that doesn't sound like a neck humbucker should anyway. So keep that in mind before you hack up a Cali.

Got a Hot Rails in my Purple metal flake LE. Wanted something a little more, uh, '59-ish.

For what it's worth, I love my Diablo and I sure hope I find the results to be otherwise on my impending Custom Cali.

[atquinn]

I like Dimarzio's singlcoil-sized humbuckers more than Duncans. I've liked the Chopper and the ProTrack in the the neck slot of Calis.

-

Austin

[jaberwock]

Sterile, devoid of character, sounds dull compared to the single coils, yet doesn't have the warmth of a humbucker; I ended up putting it in my friend's son's Mexican Strat, he loves it through his mondo ultra distortion pedal, but then it's pretty much impossible to hear anything but the distortion. Like other folks have pointed out DiMarzio do a way better job of this.

Jaberwock

[BLuesBuster]

The Lil '59 is not a bad pickup, but to my ears there's better. It all depends of the guitar that will host the pickup. The '59 mixes well with single coils but it's a tad bright and the mids and lows could be more pronounced for a humbucker. I would guess that's why it doesn't really sound all that warm, as some would expect.

DiMarzio has some good ones - like the Air Norton - and if you're more inclined to Seymour Duncan you should try the JB. The '59 may be better suited for a neck position.

[diablo175]

The Lil '59 is not a bad pickup, but to my ears there's better. It all depends of the guitar that will host the pickup. The '59 mixes well with single coils but it's a tad bright and the mids and lows could be more pronounced for a humbucker. I would guess that's why it doesn't really sound all that warm, as some would expect.

DiMarzio has some good ones - like the Air Norton - and if you're more inclined to Seymour Duncan you should try the JB. The '59 may be better suited for a neck position.

For clarification- it is intended for the neck position in my Cali.

[murkat]

Humbucker tone in single coil size,

Jackson J200R

works for me in my old soloist in spades.

[Bloozguy]

I've got a Lil '59 in the neck position of my B-bender Tele. If it weren't for the sentimental value of that guitar that pickup would be long gone. It sounds barely OK as a humbucker and barely OK tapped as a single coil. What's that old saying...Jack of all trades, master of none...

Check out a Duncan Duckbucker. I've heard a few of those and to me they're a nicer sounding small humbucker.

[cynic]

You might try contacting holLoWskull and getting him to elaborate on the Rio Grande Bladerunner mentioned here

[diablo175]

You might try contacting holLoWskull and getting him to elaborate on the Rio Grande Bladerunner mentioned here

Very cool. Thanks.

FWIW- I have already bought the Lil '59 so, if I am going to take the hit and lose a bunch flipping it (sounds like NO ONE on this site will touch them ) I'd prefer to avoid selling Paul to pay Ringo... or something like that.

[Bennyboy-UK]

What's a neck pickup?

[BLuesBuster]

It can work well in the neck position. If you already bought it go ahead and install it, you may like it.

[diablo175]

What's a neck pickup?

oh about 75 bucks installed.

[Studio Custom]

It is a close approximation of a full sized 59, I have several and think they are ok. Another option is the Cool Rail, which is almost identical in tone, but the rails will aid a Cali given the sloped nature of the neck pickup in that model.

[diablo175]

It is a close approximation of a full sized 59, I have several and think they are ok. Another option is the Cool Rail, which is almost identical in tone, but the rails will aid a Cali given the sloped nature of the neck pickup in that model.

If this is true then I'll be happy. I love the sound coming outta the '59 in that Charvel I'm selling. I wanted too get something as close to that tone in my Cali. Rhythm pick up lead runs are so much fun & cool sounding.

[morningstar]

There's a lil 59 in the neck of the StuTDavis Frankencali. It sounds good with the bridge, but feeble by itself. I'd rate it "meh".

morningstar