Tele or Strat HotRails for Cali?

[diablo175]

I've been using Duncan Hot Rails in the neck position of most of my Cali's. However, I recall using both Tele and Strat style versions. The Strat style is more difficult to install as the mounting holes are in a hard plastic platform with no room for adjusting. If memory serves, the p'ups holes do NOT line up with the screw holes in the body. Suggests having to pull and plug the holes and re drill to correct distance/placement.

The Tele style has a little wiggle room as the base is not quite so rigid and looks to be designed for flush mounting as opposed to the Strat style being from under a pick guard .

So, experts, which is it?

 

 

 

 

 

[atquinn]

I've never had a trouble mounting any Duncan Rail or Dimarzio rail in a Cali neck slot and I've only ever used the strat format. However, it sounds like you've used the old style of rails. I've only used the new style. They have threaded metal inserts in the mounting tabs, but it doesn't matter because the Cali mounting screws are small enough to go right through. I'm not an expert, but I've used Duncan Rails in multiple Cali's and never had any issue.

For instance, I had no problem getting this Hot Rail in. And I also tried a Cool Rail, and a few Dimarzios in the slot (Chopper, Fast Track 1, and Pro Track and probably something else I'm forgetting), all without issues.

-

Austin

[diablo175]

10 minutes ago, atquinn said:

I've never had a trouble mounting any Duncan Rail or Dimarzio rail in a Cali neck slot and I've only ever used the strat format. However, it sounds like you've used the old style of rails. I've only used the new style. They have threaded metal inserts in the mounting tabs, but it doesn't matter because the Cali mounting screws are small enough to go right through. I'm not an expert, but I've used Duncan Rails in multiple Cali's and never had any issue.

For instance, I had no problem getting this Hot Rail in. And I also tried a Cool Rail, and a few Dimarzios in the slot (Chopper, Fast Track 1, and Pro Track and probably something else I'm forgetting), all without issues.

-

Austin

I know it's has been posted before but Sweet Hay-Zeus, that's a gorgeous Cali, Austin.

 I tried using a Strat-style HR in the latest Cali project in which the cavity had threaded receiver holes.  When I tried to install the HR using the previous mounting screws, the screw spacing did not line up. Missed the one receiver, off by a few millimeters. Seem to recall it having EMG's in there when I got it from Kurtstuff.

 

 

[atquinn]

22 minutes ago, diablo175 said:

I know it's has been posted before but Sweet Hay-Zeus, that's a gorgeous Cali, Austin.

 I tried using a Strat-style HR in the latest Cali project in which the cavity had threaded receiver holes.  When I tried to install the HR using the previous mounting screws, the screw spacing did not line up. Missed the one receiver, off by a few millimeters. Seem to recall it having EMG's in there when I got it from Kurtstuff.

 

 

I've never had a trouble mounting any Duncan Rail or Dimarzio rail in a Cali neck slot and I've only ever used the strat format. However, it sounds like you've used the old style of rails. I've only used the new style. They have threaded metal inserts in the mounting tabs, but it doesn't matter because the Cali mounting screws are small enough to go right through. I'm not an expert, but I've used Duncan Rails in multiple Cali's and never had any issue.

I've never had a Cali that came stock with EMGs, so that might account for the difference. Most of the Calis I've had came with Duncan PATBs.

-

Austin