Seymour Duncan Hot Rails: To Wax Pot Or Not?

Seymour Duncan Hot Rails pickups are wax potted for squeal-free operation. The Hot Rails for Strat single coil-sized humbuckers are hand-built in Santa Barbara, California, and come with a 4-conductor lead wire for multiple wiring options. The Hot Rails Tele set is meant to be a drop-in replacement for American Standard Fender Telecaster-sized pickup routes and also includes a 4-conductor lead wire for multiple wiring options. The P-Rails humbucker, which combines a Hot Rails coil with a Vintage P90, is vacuum wax potted and comes with a 4-conductor lead wire to allow for all wiring options.

Seymour Duncan Hot Rails Pickups are wax potted for squeal-free operation

The wax potting process helps to fill any gaps or air pockets within the pickup, which can reduce the vibration of the internal components. This, in turn, helps to eliminate any unwanted resonance or squealing that can occur when the pickup is exposed to loud volumes or distortion.

Seymour Duncan Hot Rails Pickups are known for their high output and powerful sound, making them a popular choice for rock and metal guitarists. The wax potting process ensures that these pickups can be pushed to high volumes without producing unwanted feedback or squealing. This allows musicians to achieve the aggressive and crunchy tones that are often desired in rock and metal music without being limited by the limitations of their equipment.

In addition to the wax potting, Seymour Duncan Hot Rails Pickups also feature powerful magnets and overwound coils, which contribute to their high output and distinctive sound. The dual blade construction of the pickups provides maximum string coverage, allowing for clear and powerful chords, as well as smooth and fluid solos.

The Hot Rails Pickups are available in different configurations, such as the bridge and neck models, allowing guitarists to find the perfect setup for their musical needs. The bridge model, in particular, is known for its high output and aggressive tone, making it a great choice for guitarists who want to add a bit of extra crunch to their sound.

Seymour Duncan recommends buying the set to capture the full voicing of their pickups

Seymour Duncan has been making pickups for over 45 years. While their individual pickups sound great on their own, the company recommends buying the set to capture the full voicing of what they tried to create. The set also ensures that the pickups won't be out of phase with other pickups in your guitar.

The Hot Rails Strat pickup is Seymour Duncan's most powerful passive pickup for Strat. It has all the feel and tone of a high-output humbucker (SHR-1). The single-coil-sized humbucker delivers high output, loads of midrange harmonics, and an aggressive crunch that makes this a great bridge pickup for rock and metal.

The Hot P-Rails pickup is a hotter, more aggressive version of the P-Rails versatile humbucker pickup with Alnico 8 bar magnets for added punch. It is wound for maximum output and, combined with a pair of Alnico 8 bar magnets, is a versatile pickup.

The Mag Mic pickup is an acoustic guitar microphone pickup that combines a high-quality hum-cancelling magnetic Stack pickup with an omnidirectional condenser mic that includes volume controls. The magnetic pickup captures the detail and dynamics of your playing style, while the mic gathers the natural acoustic resonance and air of your sound as it reverberates inside your guitar. Together, they provide a crystal-clear acoustic tone.

Seymour Duncan has been making pickups for over 45 years

After moving to California and meeting Cathy Carter, the duo started a pickup rewinding service, which quickly grew in demand. Within two decades, they were manufacturing a wide range of guitar and bass pickups, as well as guitar accessories. Today, Seymour Duncan continues to create pickups in their Santa Barbara factory, with a team of master builders who have been with the company for an average of 21 years.

The company is known for its commitment to quality and tone, investing in their own molds and specifying special magnet wire to ensure consistency across their products. They manufacture a variety of pickup types, including Humbucker, Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jaguar, Jazzmaster, P90, and more. Seymour Duncan also produces effects pedals and bass pickups, with their products labelled as "Made in the USA" or "Designed and Assembled in Santa Barbara".

Seymour Duncan's best-selling pickup model is the SH-4 "JB Model" humbucker, which was originally created for Jeff Beck. Other popular pickups include the '59 Model, the Jazz (neck) and JB (bridge) set, and the Pearly Gates set. The company has also collaborated with several well-known musicians to create signature pickups, such as the SH-12 Screamin' Demon model for George Lynch and the SH-13 Dimebucker for "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott.

In addition to their standard product line, Seymour Duncan also offers Duncan Designed pickups, which are Korean-made versions of their most popular pickups for OEM use in mid-level guitars and basses. These pickups are designed to be used in either the neck or bridge position, offering a cost-effective option without sacrificing tone quality.

Seymour Duncan offers a 21-day exchange policy for their pickups

It is important to note that the 21-day exchange policy does not apply to Custom Shop and Shop Floor Custom pickups, which are considered final when the order is placed. However, in the case of an error or defect, these pickups may be returned within 30 days of delivery for a refund or replacement, and Seymour Duncan will provide return shipping. For international purchases, customers should contact their local distributor or the USA dealer for specific warranty details and return policies.

Seymour Duncan is committed to ensuring customer satisfaction and finding the right pickup for each individual and their guitar. Their 21-day exchange policy provides customers with the opportunity to try out different pickups and find the one that best suits their preferences. With a range of sound samples, videos, and a knowledgeable community forum, Seymour Duncan makes it easier for customers to make an informed decision about their purchases.

The Hot Rails for Strat single coil-sized humbuckers, for example, are hand-built in Santa Barbara, CA, and come with a 4-conductor lead wire for multiple wiring options. These pickups are wax potted for squeal-free operation and provide powerful, well-balanced humbucker tones for rock and metal. Similarly, the Hot P-Rails humbucker pickups offer a versatile, aggressive sound and come with a 4-conductor lead wire and are vacuum wax potted for optimal performance.

Seymour Duncan Hot Rails Pickups are high output single coil-sized humbuckers

Seymour Duncan Hot Rails Pickups are high-output single coil-sized humbuckers. They are designed to deliver powerful and versatile tones, making them a popular choice for guitarists seeking a high-output pickup that fits into a single coil slot. The Hot Rails Pickups are available for various guitar models, including the Stratocaster and Telecaster.

The Hot Rails Pickups feature strong ceramic magnets and overwound coils, resulting in well-balanced humbucker tones with high output and midrange harmonics. This makes them particularly suitable for rock and metal music. The dual-blade construction provides excellent string coverage, ensuring clear and articulate sound even when playing on the highest frets.

The bridge model of the Hot Rails Pickups is known for its aggressive crunch, transforming a Stratocaster into a different-sounding instrument. On the other hand, the neck model delivers warm and fat clean tones with a thick and fluid feel for solos. The Telecaster version of the Hot Rails Pickups is designed to provide a raw, heavy tone with amazing sustain, making it a favourite among guitarists who want a high-output rocker sound.

Seymour Duncan recommends buying the Hot Rails Pickups as a set to capture the full voicing and ensure compatibility with other pickups in the guitar. The pickups are hand-built in Santa Barbara, California, and the company offers a 21-day exchange policy for customers who are not completely satisfied with the sound.

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