Opinions on neck pickups (HS-3 vs Cool Rails)

[agresivo]

I'm considering to get a new neck pickup for my Charvel 650XL, and I've seen two interesting candidates:

DiMarzio HS-3 or Seymour Duncan Cool Rails

What are your opinions on these pickups?

As I'm not looking for a high-gain humbucker, which of these two sounds sweeter for soloing?

Also, do they sound well if I wire them for single coil mode (with a push pull pot)?

[agresivo]

Re: Opinions on neck pickups (HS-3 vs Cool Rails)

Anybody?

[BLOOD SPLATTER]

Re: Opinions on neck pickups (HS-3 vs Cool Rails)

I love the Dimarzio HS-3 but it's really not very strat sounding though I've never tried it wired as a single!! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Chucksplatter

[txcharvel]

Re: Opinions on neck pickups (HS-3 vs Cool Rails)

I have an HS-3 in my Model 5FX, I really don't dig it that much. My favorite is the Duncan '59 and I'm planning on putting a Duncan Little '59 in place of the HS-3.

JMHO

[agresivo]

Re: Opinions on neck pickups (HS-3 vs Cool Rails)

Originally posted by txcharvel:
I have an HS-3 in my Model 5FX, I really don't dig it that much. My favorite is the Duncan '59 and I'm planning on putting a Duncan Little '59 in place of the HS-3.

JMHO

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Well, the neck pickup in my 650XL is a Little '59. If you don't like the HS-3... how about a trade?

[txcharvel]

Re: Opinions on neck pickups (HS-3 vs Cool Rails)

Just pulled the pickup, it's and HS-2...sorry.

With that...I guess I don't care much for the HS-2.

[Chuckracer]

Re: Opinions on neck pickups (HS-3 vs Cool Rails)

At one time (and perhaps still), Eric Johnson was using either the HS-2 or the HS-3 and using just one of the coils.

I've used both the HS-3 and the Cool Rails. Of the two I liked the Cool Rails better, but I wish I'd tried the HS-3 wired like Eric Johnsons.

Neither one gave a really good Strat front single coil tone. My favorite neck single is the Rio Grande Vintage Tallboy.

[j2379]

Re: Opinions on neck pickups (HS-3 vs Cool Rails)

i like the cool rail alot & its sounds good tapped too.

[1trussell]

Re: Opinions on neck pickups (HS-3 vs Cool Rails)

I've got the Cool Rails in the mid of my 650 matched up with a Hot Rails in the neck. The Cool Rails is definitely a nice pickup, it matches well with higher output pickups. No experience with the Dimarzio, but you will not be disappointed with the Cool Rails.

[Shawn Lutz]

Re: Opinions on neck pickups (HS-3 vs Cool Rails)

I've had them both and in a strat type guitar they both work very well. I prefer the cool rails tho. I have one in a DK2 and a Model 3, both in the neck positions.